When it comes to weddings, or any special event for that matter, I keep the word longevity in mind. You want every element of your look, from makeup to hair, to last all day and night. We could be talking a 14-hour day at the height of summer outside in 30℃ heat - the last thing you want is for your makeup to have melted and your hairstyle to have dropped by the time the bride and groom have said 'I do'.

Whether or not you plan to wear makeup, taking the time to carefully select the right skincare products makes all the difference. If you do choose to wear makeup, thorough skin prep creates the ideal canvas for a perfected finish and makes application ten times easier. You'll inevitably require less coverage, products won't cling to dry patches and fine lines won't appear as exaggerated. Fresh, hydrated, radiant skin is the goal, and the skincare brand I always turn to when getting ready for a special occasion is Beauty of Joseon. The iconic K-beauty brand's gentle products are made for those wanting to achieve a healthy skin glow, which is exactly what you should aim for.

There's nothing worse than starting to apply your tinted moisturiser or foundation before realising that it looks cakey and textured, so using an exfoliating toner after cleansing will help to rid the skin of any lingering dead skin cells and allow the rest of your skincare products to absorb more effectively. The Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner has quickly become my all-time favourite chemical exfoliator due to how mild yet effective it is. The suuuuper gentle formula (I use it daily with no issues) contains a mix of 2% glycolic acid (AHA) and 0.5% salicylic acid (BHA), which works both at surface level to smooth and fade hyperpigmentation and within pores to reduce sebum and combat breakouts. I'm always wowed by how it diminishes the look of large pores and sebaceous filaments in just a couple of uses to give skin a more even tone and porcelain texture. Using the Green Plum Toner consistently in the lead up to the wedding and the morning of the big day will make a huge difference to how refined your skin texture will look!

When it comes to serums and moisturisers, opting for thin layers of lightweight products that hydrate without overloading the skin is the secret to long-lasting makeup. You want to avoid products pilling, so less is more. To immediately brighten and balance the complexion over time, the Beauty of Joseon Light On Serum works wonders. It has a really lightweight, balmy gel texture that sinks in quickly and doesn't leave a sticky feel behind, like many other vitamin C serums. Skin is left with soft, non-greasy glow that looks great both with or without makeup applied on top of it. Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and helps to boost collagen, so it's a powerhouse ingredient to use daily for maintaining younger-looking skin, even during special events.

The Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum is a thick, unctuous hydrating serum that really infuses skin with a generous dose moisture to leave it plump and juicy. If you're a bit nervous, stressed or being pulled from pillar to post whilst trying to get ready, this serum really helps to restore a sense of calm. Packed full of panthenol, green tea and mugwort, it does exactly what it says on the tin, soothing redness, reducing irritation and strengthening the skin barrier. If you have oilier skin that tends to get shiny through the day, then you might find this serum to be more than hydrating enough on its own, but I'd recommend following with a light moisturiser and/or SPF over the top to seal all that goodness in and protect from sun damage. The Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen is a lovely SPF choice as it can double up as a makeup base if you want to shave a few more minutes off your time getting ready. The lightweight, silky formula dries down to a natural finish that's not too matte or dewy and offers a sheer coverage that never looks obviously made up.

For makeup, use products that you're comfortable with, and don't feel pressured to wear more makeup than usual just because it's a special occasion. Experimenting with products you've never used before on the day can be a recipe for disaster, but you could always arrange a makeup consultation a month or so before the big day if you want to try something new. The more you practice and build your confidence with using your makeup products, the quicker application will become. Completing your makeup application with a generous spritz of setting spray will help to secure your look in place all day and also diffuse any excess powder for a fresher finish. Of course, one product that is an absolute essential for weddings is waterproof mascara, and I'd recommend carrying a concealer, powder and lipstick in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day, especially if you get teary!

A timeless hairstyle that goes with any outfit and is flattering on everyone, whatever your hair length, is a bouncy blow-dry style. It's a classic for a reason, and you're still able to change your look and create a quick voluminous up-do if the weather takes an unexpected turn or you need your hair out of your face. If you want to effortlessly achieve the look of a professional blowout at home without risking a bad hair day, especially if you're short on time, then the GHD Rise Hot Brush is for you. There's no need to master the professional hairdresser technique, faffing with a round brush in one hand and a heavy hairdryer in another - this genius hair tool does all the hard work for you. You use the GHD Rise on dry hair, too, so you don't have to wash your hair the morning of the event if you don't want to and will still achieve a salon-worthy finish. 

Whether you prefer a straighter style with soft, swooping ends or more defined curls, the hot brush helps your hair to look more polished, smoothing whilst giving glamorous body, lift and bounce. Used alongside a thickening volume spray (if you have fine hair like me) and finished with hairspray, the heated brush really helps to lock your style into place all day. Just be careful to minimise the amount of heavy products applied to your locks before using the tool as it works best when the prongs glide through the hair easily with a little bit of tension. To get used to using the GHD Rise Hot Brush to create your preferred style, I'd recommend practising with it prior to the special occasion just to make the getting ready process as panic-free as possible on the day. The tool becomes super easy and quick to use after a few tries, so you'll be sure to get the hang of rotating the barrel through your hair in no time!

Basically, with a little bit of planning and the right tools, getting ready for a wedding doesn't have to be a source of worry, and Very has got all your beauty needs covered!

AGB X