Wedding Wednesday: Beauty Regimen

Like every bride I want to look as best as I possibly can on my wedding day. There's a couple of things I want to work on improving before the big day....my skin, my body and my hair. A couple of weeks ago I had a routine brow wax scheduled and decided to ask about skin care. I'll be honest, I don't take care of my skin. I don't wash my make up off at night, I only wash my face in the shower, I use a facial moisturizer but I bought the cheapest one I could find, I certainly don't exfoliate any part of me and I tan. Shannon has been waxing my eyebrows for the past 2 years and she is now the only person I trust with my face. I was able to schedule some extra time with her so that she could give me a skin analysis and put me on a long term routine to give me perfect skin for the wedding day and beyond.

First, Shannon determined I have dry skin meaning I experience very minimal t-zone oil, my skin sometimes feels tight and dehydrated, I have visible pores on and around my nose, my skin is thin and textured. Next, Shannon gave me a crash course on skin....the epidermal layer, what causes pimples, free radicals and all that good stuff. Then she educated me in the Big Four of Skin Care....Cleanse, Moisturize, Tone and Exfoliate. This is stuff I've learned before when I worked for salons but I've never worried about it for my own skin.

If you don't follow the Big Four with you skin, here's a closer look at each step.

Cleanse
What it does: helps with all of the facial dangers (make up, shaving, etc) primarily by clearing away the dirt, grime and dead cells, thus facilitating the production and easy travels of new skin cells 
How to use it: Apply to wet skin, and massage over face. Rinse.Wash your face every morning and night, and never go to sleep in your makeup. It can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.

Tone
What it does: restores the skin to its natural pH level and removes any traces of cleanser left behind. The skin will accept moisturizer more readily and easily if it's prepared with a toner first. All skin types can benefit from the use of a good alcohol-free toner.
How to use it: After cleansing, close eyes and spritz all over the face, neck and v-area. Gently massage into skin leaving it slightly moist. Immediately apply the next product. 

 Moisturize
What it does: Skin constantly loses natural moisturizing factors due to environmental aggressors — sun, wind, and dry airs (hot and cold). Skin will also experience a decrease in oil production levels with age. To maintain soft, smooth and supple skin, we need to replenish this moisture loss.
How to use it: Apply to entire face and neck day and night.

Exfoliate
What it does: Gently removes dulling dead cells, unclogs pores, brightens skin, smoothes out fine lines and stimulates skin's natural renewal process
How to use it: As a scrub--apply to moist skin and gently massage. Rinse off with water. As a mask and scrub--apply to clean skin and let dry. Wet fingertips and massage gently to soften mask and exfoliate skin. Rinse off with water avoiding eyes. Use up to 3 times a week.

The salon I go to uses Bioelements products, so Shannon loaded me up with everything I need to get my skin in to shape.

Moisture Positive Cleanser

 Crucial Moisture Moisturizer

 Power Peptide Toner

And Measured Micrograins Exfoliater

I've been using these products in the morning and before I go to bed for 2 weeks and I can honestly say I can see a difference! My skin just looks healthier and feels cleaner. I have a couple little red spots and possible break out locations which Shannon said is normal because my skin is getting used to actually being healthy and it's cleaning out all the gunk that I have been letting build up. 

Shannon also recommends getting a facial once a month, wouldn't that be nice! Who has the money to get a facial every month? I sure as heck don't! BUT, Shannon offers a deal for her regular customers where if you buy three facials upfront you get a fourth for free...perfect! So I scheduled a little birthday treat for myself in December and I'll get my first in a series of facials. I figure after that I will go every other month, which with my four facials brings me to June. Then I'll buy four more and do one each month before the wedding! Any family members reading this....I go to Snips SalonSpa if you're interested in getting me a gift card :o)

As for the rest of my skin...I'm in the market for a good exfoliating body cleanser to use in the shower! Anyone have any suggestions of a product you love?! I figure I'll use that and moisturize as I always do. Then, the week before the wedding I am going to get an Herbology Body Scrub. Shannon does this as well. It's basically a deep exfoliating cleanse followed by extreme moisturizing with oils. She says it's heaven and I CANNOT WAIT! 

Finally, I need a tan plan. I know, I know it's bad. But I can't help myself! I LOVE being tan! I don't however want to be too dark or look orange. I want a natural sun kissed look. So I'll probably go tanning once a week for a few weeks before the wedding to get some nice color. As some of you know I am obsessed with Planet Beach Contempo Spa. The thing I love about PB is that although it's a tanning salon they promote healthy skin care. They sell tons of services and products that can help heal and protect from the damages tanning causes. One of my favorite things of all time is the hydration station. It's a giant spaceship looking bed that combines infared light and nutrient-rich steam which moisturizes your skin, cleanses pores, increases collagen and skin elasticity and extends your tan! It's also been known to tighten and tone your body giving the appearance of weight loss! So, you better believe I will be spending a lot of time in that bad boy before the wedding! I'll probably go once a week before I tan the weeks leading up to the wedding! 

Whew, that was long. But that's my Wedding Skin Care Regimen. Do you have any tips for getting perfect skin before your wedding day?