Bridal Makeup Prep Guide
Timeless beauty, tailored for you
Dearest Bride-to-Be,
First and foremost: congratulations. You are stepping into a sacred season of celebration, connection, and unforgettable beauty. At Foxy Glamour, we believe your wedding day glow should be more than just makeup—it should be the radiant reflection of your joy, your journey, and your confidence.
This guide was lovingly designed to help you prepare for your bespoke bridal experience. Whether you're months away or just a few weeks out, these gentle, curated steps will nurture your skin, elevate your glow, and ensure your wedding day look is a legacy of timeless beauty.
01. Skincare – The Canvas of Radiance
When to Begin
The most beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin. Ideally, begin nurturing your skin 6–12 months before your wedding day. But if your timeline is shorter, don’t worry. With consistency and care, radiant skin is always within reach.
Morning & Night Ritual
Cleanser
Start and end your day with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type. A clean canvas helps every step that follows to do its best work.
Toner (optional)
Think of toner as your skin's reset button. It balances, soothes, and prepares your skin for deeper hydration.
Serum
Choose a serum tailored to your needs—vitamin C for brightness, hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for calming. These potent elixirs work below the surface to refine and elevate your natural glow.
Moisturizer
A non-negotiable step. Moisturizer locks in hydration, smooths texture, and supports the skin barrier. Choose a formula that nurtures without overwhelming.
Eye Cream
The delicate under-eye area deserves special attention. Look for something soothing and plumping to keep your eyes bright and refreshed.
SPF (AM only)
Protecting your skin is the ultimate act of self-care. A broad-spectrum SPF shields you from premature aging and ensures your glow stays golden.
Lip Balm
Hydrated lips = lipstick that stays. Apply regularly and exfoliate gently once a week for silky smoothness.
Weekly TLC
Exfoliation (1–2x/week)
This removes dullness and reveals the fresh, radiant skin beneath. Choose a gentle exfoliant your skin loves.
Face Masks
Tailor your masks to what your skin craves: hydration, calming, or clarity. Treat this as your moment of peace.
Gua Sha & Facial Massage
A nurturing ritual that stimulates circulation, reduces puffiness, and leaves your skin lifted and glowing.
Lip Mask
For pillowy-soft lips, a nourishing lip mask once or twice a week is the ultimate pre-wedding indulgence.
Optional Enhancements
HydraFacials (Highly Recommended – begin 6+ months out, continue monthly)
If there’s one treatment I recommend above all others, it’s a HydraFacial. These medical-grade facials gently cleanse, exfoliate, and infuse your skin with hydrating serums, leaving it plump, smooth, and radiant. Done regularly, they transform skin texture, minimize pores, reduce congestion, and create the ultimate canvas for bridal makeup.
✨ Timing Tip: Start monthly HydraFacials at least 6 months before your wedding. This allows your skin to gradually build hydration and clarity for that lit-from-within bridal glow. Schedule your final session about 1 week before the big day for optimal results.
Facials (1/month, beginning 3–6 months out)
Traditional facials can be a lovely complement to your HydraFacial routine or an alternative if HydraFacials aren’t an option. They refine texture, boost hydration, and keep your skin balanced in the months leading up.
Microdermabrasion (Every 4–6 weeks, stop 2 weeks before the wedding)
This non-invasive resurfacing treatment gently buffs away dead skin and stimulates new cell turnover. It helps soften fine lines, fade pigmentation, and improve overall skin texture. Brides love it for the way it smooths and brightens the complexion — just make sure to stop treatments about 2 weeks before your wedding to allow your skin to fully recover.
Dermaplaning (1 week before the wedding)
By removing peach fuzz and dead skin, dermaplaning creates a silky-smooth surface that’s ideal for makeup (especially airbrush). It enhances glow and ensures foundation applies flawlessly.
Waxing/Threading (5–7 days out)
Brows, lip, or face waxing should always be done with buffer time to let redness and sensitivity fade before the big day.
02. Bridal Makeup Preview – Your Bespoke Blueprint
Before Your Trial
- Come with clean, makeup-free skin.
- Avoid retinol, chemical exfoliants, and facial waxing 72+ hours beforehand.
- If you’ll have a spray tan for your wedding, try to schedule one for your preview.
- Bring photos of inspiration (makeup, your dress, your venue).
- Wear a white or light-colored top to mimic your dress and lighting.
During the Trial
We’ll explore your vision together and refine the details to create your timeless, personal look. This is a safe space to express what makes you feel most confident.
Take note of how the makeup wears throughout the day—this helps us tailor your final bridal application.
03. HAIR PREP – POLISHED, LASTING, & PERFECTLY YOU
When to Begin
Healthy, well-prepped hair is the foundation for a style that lasts from “I do” to your final dance. Begin regular trims and nourishing treatments 6–12 months before the wedding to keep ends fresh and shine radiant.
Extensions & Volume
If you’re envisioning a style with extra fullness or length, extensions may be essential — even for naturally long hair. Clip-in, tape-in, or keratin-tip extensions can create the density needed for certain styles. If you’re considering them, have them ready before your hair preview so we can see the exact look and ensure a seamless blend.
The Month Before
- Schedule your final cut/color 1–2 weeks before the wedding.
- Avoid major changes within 4 weeks of the big day.
The Week Before
- Consider a professional deep conditioning or smoothing treatment for shine and manageability.
- If you use heavy styling products, a clarifying shampoo about a week out can remove buildup. Follow with a nourishing mask.
The Day Before
- Wash and fully blow-dry your hair unless we’ve discussed otherwise.
- Avoid straightening, curling, or heavy oils/serums.
Wedding Morning
- Arrive with completely dry hair. Damp hair delays styling and affects longevity.
- Skip serums and heavy conditioners that can weigh hair down.
- Wear a robe or button-up to protect your style while changing.
04. Wedding Day Prep – Peace, Presence, & Glamour
The Morning Of
- Clean face, brushed teeth, moisturized lips.
- Eat and hydrate early. (Bonus: coffee + breakfast pre-ordered for your girls is a major win.)
- Steam dresses before makeup begins.
- Set up in a large, well-lit room. A designated glam space makes everything smoother.
- Create a "drop zone" for bags, snacks, etc. Keep the glam area clutter-free for calm energy and beautiful photos.
05. Bridesmaids & Loved Ones
Your bridal party deserves to feel beautiful too. Please remind them to:
- Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin
- Moisturize & hydrate lips
- Bring inspiration if they have a particular vision
- Be on time to maintain our beauty schedule
06. The Final Touches – Your Beauty Legacy
This is more than makeup. This is your legacy of beauty, captured in every photograph and felt in every moment.
At Foxy Glamour, we consider it an honor to be part of your story. Thank you for trusting us with such a sacred chapter. You are radiant, you are timeless, and above all, you are worthy of every moment of joy this day brings.
With love,
Kaitlyn Alece
Owner & Lead Artist, Foxy Glamour
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