Makeup and hair styling is always a part of LL Boudoir & Intimates’ boudoir sessions, but what many don’t realize is the care and attention you give your skin BEFORE your session is almost more important than the perfect makeup on the day of your boudoir experience.
I’ve scoured the interwebs for the top skincare and prep tips I could find all the while gathering information from hair & makeup artists and past clients to bring you a detailed breakdown of how to care for your skin as you prepare for your boudoir experience!
· Hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE! Everyone knows it but perhaps we don’t practice it enough – your skin NEEDS water to be healthy. Prevent wrinkles, dry and flakey skin, and dull spots by drinking plenty of fluids at least 2-days before your session (but ideally, at least a week before). Of course, to MAINTAIN your skin’s health, you should always drink lots of water!
· Proper cleansers - something that is made for your skin-type is SO important. If you aren’t sure about what cleansers are out there for you, make an appointment with an aesthetician and have your skin evaluated (bonus: get a facial while you’re there!)
· Exfoliate - dead skin cells will make your skin look dull and lifeless, flaky, and uneven. Use a gentle exfoliant after you cleanse your face to buff away the dead skin and bring new, fresh, glowing skin to the surface.
· Moisturize, use SPF, and don’t skimp on the lip moisturizer either - encourage your skin to be happy, supple, and glowing by using a balanced moisturizer with SPF. And don’t forget lip moisturizer - - it’s important for that smooth, sexy pout!
· Balanced diet - I’m not here to bust myths or confirm facts about the correlation between your diet and your skin…BUT I know that foods high in water content and nutrition tend to serve your skin better than those that aren’t. Make sure you are eating all of your vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, and balanced proteins and carbs.
· Vitamin and mineral supplements - Ideally, you’d get the bulk of your vitamins and minerals from your food, BUT it doesn’t hurt to give your body a little bit of a boost to fill in the gaps where you’re not meeting your vitamin needs! Even better: find a multivitamin that also has added nutrients for your skin, hair, and nails!
· Avoid too much sun - nothing is worse than a sunburn EXCEPT a photoshoot with a sunburn. Tan lines, red, peeling skin, etc., are no way to show up for your session. If you’re looking for that summer glow, you might consider a spray tan or a tanning bed where you can avoid tan lines.
· HOWEVER, skip the spray tan (at least 7+ days before your shoot) - you want a nice, natural glow and not orange, streaky skin. So make sure you get your spray tan at least 7 days prior to your session so you have time to allow for some fade and corrections of streaks, etc.
· Limit alcohol - some women suffer from redness in their skin and eyes when they drink alcohol (Hellllllo….that’s ME!) No need to completely go dry in the days leading up to your session, BUT take it easy and ensure you aren’t replacing your water intake with alcohol - your skin will thank you!
· And sugary drinks - if you skip the alcohol, don’t replace it with sugary drinks! They may cause bloat and extra weight that you didn’t account for when shopping for your lingerie.
· Get enough sleep - you’ll be nervous and excited for your session; EVERYONE is. BUT it’s imperative that you get a restful night’s sleep. It will help prevent dark, baggy under-eyes, dull skin, and a bad attitude!
Have a skincare tip that I didn’t cover? Leave it in the comments.
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