Megan's Bridal Guide

 

To all of my lovely brides waiting on their big day to arrive, I’ve popped together a few pointers as to what you can do prior to your wedding day to ensure you look as glowing as possible!

 

 

Skin Care 

 

Between now & your wedding day, take this time to really focus on looking after your skin. After all, skincare is super important to achieving that flawless makeup base!

  • Always be sure to remove your makeup before going off to bed! Sleeping in your makeup is very bad for your skin! If you wear makeup day to day for long periods of time, night time is the only chance your skin has to breathe and the time your skin repairs itself, so ensuring you’re removing your makeup properly before bedtime is a must!
  • Try to cleanse, tone & moisturise daily! Cleansing your skin will really help to get rid of oils, dirt and makeup from your skin & pores and will prevent breakouts. Toning your skin will help soothe, nourish and hydrate your skin.
  • Choosing the right moisturiser for your skin is also very important, as we all have such different skin types, different products are used to work alongside our different skin types. For anyone who suffers with dry skin, a good moisturiser will do wonders for how your makeup base sits, and also your skin in general. For anyone with oily skin, I would recommend an oil-free moisturiser. Do not skip on your moisturising stage in your skin care routine because you think your skin is too oily already, as all skin types NEED moisturising. Its just about finding the right one to suit you!
  • Drink lots of water! Water has so many benefits for your skin.

If you are a bride who is looking to have a Spray Tan ready for the big day, I would 100% recommend getting into a regular exfoliating & moisturising routine a few weeks prior to your spray tan, as you will want your skin to be in its best condition to ensure your Spray tan will sit on your skin perfectly and will also last! (No one wants a their tan too dark on their wedding day!).

 

Exfoliating your skin will help to even your skin tone, stimulate collagen synthesis (keeps skin looking plump, tight & young) and removes dead skin cells which tan will cling to and make your skin look patchy. I’d say to exfoliate all over your body (including your face) 1-2 times a week, and moisturise daily after getting out the shower/bath.  I would also recommend going for a Spray Tan trial a week or two before the wedding to be sure how deep you would like the colour to be. You won’t need to worry about being a different colour on your makeup trials to your wedding day, I can just match your foundation shade up on the day, as I carry all tones of foundations. 

 

 

Haircare

 

If you are a bride who wants to focus on growing their hair long & healthy for your wedding day, you will need to really focus on your haircare routine.

  • This includes going for regular (6-8 week) hair cuts, which may only involve trimming the very ends of your hair, but will help to prevent split ends. 
  • You may also need to invest in good haircare products such as hair conditioning treatments (to be used 1-2 times a week) or a heat protectant spray (to be used alongside styling tools) to ensure your hair is being looked after to its full potential. (If you are looking for haircare products, I have my own haircare range, take a look at the ‘Products’ page on this website). 
  • You may want to opt for a treatment to be added to your colour during the highlighting/colouring process to ensure your hair will stay as healthy as possible.

 

 

Bridal Trials

 

Before your big day, I always recommend hair/makeup trials to be done, as it is the prime opportunity to allow yourself to try out different looks you may be interested in. Makeup especially is such a personal thing. To trust in someone else to apply your makeup just right is a huge deal, and needs to definitely be trialled prior to your big day, not only to ensure your happy, but also for me to be certain on what products work best with your skin, and so I’m aware of any products you may be allergic to prior to the wedding. 

 

Hair trials are also just as important as there are SO many ways you can wear your hair. The biggest decision for a bride will always be whether to wear their hair up in an Up-do or to wear their hair down. You may also want to use your hair trial to decide on what hair accessories you may want for your wedding day (Vail, Hair slides, Tiara). There is also the decision of whether you will be needing a hair piece / extensions to be able to achieve your desired hair style. Again, this is something important that can be discussed prior to, or on your trial.  

 

Also, I do believe its important for us both to meet prior to your wedding day to ensure you 100% trust in me as your Hairstylist / Makeup Artist.

 

I would be sure to book your trial at LEAST 6 weeks before , to allow time for you to really reflect on your trial, so you know there is nothing you want to change before the big day, and if there was to be, you still have time to maybe rebook another trial so you know you’re 100% happy.

 

 

On Your Wedding Day

 

After having 8 years experience with weddings, I have learnt a lot of tips and pointers to remember to follow on the morning of a wedding.

  • Timing is everything. I would always encourage my bride to plan out exactly who needs what doing on the day, what time they must be dressed and ready to leave by, and how long it takes to get into your wedding dress. Knowing hour by hour what will be happening roughly will be such a bonus to you, as it should all run a lot more smoothly if planned right.
  • Wear something comfortable and practical to get ready in. I.e: something that can either go over your hair easily without affecting it, or wear something that can just unzip / untie. You don’t want to jeopardise your wedding hair because you’ve not thought ahead!
  • I would always recommend you to have your Wedding Makeup applied firstly, before having your wedding hair done, as me (or another makeup artist) will not have to worry about moving your fringe/ bits of hair away to apply the makeup.
  • I would also say for you as a bride, if you have a number of people in your bridal party, to plan to have your hair/makeup done last-but-one to everyone else, to allow yourself to feel freshly done, but also will have time to get yourself into your dress without rushing. Then once everyone else is ready to go, you will have time for your finishing touches to be done on your hair & makeup.
  • If you have any sentimental gifts/cards to open the morning of your wedding, that may make you emotional/tiery, I would be sure to open them prior to having your makeup done, then you can take your time, enjoy that moment, with out the worry of crying away your freshly done wedding makeup (which of course can be corrected, but is best to avoid if possible!).

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I hope my Bridal Guide has helped you in some way! And whether I will be doing your Bridal Hair/Makeup, I will very much look forward to meeting you, and to help get you ready for your special day!

Happy Wedding Planning!

Love, Megan x