Once you’ve said your ‘I dos’, then what? There’s a fine line between going back to basics and sporting a gorgeous holiday glow in your photographs. Faye Remedios gets experts to decode your honeymoon beauty essentials.
In the midst of wedding planning, the various rituals and attending to guests, packing for a honeymoon sounds overwhelming. But jetting off to that glamorous beach resort or heading to that fabulous party destination calls for more than just a slap of moisturiser and a slick of serum. You surely don’t want to look tired in your honeymoon photos, nor do you want your skin to suffer more after wearing excess makeup during wedding functions. To maintain a fine balance, we suggest tips and products that you should use on your first vacation after marriage, which will add a glow without affecting your skin any further. Here’s what you need to really put your best face forward on your honeymoon.
How to take care of your hair on your honeymoon
Give your scalp and strands the much-needed boost: After the wedding, your hair will need some serious TLC, what with all the colouring, treatments and intense styling. “When you are on your honeymoon, it is time to relax and unwind. You are no longer on a stage in front of hundreds of people. Be yourself —let your scalp breathe and use light products like organic and moisturising oils,” says Dr Harshna Bijlani, co-founder and medical head, The Ageless Clinic, Mumbai. If you do not want to oil your scalp on your honeymoon, hit the salon in the resort and opt for a soothing hair spa treatment that will give it the much-needed boost it deserves.
Say no to over-cleansing: While being outdoors might entail washing your mane daily, avoid harsh cleansers or clarifying shampoos. “Don’t leave for your holiday without a nourishing oil, which will ensure that you have soft, shiny hair and a balanced scalp,” says Marion Blatrix, hair expert, René Furterer. Limit your usage of a hair dryer and let your mane air-dry as much as possible. This will also be a relief for tired hair. If you like to curl or straighten your hair, do use a heat protectant so that the damage is as less as possible, and also use it at the lowest setting so your hair is not exposed to too much heat all of a sudden.
Don’t forget to carry a leave-in conditioner: You must carry a leave-in conditioner, as this acts as a sunscreen for your hair. Whether you’re at a beach destination or cooler climate, leave-in conditioners will protect your hair. “For beaches or places with humid weather, it’s advisable to keep re-applying every four to six hours,” says Shailesh Moolya, national creative director, hair, Lakmé Salons. If the humidity makes your hair frizzy, carry frizz-control serums along and if you have an oily scalp, use a light shampoo with just about a drop of conditioner in the end. You can also stick to your regular shampoo instead of using the one provided in the hotel room as at times the scalp reacts if it doesn’t suit it.
Makeup must-haves for perfect honeymoon photos
It’s all about the base: To get that #nofilter glow, it’s essential you have a great base. Pick a foundation that suits your skin type. “Pick a water-based, matte finish foundation if you have oily skin and a creamier formula for dry skin,” advises dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Aparna Santhanam. Also, a tinted moisturiser is more hydrating, if you want to skip foundation altogether. “A matte, high-definition, light-based primer will make skin appear natural and even-toned in photographs,” says Sushma Khan, national creative director, makeup, Lakmé Salons. Sonic Sarwate, global senior artist, M•A•C Cosmetics, India, advises an illuminator to create that lit-from-within glow, and to get rid of blotchy skin. Under-eye concealer works by lightening dark circles or pigmentation, instantly giving eyes a lifted appearance. Make sure you carry makeup products that you’ve used in the past to avoid your skin reacting and showing up a rash. If you are using something new, do a patch test to see if it suits your skin.
Pick multi-tasking beauties: Travelling light is always a good idea! Try to pick makeup products that do more than one job. “For instance, use your red lipstick as a blush. Pick a smudge-proof kohl and liner so that all you need is a single eye pencil. Need we say, whether you are going to the beach or the hills, sun protection is a must. Opt for high SPF, and dab a little compact or loose powder for a matte finish,” says Neeti Korpal, product expert, Plum. A lip and cheek stain is a good product to invest in as it does two things that once. Pick a shade that you are likely to use often and looks natural so that you use it more often.
Sport a rosy glow: “Another way to perk up your skin is with a cream blush or bronzer. Choose two shades of blush—one that’s the shade of your cheeks when they’re naturally flushed, and one that’s brighter for a pop of colour. Smile and use a blush brush to dust colour on the apples of your cheeks, blending up towards the hairline, then downwards to soften colour,” advises Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. A fresh-faced look with just a hint of blush looks absolutely stunning on every woman and works well for a day look. The good thing is, it takes only a few minutes so you won’t be wasting much time in getting ready if you opt for this look.
How to take care of your skin on your honeymoon
Don’t forget to remove your makeup: Keeping your skin flawless is probably the hardest thing to do on your honeymoon, especially since your skin will need time to recover from the overload of makeup during the wedding. What’s key here is removing your makeup at the end of the day, no matter how tired you are. “For your eyes, use a makeup remover specially formulated for the eye area and a different one for the rest of your face and body. If you don’t have a makeup remover, in an emergency, you can use petroleum jelly. After removing makeup, cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry with a soft towel,” says Dr Santhanam. Your skin will thank you for doing this as your pores will be unclogged and there will be no residue so the next day when you apply makeup, you start on a clean canvass instead of correcting the previous day’s look.
Try a transforming face mask: To help speed up the recovery process, Abhilasha Singh, business and creative head, Biguine Make Up, India, suggests using a cooling aloe vera mask once in two days, along with a mild exfoliator pack on your face and neck. Follow this up with an anti-stress serum. “If you have a little more time or can afford at least 20 minutes of alone-time, then using a clay mask is a fool-proof way of getting rid of dull skin. This will give you that ‘just married’ glow,” says Neeti. If this is too much of a task for you, head to the salon for a facial that will leave your skin feeling refreshed. You can also consider using fresh fruit peels to do the trick but know what’s best for your skin type. This will add an instant glow to your face.
In-flight beauty: To get your skin looking great right at the start of your holiday, begin your routine on the plane itself. “Buy travel-size versions of skin cleansers, moisturisers, lotions and exfoliants, and pack them in your carry-on bag. Re-applying on the plane will allow your skin to stay hydrated,” says Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist and laser surgeon. Many long-haul flights also keep face lotions and moisturizers in the bathroom so feel free to use them when your skin gets too dry. You can also spritz some rosewater to add some freshness. If you do not have anything with you, simply soak a tissue with water and put it on your face so that the dryness is lesser.
Be good to your sole: “Exfoliate and moisturise your feet every night while on vacation. Sightseeing or walking barefoot on the beach will wreak havoc on them. Bring a foot file and use it on your soles and heels while showering. Follow up with a moisturising foot cream,” adds Dr Goel. A foot massage or a pedicure is also a good idea to relax and pamper your feet. Dipping your feet in the water at the beach also has therapeutic effects and helps get rid of dead skin cells but make sure you apply a moisturiser after this and wear footwear to protect them from dirt and dust.
Diet tips to keep in mind on your honeymoon
Keep your energy levels high: Overeating, eating at odd hours, and gorging on rich dishes are a part of wedding rituals but all these can take a toll on you if you continue this on your honeymoon too. And what you eat affects your skin as well as your face can look tired and dull if you don’t eat right for days at a stretch. “On your honeymoon, it is imperative that you stay energetic, avoid that bloated feeling and remain happy. Considering this, it is of paramount importance to avoid sugar, dairy and white flour,” advises Shonali Sabherwal, celebrity macrobiotic nutritionist. She recommends focusing on grains like brown rice and millets or whole wheat but not bread to give yourself sustained energy. Rotis work well too if you choose Indian cuisine. Make sure you consume a lot of fruits and vegetables, and snack on dry fruits in between meals.
Junk the junk: Eating completely healthy on a vacation is probably not possible, especially when you are on your honeymoon and have limited food options. But junk food and sugary desserts can make you feel lethargic, and cause mood swings. “Carry a good probiotic (available at local chemists) to help you replenish your gut with good bacteria constantly. This will also help you deal with unhealthy foods that make it to your diet while on vacation,” advises Shonali. It is important to have a good balance between indulgence and eating right so that you do not go overboard yet have a good time. Have a healthy breakfast and maybe indulge during lunch and then have a light dinner so that you don’t feel bloated the next morning.
Load up on these drinks: “Juices help alkalise your blood and keep bloating at bay. They also help combat foods that cause an acidic imbalance,” says Shonali. The number one thing that happens after a night of too much fun is dehydration, which shows on your face. “The first thing I do the next morning: drink a large glass of coconut water. It’s amazing how quickly I notice the hydrating boost in my skin,” says Bobbi. Reena Sheth, manager, Taj Salon, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, advises chamomile tea, which can relax your nerves and your digestive tract. If you plan to drink alcohol, make sure you sip on water between drinks so that your body stays hydrated. It is also important to eat right so that you don’t throw up or have acidity the next day.
Your honeymoon is one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime and a few tips like these will ensure that you have a smooth ride as you begin this new chapter of your life. And if you see a zit or pimple pop up on your trip, relax, it is not the end of the world. But if you are too concerned, use some toothpaste to dry it out. So be happy and click some stunning photos with beautiful skin and hair as you have the time of your life on your honeymoon.
With inputs from Kriti Saraswat Satpathy.