5 Beauty Upgrades You Can Do (Mostly) From Home

Researching beauty prep for your wedding can get overwhelming fast. Between 12-step skincare routines, viral beauty hacks and endless product recommendations flooding your feed, it's easy to think you need to do everything to look your best on your wedding day. The good news? You really don't. The biggest day-of differences come down to a handful of simple, consistent habits—many of which you can do at home. We asked bridal hair and makeup artists Madeline Eleanor of By Madeline Eleanor and Sophia LeJeune of LeJeune Artistry for their best tips to prep your skin, hair, teeth and nails before walking down the aisle. If you nail these foundational steps (pun intended), you'll not only look like the best version of yourself, but your makeup will wear better too.

What are the most important at-home beauty upgrades before a wedding?

• 1. Hydrate (Inside and Out)
• 2. Straighten Your Smile
• 3. Exfoliate Regularly for Smoother Skin
• 4. Treat Your Scalp and Condition Hair
• 5. Prep Your Nails

1. Hydrate (Inside and Out)

The real secret behind a wedding day glow is staying hydrated. "Consistent hydration is one of the most underrated beauty habits. Drinking more water and keeping skin well moisturized can make a huge difference in how makeup wears," LeJeune says. This means aiming for 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. But if plain water isn't your thing, herbal teas, coconut water and hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon and leafy greens all count toward your daily intake.

Internal hydration sets the foundation, but your skincare routine seals the deal. "I always tell my clients, the appearance of your makeup ultimately comes down to how you prep your skin before you apply it. Ensuring your skin is prepped well helps your makeup last longer, look better and feel fresh throughout the day," Eleanor says. Look for a moisturizer or serum with hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin and holds it there. Apply it to slightly damp skin right after cleansing to maximize absorption. And don't forget an under-eye cream. "We recommend prioritizing rich eye hydration, since dryness there can affect makeup wear," LeJeune says. If you're waking up with tight or dry skin, consider running a humidifier in your bedroom overnight. It's a low-effort upgrade that makes a surprisingly noticeable difference, especially in winter months.

When to start: At least 3 to 6 months out, especially if you're trying out new skincare products

2. Straighten Your Smile

Ask anyone who's gone through it, and they'll tell you the same thing: You'll smile so much on your wedding day, your cheeks will hurt (not exactly a bad problem to have). That said, your smile is worth a little pre-wedding prep to make sure you love your grin in the photos you'll be revisiting for years to come. If you're looking to get a straighter smile before saying "I do," Smile Express® powered by Invisalign® aligners is a safe, affordable and convenient option. While working with an expert at participating Smile Express orthodontist offices in your area, they'll ship aligners straight to your door, so you can get a straighter smile with minimal office visits—meaning you don't have to miss a moment of wedding planning. You can be on your way to straighter teeth for just $99 down, and $99 per month.

When to start: Smile Express® powered by Invisalign® aligners can deliver cosmetic results in as little as 6 months.*

3. Exfoliate Regularly for Smoother Skin

The smoother and healthier your skin's surface going in, the better everything looks, whether that's foundation and concealer or simply skin that photographs beautifully on its own. The secret to getting there? Consistent exfoliation."Gentle exfoliation two to three times a week is ideal for smoothing texture and helping makeup sit more seamlessly," recommends LeJeune. A gentle chemical exfoliant (look for lactic acid or PHAs, which are typically less irritating than potent AHAs) is often superior to a physical scrub. "The key is to be consistent, and ensure that you're using products that are non-irritating for regular use," Eleanor says.

And don't leave your lips out of the equation. Between the vows, the many photos and the first kiss, your lips will be front and center. "Consistent exfoliation and nourishing lip treatments make a noticeable difference in how lipstick applies and lasts," LeJeune says. A simple sugar scrub applied a few times a week followed by a rich balm or overnight lip mask is all it takes.

When to start: 3 to 4 months out

4. Treat Your Scalp and Condition Hair

Scalp health = hair health, and this is a step many to-be-weds overlook. "Scalp care is incredibly underrated. Adding a scalp serum or detox shampoo weekly can refresh the scalp and support healthier hair," says LeJeune. Start with a clarifying shampoo or scalp scrub once a week to help remove build-up, then add in a scalp serum or oil that meets your hair needs. These products are applied directly to the scalp and are often allowed to soak in for a few minutes (or overnight) before washing your hair. There are options out there for oily, dry or dandruff-prone hair, or choose a serum that acts like a toner to balance the scalp or targets hair regrowth. If you're not sure where to begin, your stylist can help point you in the right direction.

From there, it's all about keeping your strands healthy from root to tip. "Hydration is key to healthy and happy hair, and minimizing damage and breakage will have you loving your wedding day style so much more," Eleanor says. She recommends getting a trim every six months, and giving your hair a break from hot tools when you can (and using a heat protectant when you can't). Both experts also recommend a hydrating hair treatment to keep locks moisturized. "A weekly deep conditioning mask can noticeably improve shine and the overall finish of any wedding hairstyle," LeJeune says. Choose one that works for your hair type and stay consistent for at least a few weeks before the wedding.

When to start: At least 3 months out; 6 months if you're looking to encourage hair growth

5. Prep Your Nails

You might be planning on getting a manicure a day or two before your wedding, but here's something you may not know: the work you do before your nail appointment matters almost as much as the manicure itself. Start by building a daily habit of applying cuticle oil and hand cream to get your digits ready for all those ring selfies.

For any manicures leading up to the wedding, Eleanor swears by BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) to build nail strength over time. "BIAB is a much more long-term nail friendly alternative to your standard gel manicure, and the results are even better," she says. It's designed to help your nails grow stronger and longer, "without the chance of nails breaking, peeling, or chipping," Eleanor adds.

When to start: 6 to 8 weeks before

With all eyes—and cameras—on you, feeling confident in your smile makes all the difference. That's where Smile Express® comes in. With their convenient, at-home clear aligners, you can work toward a straighter smile ahead of your big day. So when that once-in-a-lifetime moment happens, you feel ready to let your smile shine.

*Based on mild to moderate malocclusion (defined as crowding and spacing up to 6mm, and overjet and overbite up to 6mm and assuming one week wear), treatment times vary depending on Invisalign product type, wear time, case complexity and must be determined by your doctor. Data on file at Align Technology, as of September 9, 2020.