BEAUTY
“ Healthy skin makes such a difference. Makeup goes on better and lasts longer when the skin underneath is healthy and balanced.”
Bianca Stirling, owner of Skin and Six
Once upon a time, bridal beauty prep meant a good facial, a spray tan and perhaps a haircut the week before. Today? It’ s a carefully curated, months-long journey – one that’ s transforming how couples approach their walk down the aisle.
A new kind of wedding countdown
From venue visits to dress fittings, weddings are built on timelines – and beauty is no exception. Increasingly, brides( and grooms) are planning their skincare and aesthetic treatments six to twelve months in advance, slotting appointments alongside cake tastings and hen dos. In one survey of engaged couples, more than half of brides-to-be( 58 %) said they were considering a cosmetic treatment before their wedding, alongside over a third of grooms( 39 %) – a clear sign that aesthetic prep is no longer niche.
“ It’ s not about chasing perfection because perfection doesn’ t exist” says Bianca Stirling, owner of aesthetic and skincare clinic Skin and Six.“ But, everyone has their own idea of what their best version of themselves looks like. Subtle tweakments can help someone feel more comfortable, confident and relaxed so they can focus on enjoying their day. For many couples it’ s simply one less thing to worry about.”
The rise of‘ skin first’ beauty
Tweakments aren’ t all about needles and fillers( although that can be part of it if you choose). Beauty has become‘ skin first’ where in-depth routines, targeting specific issues have taken centre stage. In fact, 68 % of brides now specifically request subtle, undetectable enhancements, favouring results that enhance rather than alter.
“ Sometimes we forget the simple things, but good skincare and facials are often the best place to start,” says Bianca.“ Healthy skin makes such a difference. Make up goes on better and lasts longer when the skin underneath is healthy and balanced. Even for brides who want a natural look or even no makeup at all, skin health becomes important.”
Timing is everything
If you’ re looking to explore tweakments ahead of your wedding day, then you’ ll need to factor in plenty of time.“ Timing is one of the most important parts of planning aesthetic treatments before a wedding” advises Bianca.“ Most aesthetic treatments have minimal downtime, but the skin can sometimes bruise or swell slightly and it’ s important to allow time for healing.”
As a general rule:
Skin treatments should be completed around 4 – 6 weeks before the wedding. Injectable treatments should ideally be done 2 – 3 months beforehand.
To tweak or not to tweak?
Of course, the rise of tweakments hasn’ t come without conversation. With weddings already a significant investment, there are growing discussions around cost, pressure and the influence of social media ideals. Yet for many, the appeal lies not in perfection, but in confidence.
“ One of the biggest misconceptions is that aesthetic treatments will make someone look fake” says Bianca.“ In reality, when treatments are performed well and used conservatively, the goal is simply to help someone look like the best version of themselves. For most people, their wedding day is one of the most photographed and emotionally important days of their lives. Brides and grooms naturally want to look and feel their best, not just on the day itself but in the memories and photographs that will last a lifetime.”
“ Often people have small concerns about their appearance that have been on their mind for years, perhaps tired looking skin, uneven texture or certain lines. Addressing those concerns before the wedding can remove that worry and give people a real boost of confidence.”
100 • wedinkent. co. uk