Let's face it, planning a wedding can be pretty stressful, from making sure the dress is perfect to figuring out seating arrangements andall the details in between. One thing that shouldn't be an added nuisance, though, isprepping your skin for the big day. NCIS: New Orleans star Zoe McLellan, who became alicensed aesthetician in 2011, has let us in on her advice on how keep your skin glowing in the run-up to your nuptials, from six months out to the night before saying "I do."
NCIS: New Orleans star Zoe, above, is also a licensed aesthetician. "Helping others feelconfident in themselves and their skin is one of my biggest passions," she told HELLO! Photo: Getty Images
HELLO!: What are the best practices to preventing breakouts from all the pre-weddingstress?“Exercise. Make sure it's something you enjoy. Dance.Do yoga. Box. Release the toxins from your system. Please wash your faceafterwards! Also, try to avoid stress eating. A good tip is to have cucumberssliced and in your fridge. Snack on them and put them on your eyelids for a fewminutes at night! Finally, visualize. See and feel yourself looking andfeeling beautiful!"
H!: Any beauty treatments to avoid last minute?“Don’t do anything out of the ordinary 72 hours priorto your face, body or mind.”
For great skin, advises Zoe, put cucumbers on double duty: "Snack on them – and put them on your eyelids for a few minutes at night" Photo: Getty Images
H!: What are the best products to keep skin hydratedand tight?“I believe our skin is a reflection of our emotionalstate. People who are happy have a youthful glow. Also, we are what weeat! For hydrated/tight skin I suggest, an avocado daily, cucumbers,salmon and water. Some products I’m a fan of for this are Derma E hydratingmask and hydrating serum, Epicuren colostrum cream."
ZOE'S BRIDAL SKIN TIPS TIMELINE:
Six months to one month before the big day... Eat plenty of fresh fruits andvegetables daily.Exercise (sweat!) at least 5 days a week.Drink water! Lots of water!Go for a facial once a month.
The star advises that brides start prepping skin six months prior to the big day – but don't do 'anything out of the ordinary' in the 72 hours beforehand Photo: Getty Images
One week prior... Same as above AND no alcohol.Minimal coffee.No soda.
The night before the wedding...Drink plenty of water.Take a hot bath withlavender oil.Avoid salty foods.Apply thin slices ofcucumbers over the eyes right before bed.Avoid alcohol.Aim for 8 hours of sleep