Bridal Beauty Timeline: Your Head-to-Toe Prep Guide Before the Big Day

'Tis the season to say I do...to great-looking skin. As you get set to walk down the aisle (stand up next to your bestie or watch as someone you love commits to the one she loves) you'll want to make sure you look your best! To help you prep for that sought after wedding day glow we've created the ultimate bridal beauty prep guide and timeline! For the best time to get a pre-wedding facial to the skin care steps you should incorporate into your routine now, keep reading!

6-12 Months Before

Build a Skin Care Routine (and Follow It!)

As soon as you snag that sparkler you’ll want to make sure the other thing that’s glowing—besides that gorgeous ring—is your complexion. If you don’t already have one, it’s time to start a skin care routine that you can stay loyal to. To build your personalized skin care routine assess your skin type and concerns. Everyone should start off with the basics—a cleanser for morning and night, a moisturizer to use after you cleanse, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen that you’ll wear every day. These three simple steps can help to ensure that your skin is free of dirt and impurities, stays hydrated, and is protected against the harsh—and skin aging—effects of the sun. Remember to extend this love to the skin below your chin! You’ll want to make an effort to care for your neck, décolleté, arms, legs—you get the idea—so your skin looks smooth and feels soft when you’re donning that gorgeous gown!

From there, determine what your goals are with your skin care routine. Do you have dark circles you want to make a whole lot less noticeable? Are you hoping to address any lingering breakouts and blemishes to get clearer-looking skin for the big day? Now’s the time to incorporate products that can help with these concerns. From eye creams to spot treatments to anti-aging serums, there are endless ways to customize your skin care routine to fit your needs.

Focus on Your Face

On the big day you’ll want your peepers and your pout to look their best. Starting now, incorporate eye care and lip care products into your skin care routine. If you have dark circles, look for a product that’s been formulated to help visibly brighten them. Puffy eyes? An eye cream with a metallic roller applicator may be right up your ally. Try to use a broad-spectrum SPF eye cream during the day to protect your eye contour from the effects of the sun.

For your lips, keep a lip care product on hand to help your lips stay hydrated throughout the day. As well, just like you’ll want to protect your peepers from UV rays, use an SPF on your pout to help to ward off any dryness that the sun can cause. Finally, once a week use a lip scrub to exfoliate your lips to help keep dead skin cell buildup at bay.

De-Stress… Well, Try To

We get it, planning (having, being in, heck…even going to!) a wedding can be stressful, but the last thing you want is for those signs of stress to show up on your skin. Starting now, find activities that can help you find a little peace of mind throughout the process. For some that may mean going for a walk, for others that could be a little mindful meditation—find what works for you and be sure to give yourself the time to do it. (Note: We like to take aromatherapy-infused baths to help unwind!) 

6 Months Before

Partner with a Pro

Now is the time to start seeing a dermatologist if you have any looming skin care concerns that need a little extra attention. Often times, in-office services—like chemical peels—are more powerful than the over-the-counter products we use at home. What’s more, your dermatologist can help you create that skin care routine we talked about above.

If your concerns are more surface-level—think: you’d like a fresh, glowing complexion...and don’t we all—now’s a great time to book a few facial appointments with your favorite esthetician. If your budget allows, a monthly facial is a great way to pamper your skin with a thorough—and customized—service.

Wear a Mask

If face and hair masks aren’t already a part of your weekly routine, it’s time to make them one! Hair masks can help to hydrate your strands to keep them looking and feeling healthy and soft. Find a mask that was formulated for your hair type and if it has a complementary shampoo and conditioner pick those up as well, often using an entire system is necessary to see results.

Face masks are a huge part of our routines at Skincare.com—many of us mask up to three days of the week to address different skin care needs. Masks—whether you just use one or a few as part of a multi-masking routine—can help you not only address certain skin care concerns like a dull-looking tone, they also give you a chance to kick back and relax. So pencil in those pampering sessions ladies!

2-3 Months Before

Schedule a Hair and Makeup Trial

Unless you’re planning to do your own hair and makeup, it’s a good idea to book a trial appointment a few months out to make sure you and the person (or people) you hire are on the same page. Bring lots of photos with you as inspiration—we recommend finding pics of women who have similar features as you do so that you can best meet your expectations. Also bring a photo of your dress if you have it so that you can be sure your look for the big day complements that gorgeous gown.

2 Weeks Before

Go to the Salon

Depending on how quickly your hair grows, you’ll want to book an appointment for a fresh trim and color—most experts don’t recommend a drastic change right before your wedding day.

Get a Final Facial

Book your final facial a couple weeks before you get set to walk down the aisle and say “I do!” Since some facials require a little downtime—hello, extractions—you’ll want to give your complexion a chance to calm down after your trip to the spa. (While you’re at it, book a massage—you’ll likely need all the de-stressing help you can get at this point!)

1 Week Before

Tame Those Brows

Whether you’re partial to microblading, waxing, or going the DIY route with a pair of tweezers, now is the time to tame those eyebrows. Since it’s your big day you’ll want to steer clear of trying something new—read: stick to the shape you know and love ladies!—but you’ll definitely want them groomed for your upcoming nuptials.

Scrub Down

If you don’t incorporate body exfoliation into your weekly shower routine, you’ll want to give your skin a scrub down a bit before the big day. This will help you prep your skin for any upcoming spray tans and just help you slough away any dead skin cell buildup that’s been lingering on the surface. Make sure you moisturize after your scrub to help replenish your skin with hydration!

1-3 Days Before

Get a Mani-Pedi

From long-lasting gels, glittery nail art, and more—you’ll want those fingers and toes in tip-top shape for your wedding and your honeymoon! Book an appointment at a nail salon for a mani-pedi with your bridal party and enjoy having everyone dote on you for a bit before the big day! Prefer to get your pedicure on at home? Check out our step-by-step pedicure tutorial.

Pack a Beauty Survival Kit

From a botched winged line to a smudged lipstick, on the big day you’ll want to be well prepared for any beauty snafus. Prep ahead of time by packing a beauty survival kit! 

Get a Wax

If your go-to hair removal route is waxing, now’s the time to tackle those strays! Check out our guide to waxing here.

The Big Day!

Let the amazing team around you pamper you pretty and get ready to knock ‘em all dead when you walk down that aisle!