Bridal beauty on a budget: When to splurge and when to save
For most women, planning a wedding is an incredibly exciting part of their life. It’s a day that they’ve dreamed of since they were a little girl. Some girls have their entire wedding planned before they even find their match. As exciting as wedding planning is, the stress that comes along with it is sometimes tough to navigate. For most people, the stress is caused by many factors but the two biggest are usually financial stress and familial stress. Familial stress could be realizing that some people act differently when someone in their life gets engaged, or you learn who you can and can’t rely on, depend on, trust, or who you may need to cut out all together due to negative toxicity. Not everyone deals with these situations but being a bridal makeup artist for 16 years and being in 8 weddings soon to be 9 myself, I’ve seen first hand the drama that can occur in times of high stress. Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not here to discuss the drama that comes with weddings. I’m here to discuss all things beauty, while the financial stress in weddings can be really overwhelming, let’s break it down and see when to splurge and when to save when it comes to your bridal look.
If you want to look your absolute best on your wedding day without breaking the bank, keep reading:
Skin Care
I got married nearly 11 years ago, and I feel like the trends during that time frame were winged liner/cat eyes and highlight/contour and less focus on skin. The past few years skincare has become a gigantic obsession, especially for women and even young girls who are now shopping at Sephora. Your goal on your wedding day should be focused on getting your skin as clear as possible because the better your skin looks, the more radiant and glowing you appear and the less makeup you may need. Getting into a healthy skincare routine before your wedding day is E V E R Y T H I N G.
Decide what you want your budget to be over the next 9-12 months before your big day regarding your skin’s health. If you’re completely happy with your skin, I’d say get a few facials just to maintain the skin leading up to the big day, and then a dermaplaning facial a week before to make it really glow. You’d be better off splurging on your home care routine products and saving on professional treatments.
If you’re not happy with your skin, getting professional treatments is where you will want to splurge. Depending on the skin’s health and what time of year your are getting married and how much time you have all play a factor in this situation. Let’s say you’re getting married in August, if you’re dealing with acne, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, etc. you’re best bet is to start in the fall with chemical peels and microneedling. Typically doing a series of treatments get you your best result. Once April/May hits, the key at that point is to maintain your skin’s health as much as possible with superficial treatments such as light peels, dermaplaning, and facials. Then 1 week prior getting a dermaplaning facial for that wedding day glow.
At home products for your skincare routine are essential for your wedding day look and your skin’s overall health. 80% of your skin’s health relies solely on what you’re doing at home and 20% of what we do in the treatment room. I’m not sitting here telling you to purchase thousands of dollars worth of skincare products, but lets breakdown exactly what you should splurge on and what you can save on.
My general rule for skin care - if it’s working don’t change it.
Cleanser (AM/PM)- Getting a good cleanser according to your skin type is all you need. Cleanser is just to cleanse the skin, but NEVER USE A BAR {I do have standards ;-) } - Save your $$$
Serum (AM/PM)- These products have active ingredients that can actually change your skin. Serums can help with anti aging, brightening, acne, rosacea, hydration, etc.- Splurge $$$
Moisturizer (AM/PM)- Getting a moisturizer suited for your skin type is essential. The sole purpose is to add moisture back into your skin that you may have lost- Save your $$$
SPF (AM)- All I recommend is an SPF 30 or higher with Zinc- Save your $$$ my personal favorite is Image Skincare Matte SPF 30 or SPF 75
Exfoliation (AM OR PM)- Should be done 2 times a week depending on your skin type. Never purchase St. Ives or anything extremely abrasive. Save your $$$
Retinol (PM)- #1 Anti Aging Ingredient. This is going to change your skin (when you start using retinol it may purge, it may peel, flake, turn red, become irritated which is all normal but don’t start it too close to your wedding as your skin looks worse before it looks better). -Splurge $$$ my favorite is SkinMedica -click here to receive free shipping!
Eye Cream (AM/PM)- Whether you’re using it for preventative measures, brightening under eye circles, softening fine lines, or for depuffing, this is a product you want to- Splurge $$$ my favorite is Neocutis Lumiere Firm
Makeup
Pick a makeup artist that you can trust. Refer to this previous post of mine here if you need help finding a makeup artist for you big day. Depending on your location makeup artists tend to charge more by location. If you’re looking to save on a makeup artist, finding a local cosmetology school where a student is doing makeup is an option to save your money, if the professional route is not an option, and you plan to do it yourself, here are products that I will tell you when to save and when to splurge:
Face Primer: Splurge $$$ my favorite is SmashBox Photo Finish
Eye Primer: Splurge $$$ my favorite is Mac Pro Longware Paint Pot in Painterly.
Eye Shadow: Save $$$
Eye Liner: Save $$$ my favorite is E.L.F.
Eye Brow Pencil/Gel/Powder: Save $$$ obsessed with anything from Kelley Baker
Foundation: Splurge $$$ my favorites are Armani Luminous Silk and Makeup Forever HD
Concealer: Splurge $$$ Tarte’s Shape Tape is a fan favorite.
Blush: Splurge $$$ I love Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty Blush.
Highlight/Contour/Bronzer: Splurge $$$ my favorites are Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer and Stardust Glow Palette in Light to Medium
Lip Liner/Lipstick/Lip Stain: Splurge $$$ my favorites are from MAC
Mascara: Save $$$ Can never go wrong with Maybelline
Eyelashes: Save $$$ depending on how skilled you are I’ve been loving these pre glued eyelashes from Eylure
Aside from purchasing products whether it’s skincare or makeup, another way to save money and look your best on your big day is to focus on your water intake and your nutrition. What you put into your body shows on the outside. Cutting dairy and gluten helps fight inflammation, incorporating more water, and foods that are hydrating such as fruits and veggies, and lower your salt and sugar intake are all ways to naturally help clear your skin on a budget. And if you are looking for something really holistic, drinking 16oz. of organic celery juice every morning on an empty stomach will speed up the process.
Let me know in the comments below if you’d like to hear more on that!