Bridal Beauty Q&A

 Every girl dreams of looking her absolute best on her wedding day.  Maybe you’ve thought about your dress and hairstyle since you first opened your box of dress-up clothes, or maybe you haven’t paid it much thought and are now scrambling to make up for lost time.  Wherever you stand, Santa Clarita’s top beauty experts are here to make sure your groom is left speechless when you step out on the aisle.

One Year Prior

é: When should I begin hair and makeup trials?
SVS: Most brides begin to explore their bridal beauty fantasies the day they become engaged.  Start searching out top-level makeup and hair experts who specialize in weddings.  Schedule a makeup and hair trial – this is very important.  Usually, brides book their date about six months prior and get their trial looks done about three months prior.  Do not wait until a week before the wedding to try out your look.  If you are unhappy with the look, it will be tough to hire a top-level artist at that point.

é: How do I prep my hair, and when should I start?
JS: We suggest starting to get your hair in wedding shape about a year before the date.  Coloring, cutting, growing and styling all need to be started about a year in advance.  Conditioning treatments, along with a hair-strengthening vitamin, will help you develop strength, length and shine in the meantime.  Frequent haircuts can be the most important tool in your healthy hair plan.  Every 10-12 weeks, get a trim to maintain healthy hair and grow long, beautiful locks!

é: How much should I consider the theme of my wedding (i.e. rustic vs. formal) when choosing my makeup look?
SVS: Clean classic makeup is always the best choice for any wedding theme.  Years from now, the bride will look at her photographs and sees a reflection of herself during that space in time.  Trend makeup looks, if used at all, should show up at the reception as fun and playful.  I personally love glitter eyes, deep red lips, glowy apple cheeks and strong cheekbones, but I use my best judgment and only pull out those stagy, festive makeup tricks when the venue, setting and opportunity call for it.

é: When should I start regularly consulting with my esthetician?
WW: Consult your esthetician as early as possible to determine a regimen that addresses your skin care concerns well before the big day.  Six months is a reasonable time frame to allow skin to adjust to a new care routine and bring a dull complexion to life.  Regular facials, along with a home care routine customized to your skin type and lifestyle, are the best ways to ensure healthy, glowing complexion for the wedding and long-term.

é: How should I take care of my skin on a daily basis?
CS: At the very minimum, you should wear a sunscreen and antioxidant serum with Vitamin C, followed by a hydrating moisturizer, every morning.  In the evening, don’t skip cleansing!  Follow with a hydrating moisturizer and eye cream.  If you have sun damage, incorporate a serum that specifically addresses the reduction of sunspots.  I also suggest investing in a Clarisonic cleansing brush, for a deeper daily cleanse.

é: How do I prep my skin for a spray tan?
LC: Getting a spray tan a few times in the months leading up to the wedding will help you practice achieving the right color.  Airbrush tanning will be your best bet.  Prior to your spray tan, following your technician’s pre-application rules is a must!  This usually includes doing a body scrub and exfoliation in the shower and using an oil-free body moisturizer prior to airbrushing.  And don’t forget to skip deodorant!  Wearing loose fitting clothing is recommended for post-application, and some solutions require you to shower a few hours after!

é: How can brides avoid breakouts on the big day?
CS: If you don’t regularly have acne but want to avoid a possible pre-wedding stress breakout, I recommend exfoliating treatments such as peels, microdermabrasion, a SilkPeel Dermal Infusion and enzyme peels, which can be performed independently of each other or in combination.  These treatments are done once every 4-8 weeks, along with one final hydrating treatment a week before the wedding.
If you have more regular acne, there are many ways to address this concern.  For mild to moderate acne, peels with LED Blue Light, a SilkPeel Dermal Infusion, Oxygen and high frequency treatments done every 4-6 weeks, along with a tight regimen at home, will do the trick.  For more moderate to severe acne, I always suggest to see a dermatologist, as well.

é: What’s the best way to eliminate bloating?
SJ: One of the newest, and most relaxing, treatments catching attention in the beauty industry today is infrared body wraps.  Wrapped up in a warm “blanket,” or heated body wrap, you can enjoy 50 minutes of sweating while watching TV.  The benefits to a sweat are many – and perfectly suited to brides!  A sweat will not only burn 600-1,200 calories in one session by heating the body from the inside out, but also detoxify the body and boost moisture in the skin.
Regular sweats are recommended at least six months leading up to your big day, and by the week prior you should sweat, sweat, sweat!  Go as often as possible and make sweating part of your routine for a healthy pre-wedding glow!

One Month Prior
é: What skincare treatments will make the biggest difference in the shortest period of time?
WW: Treatments with a large impact should be chosen based on your specific skin concerns. The Hydra Facial or the Fire and Ice Facial are key to developing a beautiful glow.  These can be done 4-6 weeks a part.  To address sunspots, the Ivy Day Spa Hyperpigmentation Treatment is a combination of diamond microdermabrasion and a custom peel, which also includes a hydrating mask to calm the skin.  For anti-aging, the Ivy Day Spa Anti-Aging Treatment effectively helps stimulate collagen production, increase cell turnover and boost hydration. It includes a custom peel, light extractions and a restorative mask to finish the treatment.

é: What skincare treatments will give me a glow without being too aggressive?
MC: For healthy glowing skin, one of my favorite combinations is the Rodan+Fields Enhancements Microdermabrasion Paste, Redefine Night Renewing Serum and Redefine Lip Serum.  These three products work wonderfully together to give you soft, beautiful and glowing skin!

One Week Prior
é: What’s the best method for teeth whitening and when should the whitening process start?
NS: Your wedding day is one of the most celebrated and happy days of your life, so it comes as no surprise that laser teeth whitening is a non-negotiable service, in my opinion.  It’s the day where you want to be able to smile confidently.
And today, it’s affordable and convenient.  Maui Whitening salons use professional-level products to whiten teeth 4-20 shades lighter in 90 minutes, and they are extremely affordable.
To maintain the brightness after the treatment, brides love the Re-White instant touchup pen.  Use this on a daily basis before the wedding and during the honeymoon to keep teeth extremely white.  It takes five seconds to paint on the teeth and is in instant shade-reducer.

24 Hours Prior
é: How should I prep my skin for makeup?
MC: Clean, clear skin is the best way to prepare your skin for makeup application.  Using a gentle exfoliant, like the Rodan+Fields Microdermabrasion Paste, will clear away any dead skin and give you smooth, beautiful skin ready for your Big Day! Whatever you do, don’t try something new the night before your wedding or any big event!  If you haven’t tried it before the big day, then the night before is definitely not the night to try!

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