Wedding Day Hair Prep

How to Prep your Hair Before Your Trial and Wedding Day so your Style can Last as Long as Possible

Before one of our hair stylists arrives on your hair trial appointment or your wedding day, here's what you should do and not do to your hair.

Tip #1 - Exfoliate Your Scalp

That's right. Exfoliating isn't just for your face and body. A healthy scalp is super important! Your scalp accumulates dead skin and nasty sebum that can clog pores and create dandruff. And if your hair is dark, it will be more noticeable than blondes. Start using a hair scrub 1-3x a week after washing your hair, and massage with a silicone scalp massager. If you aren't doing this yet, start TODAY!

"The scalp is a complex ecosystem...and plays an important role in keep hair in top top shape...Our scalp and hair are at their best when nourished, hydrated and healthy." – Virtue Labs

Tip #2 - Send Pics

First, email a photo of your hair loose in it's natural state so your assigned hair stylist can consult on how you should prep your hair (whether you should wash it the night before, blow-dry it, or anything else instructed that will help achieve your hair style goals).

We'll also need a photo or 2 of the hair style you desire, so we can consult on what might be needed - for example, you may need hair extensions for that particular length and volume, or our stylist may find she needs to schedule extra time than normal for the hair prepping for that particular style.

Tip #3 - No Hair Products

Keep your hair clean, free from hair products on the day of your appointment so it doesn't compromise the products that your hair stylist will be using. Mixing too many hair ingredients can weigh down the hair, and ultimately, lessen the time your hair style will last.

Tip #4 - No Wet Hair

Your hair should be DRY before we begin. This will save ample time for our hair stylist, and save you dollars (dry your hair to avoid a blowout fee).

Tip #5 - Curly or Wavy Hair? Blow it Out

No, this doesn't mean you should have to spend more money going to the salon to straighten it. You can blow-dry it straight yourself at home, even if it looks like a frizz ball. The goal is to rid any curls or waves, again, to save time, so we can get right to the hair prepping.

Spray Tanning Prep: What To Do Before Your Session?

How to Prep your Skin before a Spray Tan

Spray tans aren't just for the pasty winters. My clients love them all year round, especially before their wedding day or before heading to vacation. Whatever your plans, here's how to prep before our appointment.

Tip #1 - Exfoliate

Exfoliate before your appointment with a body scrub or body sponge to help shed any dead skin. The spray tan DHA tints the top layer of your skin proteins, and any dead skin laying around will prevent the formula from sticking on to you long enough. Be sure to exfoliate the day of your appointment as well.

"Start exfoliating every 2-3 days & moisturizing daily before to ensure skin is super hydrated." – St. Tropez

Tip #2 - Moisturize Daily

Moisturize your body daily (but not on the day of your appointment) so you have nice, smooth, hydrated skin. Dry flaky skin can result in an uneven spray tan.

Tip #3 - Go Hairless!

Shave those legs at least 24 hours before your appointment for an even spray tan application. Waxing your lady parts is ok too (if you're getting sprayed in the nude...like most of my clients).

Tip #4 - No Moisturizer on Appointment Day

On the day of your appointment, be sure your skin is free from moisturizer, deodorants and makeup. If showering before I arrive, ensure your skin is completely dry and your hair is not wet. Water dripping from wet hair will ruin your tan leaving streak marks undoing the spray tan.

Tip #5 - Stay Away From Water & Sweating

Do not engage in any activities that will produce sweat such as the gym, and you know...bedroom play time, until your first shower after your tan has fully developed. This can be 4 hours or 8 hours, depending on the spray tan service you have selected. Be careful washing your hands - you wouldn't want water spots landing on your arms or chest.

Tip #6 - Wear a Thong or Nothing At All

Most of my girls go full nude - don't worry, I won't make you feel uncomfortable. We're all grown ups and as a woman, I think every human body is beautiful. I'm sort of a GYN at this point. But if you're still not comfy, wear a thong - just make sure it's not lace, or you'll have an interesting pattern for a week.

Can I Get Dressed Afterwards?

Yes you can, and I usually recommend no bra under clothing so a robe or a tank with some yoga pants would be just fine. Technically, yes you can wear whatever you want after your spray tan since your proteins are already tinted, but I find less rubbing off if you steer away from a bra and crew socks.

Wedding Skin Prep Guide

A 6-month Guide to Prepping Your Skin Leading up to the Wedding Day.

Ever wonder why your foundation looks cakey or why it won't last? It's possible it's not your foundation, it's your skin routine, or lack of. Here are my tips for getting your skin GawJess in time for the big day.

Consult with your physician if you're new to any of the ingredients I mention below.

START 6 MONTHS OUT.

Tip # 1: EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE!

I can't stress this enough. It's either the step most people skip, simply because they just didn't know they had to, or it's something we overdid in our teens and think it should be done daily (which you shouldn't either). Thanks Apricot scrub!

Everyone should exfoliate. This doesn't mean you should do it every day! But you should 2-3x a week (or 1-2x a week if you're sensitive or just starting to, and then you can work your way up to 3x a week). Why is it necessary? Because your skin accumulates dead skin just sitting there, and won't allow for your skincare to fully penetrate or foundation to fully "sit" on the face. So start googling exfoliating skincare...like, now!

Tip # 2: Use Retinol

Simply put: Retinol is vitamin A and does a number of things I love:

• promotes cell turnover

• increases collagen production

• brightens skin and acne marks

• anti-aging (reduces fine lines and wrinkles)

• keeps the skin plump and tight

See, babies have the softest skin because they have the quickest cell renewal process. I wish! As we get older, we just accumulate layers of dead skin - gross - because our skin cells don't break down as frequently anymore. But a retinol can bulldoze its way in to those layers of dead skin cells just hanging out, break them up, and start to repair them.

To read more about retinol dos and don'ts, and how you it should be worn properly, read my blog post here.

Tip # 3: Hydrate

Not just the outside of your skin, but the inside too. Drink 8 to 9 cups of water (or 4-5 16 oz bottles of water a day) and add additional 2 oz (or one 16 oz bottle) for every 1 hour workout. Why? Because when you're sweating, you're depleting what you've just put in.

Tip # 4: Moisturize

Under Eye Cream

• use morning and night

• will prevent makeup from "caking"

Day Cream

• a moisturizer that has SPF if going outdoors

• look for the ingredient Hyaluronic Acid to plump up the skin

Night Cream

• should NOT have SPF

• plenty of amazing nighttime moisturizers out there that have RETINOL

Tip # 5: Treatments if Necessary

Dark Circles or Dark Spots?

• look for an Eye or Face Serum with Vitamin C or brightening ingredients

Dull Skin or Breaking Out?

• Detoxifying Mask to purify for at least 10 minutes, 2x a week or as needed (DO NOT use the day before the wedding, as detox skincare makes your skin purge and you wouldn't want to see a fresh zit surfacing that day)

• Nighttime Retinol treatments

Extremely Dry Skin

• Facial Oil - these can also be oil serums, can be used before moisturizer

• Hydrating Sheet Mask at least 1x a week

• Face Balm daily, or every night

If your doctor says it's ok, follow these steps accurately, and you'll have GawJess skin when I see you on your wedding day!