THE SKINCARE PLAYBOOK
As you prepare for your wedding, there’s no better accessory than your beaming smile and radiant, healthy skin. While every detail can be perfect, the true beauty of your day comes from within – feeling like your best self. That bridal glow, however, doesn’t happen overnight. From managing breakouts to building a skincare routine that complements your makeup, prepping your skin is just as essential as choosing your dress or venue. Western Australia Wedding & Bride’s Josephine Day teams up with Perth skincare specialist Maddie Genest, to guide you through the beauty essentials, ensuring you walk down the aisle with confidence.
For Genest, the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing clients realise that their skin doesn’t have to be a constant battle. “There’s this quiet moment – usually after a few treatments, where they stop covering up and start showing up. When a client walks out the door with just sunscreen, no makeup, and no second-guessing, that’s everything. That shift from frustration to confidence is my main goal. Especially before something like a wedding, helping someone feel proud of the skin they’re in is deeply rewarding. It’s not just about glow; it’s about peace,” she says.
The Pre-Wedding Secret
From glow hacks to elaborate skincare routines, brides are often bombarded with beauty myths promising perfect skin – but according to Genest, less is more. “Brides often feel they need to completely overhaul their routine or try every trending product right before their wedding. But the truth? Consistency and simplicity win every time. We strip things back, strengthen the skin barrier and focus on what truly works,” she explains. Genest emphasises that true skin transformation is a journey, not a quick fix. “It’s taken you a lifetime to get the skin you have – it’s going to take more than one session to treat it. You wouldn’t expect abs after one workout, so be patient and stay the course.”
Building A Routine
Stress-related breakouts and dull, reactive skin are common concerns for many modern brides and grooms in the lead-up to their wedding. “Grooms often deal with razor irritation, ingrown hairs and sensitivity from frequent shaving, while brides might struggle with hormonal changes, stress acne or pigmentation. For everyone, calming inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier is
The key to achieving your best skin is building a consistent routine with products and treatments that enhance and protect – not overwhelm – your skin. “For acne prone skin, we focus on gentle exfoliation to address the root causes of excess oil and clogged pores, rather than trying to stop oil production altogether. For aging skin, we use advanced Radio Frequency and plasma technologies to boost collagen and improve firmness. Where possible, we add exosomes – known as the supernova of skincare – to support and boost rejuvenation,” she explains.
Genest offers customised plans for brides and grooms, centered on hydration, barrier repair and radiant skin. Genest recommends starting your routine six to twelve months before the big day, with regular, gentle facials to brighten, plump and calm the complexion. “In the last two to three weeks before the wedding, it’s best to avoid peels, needling or any aggressive treatments that can cause redness, flaking or sensitivity,” she advises.
Prepped to Perfection
Your skin reflects how you care for yourself, both inside and out, and that kind of love deserves to be celebrated. But how do you take the routines built in the clinic and turn them into lasting habits at home? Genest has you covered. “We customise your at-home routine based on your skin’s needs, but it always starts with a solid foundation: a gentle cleanser, a professional-grade antioxidant serum, a nourishing night serum and moisturiser, plus a mineral-based SPF daily,” she describes. She also encourages weaving in mindful rituals like facial massage or gua sha to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation. These small but consistent steps help your skin stay calm, clear and radiant – even in the most stressful lead-up to your big day.
For last-minute breakouts, Genest advises avoiding harsh exfoliants, peels, strong actives like retinol and heavy products in the final week before the wedding. She also emphasises avoiding picking at blemishes and limiting caffeine and alcohol – instead, sticking to calming, hydrating formulas to keep your skin fresh and photo-ready.
Images courtesy of Maddie Genest.