Bridal Beauty Countdown

12 months until the wedding

Your focus: Start your fitness regimen!

It's important to start early to drop weight the healthy way—through diet and exercise. DO NOT take any weight loss-promising pills, powders or gels. You should get a jump on things to avoid the temptation to  crash diet closer to your big day, which will just cause stress and fatigue. Thanks to the plethora of fitness options available, it's easy to find a program that suits you and your lifestyle. You can join a gym, take Pilates classes, hire a trainer or even just go for regular walks outside. If you're thinking about hiring a personal trainer, make sure to inquire about package discounts, which can save you up to 5%-10% per trainer session.
Set a realistic goal for yourself, but most of all know that you are going to look fabulous no matter what.

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide*

• Average Gym Membership: $50/month
• Personal Trainer (at the Gym): $65/session , plus gym membership costs
• Personal Trainer (private training studio): $70/ session
• Private Personal Trainer at home: $70-$150/session
• At-Home Fitness DVDs: $15-$25
• Private Pilates class: $75/hour
• Group equipment classes: $35 hour
• Pilates Mat classes: $20/session.

Editor's Pick: P90X, $140; available at beachbody.com [1].

*All prices are approximate and subject to change.

Next:10-11 Months >> [2]

10-11 months until the wedding

Your Focus: Starting a Skincare Routine

Don't neglect the importance of skincare! Make an appointment with a facialist if you can afford it, or opt for an easy DIY routine based on our by-type recommendations. If working with a facialist, make sure to discuss your skin type in advance, as well as any medications or issues. (Check SpaFinder.com [3] for reputable salons in your area.) While there is never a "wrong" time to start, the earlier you begin, the smoother and clearer your skin will look and the more relaxed your mind will be.
If you have oily skin: It's important that you stay far away from using regular soap on your face, which will strip away your skin's natural oils. This in turn causes your skin to go into "overdrive" mode, producing excess oil to make up for what the soap stripped off. Try a formulated cleanser (such as Clinique's Wash Away Gel Cleanser [4]) or just rinse with water and treat with a clay or mud mask (like Murad Clarifiying Mask [5]).
If you have dry skin: Do NOT use an everyday soap; opt for a gentle face wash like Boscia's Soothing Cream Cleanser [6]. It's imperative that you pat, not rub, your skin dry, so that you aren't inadvertently irritating your already-sensitive skin. Apply a moisturizer right after washing your face—and the sooner, the better. This allows for the product to trap the surrounding moisture. To avoid OD'ing, look for a cream labeled "noncomedenegic" to avoid any blemishes, such as Cetaphil's Fragrance-Free Moisturizer [7].

Your Bridal Beauty Tool Kit

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Clay Mask: $25-$40/bottle
• Face Wash: $7-$20/bottle
• Moisturizer: $10-45/bottle
• Professional Facial: $30-$130
   

Next: 9-10 Months >> [8]

9-10 months until the wedding
 

Your Focus: Removing Excess Body and Facial Hair

Everyone has unwanted hair. Luckily, there are many different options available. Most importantly, first shop around for a good esthetician. Make sure they use clean equipment and keep their facilities clean. Ask friends for recommendations and scour the Internet for user reviews before deciding on an esthetician. But before you jump head first into a laser hair removal routine, ask for a test run or consultation. Have the esthetician perform a spot test near your hand or arm to check for any adverse or allergic reactions. 

Laser Hair Removal: This method removes unwanted hairs by sending a beam to each follicle that's hot enough to damage it, inhibiting future hair growth. Although it takes at least three visits for permanent results (allowing for at least two weeks in between for skin to calm down), this expensive method will foster the best--and smoothest--results.
Electrolysis: This is when an electric current is applied with a very fine needle-shaped electrode, or metal probe into each hair follicle, which directly destroys the root. It can be painful and will require more than one visit. This should be done once every week until the hair is fully gone.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Hair Removal: This is a newer form of hair removal. It is safer than a laser (which in some cases can cause scarring) and less painful than electrolysis. While this system also uses light to destroy the root of the hair, IPL uses a light filter making it safer for the skin. As an added bonus, it can also clear up any acne scarring. This treatment also requires multiple visits.

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Laser Hair Removal: $150-$650 depending on area(s)
• Electrolysis: $45/half hour session
• IPL: $150/visit

Next: 8 Months >> [9]

8 Months until the wedding

Your focus: Choosing your hair Style

When choosing a stylist, get recommendations from friends who have used that stylist before for their own wedding. Bring in a picture of a particular style that you like, regardless of if its Jen Aniston's braided 'do or your BFF's curls. Make sure you sit down with your chosen hair stylist and go over what you want, while listening to their suggestions. Make sure you ask questions, such as, "What would look best on me with my type of hair?" If you're thinking of changing hair styles for your big day, it is better to test out the shade with a semi- or depermantent color. This way you can change it if you decide it's not right.

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Bridal Hair Consultation:  Free - $80
• Hair Coloring: $75-$125
• Hair Cut & Styling: $70-$150

Next: 6-7 Months >> [10]

6-7 Months until your wedding

Your Focus: Finding a top-Notch makeup artist

Putting off finding a makeup artist until the last minute is never a good idea. Start shopping around for someone who can compliment your personality. It is very important to have someone who is on the same page as you. When you have finally found someone you’re comfortable with and whose rates fit your budget, sit and discuss how you envision your wedding-day look. Make another appointment for at most 3 months before your wedding to have a final run through of how your makeup will look. The consultation may be free depending on the salon.
if you're doing your own makeup, the two most important products should be mascara (to perk up your peepers) and of course, lipstick! Opt for a waterproof formula for your lids, like Maybelline New York Great Lash Waterproof Mascara [11], to avoid any emotional moments turning into makeup nightmares. For great lips on your big day, go with a lip color that is a warm, fairly bright shade, including roses, pinks and reds. Don't wear lip color that is too neutral or frosted as it can cause you to look pale and tired.  

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Makeup Consultation and Application: $75-$150

Next: 4-5 Months >> [12]

4-5 Months until the wedding

Your Focus: Perfecting Your Dazzling Smile

A white, dazzling smile is one of the best accessories you can have (and something you already own, thankfully). The amount of time it will take depends on how many shades lighter you want or are recommended to change. There are several whitening options, and all will work. (We promise!) Keep in mind if you are using an at-home product it can take up to six weeks to start seeing results, but it can save you serious cash. We love Crest 3D WhiteStrips [13] and Listerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse [14], and recommend also using a booster like the classic from Arm & Hammer [15].
If you opt for getting your teeth whitened professionally, you can start a bit later, because you'll see results faster. However, it might take you more than one sitting to achieve your desired shade, so give yourself some wiggle room with this one. Also keep in mind what you'll be doing after  the treatment. Your teeth will likely be sensitive, and you'll be restricted to only consuming "white" foods and drinks, so don't schedule a wine tasting for later that day.
Another option: Lazer Teeth Whitening. This high-powered cleanser, administrated by your dentist, makes your teeth 5-6 shades lighter in one sitting. The length of the procedure depends on how much time your dentist feels is necessary for you to achieve that dazzling smile.

Your Bridal Beauty Tool Kit

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• At-Home Whitening Kit: $60 per kit
• Dentist Whitening: $600 per visit
• Lazer Whitening: $1,000 per visit

Next: 2-3 Months >> [16]

2-3 months until the wedding

Your Focus: Getting Your Strands in Shape

At this point, schedule a second meeting to go over your make-up plans and have a trial run so you can make sure you are completely satisfied with the look—and how it works (or doesn't work!) with your gown. Bring in your veil or headpiece if you are wearing one to see how it looks. It is also important to know how to remove the veil without messing up your hair, so have the stylist teach you and a friend how to, if they are going to be unavailable to do it themselves.
After all the pulling, coloring and straightening (or curling) of your mane, it's time to give your tresses some serious TLC. You'll want them to be shiny, healthy and sans split ends. Your best bet?  Make an appointment with your hair stylist for a scalp massage and deep hair conditioning. Don't have the time? DIY with an at-home deep conditioner, like Aussie Deeeeep 3 Minute Miracle [17], which has both Australian oil and jojoba to smooth and moisturize parched locks. Another great option is to try an overnight treatment, such as L'Oreal EverStrong Overnight Repair Treatment [18], which will penetrate the hair fibers after just one use, strengthing your mane and keeping frizz at bay. To keep hair silky and to avoid any split-ends or breakage, you can rub a silicone-based serum (we love MoroccanOil [19] right now) into strands after each shower, and style as usual.

Your Bridal Beauty Tool Kit

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Deep Conditioning (Salon): $55
• Hair Conditioning at Home: $15-$35
• Hair Serum: $15-$45

Next: 1 Month >> [20]

1 month until the wedding

Your Focus: Touch Up Your Color and Cut

With only one month to go, now is the time to get your hair trimmed and have one final color touch-up. You want to allow your hair to grow out a bit before the wedding, giving a more natural look than a freshly razored bob or just-cut bangs. This also allows for any unforeseen errors, such as a color mistake or incorrect style, to be rectified before any photos are taken.

Next: One Week >> [21]

1 Week until the wedding

Your Focus: Removing Body Hair

Yes, laser is an effective—but very expensive—way of removing hair. So, our recommendation is to wax instead—but not for the first time! Your final wax should be enough in advance that  your skin has time to relax from all the pulling but not too much time so that your hair starts growing back. Leaving waxing until the last minute might cause you to look red or blotchy.

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Waxing: $10-$75
• DIY Waxing Kit: $12-$20
   

Next: One Day >> [22]

1 Day Until the Wedding

Your Focus: Last-Minute Fixes!

Get your manicure and pedicure one day before your wedding. That way, you'll avoid as much chipping as possible. Choose a nude color that will minimize the appearance of any chips, or opt for a two-week polish such as OPI Axxiom.

Feeling like you need a last-minute tightening and toning?  Detoxifying body wraps are the fastest way to lose inches off of your figure. Although you're just losing water weight, you'll feel tighter and slimmer, and can also be confident that you're keeping yourself healthy. Now go get married, gorgeous!

Your Bridal Beauty Budget Guide

• Manicure/Pedicure: $25-$65
• Detox Body Wraps: $100 -$200