Wedding Day Skin Care for African-American Women

- by guest blogger Juliette Samuels of NYRAJU Skin Care

On your wedding day, everything looks as though it’s perfect. It’s what happens along the way that causes all the drama. What happens when drama raises its head? The first thing to show signs of stress is your skin. In order to keep your body and your skin radiant, healthy and all aglow, you’ll want to take a few steps to keep it that way. So, I’ve put together a few tips for you that will at least help with your beautiful black skin for your special day.

What is your skin saying to you?
“Traditional” weddings are typically planned a year out. So whether you’re planning a traditional wedding or you’re eloping next week, a good skin care regimen is crucial.
Start by taking a good look at the present condition of your skin. Breathe … you can do it. This is the perfect time to be honest with yourself.

• Is your skin soft, supple, radiant and flawless?

• Do you have what you consider to be a skin challenge? Acne, uneven skin tone, black heads all over your back, you get the idea.


• Are there any moles on your face, chest or back that might not be as much of a “beauty mark” as you’ve been led to believe?

All of these challenges can be taken care of with a good skin care regimen.


Wedding Day Skin Care Regimen - 12 months out.

That right! Your wedding day regimen should begin 12 months out. You’ll do your basic skin care regimen of, Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing, everyday. But there are a few things that will need to be done over the course of time.

• Schedule a facial once a month. This will allow your beautiful black skin to be ready for the cover of any magazine.

• A full body massage every other month. This will enable you to relax your spirit and get great blood circulation at the same time.

• If your dress shows any part of your back, in month 6 and month 12, schedule a back facial. Yes, your back will need to be treated just like your face. You’ll want to remove all blackheads, whiteheads and dead skin cells.

• Have your make up done 3 months before your wedding day. You’ll be able to determine whether or not adjustments in products need to be made. Depending on the time of year your wedding takes place, you might need to have a different make up line than what you are currently using. A Lighter line for summer and a more matte finish for winter.

• Don’t choose any new skin care products to use on your face the week of your wedding. With your stress level rising from excitement of your day, so will your hormones rise, thereby causing your skin to be a bit more sensitive than other times. A new, never before tried line could cause you more stress.

What’s that? Your wedding is next week and not in 12 months. No worries!

• Schedule a facial tomorrow, from a trusted establishment that specializes in African American Skin. Don’t allow anyone to do any deep pore picking of blackheads though. Now is not the time to have your skin challenged. If you feel as though the time is too close for hiccups, you can always, add hot water to a bowl and add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil. Hold your head over the bowl covered with a towel and allow it to steam. This process will give you a good sweat. After about 15 minutes, take a moist white washcloth and gently wipe your face. The texture of the washcloth will act as an exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and it will bring to surface some blackheads that are ready to be removed.

• Schedule yourself a full body massage the day before your wedding, it will help you relax.

There you have it Bronzed Beauty. Your dress will get some of the attention but it will be your skin that’s talked about the most.


Juliette Samuel is a skin care therapist and acting president of NYRAJU Skin Care. She is also a member of NAHA-The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy, The Society of Cosmetic Chemist and is the Fragrance Editor for BellaOnline.