Wedding Day Skincare {Guest Post!}

Tis the season for rejuvenation, fine-tuning, self-care, and feeling beautiful in your skin. That’s why we’re so excited to share these expert tips from Marisa Lux Makeup on long-term skin care for feeling your absolute best on your wedding day.

Marisa has been doing makeup for 13 years, and she’s also a licensed esthetician with 10 years of experience. Marisa Lux Makeup specializes in doing makeup for wedding parties here in Albuquerque + Santa, and in particular, professional airbrush application. Which is perfect for weddings because it provides all-day stay, flawless finish, and minimal makeup that results in a lovely, natural look. Thank you Marisa for sharing your vast amount of beauty knowledge!

Many brides start thinking about their skin and skincare a bit more once the wedding date is approaching, and I am here to help you with that. I will guide you through what you should and should not do leading up to your wedding. 

Some brides decide 6-12 months out that they want to start a regular skincare routine or upgrade their current skin regimen.  Some start by getting regular facials. Some brides may have problematic skin (i.e. acne or light acne, post inflammatory pigmentation, acne scarring, rosacea, discoloration or extremely dry or oily skin) and want to learn how to best take care of it. Other brides decide they will just get a facial a week or a few days before their wedding. Since getting a facial right before the wedding is one of the more common things brides think of doing, let me tell you why, from an esthetician’s point of view, that is NOT a good idea. You are probably thinking, wait, what?!? Let me explain.

I always recommend brides start working on their skin anywhere from a few months to a year before their wedding. I know some people can’t afford to get facials monthly which is why a consultation with a professional can help you learn what your options are. For example, if a person has very problematic skin and they find a great esthetician in New Mexico who can assist them in choosing the correct products and treatments, it can be life changing, especially for brides. 

I have had many brides who struggled with acne and/or could not get control of dark spots on their face from acne in the past. With the appropriate professional skincare products and applying the best treatments, I have literally transformed peoples’ skin. I will explain a little more about treatments and products later.

Now, why shouldn’t you just get a facial a week or a couple of days before your wedding? You will most likely just choose a spa that maybe sounds relaxing or you heard offers good facials. The issue is that you are exposing your skin to products you have never used before; you are receiving a facial treatment you have never had before; and you are working with an esthetician who doesn’t really know your skin. Now don’t misunderstand me, I respect people in my profession, but I can tell you from first hand experience not all estheticians are created equal. The first thing that can go wrong is some products used during the facial or even the skincare line used might not agree with your skin. Yes, I  acknowledge the odds of this happening are not high, but it is possible. What IF you have some sort of reaction to the products used? What IF the facial makes you break out? What IF you have an allergic reaction? What IF your skin gets red or itchy afterwards? What IF the esthetician uses too strong of an exfoliant and your skin starts flaking?  Although the likelihood is low, do you want to risk any of these things happening right before your wedding day?

This is why I always suggest starting facial treatments at least a few months before your wedding. Or, if you are just wanting to get a facial right before your wedding, my recommendation is this: instead of getting a facial a few days before your wedding, get the exact same facial a month or two before your wedding as a trial run to make sure your skin does well with it. Also see the same esthetician both times. That way they will have notes on your skin and products they used so they can use all the same products or make adjustments, if necessary. Doesn’t that make sense? 

I am not trying to scare anyone, but, trust me, I have heard stories of brides getting facials or waxing for the first right before their wedding and their skin freaked out. So my advice is to find a reputable esthetician (you can always look up estheticians in your area on Yelp and Perfect Wedding Guide to see who has the best reviews) and choose wisely based on someone’s education and experience in the field. Some of us estheticians have many years of experience and are vastly knowledgable about specific products, and, especially, active ingredients that will work to treat your specific skin concerns or just the most appropriate products for your skin type. Some of us take continuing education and trainings to stay up to date with all the new advancements in the skincare world. This is the type of esthetician you want. Someone who has vast knowledge of the skin and how it works.

Now regarding different facial treatments, let me give you general information regarding some of the more popular treatments. A regular or custom facial is good for all skin types. The esthetician will analyze your skin, perform a gentle, hydrating facial and talk to you about what products you are currently using and probably make some suggestions on products or skin regimens that would be beneficial for your specific skin. A deep cleansing facial with extractions is good for people who may have a bit of a more oily skin type, larger pores and possibly some acne. Typically these facials will include steam, cleansing, appropriate exfoliation; maybe a light enzyme exfoliant that will help with cell turn over and can soften the pores to help with extractions.  This is usually followed with an appropriate mask, serums and moisturizers. 

If you have severe acne you may want to start with an esthetician and work with her and her skincare product recommendations. Depending on the type of acne, certain active ingredients sometimes you can get it under control. Sometimes you make also need to look into things like diet, supplements, bad habits like not washing your face at night, or maybe other culprits. If you are not getting the desired improvement, the esthetician may also refer you to a dermatologist for prescription recommendations, but most good estheticians can really help with acne.  Some other treatments that can be highly beneficial are microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, hydrafacials and possibly even peels that can even out skin clarity and lessen light scarring and discolorations. 

I will do a more in-depth post on treatments and what is most beneficial for different skin issues. If you don’t know what any of the treatments are or you are thinking, “OMG a peel; I don’t want my face to turn beet red and have my skin fall off,” I promise I will go into more detail about what each one of these entails. 

My recommendation for the best facial you can do before your wedding (keeping in mind you want to do one at least a month or two prior to make sure your skin does well) is an oxygen facial. Some people have heard of them or heard the name while other people have never heard of them.  Let me explain why this is my go-to facial for brides. It is calming, soothing, extremely hydrating, meant to plump the skin and make it look flawless. 

These are what many people refer to as “The Red Carpet” facial because many celebs like to get this facial before they attend an event like the Academy Awards. The reason is no super strong exfoliants or aggressive products are used. The main thing that sets this facial apart is that an airbrush dispenser is used to mist a highly active serum onto the skin and then uses compressed oxygen to drive the ingredients into the skin. It is a very cool, relaxing experience, with zero discomfort and no downtime. You walk out and your skin looks beautiful and results typically last up to a week.

If you would like any more information about facials and what I might recommend for your skin type, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I absolutely love skin care and helping people learn how to get the skin they want. I offer facials at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, if you would like to come see me. AND, yes, I offer my favorite facial “The Oxygen Facial” there. I will work with you and your skin needs to get you where you want to be with your skin so that your wedding makeup will look gorgeous because your skin will be in the best shape possible. 

I hope this is all helpful information. Follow me on Instagram to see photos of some of my clients and how I helped make their wedding day even more special.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Have the most beautiful wedding by looking and feeling your best.