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Planning your bridal beauty routine is a fun and important way to prepare for your wedding day. The best routine is personalized to you, taking into account how you want to look and feel when you walk down the aisle. Whether you’re going for natural radiance or full glam, there are some key areas to work on in the months leading up to your ceremony.
Here are the key ways to jumpstart your bridal beauty routine so you can glow from the inside out.
Create a Consistent Skincare Routine
Finding the right skincare routine is the best place to start. If you want to avoid surprise breakouts, stick with a routine that works for your skin.
Daily Morning and Night Routine
Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder at Estherian Clinic, recommends establishing a consistent morning and evening skincare routine as early as you can before your wedding day.
“In the morning, a gentle cleanse with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, non-drying cleanser will help to clean dirt, oils and residual makeup from the face without irritating the pores and damaging the skin barrier,” Ekizceli says.
Slowly work cleanser into the skin for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Ekizceli then recommends using a lightweight, water-based moisturizer to hydrate and protect your skin barrier.
“In the evening, time should be spent using a skin-appropriate makeup remover, oil-based for dry skin or oil-free for sensitive skin, to gently remove applied products without irritating the skin or damaging the skin barrier,” Ekizceli says. “A small amount of cleanser should be applied, following a similar routine to the morning, then a rich nighttime moisturizer, preferably containing ceramides, should be applied to lock in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier overnight.”
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- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Bioderma Micellar Water
- CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Water Gel Moisturizer
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Targeting Specific Skin Problems
Depending on what your complexion is like at the start of your journey, there are specific types of products that can be helpful.
Debra Jaliman, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, recommends always using SPF 30-50 to avoid sun damage.
“I would also recommend using Vitamin C serum because it evens skin color and stimulates collagen production,” Jaliman says. “Retinol is also a good option as it improves skin texture, tone and fine lines and wrinkles.”
Alexis Bonacker, a St. Louis, MO-based professional bridal makeup artist, also recommends exfoliating.
“Incorporate a gentle exfoliant into your weekly routine to keep skin smooth and prep the canvas for flawless makeup application,” Bonacker says.
Consult a dermatologist if you have specific issues you want to address, such as acne, hyperpigmentation or flakiness. Be sure to do this well in advance so you have time to find the right solution.
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Consider Skin Treatments
Facials and dermaplaning are common skin treatments that can enhance your complexion and leave you with smoother skin.
“Plan a series of facials spaced out at six months, three months and two to four weeks prior to the wedding,” Bonacker says. “Get a dermaplane treatment five to seven days before the wedding day to create a smooth surface for makeup.”
Flavia Brown, NP, from Self Skin Studio in Wilmington, NC, notes other options include microneedling, BBL Heroic light therapy, Botox and filler on the following timelines:
- Microneedling (for improved texture): Spaced four to six weeks apart with the last session at least four to six weeks before the wedding.
- BBL Heroic (for hyperpigmentation): Start at least six months out.
- Botox (for fine lines and wrinkles): Start well in advance, with the last treatment three to four weeks before the date.
- Filler (for adding volume): Three months before the wedding.
Laser treatments are also popular, according to Jaliman.
“One of my favorites is the laser genesis,” Jaliman says. “It improves fine lines and texture and reduces redness. It should be started months before, as it requires four to six treatments two weeks apart.”
Work on Dental Hygiene
Your smile can be your best accessory, especially on such a happy occasion. If you aren’t diligent with your dental routine, now is the time to work on it. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss consistently and use mouthwash to keep your teeth clean and shiny.
For other dental treatments, Ekizceli advises starting the process early.
“Whether it’s a simple whitening or a slightly more involved treatment like veneers or dental implants, the bride will want to book a consultation with a licensed, experienced, trusted cosmetic dentist somewhere around 4-6 months before the wedding to plan their treatment, address any underlying issues that might complicate the procedure and allow for some time post-treatment for whitening agents to stabilize and/or the mouth to adapt to physical changes,” Ekizceli says.
For teeth whitening, Ekizceli recommends scheduling a consultation with your dentist around 6 months before the wedding and booking the treatment within 3 months for the best result.
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Other Beauty Steps to Consider
Take a holistic approach to your bridal beauty routine with these additional tips.
Haircare
Keep your hair healthy by scheduling regular trims. Maintain a regular routine, washing your hair every day if you are prone to oil or once a week for dry or textured hair.
Limit blow drying and using heat tools in the months leading up to your wedding, as heat can cause damage. Always apply heat protectant when you do use heat tools.
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Exercise
Regardless of your personal fitness goals, incorporating exercise into your weekly routine has many benefits. Along with staying in shape, regular exercise can improve your mental health, help you fall asleep faster and boost your energy levels.
When experiencing wedding planning stress, exercising can be a great mood booster. Relieving stress and getting better sleep, in turn, will support your skin health goals.
Hydration
Using moisturizer isn’t the only step in maintaing hydrated skin. If you don’t already have a reusable water bottle that you carry with you at all times, now is the time to get one.
“Focus heavily on both physical and topical hydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day,” Bonacker advises.
Lashes
If you want your lashes to make a statement, you might consider a lash lift and tint, which curls and dyes your natural lashes. However, this may not be the best choice for everyone.
“If you plan to wear strip or cluster false lashes on your wedding day, skip the lash lift—the newly curled shape can make it difficult for the falsies to sit securely,” Bonacker says.
Final Words of Advice
When it comes to feeling your best on your wedding day, having a routine is key.
“In my experience and from conversations I’ve had with my patients, wedding day confidence often comes down to minimizing unpredictability,” Ekizceli says. “The fewer things you have to worry about on the big day, the more freedom you have to focus on the moments you want to cherish. From an aesthetic standpoint, setting a beauty routine that works for you and can be repeated consistently is one of the most important things you can do to raise your confidence levels.”
For Bonacker, confidence is all about being true to yourself.
“Be honest with yourself about what actually makes you feel beautiful,” Bonacker says. “Brides often choose inspiration photos that look stunning on someone else, only to realize the style doesn’t feel like them. Stay true to your personal comfort zone so you feel genuine and radiant.”
Originally Published 4/8/20 – Updated 10/21/26
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