Bridal beauty regime - what's yours?

I do keep thinking I'll start toning up - but it's always easier to start it next week. Hence 88 days to go and I've not done a thing :/

I asked my dentist about tooth whitening but she warned me that it can make your teeth very sensitive and that it wouldn't make a huge difference on my teeth. Plus I was considering fake tan, seeing as I don't really like the sun, but I'm worried it will make me look orange (even with a light tan)

But now I'm thinking maybe it's better not to try anything new - then I know nothing can go wrong!!

I'm getting married in a few weeks and still need to start mine ?

What do you do normally beautywise? If you are normally pretty 'natural' you might not feel yourself if you are tanned/plucked/whitened/buffed/manicured to within an inch of your life.

I've upped my gym class attendence to tone up a bit, and using bio oil to try and smoothe out my skin tone, but that's about it. Really hoping to have a nice hot early summer to sort my skin out after this long winter.

x

Ha ha exactly, I bought some weights a couple of weeks ago and have used them once! Re teeth whitening I thought i'd try Pearl Drops or Crest Whitening Strips but I am worried about getting sensitive teeth too!

I am generally fairly natural (no tan, natural hair and nails) but I do love make up and getting dolled up when I go out so I feel like the wedding build up should involve a lot more effort than I am currently putting in to receive maximum amounts of big day gorgeousness!

Miago - please tell me more about the bio oil - are you using that on your face? Interested to hear about all tips and tricks!

I set myself a 3 month plan in terms of the physical wedding preparation. I get married 6th July and started doing more specific area focused gym work e.g toning arms, back and waist in April. I have upped my water intake to a minimum 2 litres per day EVERY DAY as I never drink anywhere near enough. I eat pretty heathily but I'm trying to reduce my wine consumption.

I am having a course of mild acid peels (salon and home products) and microdermabrasion to improve my skin quality. I would definitely recommend both peels and microdermabrasion (particularly micro) the difference it has made to my skin is amazing. I'm not convinced that facials actually make much difference to the appearance of your skin.

I have booked a tooth whitening session for just before the wedding (have had it before, very good made a real difference).

I have been growing my hair to accomodate the extensions I'm using for my updo, it's very fine and straggly, and I have been using protein treatments to try and keep it as strong as possible as well as regular trims. Think about wjhat you will do with your hair on the day and maybe use treatments to improve condition?

Beleive it or not I am a low maintenance horsey girl but I'm determined that I will look back on my wedding pics with pride having put in the effort!

I didn't change my beauty regime for my wedding, I stuck with what I usually do.

I always make an effort to keep my hair/skin/teeth nice, so there was nothing I needed to change for my wedding.

I see it as a lifestyle thing, rather than something you are doing, in prep for 1 day.

Buying a tin of turd polish.

Ha! My favourite answer so far!

I think maybe I've not been specific enough, I wear make up daily (and remove nightly without fail, cleanse, tone and moisturise), and I generally eat healthily and do regular light exercise, so I have the basic lifestyle stuff covered. What I'm lacking knowledge on is things like the face peels, scrubs, deep conditioning hair treatments etc, all the extra special stuff in other words! For example, I have dull looking hair at the moment (am natural ash blonde) and my hairdresser last night suggested some highlights for the wedding - I've never needed them before but now I'm going for it to look my absolute best on the day. Am also considering hair extensions and I will have the individual false lashes done too!

I've got to say though that the idea of a face peel terrifies me!

I read that and sprayed coffee over my keyboard. Thanks. ?

I have started going on a sun bed last week to make sure I have a bit of colour on the wedding day. I know its not the healthiest thing to do but its only for a few weeks and I was worried about looking orange if I did fake or spray tanning. Also I am having a july wedding and I didn't want brown fake tan sweat dripping down me frock. I am prone to getting zits on my back and the only thing that drys them out is a suntan. I have upped my work outs and started lifting heavier. I have also started drinking green smoothies again. I found that they quickly make a difference to my skin and hair.

For those of you on about teeth whitening, try Janina toothpaste. I think it really works. its about a tenner from boots so much cheaper than teeth whitenining and it doesn't make your teeth feel like tissue paper.

Turd polish - hahahahahahahaHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Jesus! Trying to fit in a make up and hair trial has taken enough effort! Not sure I have the time or money for more beauty effort than required on the day! Tbh I want to look 'my best' but not really prepared to change the way I do things in advance. Will probably increase exercise and decrease choc x

Love this thread!!

I have decided with under 10 months to go and it now coming into summer that i better start adding exercise to my life. I only need to lose about 5lbs so hopefully that shouldn’t be too hard. Toning is the biggest challenge but have left plenty of time. Power Plate is my weapon.

I’m going to have a really light spray tan, nothing too drastic that will look odd in Feb but just a healthy glow.

Want whiter teeth so will be starting on the toothpaste soon and moving on to the harder stuff nearer the time. The teeth strips are supposed to be good.

As for facials i think i will avoid, my skin is pretty oily so need to avoid break outs. I am going to look into something that will help my complexion and limit blemishes and I have a few.

All this starting today ..... off to Boots and a sports shop i go ....

This is my fav thread EVER!

Sipping on a very dull hot water as we speak (I've noticed that my fine lines aren't have as noticeable since I've been drinking lots of water, bonus!), body brushing every night and I've just starting do the 30 day squat challenge. I am a make up and hair girl and intend to have EVERYTHING, I've got 6 months pre wedding microderms booked, I'm just about to have braces fitted, whitening, grow hair, nails, you name it I am doing it (and in all honesty its been the most fun of it all for me! That and the wedding dress shopping!)

Any tips on deep hair conditioners as mentioned above would be FAB!

xxx

I have just under 5 months to go & started trying to lose weight almost a year ago. I've just started growing my hair so I can do a bit more with it on the day although I have no idea what! I hate it already & long to have it cut but in my favourite style, there's not much that can be done with it! I will attempt to grow my nails again but if I fail I'll just buy some false ones & stick them on. I'm having fake lashes done as I wear them when I go out & know what a difference they make. I'm gonna have a few sunbeds next month in preparation for my hen weekend in Magaluf. I know they're not good for you but I never do it & I'm literally glow white! Once I've been Magaluf the weather will hopefully get nice here & I'll be able to keep some sort of colour. I don't want to be berry brown or ought, just not keen on being paler than my dress lol! I'm prone to spots & have a massive fear that I'll get a corker on my nose for the wedding day! For this reason I'm gonna continue to eat really healthy & drink loads of water right up until the wedding. I will also make more effort to exfoliate & moisturise my body, especially my arms! As a working Mum to a 2 & a half year old I'm lucky I get to shower let alone pamper! ?

You could start body brushing to circulate skin cells making the outer layers of your skin brighter!

Make sure you drink plently water to try and ellimiate spots and skin dryness, I wouldnt worry too much as stress will show in your skin!I use Lush face masks on my face and despite being really sensitive i never have had any problems with them!

Maybe do a good weekly hair traetment that you leave on 1 hour to increase shine.

How about just having a manicure, making sure your hands are well hydrated as many togs take close up of hands and you do not want yours cracked!!

Other than that im out of ideas , hope this helped!

I get married in July, and have been seing a beauty therapist once a month since Jan. each month i have a treatment ranging from Mirco derm to Dermo rollering( This one is sheduled in and scares me a little) , peals and scrubbs, I used to have bad spots, and a little scaring, but currently seeing a massive improvement in my skin. This is not a cheap option, but my salon has a deal so i have already saved £100's agaisnt actul indervidual treatment costs.

I am avoiding the fake bake as I have never had and i am so pale it would look really odd. I know i will be having a manaicure - possibly shellac or gelish to prolong the pretty as honemoon the next day for 2 weeks. I am also looking for semi perminant lashes to save on mascara running and pealing falsies, trials a set and they have been excellent.

The only thing my sister ever regretted was that she did not get a makeup artist for her makeup, as it did not last. so if you can warrent the cost, or have a friendly makeup gilr you can tap uup then do it - as if there is a last minute pimple - they can cover it , then only you know its there

I'm definitely getting into the swing of the beauty preparations!

In addition to the usual cleanse, tone and moisturise, I'm trying really hard to be thorough with exfoliation and using a facial mask weekly. Additionally, I went and saw my GP regarding breakouts, and have been prescribed some awesome gel to put on any spots that appeared (just to clarify - this wasn't prompted by the wedding, although it gave me the courage to FINALLY get the problem sorted).

I'm also focusing on arms, chest and back in the gym as my dress is strapless, but my arms leave something to be desired.

Nearer the time, I'll probably have more frequent manicures to ensure my nails are looking healthy, and may consider at home tooth whitening. I'll also have my eyelashes tinted before the wedding.

Defo going to try that toothpaste out, thank you! And agree re: the odd sunbed v fake tan!

This is exactly what I was talking about - this is serious effort ?! I have never heard about hot water affecting fine lines! And what is the 30 day squat challenge?! And the Shred thing?

Some great suggestions on here! Definitely going to spend some serious time in Boots stocking up!

Drinking wine,eating carbs and sleeping with my make up on.

Abso-blooming-lutely!

Skin: Increased water intake. Dermatologist appointments & prescribed Acne tablets. Special cream for red skin on arms. Changed pill. Facial and Body Scub every 4 weeks since Jan.

Weight: Got personal trainer, lost 1.5 stone so far, 7lbs to go. General no-eating-of-food diet.

Teeth: Course of teeth whitening. Yes makes teeth ache like a ******* but goes off in a day or so and well worth it for result, v noticable.

Hair: 4 weekly salon moisture treatments, only 2 trims in last 17 months.

Just did an add up - its about £2,500 worth of stuff but I haven't felt or looked so good in 10 years. People keep coming up to me and saying "YOU look WELL!" also known as - "you look thin and where are your spots, pizza face?" Still got 3 months to look even more well!

xxx

Love this thread too! Well I must say about the teethe whitening thing, I had some impressions taken at my dentist and now I have my very own bleaching trays and I bleach them every Monday and Friday and it has made such a difference! The results are amazing I would definitely recommend it! I have tried all the pearl drops, Colgate claim to whitening your teeth rubbish and none of it works. I decided to treat my self for my wedding, and I'm so glad I did it! Plus you have got the trays for life so you can just keep doing it as and when you want! Oh and the bit about making your teeth sensitive.... yes it certainly does but I have a very low pain threshold and I can cope with it! It just makes them feel like you've got a choc ice in your mouth for a day or so then it's fine! I've been looking at photos before teeth whitening and after and I'm amazed at the results

I love the advice on drinking more water I really need to do this as I don't drink anywhere near enough! Does it really help?!

I am exercising in the form of riding my horse, walking my dogs and doing just dance on my wii I'm so not a gym person lol!

Keep the advice coming ladies I will be watching this threat for ideas and tips!

x

Horace, once or twice a week in the evening (not just before bed though, as it rubs off on the pillow case), I'm massaging bio-oil into my face and neck. I'm not using it often enough to make an diiference to any marks or scars, but its much more moisturising than my normal cream, and my skin feels amazing the next morning. I keep meaning to start uising it on my shoulders and arms, as I have lots of superficial scratches and marks, but that seems to require more effort and I've hardly done it!!

Also, not really a beuaty regime, but I've been trying to wear heels to work when I can (not always possible as I work with children), so I can used to wearing heels after a long winter of living in snow boots.

I did consider having some kind of inch loss wrap a few days before, but I've never had one before and knowing my luck I would come out with a massive allergic reaction!!!

I swore I wouldn't get sunburnt this summer (I hate the sun, avoid it lots, so when I go in it I can burn easy) and I didn't want obvious dark and light bits when I wear my dress.

We go shopping today, I burn so now my new thing to do is apply lots of moisturiser and wear sunscreen everyday!

Someone asked about water consumption - it has made a HUGE difference to me. Granted I may be an extreme case as before I had a cup of tea in the morning, one glass of water at lunch and maybe one drink in the evening. I'm now drinking 1.5/2 litres every day and my skin literally looks more hydrated. Even better, my headaches have reduced and I just feel a bit more alive.

The negative is that for the first two weeks I was peeing like a racehorse?

I was scared of peels too at first but the modern ones are really quite gentle and I haven't had any actual peeling at all (although my freind did with the same peel) - my skin just looks much brighter and the tone is improving with each one.

The hair treatment I use is a protein reconstructor to strengthen hair - think it's a Redken one.

I'm glad others are going as all out as I am, I'm also really enjoying this part of wedding prep!

Great thread, - quick post and dash to work

re: tooth whitening - how long before big day is best OM's?

re: tanning - should i tan now and keep topped up - as worried makeup trials may not be right shade otherwise

re: microderm abrasion - again how long before big day?

re: bingo wings and double chins - HELP!

xx

Blimey! I had no idea people went to such extremes for thier wedding day?! Arnt you worried you won't look like you if you change too much? Teeth whitening terrifies me- I always think of that friends episode with Ross and the whitening kit.

This. I think that, after 10 years, my fiance knows what he's getting, warts and all- I don't want him to see me on our wedding day and think "Oh, so THAT'S what she looks like if she makes a bit of an effort...", it might raise his expectations too high! And I can't see him waxing / tanning / bleaching for the day- he's barely on a diet and that's for the honeymoon, rather than the wedding, so he doesn't get mistaken for a beached whale.

But then, my idea of getting 'dressed up' for a night out is putting on my jeans without the holes. ?

So ladies, I applaud your endeavours at self-improvement. You are more woman than I.

Mini- don't forget the 'ebony and ivory' tan- also Ross, I believe?!

Im not sure i can be bothered to do any beauty things. I will definitely be getting my brows in perfect condition as these are the only beauty 'thing' I have done. I only really wear make up when im on a night out and i never have my nails or tan done. I was hoping to loose weight but now I've found my dress I love it so much that I don't feel I need to lose weight.

i applauded anyone who has the patience to have a beauty regime, I just can't be bothered and I get fed up just painting my nails! I sound like a right scruff, I'm not by the way hehe

Mostly I will just be trying not to get scratched or bitten at work. I'm a vet nurse and regularly get cuts, bites, stab wounds :-/

Rising trot, no stirrups! That'll sort you! :-)

Teeth whitening is gradual when you do it with the trays, but you do have to keep a check on yourself and not go nuts on it, its a bit addictive as you see them getting lighter! Don't to do a Ross!

I asked my dentist how long before I should start, and he told me I was fine to start in January (takes 2 weeks to do top set, 2 weeks to do bottom set) for my 3rd August wedding, then just do a few top up days before hand.

I personally would give yourself plenty of time because it does last, and also if you do get achey teeth and want a day off, you can do it without thinking you HAVE to do 14 days straight!

OH sees me every day so the change for him will be gradual. Doubt he's noticed my teeth lightening and my hair growing, he's noticed me getting thinner because he seems to like me with a bit of meat on! I am sure that boy is a feeder and that is why i am in this position!

xxx

The water definately helps puff out the lines, I'm not saying it gets rid of them completely but they definately look better!

I am doing absolutely everything I can to look my best as on the day I want to stand by my OH and him to think DING DONG that's my girl ?! Also my OH is a bit of a groomer, he definately won't be just turning up on the day and sticking a suit on! He's not a ponce or anything but when he goes out he likes to make an effort! Granted he won't be starting 9 months before!

I can't add the 30 day squat challenge for some reason but sure if you google it it'll be there. Day 1 you do 50 and by day 30 your doing 250 (ouch!)

xxx