Hair Information
Hair Style for My Dress
These dresses have a similar sculptural look to a square neckline, so hairstyles for a one-shoulder dress should include clean, tighter looks. Paglionico recommends balancing out the look of a one-shoulder dress with a side part and straight hair swept to one side, or a side-swept updo. If your dress feels more glamorous, then vintage-inspired waves or curls may work too. I do have a veil to work with so I will need to find a way to add that into the style.
Hair Styling Details
Bridal hair is typically styled dry, which means that your hairstylist will ask you to arrive with clean, dry hair on the day of your vow renewal. From there, your stylist will create your desired look.
Hair Styling Costs
Hair and Makeup Trial: We highly recommend booking a hair and makeup trial prior to the big day to test out your look and make tweaks as needed. This will ensure that day-of application goes off without a hitch. | Range: $225–$350
Elaborate Styles & Extensions: Hairstyles cost more when you add in things like fancy updos, elaborate braids and clip-in hair extensions. You’ll get a better idea of the exact hair cost once you’ve completed your hair trial. | Range: $30–$50
Gratuity: It’s crucial to tip your vendors for their amazing work! Plan to budget 15–25% of your final beauty total to give as a tip to your artists. Be sure to check your contract to see if your glam team has any built-in service fees already included. | Range: $50–$75 per service
Face and Body Care
Professional Services
- HydraFacial
- Dermaplaning
- LED Light Therapy
Top Ingredients for Perimenopausal skin
- Hyaluronic Acid: For immediate plumping and moisture.
- Ceramides: To repair and support a weakened barrier.
- Vitamin C: For brightening and collagen support.
- Niacinamide: To improve skin barrier function and reduce redness.
- Retinol/Bakuchiol: To address fine lines and texture.
- Rosehip Oil: For nourishing and gentle cell turnover.
Makeup A la Carte Items to Consider
Airbrush Makeup: Applied with a special machine, airbrush makeup gives your look a smooth, long-lasting finish. It can take additional time and skill to apply, so artists typically charge more for this service. | Range: $10–$25
At-Home Items
- Use serums with Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture and nourish the skin barrier. A rich, nourishing moisturizer containing ceramides is crucial at night.
- Use Vitamin C in the morning to protect against environmental damage and brighten sun spots. At night, a gentle retinol or Bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative) can speed up cell turnover for a smoother texture.
Things to Do or Avoid
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, or hot yoga, as extreme heat can trigger melanin and cause dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
- Limit alcohol and sodium to reduce fluid retention and facial puffiness.
- A consistent, high-quality sleep schedule is vital to prevent dark circles and dullness.
Stuff to Buy
- 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
- UV Solutions Hydrating Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- Clinique Smart Clinical Repair™ Overnight Recovery Cream + Mask
- Kitsch Shea Butter Exfoliating Body Wash Bar Soap
- Hempz Body Lotion – Ocean Breeze Limited Edition Daily Moisturizing Cream, Shea Butter, Aloe, Body Moisturizer
- Hempz Sweet Jasmine & Rose Herbal Body Moisturizer for Women, 17 Fl. oz. – Moisturizing Lotion with 100% Pure Hemp Seed Oil, Collagen, Shea Butter – Hydrating Vegan Lotion for Dry Skin
Massage
Week-of Massage – A week-of massage, ideally scheduled 2–5 days before the event, is perfect for reducing stress, easing muscle tension from planning, and improving circulation. Popular options include relaxing Swedish, soothing hot stone, or specialized lymphatic drainage to reduce bloating. Aim for a 60-90 minute session for maximum benefit. Advise your massage therapist that you are wearing a gown and ask them to focus on relaxation rather than intense deep tissue work, which can leave you sore and/or bruise.
- Swedish Massage: Uses long, gliding strokes for general relaxation, ideal for releasing built-up tension.
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage: A gentle, non-invasive technique that helps reduce bloating and boosts the immune system, often recommended to help brides feel less puffy.
- Hot Stone or Aromatherapy: Excellent for deep relaxation and calming the mind before the big day.
- Couples Massage: A great way for partners to bond and destress together during a busy week.
Nails Information
Nails: Don’t forget to factor in your nails and pedicure when planning your beauty expenses. If your makeup artist doesn’t offer nail services, there’s a good chance they can steer you in the right direction. | Range: $40–80 each
Gratuity: It’s crucial to tip your vendors for their amazing work! Plan to budget 15–25% of your final beauty total to give as a tip to your artists. Be sure to check your contract to see if your glam team has any built-in service fees already included. | Range: $50–$75 per service
Beauty Timeline
- Secure your beauty pros – Start your research on hair stylists and makeup artists for your vow renewal, and try to book at least 11 months ahead.
- Set a daily skincare regimen – Focus on what dermatologists refer to as “the holy trinity:” an antioxidant (like a Vitamin-C serum), a retinol and a sunscreen. Good skincare takes two to three months to start working, and the sooner you get on it, the sooner you can start seeing results that’ll improve slowly over time.
- Schedule regular hair trims – Consult your hair stylist ASAP on how best to prep your hair for your vow renewal day. And pencil in your appointments for the year up front so you can keep a timely schedule. “The most obvious concerns are length of hair, fullness of hair, whether or not any of the types of hair extensions will be used, tonality choice and the details of the day. To-be-weds grow their hair and avoid any trims in an attempt to preserve every last inch, but this leads to hair appearing shattered or fragile. A to-be-wed should maintain a proper hair regime of trims on a 6- to 10-week basis.
- Begin hair removal treatments – (eye brows and upper lip) – Waxing is ideal for long-lasting smoothness because it regulates the hair cycle by removing all hair at once, leading to a consistent cycle.
- Visit a dermatologist – They’re medical experts who specialize in hair, skin and nails, and they can help you achieve your healthiest, most radiant complexion.
- Make a mental/physical wellness routine (exercise, meditation, etc.)
- Schedule your makeup and hair trials – Call and pencil in your makeup and hair trials, as artists’ schedules fill up quickly. We recommend booking a date one to three months out from your event date. You should also start sourcing inspo for your look.
- Keep up with your oral hygiene/teeth whitening
- Test out your spray tan or self tan
- Try different nail looks to find your favorite – Try different shapes, colors, nail trends and designs until you find the right combo for your day. Additionally, consider if you’ll use your natural nails, gel polish, acrylic, dip or press-ons.
- Keep up your hair – this time period is all about maintenance. Your coloring journey should be well underway.
- Focus on skin hydration and decongestion – keep using a gentle cleanser and chemical exfoliator along with your holy trinity for the best results. Don’t forget to pick up a moisturizer that won’t irritate your skin or clog your pores.
- Keep up body care – Stick with moisturizing for now. It’ll help improve your skin’s tone and texture over time. If you want to add a step, consider grabbing a body scrub for some light exfoliation.
- Complete hair and makeup trials
- Relax and destress – try to keep your sleep schedule on track and your stress levels as low as you can to keep your mental health in check.
- Avoid any new or irritating skin treatments
- Confirm day-of beauty details – Confirm your party size and their needs with your beauty pros. Communicate your thoughts on how they should wear their hair, what the schedule of the morning looks like and finalize your own timing. This is also a good time to establish your personal product wardrobe and confirm you understand how to properly care for your hair over the next few weeks with your artists and stylists.
- Pick your nail polish – Time to hone in on your chosen vow renewal day nail look. Finalize your decision and let your nail technician know. That way, they’ll be fully prepared for your last appointment. In the meantime, stay focused on pampering your paws and claws ahead of your day.
- Meditate to manage stress – This time period is all about staying as calm as possible. Manage your stress with breath work or meditation. Continue practicing your affirmations, mantras and positive self talk.
- Get your final facial – If you’ve implemented regular facials as part of your pre-renewal skincare routine, schedule your last round about 14 days out, just to ensure any possible redness subsides in due time. If you have any active breakouts, you can get them injected with cortisone to calm the inflammation. If your skin is feeling good, stay with your routine.
- Give skin a break from makeup – We love the idea of giving your skin a break before the wedding. Try to keep your complexion as clean as possible in the weeks before your wedding to avoid any clogged pores. Plus, it’ll give you a chance to show off your natural beauty.
- Hair color, cut and extensions – Ensure your cut, color and any short-term extensions are taken care of now. Just a disclaimer: Don’t get impromptu bangs or go rogue with highlights you’ve never had before.
- Exfoliate and keep up your body care – Continue to pamper your skin with body scrubs, washes and lotions. Don’t use any self tanner right now—you’ll want to have a fresh canvas for your pre-vow-renewal application.
- Last spray-tan appointment or self-tan application – Whether you’re using a self tanner or getting a spray tan, apply it two days before your wedding. That will give the color time to develop and slightly fade into a more natural look. Plus, in the rare event it doesn’t come out the way you want it to, the two-day buffer will give you time to start fresh.
- Nail appointment two days before nuptials – Treat yourself to your final mani and pedi one to two days before “I do.” Bonus: This’ll also give you some built-in relaxation time before the festivities begin as your nails and toes are polished to perfection.
- Avoid drastic last-minute tweaks – Don’t go crazy with the tweezers or decide you need to dermaplane your entire face. Leave well enough alone and bring any concerns to your wedding beauty pro in the morning (eek!).
- Prep your hair according to the stylist’s instructions – Depending on your desired ‘do, your stylist will provide specific hair prep instructions to ensure your style holds all day. Most will likely tell you to thoroughly wash your hair the night before so it’s ready to go the morning of your wedding.
- Get some good sleep – Beauty sleep is real. Plus, you’ll need it to keep your energy up on the dance floor the next day.
- Take deep breaths
- Stay hydrated
- Enjoy being pampered – Head over to your glam squad with a fresh face and clean hair. The only thing on your wedding day beauty timeline: Allowing yourself to be pampered and enjoying the glow that you’ve worked for.