In case you missed it, Adore Beauty recently released a brand-new wedding beauty podcast, Bride To Be, hosted by TV presenter and Love Island winner Tayla Broad and Adore Beauty’s Social Media Manager Megan Miloshis. Each episode features incredible wedding planning tips from industry experts and all the juicy details about Megan and Tayla’s personal bridal journeys.
Read on as we recap the beauty-specific episodes to share all of the best advice for nailing your wedding hair, makeup, and skin prep. For more wedding tips on budgeting, styling, and stress management, you can listen to all twelve episodes of Bride To Be on Apple Music.
Glowy skin secrets
In episode four, Tayla and Megan chat with Rachael Riley, a dermal therapist at Melbourne skin clinic James Vivian, about how to prep your skin for the big day.
The most common question couples want to know is — how far out from the wedding should I start preparing my skin? That all depends, of course, on the current condition of your skin and your current routine. If you’ve got problem areas like acne, scarring, or sensitivity, then the answer is straight away! Addressing skin concerns with a professional dermal therapist as soon as you’re engaged means you can progress to maintenance mode quicker and not have to stress about it for the rest of your journey to the aisle.
If you’re someone who’s never really had a skincare routine and wondering whether you should start one now; in the least, moving from soap and water to a cleanser, moisturiser, and exfoliator is a great first step. You can also experiment with different moisturiser finishes well before the day to decide if you want a matte or dewy look.
Your makeup artist is a crucial part of your wedding prep dream team, but they are not necessarily skin experts. When you’re investigating makeup artists, you can question whether they also have skin expertise, and if not, seek the advice of a professional dermal therapist, especially for problem areas.
Skin treatment dos and don’ts
What about the treatments that should be avoided? This isn’t so much about the what as the when. Never try a new product or treatment the night before or the day of the wedding. This means no fancy skin peels or masks the night before in case of an allergic reaction. Always seek the advice of a professional dermal therapist before trying something new — they’ll guide you through product selection for your skin and the safe zone for experimenting with new regimes.
What if you wake up with a giant pimple on the morning of the wedding?! Rachael’s advice is clear. If it doesn’t yet have a head and is red, shiny and sore, do not touch it! Leave it as it is. Apply ice to reduce the redness and swelling. Your makeup artist will work their magic to cover it up.
If the pimple has a head, use a warm compress (like a face washer), but never a hot one. Apply on and off until the white head is released. Never squeeze or apply abrasive ointments like salicylic acid. Again, ice the pimple to reduce redness and swelling and leave it to your makeup artist to get you aisle-ready.
Finally, when you get to the ceremony before you walk down the aisle, drink some water — a bottle with a straw is preferable so your lipstick stays put. The water will hydrate your lips and mouth, you’ll get your words out easier, and you’ll be right for the kiss.
Perfecting your bridal makeup look
In this episode, Tayla and Megan are joined by professional makeup artist and educator Tahlia Liapis about how to ensure you choose the right makeup artist, skin prep necessities ahead of — and on — the day, things to avoid at all costs, and so much more!
When it comes to finding your perfect makeup artist, Tahlia recommends doing a full deep dive on their Instagram, checking out their past work, and making sure they’re skilled with your unique look — skin tone, eye colour, hair vibes, etc.
Beauty trial dos and don’ts
Tahlia’s golden ticket to the trial is bringing a selection of inspo pics. Grab snaps from your Pinterest as well as from the MUA’s own posts to highlight two to three looks you adore. This makes it easier for them to recreate the vibe you want because they know the process and products that went into creating those looks. Don’t forget to come to your trial exactly the way you would the morning of your wedding — lash extensions, fake tan, and all — to avoid surprises, like mismatched foundation or unsuitable falsies, on the day.
Emergency touch-up tips
A wedding being a long-haul event, Tahlia strongly suggests every bride keep an “emergency touch-up kit” — just in case you’ve received a million kisses on the cheek from your guests, have been sweating up a storm on the dancefloor, or just want to make sure your glam looks 100% all night long. In your touch-up kit, add your lipstick, lip liner, blotting papers, and powder foundation. You can also keep some lash glue and tweezers in there, just in case!
Nailing your wedding day hairstyle
Episode six is all about nailing your wedding day hairstyle, and after hearing about Tayla’s bridal hair mishap, the girls learn some insightful tips from Brittany Galea, Creative Director of Hair by Brittany in Melbourne.
According to Brittany, it’s important to consider your entire look and how your hair will work with your dress and accessories so nothing clashes. Think simple and classic for your hairstyle if you’ve got a busy décolletage or go all out with a flowy hair look if your dress is more simple and strapless.
Consult your stylist during your trial to make sure the vision you have in mind will suit your hair type and that you’re on the same page so that you look and feel your absolute best on the day. Trust their expertise as a hair expert to create the perfect style for your hair.
In need of some inspo for your hair look? Brittany’s top wedding hair trends for 2023 and beyond are soft 90s blowouts, fluffy waves, and sleek, snatched styles. Think less polished and structured and more fun, natural, and personal.
Colouring your hair before the wedding
Wondering how far out from the wedding day you should schedule your hair colour appointment? Follow Brittany’s “two-wash rule” and book your colouring appointment around ten days to two weeks out from the wedding to make sure your hair colour has settled and toned properly before the big day.
Nails, tanning & hair removal
In episode seven, beauty therapist extraordinaire and owner of The Beauty Room Melbourne, Holly Hudson, shares the lowdown on pre-wedding beauty appointments. If you’re wondering how to prep for a spray tan appointment or when to get your nails done, this is the ep for you!
Exfoliate your body a week before your spray tan using a mitt or dry body brush, and keep your skin moisturised, especially around the elbows, ankles, and knees. Do any hair removal two days before, and make sure you book a mani and pedi first to avoid products at the nail salon affecting your spray tan. Right before your tanning appointment, avoid wearing moisturiser, perfume or deodorant after you shower. Wear loose, dark clothing and slip-on shoes.
When to book your tanning appointment? According to Holly, one to two days before the event is ideal, especially if you’re wearing a lighter-coloured dress. To maintain the tan at home before the wedding day, keep your showers as short as possible and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Preferably with a moisturiser that doesn’t contain much oil or fragrance.
Keen to hear every juicy detail from Tayla, Megan, and their amazing expert guests? Listen to all twelve episodes of Bride To Be on Apple Music here.
