In the CLEAR
FOLLOWING A SOUND SKINCARE REGIMEN IS YOUR INSURANCE POLICY AGAINST SPOTS AND SAGS. HERE'S YOUR CHEAT SHEET TO ACHIEVING A FLAWLESS BIG-DAY GLOW, NO MATTER YOUR TIMELINE
For any bride to be, the mere thought of a big-day face splattered with bumps and blemishes is enough to send her running for crisis counselling. Inconvenient, then, that the wedding build-up – and the stress it causes – makes your skin a breeding ground for spots and imperfections. Stress increases the hormone cortisol, which gets broken down into testosterone, pumping excess oil through the pores. The good news: you can achieve a flawless face with a plan that targets problem areas.
Whether you’ve got weeks, months or years to embark on a routine of tender loving care – and regardless of whether you’re taking the DIY route or recruiting the help of pros – there are skincare solutions to transform your skin into the image of perfection.
Blemishes
Long-term
Getting enough sleep, eating a high-nutrient diet and limiting stress are the first lines of defence against blemishes. But if you do suffer a breakout, don’t go overboard with strong products. ‘People often think cleansing and exfoliating oily complexions more frequently will solve acne problems,’ says Lauren DeVries, national trainer for More than Skin (morethanskin.co.nz). ‘But constant deep cleaning actually has the opposite effect, aggravating skin and increasing oil production.’ Instead, a simple but consistent regimen will improve blemishes over time. Use a mild cleanser and oil-free moisturiser twice daily, exfoliate once a week, and always remove eye makeup with a gentle remover and cotton swabs. For extra help, consider using a weekly clay mask, which will absorb excess oil, says Lani Simpson from Beauty on Ponsonby (beautyonponsonby.co.nz). Seek out one with hydrating properties.
Quick fix
If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself waking up in wedding week with blemishes, a spot treatment cream will shrink them and reduce swelling and redness. Dab concealer on the centre of the blemish and blend outwards with a finger or small brush. A dabbing motion gives the most coverage as opposed to a wiping motion, which can tend to sweep the product off your skin. Set concealer with a translucent powder to help it last.
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A pro treatment can improve the look and feel of skin markedly. Lauren suggests microdermabrasion, no closer than two weeks to the big day, which removes surface skin cells, revealing new skin underneath. ‘It improves thickened, oily skin, and the appearance of acne scars,’ she says. Lani adds, ‘A series of gentle peels can be more successful than a single heavy peel, and this will reduce irritation.’ Your skin will be hyper-sensitive to UV rays, so use sunscreen religiously.
Pigmentation Long-term
Uneven skin tone can be a big skin concern for many a bride to be, particularly those with olive skin who show hyper-pigmentation more prominently, says Shiseido training consultant Melissa Kong. To fade freckles, age spots or even acne scarring, begin applying brightening products (especially those containing vitamin C) at least a few months before the big day. Brightening formulas break up areas of pigmentation by accelerating cell turnover, allowing them to be more easily shed. Remember to exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells, and never forget the most important step of all – sunscreen. ‘Pigmentation will be more obvious if you’ve been out in the sun. Stay in the shade where possible, and wear sunscreen every day,’ says Janet Southern from Dr. Hauschka. This prevents new pigmentation occurring, and prevents existing pigmentation from intensifying.
Quick fix
While there is no fast way to treat pigmentation, it can be covered with makeup. If your foundation doesn’t cover pigmentation, use concealer or a ‘magic wand’ such as Clarins Instant Light Brush-on Perfector, $59, which conceals dark spots and illuminates skin. Be careful not to overdo it – caked-on foundation will accentuate, rather than hide, imperfections.
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For a salon-strength treatment, look for facials or peels that contain alpha hydroxy acids or vitamin C – these ingredients remove dead skin cells and improve uneven skin tone. Beauty on Ponsonby offers Environ Active Vitamin Treatments, which enhance the penetration of vitamins deep into the skin’s layers.
Eye spy
Reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines with supercharged eye serums. Fortified with a cocktail of puff-fighting ingredients such as white tea, royal jelly and cocoa butter, they’re a surefire way to beat tell-tale signs of late nights spent DIY-ing and delegating in the big-day leadup. Use a cotton bud to apply the solutions, then set with gentle dabs using your ring finger (its lack of strength prevents overzealous pulling on delicate skin). Linden Leaves Eye Rescue Serum, $50. Dermalogica Total Eye Care SPF15, $110. abeeco Royal Eye Crème, $45. oxygen Organic Eye Crème, $55.
Redness Long-term
Avoiding red, inflamed skin and broken capillaries begins with changes to your diet and lifestyle. ‘Avoid anything that makes your skin flush,’ says Lani. Common triggers are stress, alcohol, sun exposure and spicy food, so reduce these as much as possible in the months before the day. Lauren recommends a healthy intake of essential fatty acids, found in salmon and evening primrose oil. ‘They nourish and protect skin,’ she says. Moderate – but not strenuous – exercise such as walking or cycling for at least 15 minutes a day will improve rosacea, says Karen Fischer, author of The Healthy Skin Diet.
QuIck fIx
Products with a cooling effect will help tame redness – try Dr Hauschka’s Melissa Day Cream, $65, or Linden Leaves Miraculous Facial Oil, $55. To cover mild discolouration, a yellow-based foundation will even out your skin tone. If you have broken capillaries or more obvious redness, apply a green colour-correcting concealer under your foundation. ‘Green is opposite red on the colour wheel, so counteracts any redness,’ says Janet.
Lines & wrinkles Long-term
The key to smooth, youthful-looking skin is cleansing, toning and moisturising twice a day with hydrating products to smooth and plump your skin. Serums can add extra moisture to your skincare routine – they have a higher concentration of active ingredients and usually come in a creamy gel form to restore the complexion’s ability to produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Try a weekly at-home facial with a gentle exfoliator and hydrating mask to improve your skin’s texture over time.
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Depending on your age, some lines are unavoidable. To disguise them, look for products that will temporarily ‘fill in’ fine lines. When it comes to makeup, use products that have a blurring effect such as smooth-finish primers or a lightweight BB cream. Avoid shimmery powders, as these draw extra attention to lines.
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Salon-strength formulas can plump your skin and make it smoother. Lauren recommends More than Skin’s Non-surgical Face Lift, where a gentle electric current is applied to the face to improve the texture and tone of the skin. For a more traditional treatment, book in for an anti-ageing facial, offered by most beauty therapists.
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Look for soothing treatments to correct redness. Lauren recommends the Decléor Aroma Expert Soothe Facial, $155. Still concerned? LED light therapy gives visible, long-lasting results, without needing recovery time. Says Lani, ‘The light stimulates cells, reducing capillary damage and redness.’
SUITS YOU
It doesn’t matter how many recommendations you’ve received for the newest deep-clean foam cleanser or how emphatically your favourite actress endorses her top choice of anti-ageing moisturiser – if a product range isn’t suited to your skin type and habits, it won’t do your bridal look any favours.
Know your skin
The lead-up to your wedding is the perfect time to take extra notice of your complexion’s habits, preferences and reactions to product and lifestyle. Consider keeping a skincare diary that records any daily activities, diet and skincare routine changes alongside the way your skin looks and feels – make mention of any blemishes, redness or dry patches. Once you’ve established a long-running diary, look for patterns that indicate certain elements of your lifestyle could be affecting your skin.
Consult a specialist
Soon after your engagement, Lani recommends booking a consultation with a reputable skincare professional. Skilled therapists can often be found at good makeup and skincare counters. Alternatively, pay a visit to a local salon or spa.
At your appointment, a consultant will confirm the best skincare regimen for you by examining your skin and asking you questions – this is where information from your skincare diary will come to good use. ‘Carrying out a thorough analysis of the customer’s skin will help us to establish both a salon programme and homecare regimen that suits a bride’s skin goals as well as their time constraints and budget,’ she says.
Give it time
Skin adjusts slowly to change so don’t make the mistake of giving up on a new range if you fail to see results straightaway. ‘When you try a new product or skincare regimen, make sure you give it a good two or three months to work,’ says Lani.
‘The only exception to this rule is if your problems are getting drastically worse, in which case you should consult your skincare specialist and make a change.’
This is provided you aren’t using a product that encourages purging of congestion. In this instance, you should expect your skin condition might worsen before it improves.