Hair, Nail and Skin Tips for Your Event

After months of planning, you deserve to look your best on event day! You may have shopped for a fabulous outfit and made a hair appointment, but have you thought about your skin and nails?

Skin

Consider getting a facial the week before your event or even microdermabrasion (some people might be a little red for a day or two after so do not wait till the day before event day). Be more liberal with your hand/body/face lotion for a few months leading up to your event.

Want a sun-kissed look but can not fit in hours in the sun before your event? You may want to consider a tanning salon. There are many types of tanning beds available these days so make sure you thoroughly question the attendant before making your selection (the last thing you want is a nasty burn right before your momentous day). Inquire as to how recently the bulbs were changed, as this can make a significant difference in how quickly you will color. Many salons now stand-up beds, which often allow you to tan more evenly and avoid white spots, but are often less comfortable. Make sure you know how to shut off the bed if you get too hot. Always use protective eyewear and inquire about the risks (sun damage, skin cancer, etc).

Sunless Tanning

Sunless tanning (or spray-on tans) has become a popular, safer alternative in recent years to the prolonged sun exposure often needed to obtain that healthy “glow”.

Do-it-yourself sunless tanning options come in many forms: lotions, sprays, creams, airbrushing and tanning accelerators. Most of these products contain Dihydroxyacetone or DHA, which is the active ingredient that produces the brown pigmentation. Whether you do it yourself, or go to a salon, do a trial “run” well in advance of your event, especially if this is your first time trying sunless tanning. See our article entitled “Sunless tanning tips”.

Nails

Plan ahead - If you need to grow your nails out before your event, you may want to consider getting a manicure every week or two for the two to three months leading up to your event. This will help strengthen your nails, allow for any cuticle repair you may need, allow you to try out different technicians and play with different shapes/lengths and/or nail art. You may have always thought you would love long nails till you realize how unwieldy they can be when you are not used to them.

Apply nail strengthener before and after your color coats, and even under your nails. If you are thinking about getting a set of artificial nails for your event, make sure you talk to your nail technician in advance to find out the best types for your hands – acrylic, silk or gel wraps.

The best time to get your nails done is after a lot of your prep work and cooking is done for your event.  If you can set aside enough time to have your nails done (including drying time) the day of your event, great. If not, shoot for the day before. If you are having your hair done the day of your event, get your nails done first so they are drying while your hair is being styled. Be sure you have a bottle of the polish used for touch-ups if necessary.

Consider a classic French manicure, some creative nail art (with mini pearl or even diamond accents) or a truly unique nail color for your event. Whatever you do, do not leave it till event day to get them done!

Do not forget your toes. You might want to start with a few pedicures in advance of your event as well. French manicures on toes are a popular choice for a special event.

Hair

You will want to decide well in advance how you want your hair to look for your event. You may need a few days to grow it out, especially for a wedding headpiece you have had your eye on or you may want to experiment with extensions. Those can be a bit uncomfortable at first, so giving yourself time to adjust is crucial.

You may need to address dry/damaged hair so again, having time to apply the right treatments over time is essential.

Maybe you want time to experiment with a few different styles/cuts before the big event.

Ask your stylist for guidance. (S)he may advise you not to brush your hair for a few months (even when wet), to get it trimmed every 4 to 5 weeks if growing it out for an updo, to apply olive oil treatments at home, etc.

In choosing a hair, nail or tanning salon: • Ask friends for recommendations. This is the best way to find a reputable business that you can trust. • Ask for a tour of the facility. Check that the salon looks clean. Ask about sanitizing procedures. Check that all the equipment is in working order. Old or out-of-order equipment is often a red flag. • Make sure the staff is friendly and welcoming. They should be willing to answer any questions you might have. • Ask for a menu of services and prices ahead of time.