Bridal Beauty 101: Part 1

This post is sponsored by Dove® ClearTone™ Deodorant - designed to visibly reduce underarm dark marks and even skin tone. 

My groom and me in 2003

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so it’s vital that you feel confident and beautiful. Bridal beauty, however, isn’t just about the moment that you walk down the aisle. It starts with your engagement and ends when you leave the wedding reception. In this two-part series, you’ll learn bridal beauty essentials and creating your own bridal survival kit.

Health

Bridal beauty starts from the inside. Your health is important when it comes to looking and feeling great on your big day. When you’re in good health, your skin will glow and your immune system will help ward off any nasty germs that could give you the sniffles for the wrong reason.

• Hydration: Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of drinking eight glasses of water per day if you don’t already. (I like to flavor my water with limejuice.) Drinking water helps flush out toxins, keeps blemishes at bay, boosts your energy and makes the skin from your head to your toes look fantastic. Instead of counting the number of cups of water that you drink per day, simply fill a 64-ounce (8-cup) container with H2O and sip away.

If eating seven fruits and veggies a day
seems impossible, drink them instead!
 This juice has carrots, a beet, oranges,
an apple a strawberry and blackberries.

• Eat healthy: The old saying, “You are what you eat,” is hopelessly true. When you get engaged, make a resolution eat healthier (notice that I didn’t say “diet”). Eat as many raw fruits and vegetables as you can per day because those are the most nutrient-rich foods available. And, don’t neglect your protein needs. Egg whites, alfalfa sprouts, lean meats, nuts, cheese, yogurt, avocados, peaches, spirulina and quinoa are all great sources of protein.
  
  Foods that are rich in nutrients, antioxidants and good fats (like omega-3 fatty acids) can help you feel healthier and more energized, lose weight, boost your immune system and metabolism, sleep better, feel less stressed and naturally elevate your mood. On the other hand, foods that are rich in Omega-6 fatty acids can have the opposite effect. Foods with omega-6 fatty acids create hormones in your body that make the foods addictive and detrimental to your health. Foods that contain omega-6 include fried foods, processed foods, refined polyunsaturated vegetable oils and fast food. Foods that are rich in omega-6 fatty acids are linked to depression, obesity, hyperactivity, dyslexia and inflammation. By cutting down on your omega-6 intake, you can prevent the appearance of a pre-wedding Bride-zilla. 
  
• Exercise: Exercising will help you look and feel more confident in your wedding dress, especially if you choose a sleeveless or strapless gown. Exercise is also proven to help tighten your skin, make your skin look healthier, help you sleep better, feel more energized and reduce stress. By pairing diet with exercise for your big day, you can truly feel proud of all your accomplishments.
  
  

  

  This is me after a workout

  

  All that sweat has helped me
  find new ab muscles!

• Sleep: It’s hardly overrated. Start a sleep schedule where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. When your body is used to this routine, it will be easier to fall asleep the night before your wedding in spite of any jitters. If you think that a sleep routine isn’t for you, keep in mind that wedding guests can always spot a tired bride.
  
  

  

  My cat is awesome at sleeping

• Hygiene: More than just showering daily, a hygiene routine can help you prep your skin and smile for your big day. In the months before your wedding, start exfoliating regularly to reveal super-soft and even-toned skin from head to toe (don’t forget about your lips). Use a deep-moisturizing mask in your hair a couple times a month so your locks look healthy and shiny. Plus, always moisturize your skin with an SPF-based lotion.

When you take care of your body, the makeup aspect of bridal beauty becomes a cinch! Stay tuned for Part 2, which will feature makeup tips for your big day.


 

I was compensated for this post by the Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.