Glowing skin and gorgeous makeup will make you look stunning in your wedding photos. Luckily, it’s easily achievable on a basic wedding budget. This leaves you plenty of room to invest in your dream venue, dress and honeymoon destination.
The world of natural skincare
Natural and DIY skincare products are highly effective, and many natural ingredients have cult followings online. Chief among these are a variety of oils, popular for solving common skin issues like breakouts or oily skin.
Natural oils
Natural oils, such as jojoba, sweet almond oil, and tea tree oil have many qualities that make them fantastic for your skin.
Jojoba oil is a nourishing oil, rich in vitamin E. It mimics the skin’s sebum which leads to a reduction in oil production, perfect for those with oily skin.
Sweet almond oil has its proponents, particularly due to its high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids. These nourish dehydrated, flaky skin. Sweet almond oil is a useful deterrent against breakouts, since the fatty acids dissolve the oils that clog pores. It’s also great for reducing those tired under eye circles and even the appearance of scars.
One great tip is to combine tea tree oil to your sweet almond oil. One study found that a 5% tea tree oil gel was comparable to a 5% benzoyl peroxide treatment for acne. In other studies, tea tree oil reduced breakouts by anything from 23% to 62%, making it a brilliant option for those tackling skin conditions on a budget.
Sea salt
Ever notice how a day at the beach leaves your skin looking clear and glowing? Sea salt is full of minerals that are wonderful for the skin, such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Sea salt is also great for breakouts and dry skin, as it’s an anti-inflammatory.
You can make a basic sea salt mask by adding some sea salt to some tap water and letting it dry on your skin.
Sugar exfoliant
Table sugar makes a great (and incredibly cheap!) skin exfoliant. Combine some table sugar with an oil, such as almond or coconut oil, and gently massage it into your skin for a smooth, clear complexion.
DIY bridal makeup
Doing your own wedding makeup will help you to save a fair amount of money on your skincare and beauty budget. Books, websites, and YouTube tutorials are all wonderful places to learn tips and tricks for perfecting your bridal beauty look. Many makeup artists have their own YouTube channels, where you can learn professional tricks and gain access to impressive beauty tutorials.
The high street has many beauty products that work just as well as the more expensive brands; L’Oreal True Match and Maybelline Great Lash Mascara both won categories in In Style’s ‘Best Beauty Buys for 2016’.
