LOCK DOWN RESTRICTIONS HAVE FINALLY LIFTED, HOORAH!
So many big events have been delayed over the past 18 months, and, no doubt you will soon be receiving invites to many overdue celebrations and will want to look best.
After so long in lockdown, it might be a little daunting preparing yourself for an event. So we thought it would be useful to get together a few tips and tricks to get you ready to celebrate.
Whatever the big day has ahead of you - whether it's a wedding or a special event you will be attending - you will want to start preparing early so that on the day your skin, hair, makeup and outfit will all be flawless.
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE DAY.
YOUR HAIR:
It might be worth considering booking a hairdresser's appointment 2 weeks before the event. Not only will this give you time to get it booked in, (as we all know hairdressers get fully booked very quickly at the moment), but if you are planning on just getting a touch up of your roots, or even a trim, it will allow your hair to settle down and look more natural on the day.
If you don't have time to go to the hairdresser's then there are a few things you can do at home to make it look like you have just walked out of the hair salon.
Start using shampoos, conditioners and hair masks that are hydrating and nourishing for your hair a week or two before your event. This will give your hair time to repair and replenish itself. It will also help prevent your hair from getting damaged from any heat styling tools you will use - like your hairdryer, straightener, and curling iron. Of course, using any follow-up products made to protect your hair from heat, (a protector spray or serum) is always a good idea.
Another way to prevent your hair from getting damaged and frizzy is to avoid using a towel. Towels are rough and coarse, and by vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel you will damage your hair, and create tangles and frizz.
Swap your towel for a microfibre one, which is softer and more gentle on your hair. If you can't find a microfibre towel you can use a 100% cotton t-shirt instead! When you come to dry your hair, section out parts of your hair and gently squeeze it with the microfibre towel or t-shirt so that it can absorb the water and avoid rubbing abrasively.
HEAD TO TOE SKINCARE:
Smooth, hydrated skin will ensure you glow from top to toe on the big day.
YOUR BODY:
You're probably wondering when to start prepping your skin before your event? We say the earlier the better, however, if you are only just reading this a few days before the big day, then don't worry there's still time for you to start prepping your skin now and achieve healthy glowing skin.
When you're planning on having your next shower, make sure you give yourself some extra time so you can exfoliate your whole body. You don't want to rush the exfoliating process - not only will this cause skin aggravation from scrubbing too hard, but you're more likely to miss some areas. Remember to take your time.
Exfoliating your skin is good for removing dead skin cells & blood circulation, which helps your skin to produce new healthier skin cells. This prevents ingrown hairs and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. Exfoliate twice a week for good results.
We recommend you start exfoliating your skin 2-4 weeks before the event so that you can benefit from this skin regeneration and improve your skin's hydration and moisture levels in time for the big day. There are lots of different body exfoliators out there to choose from so be sure you find one that you like and is right for your skin.
Note: If you're thinking of getting a spray tan it might be worth speaking to your beautician about prepping your skin beforehand. The beautician may recommend you exfoliate your whole body, including your hands and feet, before your appointment.
After you have exfoliated, rinse your skin with clean warm water then wash your body with your favourite body wash or soap, rinsing again with clean warm water. you will then be ready to remove body hair using your chosen method.
Once your body is completely dry we recommend applying a good quality body, paraben-free moisturiser to your skin to leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
YOUR FACE:
In the lead up to the big day be sure to stick to your skincare regime, taking care to cleanse and moisturise morning and night for the best results.
A few days before the event why not opt for a facial?
Whether it's a home remedy with your favourite face mask or a professional facial at a spa, take some time to give your skin that extra bit of pampering. Giving your skin the goodness it needs will help it look and feel refreshed on the day.
For a home spa ritual, the first step is to wash your face with your facial wash or cleanser to remove any makeup, trapped dirt or oil. Rinse your face with clean lukewarm water to remove the face wash.
Next, exfoliate your skin. A deep exfoliating mask is good for removing unwanted skin impurities & removing any excess oil or dirt that may be trapped under your skin. Apply the face mask onto your skin, sit back, relax, and let the face mask get to work. Then, when it's time, rinse the face mask off with lukewarm water and oat dry your face with a clean dry towel.
Next step - Moisturise. Finding a deeply hydrating moisturiser is the best thing you can do for your skin after a facial. Although your facial may include products that have skin hydrating properties, it's important to maintain that skin hydration. using a deeply hydrating moisturiser will help lock in moisture, allowing your skin to stay hydrated for many hours after application.
1-2 DAYS BEFORE THE BIG DAY.
MANICURE AND PEDICURE:
Summer events lend themselves to open-toe shoes & sandals, so as your feet will be on show you may want to ensure they look their best. Why not set some time aside to give your feet a little bit of love and attention with a pedicure.
Soak your feet in a bowl or bath of warm water with your favourite scented bubble bath. After a couple of minutes either use a foot scrub or a pumice stone and gently scrub away any dead skin that's on your feet, then rinse off with clean warm water and dry your feet off using a clean dry towel.
Once your feet are clean and dry apply a deeply hydrating foot moisturiser to lock in the moisture and ensure soft, healthy, crack-free heels.
Next - trim and file your toenails. Once they are shaped to perfection and snag-free, apply a nail polish base coat to your toenails, wait until the base coat is dry, then apply 1 or 2 coats of your coloured nail varnish of choice. Make sure you let the nail polish dry fully in between each coat to avoid smudging. Once the second coat of nail varnish is fully dry apply a clear topcoat nail polish to enhance the nail colour, adding a lovely shine and preventing your nails from chipping.
As your hands tend to see more action than your feet it's wise to leave your manicure as close to the event as possible.
Wash your hands with a good quality hand wash and rinse off with warm water. Follow this with a hand scrub to remove any dry skin, leaving your hands feeling soft and silky smooth. Then rinse your hands with clean warm water and dry off with a clean dry towel.
Next, apply a moisturiser. Your hands are one of the most delicate areas of your body and can often be the first to show signs of ageing, so applying a deeply moisturising cream will work wonders on their health and appearance and should be an essential part of your skincare regime.
Either trim or file your nails to desired shape and length, then apply a nail polish if desired. Follow the same steps as above for the optimum finish and be sure not to skip the base and top coats.
THE NIGHT BEFORE.
It's now time to sit back and relax before your big day tomorrow. So why not enjoy this time with a lovely hot scented bubble bath to help you relax? You can also do a last-minute facial by applying a face mask whilst you are relaxing in your bath.
Try not to eat anything that is high in carbs, too salty and sugary the night before as these foods can cause inflammation which can affect your skin and give your dark circles. Therefore, leave the salty, sugary foods for another time, and go to bed early. We recommend that you get at least 8 hours of sleep so that you wake up the next morning feeling rested and refreshed.
ON THE DAY.
After such a long wait the most important thing is to enjoy your day, whatever the event. If you have prepared beforehand you should be able to take it easy today, ensuring a stress-free start to the day - after all, we all deserve it after such a long lockdown.
A healthy, well-balanced breakfast that will keep you full until lunchtime is a good place to start the day, followed by your normal skincare regime. Today is not the day to throw in any changes!
Have you ever wondered whether it's best to do your hair or makeup first?
We recommend that you do your hair bare-faced, as using hair styling tools can cause you to get a little hot and flustered, which may leave your makeup needing a refresh.
You want your makeup to last as long as possible, so leaving it to to the end is always best.
If your event is in the daytime it's important to apply sunscreen. Even with makeup on you should always wear sunscreen so UVA and UVB rays cannot cause long term damage to your skin.
If you're concerned about applying makeup on top of sunscreen you can use a mattifying sunscreen, which will ensure a good base. Your local beauty store can help you find the right mattifying sunscreen for your skin. Make sure you buy the highest SPF available to protect your skin from UV Rays.
The most important thing is to give yourself enough time to enjoy every part of the day, including getting ready.
