Beauty Tips for Your Wedding Week

{Guest post from Eleanor Cains}

When you get into the week of your wedding it’s SO exciting, but it can also be the time when nerves and stress levels start creeping up. So it’s a great idea to take the time to practice self-care and pamper yourself. That will pay off twofold: it’ll help you relax AND it’ll help get your skin, hair and nails in tiptop condition for your big day.

From how to eat your way to glowing skin to ways to repair damaged hair, here are a few tips for your wedding week to help you make the most of the magical lead-up.

Eat clean

What we eat has such an impact on the way we feel and the way we look, so eating clean in the week leading up to the ceremony will help you in more ways than one. First of all, it’ll help balance your hormones, blood sugar levels and mood. Second of all, it’ll help your skin and hair be at their glowing, radiant best on the day.

I’m sure you know the drill, but to recap: drink plenty of water, go for lean protein, and feast on fresh fruit and veggies. If you can, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol or eating lots of salty foods. That’ll help guard against water retention and puffiness.

Treat your hair

You might want to get a light trim a week or two before your wedding, to tidy up any split ends. If you need a color touch-up, schedule this for around 10 days before the ceremony. But this is definitely not the time to try anything new or go for a drastic change.

You will have decided on your wedding hairstyle during your trial based on your current hair length and texture, so keeping it the same (just healthier!) is a good idea. Don’t worry if you have a last-minute change of heart, though – changing your mind about your hairstyle is totally fine – even on the big day itself!

This is also a great time to pamper your hair to get it looking and feeling its best. You might want to treat yourself to a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment to help repair damaged hair. Products with keratin repair actives can really help here. Try to avoid using heated styling tools (or spritz on a heat protection spray first) to keep your hair as healthy as possible.

Pamper your skin

A week out is also not the time to try any new beauty treatments (in case you have an adverse reaction) but you can definitely treat your skin to some of your favorite, tried-and-tested treatments. You might want to have a facial or a massage – whatever works for you – but it’s definitely best to avoid anything invasive, like injections, peels or laser treatments.

If you’re getting waxed, schedule your treatment at least 72 hours before your wedding day (and only do this if you’re used to it!) so your skin has plenty of time to recover.

Get your mani pedi on

There are going to be close-up photographs of your hands, to capture your new wedding band in all its glory – so a manicure (and pedicure, for open-toe shoes) is a worthwhile investment. You’ll want to get the timing right – get it done too far ahead of the ceremony and you increase the chance of chips. One or two days ahead of your big day is just right.

This is SUCH a wonderful time in your wedding countdown, and treating yourself to indulgent hair and beauty treatments is the perfect way to de-stress and prep for the big day. Enjoy!