Hairtrade: The Perfect Wedding Timetable

In the final run up to your big day it’s time to start thinking about getting your bridal look polished to perfection.

But there’s plenty of beauty planning to consider, you need to book appointments well in advance and make sure your skin is photo-ready. The style team from online beauty retailer Hairtrade.com have put together all your beauty needs into an easy to follow timetable to ensure you look beautiful on your wedding day. From starting a skin care regime to having a trial run of your make-up, there’s lots to fit in and getting the timings right is crucial. The timetable also includes practical advice to help you de-stress before you walk down the aisle like trying out yoga and having a relaxing massage.

Beauty expert Laura Meredith from Hairtrade.com said: “The perfect wedding look doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes weeks and months of planning to get right. You need to factor in the time scale of when to do what. You don’t want to have a facial the night before the wedding and risk a blotchy allergic reaction in photos on the big day. Your wedding day is the ultimate excuse to devote some ‘me’ time to yourself so invest it in your beauty routine to get yourself looking gorgeous in those wedding photos.”

Here’s Hairtrade.com’s wedding beauty timetable.

Six months before

Get serious about skin care.

If you don’t already have a skin care routine, start getting into the habit now. No more going to bed with your make-up still on. A simple cleanse, tone and moisturise regime will keep your skin in tip top condition.

Start exercising

Exercising is not just important for getting in shape but also for reducing stress levels. If you’re prone to breakouts during hectic times try yoga to increase posture strength and relieve tension. You’ll be looking and feeling great both on the inside and outside.

Three months before

Book consultation appointments with make-up artists.

If you’re getting your make-up professionally done, consult with a few different make-up artists to see who you are happy with. Once you’ve found one that gets the look you want, book early to avoid disappointment.

Start experimenting with fake tan.

You don’t want to have a streaky fiasco on the big day so leave yourself plenty of time to get your bridal golden glow. Think about the neckline of your dress and any existing tan lines you’ll need to even out.

Teeth whitening.

Start an at-home teeth whitening routine to give you perfect pearly whites. Don’t leave this to the last minute as you need to factor in sensitivity and you might not get the results you’re after with a quick session a day or two before the wedding.

One month before

Have a trial run of make-up for the big day.

In your head trying Kim Kardashian style contouring may be a good idea but have a practise with it in advance, as the style might not suit you. If you’re doing your own make-up, now’s the time to buy the products you’d like. Ask for samples from beauty counters to give them a test run before you buy.

Get your eyebrows shaped.

Leave plenty of time for getting your eyebrows shaped professionally. This will leave enough time to grow them out in places if needed.

Salon facial or face mask at home.

Time to start making your skin glow. Book in for a facial or start using face masks at home. Do not do this the day before the wedding in case you have a reaction to the product.

Cut down on tea and coffee.

You don’t have to full on detox but cutting down on tea and coffee will reduce staining your teeth and flush your body of caffeine.

Two weeks before

Exfoliate and moisturise.

To get those silky soft elbows, hands and feet, start an exfoliating and moisturising treatment once or twice a week.

Drink lots of water.

Staying hydrated is the cheapest and easiest beauty trick in the book. Aim to drink one and half litres of water a day for clear glowing skin.

One week before

Bikini wax and shave legs.

Make sure everything is silky smooth ready for your bikini on the honeymoon.

Splurge on a massage

You’ll probably be under a lot of pressure the week leading up to the wedding so treat yourself to a relaxing massage with your maid of honour. It will relax your muscles and increase circulation.

One day before

Pack an emergency make-up kit.

Get all your essential make-up for touch ups packed and give it to a trusty bridesmaid.

Get mani-pedi done.

You’ll be too excited to sit patiently and wait for your nails to dry on the big day so make this one of the last things you do the night before. Go gel with your manicure and pedicure to keep the colour lasting right through to your honeymoon.

Have a bath.

Unwind in the tub to ease your mind of any pre-wedding jitters. Try adding some essential oils for luxuriously soft skin the next day.

Eight to ten hours sleep.

They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing so get a good night’s rest for the big day.