Glow On Your Big Day: The Ultimate Wedding Skin Prep Guide

Glow From Within. Your Skin, Your Canvas.

With wedding season in full bloom across New Zealand, it’s time to talk about one of the most essential parts of your bridal journey- your skin.

At Bonita Artistry, we believe that flawless bridal makeup starts long before your wedding day. The true glow begins in your bridal skin prep. The self-care ritual that helps your skin look radiant, balanced, and camera-ready from dawn to dusk.

Whether you’re walking down the aisle or standing proudly beside your best friend, this guide will help you achieve that effortless bridal glow every Bonita bride is known for.

When to Begin Your Bridal Skin Prep

Start early, ideally 3–6 months before your wedding to allow your skin to transform naturally. For the ultimate glow, a year-long active skincare routine helps rebalance, hydrate, and strengthen your skin so it not only looks beautiful but feels incredible.

Think of this as your wedding countdown, one that nurtures your confidence and your complexion

Step 1: Find Your Perfect Cleanser

Every radiant bride begins with a clean slate. Choose a cleanser that deeply cleans without stripping your skin’s natural oils.

Our Bonita-approved favourites:

• 🩵 Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser — Soothes and hydrates dry or sensitive complexions.

• 🧡 Go-To Properly Clean — Perfect for combination skin; leaves your skin fresh and balanced.

• 💚 Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser — Ideal for oily skin, detoxifying while keeping your glow matte.

  
  

Step 2: Tone & Exfoliate for Bridal Radiance

Toners and exfoliators refine texture, brighten dullness, and ensure your bridal foundation applies like silk.

Try these luminous picks:

• Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner — Smooths and brightens for that dewy, soft-focus bridal glow.

• Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Toner — Refines pores and clarifies for a clean, radiant base.

Step 3: Brighten Your Eyes, Brighten Your Soul

Your eyes tell the story of your love — so let’s make them shine. Hydrating and brightening your under-eyes ensures your bridal makeup looks awake, fresh, and luminous all day.

Our top eye brighteners:

• Verso Super Eye Serum — Smooths, firms, and revitalises.

• Origins GinZing Brightening Eye Cream — Energises tired eyes for that just-slept-eight-hours look (even if you didn’t).

Step 4: Transform Your Skin with Serums

Serums are your transformation elixir. They work deep within to refine, hydrate, and strengthen your skin barrier.

Our glow duo:

• Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Serum — Refines texture and supports overnight renewal.

• Glow Recipe Prickly Pear Peptide Mucin — Plumps and strengthens for a bouncy morning glow.

  
  

Step 5: Lock in the Bridal Glow

Hydration is key for smooth, soft, radiant skin that holds your makeup beautifully all day.

Our go-to moisturisers:

• Charlotte’s Magic Cream — A bridal classic for instant luminosity.

• Go-To Very Luxe Face Cream — Deep hydration for dry or sensitive skin.

• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream — Lightweight and perfect for oily skin types.

Artist Tip: Well-prepped, hydrated skin means your makeup lasts through every photo.

Step 6: Elevate Your Routine with Skin Devices

For that luxury spa-at-home experience, these tools bring bridal facial-level results to your daily routine:

• FOREO UFO 2 — Combines LED therapy and thermotherapy for instant radiance.

• NuFACE Trinity Device — Firms and lifts using microcurrent technology.

Ready to Glow, Bonita Bride?

Your wedding day is one of the most photographed and memorable days of your life. Preparing your skin early ensures that your bridal makeup looks seamless, glowing, and timeless from every angle.

Your wedding glow begins now, Bonita. Let’s make it unforgettable.

At Bonita Artistry, we specialise in natural, long-lasting bridal makeup that celebrates you. Our artists blend professional technique with intuitive artistry, creating looks that enhance your features and honour your essence.

Book your Bridal Makeup Experience today

💌 Head to our Packages page →

Follow us on Instagram @bonitartistry for behind-the-scenes bridal transformations, skin prep secrets, and real bride glow moments.