As you can imagine, there’s a lot that goes into capturing your wedding photos. The photographer you hire, the location you’re shooting, the aesthetic of the shoot — it can all be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re naturally camera shy. After all, your wedding photos are supposed to be a timeless treasure; something that you can look back on and remember as one of the best days of your life.
Needless to say, it’s important that when the big day finally arrives, you’re ready to smile for the camera. To do this, however, you must feel confident in the way you look and feel throughout the entirety of the shoot as this will make for the most authentic, ideal wedding pictures. And what better way to boost your self-esteem than with healthy skin care practices?
Whether you struggle with a particular skin condition or not, it’s imperative that you follow good skin care habits in the weeks/days leading up to your scheduled photoshoot. To ensure you achieve picture-perfect skin in time for your wedding photos, follow this ultimate glow up guide!
1. Assess the State of Your Skin
A picture-perfect complexion doesn’t happen overnight. It requires constant care and attention, and that starts with proper analysis. Before you run to the local drugstore and purchase all of the available lotions and potions, remember to assess the state of your skin.
Ask yourself, ‘What’s my skin type?’ ‘What problem-areas am I struggling with?’ ‘What ingredients are most compatible for the needs of my unique skin?’ Basic questions like this can allow you to narrow down your search in finding the most suitable products to use on your skin. But, if you’re looking for a more detailed evaluation or are hesitant in answering these questions, now is the time to consult with a dermatologist.
2. Keep Your Skin Clean
An easy, yet effective way to keep your skin looking fresh is to simply try and keep it clean. Save all the heavy coverage foundations and other skin cosmetics for your wedding photos and in the meantime, let your skin breathe and give it the well-deserved break it needs. Sticking to your daily skin care routine and rocking a beautiful bare-faced look will help prevent clogged pores and unwanted breakouts. So for now, focus on cleansing and nourishing your skin and save all the additional products for a later date.
3. Hydrate with Moisturizer
Although you can cover up acne breakouts, under eye bags, and dark spots with makeup, you can’t cover up uneven skin texture. That’s why it's critical that you’re investing in products formulated to replenish and renew your skin as this will serve to support the radiance of your complexion. No matter what type of skin you have — normal, oily, combination, or dry — be sure to hydrate your skin morning and night with a face moisturizer and body lotion as this will provide your skin with the nourishment it needs to improve your skin tone and texture as you prepare for your wedding photoshoot.
For those of you who normally have dry skin, it may be in your best interest to pair your moisturizer with another plumping skin care product such as facial oil or hyaluronic acid serum. This will provide you with additional hydration and better help target the needs of your skin!
4. Minimize Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Hydrating your skin with moisturizer isn’t the only way to keep your skin looking healthy and plump come time for your wedding photos. In addition, you’ll also want to consider using an anti-aging cream. This treatment product can further help you achieve a youthful glow by combating developmental signs of premature aging and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Regular application of anti-aging cream will serve to support creaseless makeup application, picture-perfect wedding photos, and ultimately, maintain long-term luminous skin, so don’t hesitate to add this as part of your beauty bridal rituals!
5. Self-Tan
Wearing a white bridal dress can wash your skin out if you naturally have a fair complexion, which is why self-tanner is always a good option if you’re looking to effortlessly darken your complexion. Of course, tanning beds are another alternative for this, but the very act of doing so can wreak havoc on your skin if you’re not careful. Too much exposure to harmful UV radiation — whether it be from the sun or from a tanning booth — can lead to dark spots, hyperpigmentation, developmental signs of premature aging, and even skin cancer. So, you’re better off getting a professional spray tan or using your very own self-tanning lotion, mousse, or facial tanning drops to create a glowy look.
6. Bronze & Brighten
Regardless if you’ve scheduled an appointment to get your makeup done professionally for your wedding photos or you’re planning on taking on this glow up challenge alone, there are two key components for achieving picture-perfect skin: bronzing and brightening. Contouring and bronzing your cheekbones, forehead, jawline, and nose will be essential for shaping your face, enhancing your favorite features, and providing you with that sun-kissed glow.
Brightening under your eyes with a lighter shade of contour and highlighting the tops of your cheek bones, bridge of your nose, top of your lips, and collar bones will further work to enhance your features. This technique is sure to brighten up your skin and face, therefore creating an effortlessly illuminating shine to your skin.
With flawless skin on your wedding day, you'll want to get every photo printed. What picture-perfect skin tips do you have? Let us know in the comments!
