The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Timeline
Saying ‘I do” to a well-planned beauty routine is the first step to a head-turning walk down the aisle.
We will show you what steps to take to the lead up to the wedding day.
Six Months Before the Wedding
1. Make a dermatologist appointment for both right now and the day before your wedding.
2. Book a brow-grooming appointment. Going from caterpillars to arches takes time. Throw out your tweezers and schedule regular trips to a professional. Any tinting should be done now, not before the wedding day.
3. Meet with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. Or join a gym, now is the time to get your body in shape.
4. Schedule your initial hair and makeup consultations. Bring pictures of your dress, accessories, veil, even a swatch of fabric if you have one, and as many inspiration images from Pinterest as possible. You can never pull enough reference images, ever.
5. Fine-tune your cut and color. This is not the time for an impulse bob. Keep it simple and natural, and if you’re trying to grow out bangs or layers, ask the stylist to lighten the ends, then keep your hands off. Also don’t forget to ask for a deep conditioning mask.
Three Months
Two Months
1. If you think you’re going to want a spray tan, book one now to make sure you like the color and the technician. If you do, book another tan two days before the wedding.
2. Get a manicure and pedicure or DIY, and keep your nails trimmed and clean, wean yourself off of cutting your cuticles, and stay away from acrylics and gels so your nails get stronger. It’s also a good idea to avoid strong colors now—clear or pinkish-beige nails are the most bridal-y and stain-free.
3. Exercise
One Month
1. Do your final makeup trial and photograph it. Take note of the lipstick and concealer the makeup artist uses and buy them for touch-ups.
2. Keep your brows in shape and steer clear of magnifying mirrors.
3. Exercise If you want to get lean, decrease your weights a touch and add five repetitions. “That sharpens muscle tone without making you look big,” says trainer David Kirsch.
Two Weeks
1. Get a final hair-color touch-up Color always looks best when it’s been a little lived in and settles down. Two weeks is the sweet spot.
2. Get your last facial If you need extractions, make sure you do them 15 days before the wedding to allow time for your skin to settle down.
3. Whiten your teeth either professionally or with an at-home whitening kit, which typically takes two weeks to show results.
Two Days
1. Get a spray tan. This is not the time for modesty. Wearing nothing but your birthday suit prevents any unfortunate lines when you’re in your dress or honeymoon bikini. Stay naked as long as possible.
2. Rinse off your spray tan after eight hours.
3. Book a manicure and pedicure (after your spray tan). Ask the manicurist to skip scrubs, and don’t soak for too long, which could fade your tan in unfortunate places (sock tan line, anyone?).
4. Pack a beauty kit for the wedding lipstick and gloss for touch-ups, concealer, blotting papers, Q-tips, translucent powder, breath mints, toothpicks, tissues, Advil, deodorant, baby powder, bobby pins, a mini can of hair spray, and Band-Aids.
One Day
Day of the Wedding
1. Start on your hair three to four hours before the ceremony. Wear a robe or a button-down shirt. Ask your stylist to prep and set your hair, then work on the bridesmaids. Once your hair is setting, you’re halfway there, and you can relax. Get some catering for your friends. Get ready in a pretty room. Start at a decent hour. This part should be fun.
2. Eat a high-protein breakfast and a light lunch
3. Three hours before, get your makeup done.
4. Two hours before, finish your hair.
5. One hour before, attach your headpiece if you’re wearing one.
6. Fifteen minutes before, touch up your makeup, consider a shot of tequila, and pop in a breath mint.
7. Walk out there. You look beautiful
