Best time to do beauty prep before wedding day, including nails, tan, hair and facials

Whether you’re a bride, a proud mother, a bridesmaid or a top-tier guest, big days don’t get any bigger for beauty than a wedding. It’s a non-stop photo opp, and if it’s you saying I Do, it’s the snap you’ll see on the mantelpiece forever. To help you look your best, whatever role you’re playing, we’ve put together an expert guide on how to time your prep to perfection.

Six months before…

Assess your skin
If you’ve got some serious skin goals in mind, six months is a good time to start, says Dr Tapan Patel, PHI Clinic founder. “Have a consultation with a reputable clinic who can create a plan. Six months gives enough time to make a difference to a lot of issues, from pigmentation to sagging.”

Get a professional brow plan
Got over-tweezed or shapeless brows? Act now. “The life cycle of brow hair is around 12-15 weeks so this leaves plenty of time to regrowth them and for a brow specialist to plan a beautiful shape,” says celebrity brow expert Shavata Singh.

Three months before…

Up the skincare ante
“Start a focused skincare regime three months before the big day,” advises Elemis founder Noella Gabriel. “That way, you can discover what works best for you without running the risk of any last-minute disasters.” Book a free Elemis counter appointment to get a good at-home routine in place.

Nail your growth
Want long nails without extensions? Swapping normal gel polish for Builder In A Bottle (BIAB) overlays is a great way to grow your nails, particularly if yours are weak. “Start at least 2-3 months in advance depending on the length you want to achieve,” advises Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of Townhouse nails salons.

Inject some glow
Profhilo is dubbed an ‘injectable moisturiser’ and also stimulates collagen for smoother skin. “It’s a good safe option for brides and mothers alike as it improves skin quality without changing the face shape,” says Dr Sophie Shotter, founder of Illuminate Clinic. “You get the optimal glowy effects 2-3 months after starting.”

Two months before…

Trial your make-up
This gives you time to feel sure about your choice, and go back if you’re not,” says Amy Conway, global pro artist from Bobbi Brown. “If you’re self-tanning for the wedding, come tanned for your make-up trial too, as your skin tone can alter what suits you best.”

Book Botox or fillers
“No matter how experienced the practitioner is, injectables can bruise, especially when skin is thin, and it can take up to six weeks to fade,” says Lesley Reynolds, co-founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic. “Book at least eight weeks ahead to give the treatment time to settle (Botox can sometimes look a little shiny initially) and make any adjustments.”

Whiten your teeth
"For a brighter wedding day smile, I'd recommend doing an at-home whitening course prescribed by a dentist four weeks ahead," says Dr Edward Lynch from London's Sonisk Smile, which combines in-chair whitening with a home course for £99.99. "Avoid whitening products bought online, as they can often be unsafe."

One month before…

Have hair extensions
“Extensions are great for weddings, they not only add volume and length but also hold a style in place the whole day,” says Talthia Price, founder of Fox & Vamp salon. “Get them done a month or so before, so you can get used to them. Brides should have extensions fitted before their hair trial to ensure they are positioned perfectly for their wedding day style.”

Two weeks before …

Book a trim
“I don’t advise doing anything drastic, but this is a good time to have a trim. Freshly-cut hair can often look and feel a little blunt, so a fortnight will allow the style to soften,” says Michael Douglas, celebrity hairdresser and creator of MDLondon hair tools

Six days before…

Colour your hair
“Have colour or balayage done 5-6 days beforehand, so the colour is fresh with no visible roots,” says Michael.

Five days before….

Have a safe-bet facial
Hopefully you’ve got a great skincare regime going but you can have a boost in the final stretch. “Avoid anything aggressive or detoxing that could risk irritation or breakouts,” says Dr Shotter. “For a great one-off, I’d suggest the ones used by celebrities for the red carpet, such as a HydraFacial or Byonik Facial. There’s no downtime, the glow is instant and the effect lasts a few weeks.”

Four days before…

Groom your brows
This is a good time for a final tidy and tint, says Shavata. “Tinting makes brows look fuller, and helps frame your face. However, everyone's skin reacts differently, and some people may experience temporary redness or sensitivity afterwards. A patch test should always be carried out first.” Keep brow tints and self-tans 24 hours apart as they could interfere with each other.

Have a wax
Book 3-4 days before the day, so you can enjoy smooth skin without any post-salon redness, advises Shimol from London salon Guys & Dolls. However, if you’re having a self-tan for the wedding, you should leave 48-72 hours after waxing, says James Harknett, Three Warriors global creative artist.

Two days before…

Get gel manis and pedis
Gels are less chip-prone than polish, but a last-minute booking is the safest option. “Your nails will be pristine for the big day, and your feet will look smooth too,” says Juanita

Have your self-tan (maybe)
Have a trial run so you can see which day your tan looks best on, advises James. “Chances are you will prefer the colour on day two. At this point, the tan will have settled perfectly, and any guide colour has been washed away, avoiding any staining on the dress.”

One day before…

Let your skin breathe
“Go without make-up or heavy creams, and drink plenty of water. Avoid the temptation to use any new pampering treatment, as you can’t be sure how your skin will react,” says Lesley.

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