The Bridal Brilliance

A glowing face is the best accessory a bride can wear on her wedding day. But Rome was not built in a day. A bridal glow takes weeks of consistent skincare, both in-salon and at-home. Read on to know more about how to do it right.

The quintessential modern Indian bride understands the importance of being her real self. Over-thetop make-up that hides your flaws might help you achieve a perfect wedding picture but it’s your inner glow that helps you seize the day. A consistent effective skincare regime defines the way you will look throughout your wedding functions and in your honeymoon pictures.

The glow of healthy, wellnourished skin plays a crucial role in achieving that radiant bridal look. While home remedies and natural skincare routines are popular in India, professional salon facial and body treatments offer specialised care to address the unique needs of the bride-tobe’s skin.

Here’s a guide to the essential salon facial and body treatments that can help Indian brides achieve a flawless complexion and glowing skin for their big day.

BRIDAL FACE TIME

Facials are a must-have for brides as they rejuvenate the skin, tackle skin concerns, and provide a bright, even-toned glow. Depending on the bride’s skin type and concerns, there are a variety of facial treatments available.

Gold facials have been a favourite among Indian brides for decades. Using colloidal gold or gold foil, this facial is designed to reduce inflammation, boost collagen production, and improve the skin’s elasticity. It leaves the skin radiant and supple, making it an ideal choice for the days leading up to the wedding.

Vitamin C is known for its skin-brightening properties. This facial is perfect for brides who need to address issues like hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and dull skin. The antioxidants in Vitamin C help to neutralize free radicals, promoting a brighter, more even skin tone.

An oxygen facial infuses the skin with a concentrated stream of oxygen and vitamins, enhancing skin hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines. This treatment is especially beneficial for brides with dry skin or those living in polluted urban areas, as it helps detoxify and hydrate the skin.

HydraFacial is a non-invasive, multi-step treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin. It suits all skin types and is especially effective for brides who deal with blackheads, acne or oily skin. The deep hydration leaves the skin plump and glowing.

For brides concerned with fine lines or wrinkles, anti-ageing facials use ingredients like peptides, retinol and hyaluronic acid to firm the skin, boost collagen production and reduce signs of ageing. Brides who are 30+ or those with mature skin will find this treatment ideal for achieving a youthful glow on their special day.

GET THAT FULL-BODY GLOW

Along with facial treatments, body treatments are crucial for achieving an all-over bridal glow. After all, flawless skin is not limited to the face.

Body polishing treatments exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing soft, smooth skin underneath. Typically, the treatment involves a combination of scrubs, masks and moisturisers that improve skin texture and tone. Many Indian brides opt for this treatment to ensure their skin is glowing not just on the face but also across the arms, back, and décolletage, especially when wearing sleeveless or backless outfits.

Body wraps use detoxifying ingredients like clay, seaweed or herbal extracts to nourish and tighten the skin. They help reduce puffiness, improve skin elasticity, and leave the body feeling refreshed. Brides who want a toned and hydrated look on their wedding day often turn to this treatment.

Since bridal blouses or cholis often reveal the back, a back facial can help address any issues such as acne, scars or rough skin. This treatment involves cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising the back to give it a smooth and glowing finish, ensuring brides feel confident from every angle.

Many brides prefer sticking to traditional skincare routines passed down through generations. Ubtan, a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood, chickpea flour, and other natural ingredients, is a popular choice. It not only enhances the skin’s glow but also has antiinflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a staple in pre-wedding body care routines.

For optimal results, it’s essential to start salon treatments early. A bride should begin her skincare journey 3-6 months before the wedding, allowing enough time to address any skin concerns, such as acne or pigmentation. Regular facials every 4-6 weeks will maintain skin health and radiance, while body treatments can be scheduled closer to the wedding to ensure a fresh and glowing appearance.

NAIL CARE PRO-TIP

As a natural alterative, dipping your nails in almond oil is also a great way to boost nail strength.

TIPS AND TOES

Manicure and pedicure treatments are Bridal Essentials 101. Just like skincare, your mani-pedi appointments need to be consistent and personalised. We get Sana Dhanani Makani, Founder, The White Door India, to give a detailed account of how a bride-to-be should be caring for her hands and feet.

WHICH ARE THE MUST-DO PRE-BRIDAL MANI-PEDI TREATMENTS?

I would recommend anti-ageing treatments for your hands and feet two months prior. Your hands are telltale signs of age due to constant exposure and contact. Investing in a gentle hand wash, nourishing hand cream and cuticle oil will ensure your hands are primed and nail regrowth is at its optimum in the interim. For your feet, start with regular pedicures leading up to the big day. Start with a pedicure to deeply cleanse and repair and a foot treatment to nourish and hydrate.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD BRIDES START THEIR NAIL CARE ROUTINE FOR THE BEST RESULTS?

It depends on how particular they are with their regular nail care. I have clients who come in for their regular manicures and pedicures every 25-30 days and we course-correct each time and determine what their skin and nails need at that moment. For brides not ardent with the regimes, coming in a month or two before their big day should suffice, we can give them the appropriate home care that can be used in tandem with our services to provide them with the best results.

If the bride wants to avoid extensions, she can start off with gel polish to start growing out the nails. Extensions can always be used as a last-minute fix to achieve the length and symmetrical finish.

Nails usually grow out anywhere between 3-4mm depending from person to person, every month. For anyone who finds it difficult to grow their nails, start taking nail supplements to boost nail health and growth.

HOW CAN BRIDES MAINTAIN THEIR MANICURE AND PEDICURE POST-WEDDING, ESPECIALLY DURING THEIR HONEYMOON?

There are a couple of things you can avoid to ensure your nails look amazing throughout. Avoid hot water, saunas and swimming, unless necessary. Try to use gloves when dealing with detergent, gardening or cleaning products. I recommend cutlery while eating wherever possible to avoid staining the nails. Try to be as gentle as you can with your nails.

For a more long-lasting nail fix, I suggest gel overlays. They are more resilient and easier to maintain.

WHAT ARE THE POPULAR BRIDAL NAIL TRENDS FOR INDIAN BRIDES THIS WEDDING SEASON?

Depending on the theme of the wedding, we see both ends of the spectrum. There are minimal brides who keep a nail palette fairly neutral with whites, nudes, baby pink and beige. Often you will even have someone ask for a French or an elevated French with a chrome effect. These transition very well and are not limited to the day of the event.

In contrast, the traditional Indian brides like to have a little fun with it. They come in with references and ideas to match their outfits or themes with their nail art. These usually feature maximalist elements like rhinestones, embellishments, glitter or chrome for a complete effect. We see a lot of red and pink hues. Blues and greens are currently also trending.

CONCLUSION

Every Indian bride dreams of radiating confidence and beauty on her wedding day and skincare professionals have an arsenal of treatments with them that enable them to make her dream a reality. These salon treatments do more than just prepare the skin; they prepare the bride for her new journey, allowing her to walk into each ceremony with poise and grace, even as they pamper her every step of the way.