Singaporebrides | Beauty

February 2024

Glow Your Way To The Altar With The Help of These 8 Skincare Resolutions

By Audrie Soh

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Find out how you can achieve that coveted bridal glow by making these skincare resolutions a part of your daily routine.

Every bride-to-be wants to put her best face forward for that one special day in her life, and that means wearing a radiant and flawless complexion that gives off that coveted bridal glow as she glides down the aisle to the love of her life. But with a busy work schedule and the stress of planning a wedding, it seems almost impossible to keep the glow on her face and keep breakouts at bay, pushing her further away from that bridal glow she is gunning for.

Here’s the good news: while it is impossible to avoid the stress of planning a wedding while working full time, it is possible to achieve a radiant and flawless complexion for your big day despite your stressful schedule. With the advice and tips on what you can do for a flawless complexion from two experienced bridal makeup artists, Em from Elite Makeup Artists Inc. and Tiffany from Tiffiningbeauty, and making these eight skincare resolutions a part of your daily self-care routine, you’ll be on your way towards that bridal glow in no time.

Plus, our editorial team offers a sneak peek into the skincare products that we’ve tried and tested effective for common skincare concerns such as acne-prone skin, pigmentation, and dark eye circles, to help you shop for the right product for your needs.

1. Start by identifying your skin type before you jump into a skincare routine

There is no secret formula or short-cuts when it comes to achieving a flawless complexion. “Good skin doesn’t happen overnight, so you’ll want to start working on your skincare regimen from the time you are engaged or even at least a year before your wedding,” Tiffany from Tiffiningbeauty says. Having a good skincare routine is also not the only factor that contributes to good skin. It is actually the result of a combination of good skincare and hygiene practices, and lifestyle habits.

But before all that talk about skincare routines and lifestyle habits, first, you’ll need to understand your skin. Do you have normal, sensitive, dry, oily or combination skin? Everyone’s skin is unique and knowing what type of skin you have will aid you in your quest for a flawless complexion. If you are unsure of what skin type you have, seek professional help. Most beauty professionals provide a free consultation to identify skin type, so don’t be shy and approach one and get to know your skin better.

2. Maintain a consistent skincare routine

Once you have identified your skin type, it’s time to review your skincare routine and see if you need to make any changes, or establish one if you don’t already have one in place. “Begin a good skincare routine several months before your wedding day,” Em from Elite Makeup Artists Inc. advises. “It should include cleansing twice a day to remove impurities and makeup, regular exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and promote skin renewal, a hydrating moisturiser that keeps your skin well hydrated, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and premature aging.”

If there are specific skincare concerns you’ll like to target such as hyperpigmentation or anti-aging, you can add in essences or serums that deal with those into your routine as well. “Everyone’s skin is unique, so it is essential to tailor what’s in your skincare routine to your specific needs and preferences,” Em shares. “Look for products with hyaluronic acid if you’re looking for hydration. For brightening and improving the skin’s texture, minimise pores and reduce redness, look for products with Vitamin C and Niacinamide (or Vitamin B3) respectively.

“But, remember, start any new skincare products or treatments well in advance to ensure that your skin has time to adjust,” Em stresses.

3. Eat (and Drink!) Your Way To A Beautiful Complexion

While keeping your skin clean and hydrated is important for a flawless complexion, what you put in your body is equally essential for beautiful skin. “Make hydration a priority, as you have to hydrate your skin inside and out for that coveted bridal glow,” Tiffany shares. “You should also keep a look out for a balanced diet and exercise regularly to tone up and detox your body.”

When our skin is well hydrated, it becomes more plump and resilient, and less prone to wrinkles. Since the skin is the last organ in our body to receive water, you’ll need to drink at least eight glasses a day to ensure that your skin gets the water it needs to shine. Water also helps to flush out toxins, keeping your skin looking healthy and plump.

Drinking plenty of water and keeping to a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables instead of processed and oily food is also a win-win situation as it helps you achieve your ideal weight for your wedding. However, do take note that coffee and soda do not count as hydrating drinks as they contain caffeine, which is a diuretic, meaning they draw water out of your system and skin, which is counter-effective.

4. Get enough sleep

We know with a busy schedule, it may be difficult to clock the beauty sleep you need for glowing, radiant skin. But there is a reason why it is called “beauty sleep” – nothing will help your skin look radiant and flawless than a good night’s sleep.

Sleep helps our skin repair and renew itself by allowing our bodies to produce human growth hormones which helps our skin repair. Melatonin also acts like an antioxidant to protect our skin from free radicals that can be damaging. Above all, we produce collagen when we sleep, allowing our skin to become supple and retain moisture!

Getting sufficient sleep also means no or lesser eye bags and dark eye circles, which definitely help in your goal of a flawless and glowing complexion on your wedding day. So, no matter how busy work or wedding planning gets, remember, the first step to achieving that bridal glow is to get enough sleep!

5. Always Thoroughly Remove Your Makeup At The End of The Day

Achieving a flawless complexion goes beyond good skincare habits, especially if you use makeup on a daily basis. One cardinal rule you should never break if you want to avoid acne breakouts or skin sensitivity is that you should always remove your makeup at the end of the day, no matter how tired you are.

“Always remove your makeup before you go to sleep to prevent clogged pores,” Em advises.

Cleansing your skin of makeup at the end of every day is not the only habit you should pick up, if you don’t already practice it. Make it a habit to clean your makeup brushes, sponges and puffs regularly, and throw out expired makeup products -these are all potential breeding ground for bacteria, which may lead to breakouts or skin sensitivity.

“You should also avoid touching your face,” Em points out. “Touching your face may result in the transference of bacteria and oils, leading to breakouts. You should also resist the urge to pick at blemishes.”

6. Manage your stress levels

Like getting enough sleep during this busy period of working and planning a wedding, it may be difficult to keep stress levels low. However, you should try to do so for a clear and flawless complexion. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, which can lead to inflammation in the body. This inflammation may take the form of acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Stress also affects hormonal balance, and hormonal imbalances can result in skin issues such as acne, which is counter-effective for your efforts to achieve a flawless complexion. Did you also know that when you’re stressed, your body may divert resources away from non-essential functions, including skin health, which may hinder skin repair and maintenance, resulting in a dull complexion.

Try to manage your stress levels and keep it low by meditating, going for yoga lessons, practicing deep breathing exercises, running, or any activity or sport that you enjoy and allows you to release any pent-up stress.

7. Never Pick At Your Blemishes

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, breakouts just before the wedding do happen. While you may not be able to completely stop a breakout from happening, you can take take steps to minimise its impact on your overall complexion.

“The number one rule when it comes to blemishes is to never pick or try to pop the pimple yourself,” Tiffany stresses. “You can consider consulting a certified dermatologist for a cortisone shot to reduce the inflammation and flatten out the pimple if you encounter a breakout one to two days before your wedding day.”

“However, if cortisone isn’t an option, you can use at-home spot treatments like Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) and Salicylic Acid to penetrate deeply into the skin and clear out any buildup that’s closing the clog,” Tiffany advises. “You may also use pimple patches with active ingredients like BHAs to treat your blemishes.”

8. Look out for these skincare ingredients for a flawless, glowing complexion

Using the right skincare ingredients to target your problem areas is also important for achieving that glowy, flawless complexion. “Hyaluronic acid is one of the most basic and gentle skincare ingredient that you should look for if you are after a well-hydrated complexion,”Tiffany shares. “Not only is it suitable for all skin types, it is an extremely powerful hydrating ingredient that deeply hydrates and plumps the skin up.”

“To reduce hyperpigmentation and boost collagen production, look for serums or moisturisers containing stable forms of Vitamin C, such as ascorbic acid or its derivatives,” Em suggests. “Retinols or Retin-A and Peptides also support collagen production, improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines to promote a more youthful, radiant look.”

While a good skincare routine that incorporates the right ingredients to target problem areas is the way to keeping your complexion healthy and blemish-free, try to resist the urge of adding new products or going for facial treatments you have not tried before into your routine just before your big day. “It is also important to do a patch-test first to avoid potential adverse reactions,” Em advises.

“It takes three to six months to really see the improvement in your skin,” Tiffany shares. So, whether you are readjusting your skincare routine or trying out a new product, remember to give yourself sufficient time to see if it is working for you, and always try one new product at a time to judge its effectiveness for your skin.

9. Don’t Forget To Schedule Your Beauty Appointments Ahead of Time

Even with a good skincare routine and hygiene in place, sometimes you just need an extra beauty boost to get that glowing bridal look everyone is talking about. However, don’t schedule facial treatments like microdermabrasion, chemical peels and extractions less than a week before your wedding day. The last thing you want is to turn up with red and splotchy skin!

Give yourself at least more than two weeks before your big day if you’d like to try our new treatments, especially if you are new to them. That way, your skin will have time to heal if you react negatively to them, or, the positive effects of the treatments will show up on your skin in time for your walk down the aisle.

While it’s important to put your best face forward for the most important day of your life, don’t neglect the other areas of your body that will be visible to all your guests. You should also take care of your hair, teeth, nails and the skin on the rest of your body to make sure they are in tip top condition for your big day.

“Consider professional teeth whitening for a bright and confident smile, and treat yourself to a professional manicure and pedicure for the wedding,” Em suggests. “For your hair, schedule regular trims in the months leading to your wedding to keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends. You may also want to use deep conditioning treatments to nourish and hydrate your hair.

“Taking supplements, collagen and vitamins also helps to ensure that you are looking and feeling your best leading up to your big day,” Tiffany shares.

Bonus! Tried-and-tested Skincare For A Clear and Glowy Complexion That Works

With the vast options of skincare products in the market, it may be challenging to find the one that suits your needs and budget, and works – especially if you are a newbie in this area! To lend you a hand, we, the editorial team, have decided to share some of our favourite skincare products that are effective in targeting concerns such as pigmentation and blemishes (we may not be brides, but we also battle similar skincare concerns!) for your consideration.

Do note that each and every one of us have different skin types, sensitivities and tolerance, so remember to choose a product that is suitable for your skin type and always do a patch test to see if an adverse reaction would happen before you dive right into using them.

For a glowing complexion

I have dehydrated, combination skin, so I am always on the lookout for hydrating and moisturising products that will not only hydrate and moisturise, but also give me a glow. Ever since I discovered COSRX’s Full Fit Propolis range, I have never looked back. I especially love the Full Fit Propolis toner and Honey Overnight Mask for a quick fix when my skin is acting up or when I want a radiant skin the next day.

If you have the budget to splurge, Sulwhasoo’s Overnight Vitalizing Mask is an excellent sleeping mask that’ll give you a translucent, radiant complexion the next morning – great for events or special occasions like weddings.

Michelle Tay, our Editor-in-Chief, recommends using an exfoliator for a glowing complexion. She uses ENVIE DE NEUF’s Gold Radiance Exfoliating Gel twice a week for her combination skin, as it is very gentle and grain-free.

For Reducing or Minimising Blemishes

For the occasional angry pimple, Michelle uses SOME BY MI’s 30 Days Miracle Tea Tree Clear Spot Oil to treat and target any breakouts.

Editor Tansey Tang has oily, combination skin, and used to battle with a bad case of acne. After adding COSRX’s AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid and BHA Blackhead Power Liquid to her routine, her acne has cleared up completely.

To help clear up and soothe breakouts fast, I use PAIR Acne Cream from Japan, which helps to reduce and clear up any existing or up-and-coming pimples within one to three days. Toner pads such as COSRX’s One Step Original Clear Pad and One Step Moisture Up Pad are great alternatives if you want something fast and convenient to use, and have the dual purpose of cleansing and treating.They contain Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract and BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) such as Betaine Salicylate to reduce breakouts and blemishes, clear congested pores and control sebum production.

Hydration and Moisturisation

Tansey also uses Hada Labo’s Hydrating Lotion Light and Laniege’s Water Bank Gel Cream to manage the sebum production and make her skin less oily. For my dehydrated, combination skin, I love using Hada Labo’s Kouji Treatment Essence and sealing it in with the Nourishing Cream Day Moisturiser with Kouji Rice Extracts in the same range, which purports to target dull, dehydrated, aging skin.

For a quick fix or spot treatment, Michelle turns to Kiehl’s Calendula Petal-infused Calming Mask when she feels that her face is getting dehydrated or feels rough along the jawline.

For Hyperpigmentation

My recent skincare concern revolves around hyperpigmentation and I am seeing slow but steady results from a popular Japanese drugstore brand, Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence. Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is another product that effectively reduces hyperpigmentation significantly over a period of time.

Michelle also recommends ASTALIFT’s The Serum Brightening, a serum that she has been using for her freckles and have seen good results with. She also takes oral capsules from HELIOCARE on top of her regular sunscreen to prevent more spots from appearing if she knows she will be out in the sun for a long time.

Puffy Face and Eyes, Eye bags and Dark Eye Circles

To combat a puffy face, Michelle does a quick massage with her knuckles along her jaw when she puts on her moisturiser. As for puffy eyes, she uses a rose quartz roller that she keeps in the refrigerator.

Eye bags and dark eye circles have long been a concern of mine, and I have tried a number of products to reduce their appearance over the years. Despite it’s hefty price tag, Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique Light-Pearl Eye & Lash Concentrate Serum does what it promises to – smooths and reduce lines and eye bags for more youthful eyes. Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme Synchronized Multi-Recovery Eye Cream is equally effective in reducing eye bags and dark eye circles – worth a splurge if you, like me, are concerned with eye bags and dark eye circles.

Achieving a radiant and flawless complexion requires more than just using the right skincare product or having a consistent skincare routine. It is the result of many factors coming together – understanding your skin and learning what works for you, and putting in place good skincare habits and lifestyle choices. So, before you dive into a new skincare routine, product or treatment, remember to do your research, consult a professional and set aside sufficient time before you try anything new or invasive.

Looking for a wedding hair and makeup artist for your special day? Then, head on to our list of 60+ trending bridal makeup and hair artists in Singapore you need to know for your wedding.

Credits: Feature Image from A Sun-kissed Summer Love Wedding Styled Shoot at Panamericana by Presentonpixels

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