There’s no doubt about it, you’ll be glowing all by yourself once the Big Day rolls round but if you’re looking to enjoy some pampering and beauty treatments on the run up to the celebrations and feel amazing to boot, check out some popular treatments brides-to-be can add to their to-do list below..
Lovely Lashes
Above photo and main photo courtesy of The Lash Boutique
Semi-permanent lashes have become super popular with brides looking to accentuate their eyes on the Big Day. The Lash Boutique in Wicklow offer strip lashes (these will last you the day) as well as three semi-permanent lash options: Classic Mink Individual lashes (1:1 Lash application), xD Russian Volume lashes (2D-8D) and Hybrid (a combo of both). Proprietor Thereasa Arcari has some info on what’s involved below:
Choosing to have semi-permanent eyelash extensions will last you not only for your wedding day but throughout your honeymoon and more, generally about 4 weeks. After this, you can have your lashes refilled and continue to do so approximately once a month. There is very little maintenance involved in having eyelash extensions, wearing lashes make your eyes pop, gives definition and a boost in confidence which is great for brides, particularly for your photographs.
Before deciding to have eyelash extensions make sure to do your research – look at their website and social media and go for a consultation/patch test which we at The Lash Boutique offer free of charge to all of our clients. This will also help you to decide on the look that you’d like for your big day. Whether you opt for the more natural look or full on volume, remember we won’t compromise on the health of your natural lashes and as much as we want to wave our magic wand and give you what you want, lash artists can only do so much with the lashes we’re given to work with hence the necessity to have a consultation where all things lashes will be discussed in detail. From the different types of lengths, thickness, colours, curls and applications which will be customised to suit your eye shape and personality, you will go away educated on lashes and understand the prior and aftercare.
If you’ve never had lashes before and would love to try them out before your wedding you could either get a half set of a full set for your hen party. This will give you a chance to really get used to wearing them, our lashes are so light and soft you’ll forget you’re even wearing them until you look in the mirror and go WOW!! For more info on The Lash Boutique, click here.
Perfect Your Brows
Your brows can really frame your whole face so it pays to give them some attention. If you’re looking to get some advice on shaping and perfecting your brows in time for the Big Day, give yourself a few months to get them looking fabulous (it can take a while for them to recover from over-enthusiastic plucking etc.) and chat to a specialist about treatments and grooming. Brow Specialist Joanne Woods has over 10 years invested in the beauty industry and is an accredited HD Brow Master stylist and one of 10 HD Brow trainers in Ireland.
Some of the services Joanne and the team specialise in include the manual, semi-permanent treatment PhiBrows – a technique that uses a microblade to implant pigment in to the skin to give the appearance of real hairs, calculating the shape of your eyebrows according to your facial dimensions. They also specialise in HD Brows, where specialists use a combination of techniques including tinting, waxing and threading to shape your eyebrows with amazing results. Find out more about your options by contacting Joanne Woods – The Beauty Specialists here.
Don’t forget a Scale & Polish or Teeth Whitening
Photo by Michelle Prunty Photography
There’s going to be a lot of smiling on the Big Day so your teeth need to be ready for their close up! Most couples remember to pencil in a dentist visit for a scale and polish before the wedding but if you haven’t, pop it on the to-do list. If you are looking for more than just a scale and polish, there are some great teeth whitening options out there for couples that can easily be done at home such as Whitening Ireland‘s at-home course of dentist-supervised Opalescence-gel whitening. Find out all about it here.
Or if you’re looking to perfect your smile, David McConville Orthodontics based in Donegal and Dublin based East Coast Orthodontics specialise in Invisalign Braces – clear aligners that are removable and invisible, so no one can see them but that will work their magic over a period of 3 to 15 months (this will be determined on assessment).
Make Time for a Mani
Photo by The Cana Family via 100 Layer Cake
Your nails will be on show on your wedding day with the new addition to your ring finger so make sure to give them some TLC. If you’re looking for a professional to get them in shape, Dublin based Sabrina Nails and Joanne Woods – The Beauty Specialists based in Co. Louth specialise in nail art, shellac and acrylic and gel nails. Take a look at Sabrina Nails’ fab portfolio here and Joanne Woods – The Beauty Specialists’ amazing work here. And check out some gorge ideas for your wedding day nails here!
Introducing The Celebrity Waist Trainer
If there’s ever a time you want to look and feel your best, it’s your wedding day which is why some people opt to lose a few pounds. We’re a firm believer in doing whatever feels right for you whether that’s loving yourself as you are or toning up if you feel you want to. If you are conscious of your waist and would like a little bit of extra support before you step in to your wedding dress, the waist trainer can do just that. These latex waist trainers slip on under your clothes, cinching in your waist and instantly lifting, shaping and slimming the body and flattening your stomach, waist and hips.
They can also be used to lose weight and reduce waist measurements by wearing the corset for a recommended 6-8 hours per day (it accelerates weight loss through high compression, and heat). Chat to Michelle from Celebrity Waist Trainer for more info and advice.