There’s a lot to fit into that
last week before the big day and if you’re well
organised you can arrange all your appointments so
they happen at just the right time.
We’ve spent some time with experienced
Peace & Quiet Beauty Therapist Claire Stafford
who shared with us all those little questions brides
have in relation to exactly how they should prepare
for their wedding day.
We’ve removed the glamour to
provide you with some nuts and bolts answers to your
questions.
When Should
I Start to Prepare my Skin?
Straight away. Essentially the preparation of your
skin really comes down to an excellent routine.
It’s not hours on end having professional treatments,
but the consisten day-to-day care of your skin that
is the best preparation.
The best part is, its cost
effective, simple to follow and you do it in the comfort of your own home.
The key is
to use great products - they don’t need be expensive,
just suited to your skin.
The best advice here would be to visit
a Beauty Therapist for a professional skin analysis
and assessment (generally done prior to a facial)
and ask the Therapist to tailor a skincare regime
specifically to your skin’s needs and your lifestyle.
Talk to your therapist about your budget and ensure
you invest in an eye cream!
What Regime
should I Follow at Home?
It is important you speak to your Beauty Therapist
individually about your home care regime, particularly
for your face. However, as a general rule, you should:
Exfoliate
your body twice a week (easiest in the shower)
Moisturise
your body EVERY day (easiest after the shower)
Soak your feet when you can to soften the skin ready
for your pedicure
Follow your daily face skincare regime including:
Cleanse and moisturise morning and night
Apply an eye cream morning and night (very important!)
Apply facial scrub once week
Apply facial mask once a week
Your Therapist may also recommend a serum for night
application.
How Long
Before the Day Should I Have a Facial?
Your skin will actually appear at its best on the
third day. For example, if your wedding is on a Saturday,
book your facial for Thursday.
Am I Going
to Break Out if I Have a Facial?
A facial will not be the cause of a pimple breaking
out. The hormones and stress levels accelerate in
your body during this time and may be the cause of
pimples. The likelihood of a pimple appearing will
not change by having a facial, it may just be that
the facial draws it out. However, this should NOT
put you off having a facial prior to your wedding.
If you are concerned about pimples talk to your Therapist.
You might also consider having a series
of professional facials in the lead up to your day.
This will better prepare your skin for the last facial
before your wedding.
What Happens
if I Do Break Out?
Firstly, don’t cancel the wedding and secondly
visit your Beauty Therapist! If you do discover a
pimple a few days before your wedding, you can definitely
do something about it. Most Beauty Therapists will
have a professional remedy product that can be used
on blemishes (for example at Peace & Quiet we
use La Clinica Intensive Spot Treatment). A remedy
will work to minimise the appearance of the pimple
immediately and then professional make-up on the day
will cover the remaining redness or mark.
Is a Trial
Make-up Essential?
The simple answer is no.. All Beauty Therapists are
intensively trained to professionally apply make-up
and with an excellent product you are sure to be happy.
However, in saying that, without a trial you don’t
know exactly what to expect and on the day there is
not a huge amount of time (or patience!) for experimentation.
A trial make-up allows you some one-on-one
time with the Therapist who will be applying your
make-up on the day (…make sure you check that
is in fact the case). A trial allows you to become
comfortable with your Therapist and use this time
to play around with colours that may or may not suit
you. Ask your Therapist to apply one side of the face
according to your thoughts and then the other to her
recommendations – compare the two. It’s
a good time for experimentation.
You may even take a sample of fabric,
shoes and jewellery to your Therapist so they can
imagine the whole picture.
Should I
Have a Fake Tan Done?
Good question, and the answer ultimately depends on
a number of factors.
Have you had fake tans before?
What tone is your skin? Are people used to seeing
you without tan?
If you are very pale and have not
experimented with fake tan - a few days before your
wedding is not a great time to try.
If you decide on having a fake tan
done, it would be advisable to spend some time experimenting
some months before the wedding. See if it actually
suits you, what depth of colour looks natural on you
etc. It would also be advisable to seek the help of
a professional to ensure that the application is the
best possible.
There are many options such as spray
tans and hand applications. Hand application applied
by a Beauty Therapist, is probably the most controlled,
conservative and safe alternative.
Whatever fake tan you decide on, you
MUST ensure you have a full body exfoliation beforehand.
This ensures the colour will be evenly distributed.
Fake tans should be done two days
before the wedding. If your wedding is on a Saturday
for example, have your tan done on the Thursday. This
allows time for the tan to settle, so it appears more
natural.
When Should
I have a Manicure and Pedicure?
Your manicure and pedicure should be done the day
prior to your wedding. This minimises the time for
bumps and chips to appear in your polish. Allow some
time after to relax at your Therapists simply to ensure
your polish is reasonably dry before leaving the building.
You wouldn’t credit the number of people who
damage their polish simply by getting in their car
and driving home…
When Should
I Book in for Waxing?
This should be done a three days before the wedding.
If again your wedding is on a Saturday, book your
waxing for the Wednesday.
This should be enough time
for any redness to settle down without new growth
coming through.
How Much
Should I Budget?
The budget really depends on you. Pricing will vary
across the board, however many places offer truly
affordable services without skimping on atmosphere
or attention. Packages are more economical so it’s
worth exploring those options also. At Peace &
Quiet we structure our packages so treatments are
spread throughout the week, but finalised with one
payment.
A budget of around $250 would allow,
for example, a body exfoliation, facial, manicure,
pedicure and professional make-up on the day. Around
the $300-$350 mark would allow for massage, facial,
eye treatment, full body exfoliation, fake tan application,
manicure, pedicure, and make-up on the day.
What About
the Groom?
Seriously, don’t forget about your partner.
These days it is more and more common for grooms to
also spruce themselves up for your big day even if
they do not ooze enthusiasm (do NOT under-estimate
this!)
A budget of around $150 - $200 would
be a good starting point for a men’s facial,
manicure and massage. A must for all men, according
to Beauty Therapists, is apparently the scalp massage
- they love them!
What Else
Should I Do?
All the things everyone else has probably been telling
you:
Ensure
you are exercising and keeping fit
Eating
well and NOT missing any meals
Drinking plenty of water to keep flushing the system
Being well organised to keep stress levels to a
minimum
SMILE!
Food
For Thought
Remember your wedding day is a day you want to feel
completely comfortable and confident about your appearance.
If at all you are concerned, err on the side of caution
and be a little conservative. This will always reflect
style, class and your natural beauty without appearing
as someone you are not. This way you are certain to
be content on the day and this makes for a very happy
bride….
Every
face is unique and yet says so much.
The smile is by far the best part as it
shows true happiness from within.
Let the rest glow just as brightly.
Straight away. Essentially the preparation of your
skin really comes down to an excellent routine.
How Long
Before the Day Should I Have a Facial?
Is a Trial
Make-up Essential? 
Good question, and the answer ultimately depends on
a number of factors. 
When Should
I Book in for Waxing?
Seriously, don’t forget about your partner.