The big day is a week away. Your to-do list might include picking up your dress, confirming arrival times with the vendors, checking in with your photographer, and breaking in your shoes. But there are a few things that you definitely don’t want to do in the seven days leading up to your wedding date.
New skincare routine
The week before your wedding is not the time to switch your cleanser, moisturizer, or exfoliant. I know it might seem like a good idea to switch to a new night cream that promises soft and firm skin by morning, but nothing is worse than breaking out in a rash or other allergic reaction. Head to the skincare department a few months before your wedding day, if you are looking for specific results, and try new products then. You should be settled into a routine that works for you by a month before your wedding day.
Haircuts / Hair dyes
A week before the wedding, don’t chop your hair off. Unless, perhaps, your wedding is really informal, you’re doing your own hair, and you have a specific style that you know you’ll really like. Otherwise, stick to what you and your hairstylist decided during the trial runs. Panicking over a hairdo is the last thing you want to be doing an hour before the ceremony. Likewise, stay away from new or crazy hair dyes. It’s never a pleasant surprise to discover that the black dye turns your hair orange, but it’s a disaster if you’re the bride.
High sodium foods
Try to avoid foods that are high in salt. Sodium retains water in the body, causing your stomach to bloat. Eat light and eat often to keep your energy levels stable and your digestive system feeling well.
High fiber diet
On the other hand, don’t suddenly fill your diet with a lot of high fiber foods if you’re body isn’t used to them. Increasing servings of fruits, vegetables, heavy grains, and beans can cause bloating and gas, and it usually takes a few weeks for the body to adjust to a switch from a low fiber diet to a high fiber diet.
Juice cleanse
Your wedding week is the worst time to go on a juice cleanse. You need all of the energy that you can get to make it through the week, and eliminating eighty percent of your calories won’t exactly keep you feeling calm and glowing. Combining late nights, stress, and nerves with fasting is a perfect formula for irritation and emotional meltdowns. So stay nourished and stay hydrated to look and feel your best.
Waxing
Unless waxing is a regular in your beauty routine, skip it the week before your wedding. Waxing can result in rashes, bumps, or otherwise irritated skin, especially after your first wax. This applies to everything, including your bikini line, eyebrows, upper lip, and underarms. Stick with shaving or plucking, or get your first wax several weeks before the wedding day.
Excess caffeine
Yes, caffeine keeps you alert, but it can wreck havoc on your nerves, increasing blood pressure at a time when your stress levels are already high. Additionally, it affects your sleep and your mood. So don’t go upgrading your grande lattes to ventis, or start adding espresso shots into your afternoon routines. Stick with what you usually drink, or even cut back a bit if you can. Your excitement will be so high, you may find you don’t need as much caffeine as you usually do to get through the day!
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