Wedding Make-up

‘Start a course of facial treatments 3 – 6 months prior to the wedding, this will allow your skin to acclimatise and show improvement in time for the big day,’ says facialist Sarah Chapman.

If you suffer from acne, facialist Sarah Chapman believes, ‘you are far better treating it gently with some light peels and by using a light salicylic acid product at home on the problem areas, but stick to anti-ageing skincare elsewhere to prevent drying the skin out’. 

For eczema Sarah recommends omegas, ‘start taking a 6000 mg combination of half flax and half fish oils, whilst looking for skincare products containing GLA rich oils such as borage, meadowfoam and hemp seed.’

Flax seed oil also works wonders for adding radiance to dull complexions, as does weekly exfoliation and regular daily facial massage (do it when you apply your night cream) to stimulate circulation.

Julia Restoin Roitfeld’s facialist Una Brennan recommends a ‘six week controlled application of retinol at-home. It is a powerful method of achieving glowing skin before your wedding.  Use a Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3, £42, over six weeks, gradually increase the frequency of applications from 2 times per week to 3-4 times per week before the wedding to allow your skin to become adjusted to the treatment.  Retinol gives amazing results by speeding up cell renewal in skin, but it is important to use it correctly to get good results’.

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‘If you suffer from excess shine – introduce the use of Vitamin A skincare to work on balancing the sebum production’, Sarah Chapman recommends her Skinesis Dynamic Defence SPF 15, £43, or Environ AVST, £4 or 5, £38 each. ‘Also, cut-out sugars and reduce dairy, but eat plenty of good fats. Make sure to keep the skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and also using a good moisturiser – don’t ignore moisture as an oily skin can be lacking in it.  And always keep blotting papers to hand.’

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Sarah Chapman recommends you drink plenty of water to help avoid bags under the eyes. ‘Light drainage massage with fingertips is key when applying eye products; try my Skinesis Eye Recovery or an eye gel kept in the fridge’ adds Sarah. ‘Also, soak cotton pads in rosewater and store in the fridge to cool and use the day before and on the morning of the wedding.’

‘The good news is that it is very rare for a bride to wake up on the morning of her wedding with a sudden skin care issue, something to do with nerves and adrenaline I think!’ says Una Brennan.
 ‘However, if you do wake up on the morning of your wedding with a hum dinger of a spot, reduce any swelling immediately with an ice cube wrapped in clean muslin.   If there is a head on the spot, only then gently extract, covering finger tips with tissue, making sure to have opened the pores up first in the bath or shower. Next, apply Skinceuticals clarifying clay mask, £39.99, or Epicuren Acne Conditioning Astringent (it's tricky to get hold of though, ELLE loves Origins Spot Remover, £10), to disinfect and decongest, the area.  Use more ice on the area after to calm and settle further.’  

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