The Anti-Ageing series is sponsored by Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector
Let’s be honest, more people are going to be staring at your skin than your shoes on your wedding day, so invest in your complexion as you would new Jimmy Choo’s and get cracking on your complexion early.
Skin experts suggest seriously prepping skin up to one year before the wedding. “If you have any skin correcting to do, I would suggest one year, says Manel Issa, founder of Ella Rouge Beauty and Laser Clinic. Although she realises that will shock people, if you have serious pigmentation – even beyond the face – treatments like Fraxel will need to be done well ahead of the wedding day – especially if part of an ongoing regime of treatments.
If you don’t have a beauty consultant you trust yet, now is the time to find one. Even if you don’t want to have a treatment, you need to have your key skin concerns diagnosed and a skincare regime prescribed so that for the next year, you are working with what will work for you. As a general rule, avoid using products with a high alcohol concentration that can lead to drying and inflammation.
However, if it’s just clarity and vibrancy that needs to be solidified within your skin, there are treatments that are appropriate within the six-month prior time frame, such as light lasers and micro-dermabrasion, adds Manel.
By the four month mark, at home you should also using an eye cream daily, a cleanser twice a day and an exfoliator twice a week to remove the dead skin cells and stimulate new ones.
When it comes to cranking up the pace internally, begin your internal skin prep at least six weeks prior by focusing on a healthy diet, says Lara Srokowski, Lancôme National Makeup Artist. Lara strongly suggests avoiding foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat and cut down your coffee tea and alcohol intake. “Replace these foods with alternative healthy options like green tea, Fruit and vegetables and nuts,” she says. “Increase your daily water intake too.”
One month prior to the wedding, re evaluate what’s working. “If you are not seeing results after a month revisit your beauty advisor to assess,” suggests Lara. “Incorporate a hydrating facemask into your at home routine to lock in all the moisture and plump the skin.”
What has held you in stead up until now must stay firmly in place. A fortnight out of Major Frock Day is not the time to cause any aggravation or unhappiness on the skin. Don’t change your diet. Do not even consider switching up your skincare. Stick to an at home facial once a week rather than visiting your beautician to avoid any breakout and make sure that by this time, you are getting eight hours of sleep a night. The place cards can wait! At least until tomorrow…
Manel notes one-week prior, that the focus is on nurturing bright, radiant and luminous skin, as well as plumping and highly moisturizing it from the inside. To do this, up your Omega 3 intake with lots of fish and leafy greens washed down with water. Don’t drink any alcohol at all this week, and reduce your salt and sugar intake to prevent any bloating or fluid retention around the eyes or face.
On the eve of the wedding exfoliate the skin and apply a facemask you are accustomed to. “Try to leave the mask on for as long as possible and after rinsing apply your night regime and get plenty of beauty sleep!” says Lara.
On the wedding day; “Keep it simple,” urges Manel, as all that can be done, has been done. “Make sure you work in harmony with your skin and just focus on moisturizing externally and drinking lots of water.”
Lara agrees that today, “beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin.” She advises brides to prepare the skin their own personalised beauty ritual only, and avoid trying anything new just for the sake of spoiling themselves.
And don’t forget to laugh – a lot – this is a happy day, and the smile in your eyes and heart will be the final switch that really turns on the skin!
As Anais Nin said, “When you possess light within, you see it externally,” and that is skincare you can’t buy over the counter.
The Anti-Ageing series is sponsored by Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector