Wedding Prep: Above-the-Neck Essentials

There are so many plans to make when it comes to your wedding.

Between securing the dress, the venue, flowers, cake, food, a photographer, and everything else, you may get down to the wire before you even start to consider the state of your skin, your smile, and your hair.

What does it matter, though?  You have a team of stylists to take care of these problems, right?  Wrong!  This is a trap you cannot let yourself fall victim to!  While stylists certainly get paid to make you look your best, you’re going to have problems if you show up for styling appointments with roots an inch long and a face covered in stress-induced acne.  And a less-than-white smile cannot be fixed on the day of your wedding.  For these reasons, it is imperative that you take an active role in ensuring that everything above the neck is as good as it gets before the big day.  Here are just a few ways to get there.

Hair care

You might be tempted to switch to a shampoo and conditioner that provides more body just before the wedding, or perhaps you’ll find that a hot oil treatment or special conditioning is required.  But the worst thing you can do the day before your wedding is mess with your established hair care routine.  If your current regimen isn’t satisfying you, then try new products weeks or even months before the big day so your scalp has time to adjust.  Otherwise you could end up with dandruff or excess oil on your big day.

Cut and color

Again, try to avoid drastic changes just before the wedding.  Remember that you’re going to have to live with the photos forever.  So just do touch-ups about a week before the big day (trim and/or color) and use the appointment to consult with your hair stylist about the hairdo for the wedding.  Then you’ll both be prepared when the big day comes.

Dermatology

The state of your skin is extremely important since it could make or break your confidence.  If you suffer from breakouts or other skin problems (scarring, discolored patches, or more serious conditions like rosacea) you should definitely visit a dermatologist weeks or months before the wedding to begin addressing the issues.  As you get closer to the big day, make an appointment for a facial (a few days out), and consider booking a final visit 1-2 days before, just in case you need a cortisone treatment for last-minute pimples.  Having a perfect palette will ensure that your makeup looks flawless all day.

Teeth whitening

Giving up coffee and using whitening toothpaste for a few months could do the trick when it comes to a bright, white smile, or you may choose to go a little more heavy duty with whitening strips.  But if you suffer from serious stains or discoloration, see your dentist a few months out to arrange for bleaching trays or a laser treatment.

Experiment

Knowing what you want in the way of hair and makeup can be a challenge, especially if you show up to appointments on your big day with no clue of what you want.  So look through magazines, find a few looks that you like, and try them out at home.  Take photos so that you can flip through and make a decision.  This will also help when you arrive for your styling sessions because you can use a photo to tell your team exactly what you want; or more importantly, exactly what you don’t want.

Sarah Danielson writes for Anchorage Dentist where you can get the beautiful healthy smile you’ve always dreamed of.