Tea Thyme // 5 Step Bridal Skin Care Routine

Yay you are engaged! This may be the most photographed time of your life and at The Posh Palette, we understand that happy skin photographs beautifully! We have partnered with Honey and Thyme Events to give you some tips to to keep your skin at its most radiant. 

Self care is important and sometimes skincare isn’t our first thought in wedding planning. We get that! We recommend this routine at least once every week or every other week to help you decompress. When you can’t get to your esthetician this is a quick way to to show your skin some PM love. So grab your glass of wine, turn on your favorite playlist, and lay out these products for your relaxing evening spa date.

1. Double Cleanse

Yes, this should be done every time you wear makeup but lets do this for our “spa” day to deep clean. I recommend a balm or oil cleanser. I like these right now! 

With clean hands and dry skin, take a dime sized amount or two pumps and apply it to your cheeks. 

Use light pressure and massage off the day, your makeup, and loosen any build up. Use massaging motions from the center of your face working out, you can use your knuckles or fingertips. We are trying to bring blood flow to your skin to help the next products sink in. 

I recommend you do this for 3-5 minutes. Be gentle around the eye area but be sure to push out from the center to your ear around the jaw line as that is where we can get mask-ne and carry hormonal breakouts. Use a warm, wet soft cloth like these to remove the oil and any product on your face. Don’t forget to wash and keep your cloths clean!

Follow with your second cleanser. A gel based cleanser to break down and remove any residue left by the first cleanse. My favorite is by Indie Lee and the smell alone makes you want to use it every day. The best part about this cleanser is that you can use it as a face mask during the week if you would like or as a gentle but effective cleanser. Support local and pick it up in Charlotte at Aillea Beauty off of Park Road. 

Pat dry with soft towel.

2. Exfoliate

There are many ways to do this, from micro-exfoliation with a cloth or cotton round, to a peel or scrub. My favorite for clients is by either using an essence or toner. This lactic acid toner is great because you can apply it with a cotton round. This is a great option for a serum that will exfoliate while you sleep. I have always loved retinols and glycolic acid but with masks and colder weather, this option will not be too drying. This will help refine and clean pores, help minimize fine lines, help with breakouts and radiance. For toners, apply in gentle, upwards strokes with your cotton round. For serums or gels, press pea sized amount into skin away from mouth and eyes.

3. Mask

This step will consist of a sheet mask or leave on mask. We are not washing off all that precious toner we just put on our face. If you would like to use your mud mask, I recommend that it is done on a separate night or before any leave in products are applied. Do not throw away excess serum in your mask. Apply it to your neck, hands, back, or anywhere that will be exposed on your wedding day. Here are some of my favorite sheet masks! 

• Anything from Klairs
• Anything from Enature 
• The best set for winter
• This and this are the best for wind/sun burned skin or Rosacea and redness
• For those that don’t like the syrup like feel of the serum, try these.

Finish your glass and top yourself off while you wait for this to absorb. I use this time to love on my dogs or scroll through TikTok/Instagram. Whatever helps you unwind!

4. Hydrate

During the week I would recommend serums, essences, and more serums for treatment but this is supposed to be easy and effective while reducing stress. Grab your favorite oil. Yes, face oil. This applies to oil skin types as well! Please stay away from coconut oil as a moisturizer because it is clogging and the thickest oil you can use. Opt for something lighter. For those with combination-oily skin, I always recommend squalane oil. It can be mixed in with your moisturizer or applied directly because it mimics the same texture as your own oil. 

For those that are drier like myself or may need extra care for damaged barriers, I love an argan or rosehip, or an oil blend. 

Now. Have a sip of wine. Sit down at your vanity or tub and massage. Apply generously into your palms, warm it up and gently press onto your skin. Do not forget to moisturize your neck, decolletage, shoulders, and hands. Fully pamper yourself and take your time. 

5. Protect

Since it is an evening routine, no moisturizers with SPF should be applied. We are keeping it gentle and rich. The more luxe, the better. Think BALMS! The most healing, protective, and soothing. You are going to lock in everything you just applied. If you are unused to the feel of a thicker product, your moisturizer will do but trust me when I say that your skin will feel so soft in the morning when you use a product like this. 

• Balling on a budget: Cerave 
• Best multi-use balm that can also be used during the day on cheekbones: Weleda
• Best for Rosacea or redness and eczema – it is a powerhouse moisturizer: Tatcha 

Place into palm, warm up, and press into skin. We are not going to move everything around. Think of this as a barrier. Take a deep breath and release as you press palms onto your face. Use on lips and cuticles too!

Wait at least an hour before going to bed. We want everything to absorb! These products can be switched out for whatever works best for you. 

I hope that this has helped you decompress and recharge. Relax and let the pros take care of all the planning and your wedding day beauty. You will be in great hands and your skin and mind will thank you for it.

More tea being spilled next month. Until then, be sure to follow us on Instagram as well as sign up for our newsletter to get the latest from the hive!