The must-read wedding beauty guide for brides-to-be

This article contains some affiliate links

It always pays to be prepared, especially on a day as big as your wedding day. From the variety of treatments and appointments you may want to consider scheduling in the months ahead, to all the morning-of considerations, we're definitely of the opinion that the more you know, the more you'll glow.

To ensure you're feeling prepped and ready to go, we've decided to share the answers to some of your most-asked questions, covering hair, makeup and much more thanks to some of Scotland's top beauty industry professionals.

Treatments to plan in advance of your wedding day

1. All things wedding hair care

What are the best lashes for a bride?

For Robyn Innes Beautique, the answer to this is lash extensions. They are “the perfect solution to ensuring comfort all day as well as the glam look that false lash strips offer,” she says. To make things easy for brides, Robyn is able to offer lash extensions as an additional service on top of her bridal makeup bookings.

If you opt for extensions, Robyn recommends having them applied around three days prior to the wedding to ensure you feel comfortable.

And if you don’t usually wear strip lashes, make sure to try them a good few times before the day so you know what to expect. “Using a conditioning lash serum in the lead-up works beautifully alongside mascara,” Robyn promises.

When should I get my eyebrows done before wedding?

“I would recommend at least a brow wax or brow threading before your wedding, ideally a tint as well,” says Megan Doherty of MD Makeup Design.

“If you want fuller, fluffy brows, lamination is the way to go – then on the day some gel is all you need to have your brows looking natural, full and flawless.

Trial brow lamination three to four months before your wedding date; if it turns out it's is not for you, it will be gone by 12 weeks.

If you love it, you’ll have plenty of time to get yourself booked in again.”

Pre-wedding hair care tips for brides

There’s only so much your stylists can do for you the morning of your wedding day, so make good use of the prep time between now and then.

According to wedding hair expert Louise Hughes of Louise Hughes Bridal, based in Bridge of Weir, a good weekly haircare routine plays a crucial role in your overall hair health.

It’s worth noting that everyone has their own hair type, so what gives one bride luscious locks won’t necessarily work for another.

If you’re unsure about what’s best for you, Louise recommends checking with a professional to select a nourishing shampoo and conditioner to suit your specific strands – and while you’re at it, throwing in a weekly moisturising hair mask for good measure.

Read more: 3 expert hair hacks that every bride needs to know

2. Complete the ultimate bridal skincare routine

Is it worth getting a facial before the wedding?

Yes! And ideally you'll be able to have more than one as regular treatments are where you're most likely to see improvements.

Offering specialist skincare advice and treatments in Glasgow’s west end, Joanna Laxton of 33Dowanhill has built her practice on the notion that everyone’s skin is different and deserving of tailored care.

“We believe your facial should be unique – tailored to your skin type and needs. We work closely with brides to make sure we address their key concerns and get their skin glowing. With regular facials and a designed at-home skincare routine, every bride will see skin improvement that will have them glowing with confidence on the big day.”

Most popular bridal aesthetic treatments

According to Fiona Ross, director of The Aesthetics Club, the five most-popular treatments that upcoming brides and grooms love to pencil in at the Bearsden clinic before their big day are:

• the HydraFacial for radiant skin and keeping breakouts at bay
• the Baby Face for soft, glowing hydration without causing irritation or redness
• the Forma, an advanced radio-frequency technology for those seeking a non-invasive anti-ageing solution
• the AMEELA™ Injectable Biorevitalisation for improved skin quality and reduced signs of aging
• anti-wrinkle injections (Botox), commonly used to smooth out facial lines and wrinkles

The first three require little downtime. If you opt for a treatment such as Ameela Injectable Biorevitalisation or anti-wrinkle injections (Botox), the team aim to have these finished four weeks before your wedding, then continuing on with monthly facials until the big day.

Here's when you should get a pre-wedding spray tan

Timing wise, LUX Glasgow founder and creative director Louise Ballantine recommends completing your tan two days before the wedding.

Thanks to a specialised tanning booth and mist guns designed to deliver a fine, even distribution, plus extractor fans and heating for an effective drying process, LUX ensures that every application will look flawless both in the flesh and in the photos.

From a ‘barely there’ tan for those who just want a light glow and an even tone, to the truly deep tan (Essential Gold) that’s usually reserved for hen dos or formal events, LUX has a tanning tone and colour to give any bride her desired outcome.

“Do not moisturise your body on the day of your spray tan."

LUX's Louise warns, explaining "Moisturiser can create a barrier and work against the tan solution pH, which can change the colour to green.”

Should I self-tan my face ahead of the big day?

“Absolutely do not apply fake tan to your face unless it’s gradual face tanner that you have tried and tested before,” warns makeup artist Megan Doherty of MD Makeup Design.

“We can warm up your skin tone to blend with a fake tan, but if you have patchy tan on your face it’s harder to cover."

3. Wedding nail inspiration and tips

Wedding nails dos and don'ts you should know

The ladies at House of NAF! in Glasgow are experts on all things nail related. The salon’s Lauren Nelson shares her top tips for brides-to-be:

1) Make time for at least one trial appointment.

2) Change can be fun, but this is your wedding day, so don’t stray too far from what you’re used to.

3) Moisturise those nails and cuticles – think about those close-up hand shots!

4) And don’t let your toes miss out. It’s easy to forget to pamper your feet, so make sure to book that pedi – you won’t regret it.

Getting ready the morning of your wedding

1. Wedding day makeup tips from makeup artists 

How important is a makeup trial ahead of your wedding day?

“A trial is an opportunity for the bride to meet the makeup artist to discuss likes/dislikes and how she would like to look and feel on her wedding day,” says Colleen Davidson Artistry.

“It’s easy to find bridal inspiration pictures on social media and love the look, but that particular look might not suit your features or colouring, or you might try it out and just not like it on you."

It’s helpful to have a preview and wear the makeup for a day so we can see how it lasts, photographs and looks in a variety of lighting – and that’s what a trial gives you.”

Ensure your bridal makeup is seamlessly blended for photos

Contour and highlight are important steps in any makeup routine, but especially bridal, claims Moray-based Robyn Innes Beautique.

“Used to shape the face and ultimately enhance each bride’s own natural features, it’s vital that the placement and tone of the products are right,” Robyn explains. 

“It’s important that this is done alongside both natural and panel light to check that the makeup is the correct intensity in person and on camera, blended seamlessly for photos and complementing the bride’s skin tone accordingly.”

Choosing the right lip product for your wedding

“The most important thing to consider, I think, is your comfort,” says the makeup artist behind Colleen Davidson Artistry.

“Even if you love the colour of a lip product, if it irritates, don’t use it. Sometimes a more hydrating formula is a better option, even if it’s one you have to reapply. Always test out your wedding lip product a few times in advance, so your can see how it wears.”

A hydrating lip stain is a good fuss-free option, Colleen suggests.

“Huda Beauty’s creamy lip blush and Fenty Beauty’s Poutsicle hydrating lip stain are both lovely.”

Her final tips for the lead-up: drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use lip treatments regularly.

How to treat a breakout or spot on the day

"Absolutely no pimple popping allowed on my watch!” makeup artist Robyn Innes Beautique says. 

The hope is that spots and breakouts “can be avoided with a thorough skincare routine that has been consistent for a good few months,” she says, but in the case they do pop up uninvited – don't panic.

“Trying new products close to the big day risks doing more harm than good, so for those resilient breakouts, stay hydrated and use pimple patches to minimise their appearance and avoid breaking the skin. Your makeup artist can then work a bit of magic to mask them on the day," Robyn says.

2. Wedding hairstyles for your big day

Should I wear my hair up or down for my wedding?

“We always recommend a hair trial ahead of your big day,” says Louise of Louise Hughes Bridal, “especially if you’re planning on having a specific updo you’ve never had before. We get a lot of brides bringing along beautiful Pinterest pictures as their inspiration, very often just images of the back of a model’s head. But while the back of someone’s hair can be lovely, you also need to know how it’ll look on you from the front, and consider whether or not it’s suitable with your dress and any accessories you plan to wear.”

Leave room for the grooms – this handy grooms timeline will help them know when to start the wedding prep

How long before the wedding should a man get a haircut?

Emily McKenna, who owns Cumbernauld’s Serpent Kings Barbershop, is passionate about groom self-care.

“I would recommend you get your hair cut two days before your wedding day as that will give it a chance to settle into its natural shape. If necessary, ask your barber to trim your eyebrows and ears too.

"Make sure you have all the necessities – hair products, aftershave, moisturiser (and beard oil if you have one) to soften the hair for a cleaner look."

"Your wedding pictures are going to last a lifetime so surround yourself with a good team of groomsmen who you can count on to ensure your hair is in the right position."

"Or, even better, get your barber along for the wedding morning!”

3. Scent your wedding

Finding the perfect wedding perfume

“Choosing wedding scents should be one of the most enjoyable and least stressful decisions you make, akin to menu tasting, and it is important to do this as a couple,” says Emma South, Jo Malone London’s fragrance and lifestyle expert.

“A scented wedding means creating an olfactory anchor on the most precious day. The scents that accompany you down the aisle and dance with you into the night will become your time capsule to relive whether it is in five or fifty years’ time.

"At our complimentary Scent Your Wedding consultations, we’ll help you select scents to reference the setting, season, floristry and colours, alongside both your personal scent preferences.”

5 must-have products picked by the beauty experts

1. Trigwell Powder Puff “This is an ideal way to keep your makeup looking fresh. Tapping your skin with the puff throughout the day keeps products blended, even as the makeup wears.” Robyn Innes Beautique

2. Vieve Modern Bronzer “Great for adding depth to your complexion and warming up the neck and chest if required. You can also add to the eyes for a warmer, darker look.” MD Makeup Design

3. L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara “Waterproof mascara is a wedding essential and my current favourite is L’Oréal Lash Paradise waterproof.” Colleen Davidson Artistry

4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask “I use this on every client. Although it is designed to be used overnight, it works during the day as it’s not too thick. I find it intensely nourishes and smooths the lips in preparation for lippy.” Colleen Davidson Artistry

5. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Airbrush Flawless Powder “I do love a little mini CT product! This is perfect for touch-ups.” Makeup by Leigh Blaney

Get ready to radiate confidence and search for more of the best Scottish hair + makeup suppliers