Posted on: May 21, 2007
Going for the Glow
Beauty regimens for the big day can relax, enlighten and glamorize the bride-to-be
By Kate Sullivan
CTW Features
Image courtesy Image courtesy Tiffani Kim Institute.
Every woman glows on her wedding day, but some may seek a bit of help in the radiance department. For many brides-to-be, a march down the aisle would be unthinkable without an earlier march to the spa. These days, a bride’s personal beauty plan may go far beyond basic facials and massages.
Put the ‘I’ in Wedding
When a bride walks down the aisle, her entire body is on display. With photo sessions looming, a bride-to-be most often seeks clear, photogenic skin, with a special focus on the face and, for those wearing a strapless gown, a smooth, glowing back. When it comes to arranging a pre-wedding beauty plan, “make prioritizing your needs your first step,” says Patricia Tortolani, senior editor for Allure Magazine. “If you have problematic skin, booking appointments with your dermatologist should be first on your list. If your skin is under control but you are a naturally tense person, your masseuse will be your best friend in the coming months.” Tortolani recommends scheduling your appointments six months before the wedding day. Having appointments on the calendar will relieve stress and make you more apt to keep them.
The Back Story
Most wedding dresses expose the back and shoulders. Two treatments target this hard-to-reach skin. Making waves in body news is the back facial. Denise O’Donoghue, beauty director for Brides Magazine, sees many skincare salons offering special attention to this area – cleansing, toning and calming problem skin. If this is you, book a series of appointments three to six months before the wedding day. Not looking for serious treatment but still in need of some skin sloughing? Exfoliation is your answer. Tortolani loves Bliss hot salt scrub and recommends this treatment one week before the wedding. The process leaves skin feeling fresh and soft with a noticeable glow.
Your Best Face Forward
While facials revitalize, even the freshest faces need a boost. For a flawless complexion, O’Donoghue suggests Airbrush Foundation. A secret kept to the television and print world for years, today many full-service salons and spas have this airbrush sprayer that mists foundation onto the face, resulting in the smoothest coverage of foundation possible. For O’Donoghue, this smudge-free and long-lasting look is a must for all brides and is as light on the wallet as it is on the skin. “It works great for every skin shade and type,” she says.
The Must-Do
A relaxing massage is a smart choice for both a first-timer or a spa regular, no matter how Zen and calm a bride-to-be thinks she’ll be. Choose wisely. “Stay away from deep-tissue rubs, like a Swedish massage, to avoid being sore on the dance floor,” warns Tortolani. Instead, she suggests the massage of the moment: the hot stone massage. “It’s effective, relaxing and calming.” Whatever treatment you choose, the most important spa advice is to let the aesthetician know what you are comfortable with and what you are not comfortable with. “Tell them you are a bride-to-be and that now is not the best time to try something new,” says Tortolani.
Communication is the key to your spa success story. Your wedding day calls for a natural look, but even nature needs a nudge sometimes. The spa holds the secret.
