The BHL Guide to Prefect Spring Skin

Spring is in the air, is your skin ready for the season? We’ve got the six best steps for getting your skin in shape for wedding season.

Get Off to a Good Start

Wash your face in the shower using a daily cleanser. It can be tempting to use a more deep cleaning facial cleaner everyday, but that runs the risk of stripping your skin of its’ important oils. Instead, opt for a daily cleaner that is meant for daily use. Wash everything else you need to in the shower before your start your face- your hair, skin, do any shaving you need to, then work on your face. The longer you put off your face, the more the steam will open up your pores. It’s a great habit to get into year round that will keep your skin staying spotless.BeFunky_Skin Rehab (1).jpg

Get Ready for Prime Time

Now that the seasons have changed, it’s important to keep your skin clear from the start. Opt for a primer that is oil-free, and organic if you can. Pick a primer that’s really catered to your skin type, like a matte primer for oily skin or a moisturizing primer for dry skin. Keeping everything oil-free lets your skin breathe, which you’ll need.BeFunky_Skin Rehab (2).jpg.jpg

Build a Foundation

You may want to consider switching up your foundation with the seasons. As the seasons change, so does your skin. It’s good to start using a foundation that has SPF now that you may have more time in the sun. As a rule, with the warmer seasons, it’s a also a good idea to have a more light to medium coverage foundation. Let your skin breathe and you can avoid any surprise outbreaks or irritations (which you cannot afford during wedding season!). BeFunky_Skin Rehab (3).jpg.jpg

Set it and Forget it

To keep your foundation from smearing, wearing out, or generally just not staying put, use a setting spray. We are HUGE fans of setting sprays here at BHL. They keep us looking good from the ceremony to the dancefloor at the reception. BeFunky_Skin Rehab (4).jpg.jpg

Take it Off

The one makeup sin that we’ve all been guilty off at some point? Not taking off makeup at the end of the night! Come on, we’ve all done it. You know how important it is, and it’s a bad habit to sleep in your makeup. Every night, use a gentle makeup remover so that the chemicals don’t damage your skin. I like using makeup remover wipes at the end of the night. It’s an easy way to ensure all your makeup is truly off at the end of the night, plus it feels refreshing once your skin can breathe.

Have Good Habits

All these tips are great for everyday, but if you can help it try to take a few days to not wear makeup. Only wear makeup on days that you need to, and let your skin breathe on days that you don’t. Once a week do an at home mask or deep clean to clear out any build up and keep your skin clear and smooth. Be good about keeping your skin in check every day, and you’ll be absolutely glowing by the time the big day comes around.

 

Seven Groom-Friendly Grooming Rituals

Brides and bridesmaids have a lot of help and support in getting glammed up for the big day. Particularly, we’ve got you covered whether it be nail polish, hair, lip looks, or even simple ways to stay cool in the heat. Here at Bridal Hot List, we love what’s trending in the beauty, fashion, and style aspect of weddings, but we’re also here to help. That means you, grooms and groomsmen! A wedding isn’t a time for just the bride to look her best; grooms and groomsmen should also be looking especially handsome. Beauty routines may be intimidating for some men, but we’ve got quite a few groom-friendly grooming rituals that are sure to leave all men looking handsome.

Nasal Strips

Nasal strips are one of the easiest, most low-maintenance things that a man can do to look great and feel fresh. Most work in the same way- wet your nose, stick them on there, and leave them alone for a few minutes. Once they come off, you’ll be ripping off all those unsightly blackheads and your guy’s nose will feel especially clean. This doesn’t feel super girly and leaves a groom feeling fresh. My favorite man-approved nasal strip is the Deep Cleaning Pore Strips by Biore ($6-$7, drugstores).

Deep Conditioning

Many guys tend to either neglect their hair or abuse it. Either way, a good deep condition can help them realize what their hair potential could be. Going to a salon may be too intimidating (or expensive) for some, but doing an at home deep condition is an easy, private affair. I like the Aussie Three Minute Miracle deep conditioning treatment ($3-$4, drugstores). Have your guy shampoo his hair first, then apply this liberally while the hair is still wet. It says three minutes, but I would leave it on for longer (20-30 minutes, if you can!). Wash it out afterwards and his strands will be silky soft to the touch. Just be prepared for a major boost of confidence, and the constant request to touch his hair.

Face Masques

If your guy liked the nasal strip, the next step you can take is a face masque. This may feel particularly girly, but the payoff is excellent. I’ve found that the Queen Helene peel off masque ($3.50, drugstores) is pretty guy-friendly, particularly because there’s a scene in American Psycho where Christian Bale’s character uses one. It goes on a little thick, but then hardens to a plastic-like consistency that is fun to pull off. The masque will leave the skin tight and and soft to the touch, and they are fun to do.

Teeth Whitening

This may not be a fun one to do, but it is necessary. I like the Crest 3D White Strips ($35-$40, drugstores) because they’re easy and very convenient. I started noticing a difference after about a week, and white teeth are a major essential to a good looking groom.

Undereye Treatments

Eye treatments are great to start if you have a few weeks to go before the wedding. The results don’t show up overnight, so you have to remind him to be patient. I like the Garnier Nutritioniste Eye Roller ($10, drugstores) because it goes on very easy and is gentle but still effective. Start having him work it into his nightly routine by keeping it next to his toothbrush. It feels very fresh going on and is a great low maintenance way to combat dark undereye circles.

Lip Conditioning

Lip balm is something that I’ve noticed more male interest in over the last few years. Jack Black makes an exceptional lip balm ($7.50, specialty beauty stores) targeted at men that provides excellent hydration. They come in several flavors and even have some SPF worked in. Some men may be resistant to lip balm, but reminding a groom or groomsmen how important soft, kissable lips are may sway them. Slathering on the lip balm before bed is a guaranteed way to wake up with soft, luscious lips.

Manly Mani/Pedi

When it gets down to the last days before the wedding, you may want to seriously consider a mani/pedi. Yes, this has the potential to be the most intimidating for men, but with high risk comes high reward. Good looking, well manicured hands are particularly important for the groom. There could very well be a lot of pictures of his hands and rings, so you want to make sure they look their best. A lot of men associate manicures with nail polish, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Many men get manis and pedis with no polish, but just to have their nails groomed professionally. For the man that is a little more weary on the subject, offer to go to a salon a little out of your neighborhood. A small chance of being seen may sway him. If your guy is still a little shy, remind him that there is a foot rub involved with the pedi. A nice spa chair and a good foot rub is usually an easier sell for men.

Author’s Note: A special thanks to the handsome Tom McLaughlin for modeling for Bridal Hot List! You’re looking even more dashing, thanks to these groom-friendly tips!

 

Essential Summer Wedding Season Beauty Tips

The summer wedding season is coming up, and with that comes lots of dancing, good times, and sunshine. Now that your summer calendar is filling up with fun events, you’re going to adjust your beauty routine just a bit to deal with the heat.

I rock the side bangs all year round, but when it starts to get hot, they sometimes end up sticking to my forehead or flying out of place. After I flat iron my bangs into place, I use a dry shampoo spray to absorb any oil or sweat that may come my way. I’ve been using Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo (around $3-$4, drugstores) along my hairline. It goes on really light and doesn’t show up grey or powdery on my brown hair. Plus it smells yummy and doesn’t feel chalky.

 

One of my biggest pet peeves is eating or drinking my lipstick off. I want my lip color to look good on me, not on my glass! To keep my lip color staying on me and not on my dinner, I’ve been using a wax based lip-liner, like Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil ($19, Sephora) as a base for my lips. I outline my lips then color them in lightly to keep the color throughout. I love the pink shade “Wicked”. Then,  I use a liquid lipstick to go right over. I found that the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks ($19, Sephora) last all day and doesn’t smudge, even through happy hour!

With weddings and showers and bachelorette parties coming up, there’s a constant need to be photo-ready. To keep your skin HD-ready to be tagged on Facebook, I like to sweep a finishing powder all over my face after applying my makeup. I use a duo fibre face brush from MAC ( #187, $42, from MAC) to sweep over an HD finishing powder. I like the Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($16-$34, Sephora) because it’s light and is excellent at absorbing oil and preventing shine all night long.

Now that your face and hair is looking flawless, let’s remember the biggest area that you need to take care of- your skin. I can’t stand the greasy feeling of most sunscreens, let alone the smell. I’m completely obsessed with the Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunscreen Body Mist (around $10, drugstores) in SPF 70. I can’t smell it at all on me and it’s a spray, so it doesn’t go on globby or greasy. Plus it’s never irritating and feels incredibly light on my skin. I keep one in my bathroom and spray it all over my body before I head out, and I also have one in my car just in case.

These are some of my secret weapon tips for looking hot when it starts to get hot. Keep yourself looking good all night long and you’ll never have to un-tag yourself from any pictures ever again. And just remember, your skin is going to stick with you longer than that slice of wedding cake, so take care of it. Cheers!