Five Things to Avoid

Five Things to Avoid the Week Before Your Wedding

1. New Hair Color or drastic haircuts

Even if your colorist is the absolute best, avoid making changes to your hair within a week of your wedding. If you want to refresh your hue without endangering your look, ask your colorist to put a clear gloss on your strands. Wedding trials and consultations start about three months prior to the actual day, and you should keep the same hairstyle throughout the process. Not only will the texture and style of your hair change if you get it chopped, but keep in mind something drastic may not look right with your dress’s neckline, veil, or wedding day jewelry. The closer you get to the big day, the more stressed and emotional you’ll be. You want to make all of these preparations and decisions while you’re still clear headed and calm.

2. A New Workout

Stick to the routine you’ve been doing. Now is not the time for new moves. Pulled muscles can take weeks to heal and you definitely don’t want to be too sore to get down on the dance floor. If your goal is to lose weight, make sure to start a new fitness program well before your dress fittings. And if you’re just looking for an amazing way to relieve pre-wedding stress grab a friend for a quick walk or run in the park.

3. Spray Tan Booths

Spray tanning in a booth may be a budget-friendly option for a safe, sunless glow, but there’s a good chance the color you get won’t match your skin tone as well as other fake tanning alternatives. Rather than stepping into a box—which can result in uneven color if you don’t hold your body just so—it’s best to have a specialist expertly apply the tanning solution so it’s evenly distributed and complements your skin color. And don’t forget to lightly exfoliate beforehand. The color will last longer and you’ll literally glow as you walk down the aisle.

4. Juice Cleanses

I like to think of food as fuel. You need calories to keep you alert and help you get through your crazy, busy weekend. It’s not the time to stop nourishing yourself. Juice cleanses are very low in calories, sapping your energy and making you irritable. And cleanses that include mostly fruit juices are high in sugar. There are healthier ways to lose weight. The week before you should be eating well-balanced meals with a focus on fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water—and don’t skip any meals!

5. New-to-you Skincare Products Peels & Microdermabrasion

A peel or microdermabrasion session promises silky-smooth skin in the future, but it’s a total no-go the week before you wedding. Schedule any appointments for a peel, microdermabrasion, or other treatments like Botox, at least 2 weeks before your wedding in case there is any redness or bruising.

Also, don’t change your skincare regimen if you have fewer than two weeks to go before your wedding. You should change it months in advance. Swapping in a new product could lead to allergic reaction, dryness, oiliness, or a bevy of other side effects that take time to correct. Your doctor can give you a personalized pre-wedding skin care routine, which will address your specific concerns to make sure your skin is radiant for the big day. Your dermatologist should be up there on your to-do list with the dress fittings and flowers.