The Beauty Checklist for your Wedding

Have you heard that saying, "Love looks good on you"? Have you ever noticed that people in love not only seem happier, but appear more attractive? I believe the term most often used is "glowing." It's common for people to comment on your "glowing face" and the "stars in your eyes" right after you get engaged. Science is actually proving that it's not just something people say. Studies have indicated that emotions directly affect the body's overall health; overall health, of course, is directly linked to physical appearance. This is all attributed to chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.

Dopamine and serotonin are frequently called the "feel-good neurotransmitters." Neurotransmitters control hormones. And what do you know? Hormones affect your skin. Dopamine is responsible for those bright, shining eyes as it is the brain's pleasure chemical producing feelings like extreme happiness and excitement. Serotonin is the hormone that triggers your mood. Do you break out due to extreme stress? Your serotonin levels are probably suffering.

So yes, post-engagement, you are most likely looking as great as you are feeling. Fast forward 10-12 months and every day life and wedding planning can get in the way of your glowing skin and star-filled eyes. Not to mention that the stress hormones can induce breakouts and sleepless nights trigger bags under your eyes and result in pale skin.

Lucky for us ladies, skin and beauty companies have made a fortune developing and marketing products and services that can combat and conquer most of this.

Devise a beauty regimen at least six months prior to the day you say "I do."

Hair

Find a hair color and cut that you are comfortable with. Trying a new color two weeks before your wedding is a big no-no. I suggest finding a hair color you love at least two months before the event and if necessary, getting a touch up a couple of weeks before. Getting regular trims is essential, even if you are growing out your hair for the big day. Regular deep conditioning treatments will also limit damage and breakage. Whatever you do, don't make any drastic changes too close to your event date. It simply does not give enough time to repair damage. When it comes to your formal hair style for the wedding, start collecting realistic photos of potential possibilities. Schedule a consultation with your stylist for her opinion on what would look and work best for you. Of course, you should also schedule a practice run with the same stylist that will be doing your hair for the wedding.

Face

There are so many do's and don'ts when it comes to skin care. Establishing a healthy, sun-proof, anti-aging, hydrating skin care routine is so, so important. If you are struggling with acne or skin conditions and you haven't already, consult with a dermatologist right away. Exfoliating dead skin on a regular basis allows new skin cells to come to the surface, but don't exfoliate within a week of your big day. If you can afford to, try to schedule a few facials—but again, avoid having one too soon to your date. Facials tend to bring EVERYTHING to the surface. If you can't afford spa treatments, opt for D.I.Y. spa products that you can do at home. Invest in a recommended moisturizer, under-eye cream that will eliminate puffiness and dark circles. You will be amazed at what preventative measures will do when it comes to your skin. 

If you REALLY can't afford to spend another dollar on your wedding, at the very least, drink a lot of water. Hydrating yourself with some good old fashioned H20 increases blood flow to the skin and purifies the body by removing toxins.

Nails

Chances are, you will be getting your nails professionally done before the big day. However, there are plenty of pre-wedding tasks you can do to grow your nails. Vitamins like biotin boost the protein in nails which is what our nails are made out of. Cuticle oil moisturize nails and the surrounding skin. You should also make sure to keep your hands moisturized with lotion, especially during the cold winter months when skin tends to crack. When it comes to choosing a nail polish color on your big day, try to avoid bold, loud colors. Your nails will be in many photographs holding flowers and with the exchanging of rings. 

Eyebrows

Your eyes are the window to your soul. Your eyebrows are the frame. You can have the most beautiful eyes in the world, but if you don't have shapely eyebrows, no one will notice your eyes. If you already have eyebrows that you love, keep doing what you're doing. Get a wax and eyebrow trim a week before the wedding, just in case your skin breaks out from the wax. If you don't have shapely eyebrows, start eyebrow rehab this very minute. Unfortunately, this often requires leaving your brows to grow out wildly and untamed. Then your technician can start shaping them how you like. Make sure to choose a salon that has a designated technician for hair removal.

Tanning

Don't even think about stepping into a tanning bed. With the sunless tanning options and tanning lotions out there on the market, there really is no excuse to put your skin at risk from harmful UV rays. Spray tanning and tanning lotions have came a long ways since the days of orange-colored, cringe-worthy tans. If you use a tanning bed or even tan outdoors, your skin will obviously turn darker. But this darkened skin is a result of you changing your skin cells. The skin cells darken when they are damaged or under attack. As you might imagine, this is not at all healthy for your skin. And since you're already going through so much preparation to get your skin healthy, skip the tanning bed for your big day. If you choose to get a spray tan, we recommend getting a trial spray tan a month before the wedding and then a final spray four to five days prior to the wedding. Don't forget to exfoliate your skin before you go--it removes dead skin cells.

Body

"Shedding for the wedding." It's a popular mantra when bride-to-be's hit the gym before the wedding. Dieting and cardio seem to be the strategy. But don't rule out strength training as part of your routine. Strength training also burns calories and tones your muscles simultaneously. The majority of women tend to notice their arms in photos, especially in wedding photos. Arm yourself (no pun intended) with a pair of dumbbells and get those arms in tip-top shape.