The Ultimate Wedding Beauty And Grooming Timeline: 1 Week Out

Congratulations on your engagement! We understand how exciting this period of time is, but we also know how stressful it can be. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate wedding beauty and grooming timeline to get you and your S.O. looking and feeling your best for the big day. From the surgeries to consider a year (or more!) before you walk down the aisle to the last minute treatments you can enjoy in the final weeks and everything in between, allow us to be your guide to wedding beauty and grooming.

You made it! After months of wedding planning, the big day is just around the corner. But, there are still a few last-minute beauty and grooming treatments and services to consider before walking down the aisle. From lash extensions, brow shaping, and hair removal to hair and nail care, here’s what to finalize in the days before your wedding.

Lash Extensions

While you may recall our advice at the three-month mark to test-drive eyelash enhancements, now is the time to return for your final application or touch up. Eyelash extensions need at least 24 hours to set and some people find that the lashes can start shedding as early as two weeks. Scheduling your appointment with a local lash technician anywhere from three to seven days before the wedding will ensure they are in tip-top shape. Oh, and don’t forget to factor in a patch test. If you have never had eyelash extensions or you haven’t had a treatment in the six months, you will likely need to go in for an allergy test 24 to 48 hours before your treatment. Once your faux fringe is in place, remember to remind your makeup artist that you won’t need mascara on the big day.

Hair Removal

Sure, laser hair removal takes months, but waxing, shaving, and threading can all happen in the days before the wedding. In addition to body hair removal, now is the time to touch up your brows with a professional shaping. Brides and grooms will want to leave a few days in between waxing and the wedding day so that any irritation or redness can fade (note: this holds true for any treatments targeting the face or other parts of the body that you may want to flaunt during your wedding weekend!).

While it is tempting to get waxed a week or two before your big day — especially if you are celebrating your bachelor or bachelorette party — just remember that your hair will need to be at least a quarter of an inch long to treat. With that in mind, resist shaving or waxing for the week prior to your wedding hair removal appointment. Grooms who are planning for a professional shave in the days leading up to the ceremony should check in with their groomer to see if there are any additional skincare or haircare steps that should be taken prior to treatment.

Faux Glow

If you are looking to get a little color before your wedding day, a spray tan is a sun-safe alternative to a natural tan. By now, you should have already tested out different tanning options and have settled on the exact shade, product, and technician. You will also want to practice a good body care routine of exfoliating (i.e. removing dead skin cells) and moisturizing to avoid any blotchiness and help your tan last longer.

We suggest scheduling your spray tan appointment two to three days ahead of your wedding. Not only will this give you enough time to fix it if anything should go wrong but also you will have some color for pre-wedding festivities like the rehearsal dinner. When booking your appointment, schedule it at least 24 hours after any hair removal appointments to ensure a smooth, even result.

Most professional and at-home self-tanners take at least a few hours to set. Since the product can rub off in the early stages, we urge brides or grooms to avoid tanning the morning of the wedding. On the flip side, don’t plan it too far out. Some people start to see their tan fade around a week after the treatment — especially on areas that are frequently washed (like the hands and face).

Hair Cut & Color

With a week to go, it is high time to tend to your ‘do. While your wedding day hair and makeup routine are on lock, now is the time to touch up your hair color, get a trim, and opt for a deep conditioning treatment and/or gloss to rejuvenate the locks. This can be particularly helpful for brides or grooms with dry or damaged hair.

In terms of your haircare routine leading up to the big day, it is best to confirm with your hairstylist before trying anything at home. Don’t be surprised if he or she encourages you to wash and condition your hair the night before your ceremony. Not only will it save you time on your wedding day, but it may also provide a bit of additional grip to help your hairstyle last longer. This will allow you to dance the night away without having to worry about messing up your bridal ‘do.

Nail Care

Last but not least, a lot of brides and grooms enjoy getting manicures and pedicures before the wedding day. Afterall, there will be plenty of close-up photos and admirers of the new bling and adorable hand holding. Because nail polish can chip easily, getting your nails done as close to walking down the aisle as possible is usually the safest option — especially if you plan on painting them yourself. If you prefer something more long lasting (like a gel manicure), scheduling an appointment three or four days before the wedding should suffice. And don’t forget to take care of your cuticles and hands, too!

The Takeaway

It’s here! If you’ve been following our guide since the one-year mark, we hope you found it eliminated any confusion as to when, where, and how to start taking care of yourself in the lead up to the big day. At this point, it’s time to relish what is sure to be one of the biggest and most special days of your life. Enjoy every minute of it — and don't forget to take a few moments to pamper yourself!