Looking radiant and picture-perfect on your special day takes some planning and commitment. We asked brand founder, Irene Forte, about her skin prep routine in the lead up to her own beautiful wedding in Sicily. From products to facials, Irene shares all below.
What treatments would you recommend for the face in the lead up?
SIX AND THREE MONTHS PRIOR
This really depends on skin type, but I would start six months out, and do more ‘intense’ treatments six and three months prior to really prepare the skin. I saw Jasmina Vico in London for these treatments. She is a skin health specialist with 16+ years of experience, renowned for her high-tech yet holistic approach.
- Six months prior: Fraxel Laser, an extremely effective treatment for any scarring, sun spots, wrinkles and signs of aging.
- Six and three months prior: Targeted laser on my broken capillaries around the nose area.
- Three months prior: Micro needling, an effective treatment for any scarring, as well as to deliver anti-aging benefits, stimulating the skin’s natural ability to heal itself by producing collagen and elastin.
I recommend doing monthly facials three and two months prior. I did two buccal facials with Michaella Bolder in London three and two months prior to the wedding. Michaella has 10+ years of experience in the beauty industry and her signature facial focuses on easing muscle tension with pressure points and unique massage techniques to lift and sculpt the facial contours. She uses a unique buccal technique, accessing different pressure points and passages from inside the mouth, helping to further lift and set the muscle, release and clear out blockages, and aid lymphatic drainage.
I suggest the weekly use of our Apricot Penta-Acid Face Polish each month, with the exception of the month before the wedding where I would recommend no peels or scrubs because you don’t want to risk irritating the skin.
THE MONTH OF THE WEDDING
I was based at the wedding location in Sicily, Verdura Resort, where I have a 4000 square meter Irene Forte Spa. I had facials with the wonderful Spa Director, Luciano Porcu; we didn’t want to do anything that would aggravate the skin or result in breakouts, so Luciano focused on Lymphatic Drainage massage techniques, while using our gentle, hydrating and nourishing products. These facials cleared away toxins, promoted blood flow and ensured my complexion was looking good.
What skincare products did you use for your morning and evening routines in the weeks before your big day?
In the weeks before the wedding, I had the following morning routine:
1. Cleanser: Almond Cleansing Milk
2. Toner: Helichrysum Toner
3. Serum: Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum, followed by Hibiscus Serum
4. Eye Cream: Olive Eye Cream
5. Moisturizer: Prickly Pear Face Cream, followed by SPF 50.
This was my evening routine:
1. Cleanser: Almond Cleansing Milk
2. Toner: Helichrysum Toner
3. Serum: Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum
4. Eye Cream: Olive Eye Cream
5. Moisturizer: Hibiscus Night Cream
Two times per week, I would use the Pistachio Face Mask overnight instead of the Hibiscus Night Cream. On these nights, I would use the Rose Face Oil for some self- massage techniques, as well as integrating my Gua Sha. I would do this after the Cleansing/Toning steps, and then follow with the serum, eye cream, and the mask. In the weeks before, I did no scrubs or peels, so as not to bring anything up that month.
What would you suggest for the night before the big day?
On the night before the wedding, I would recommend:
1. Cleanser: Almond Cleansing Milk
2. Toner: Helichrysum Toner
3. Facial Massage: Rose Face Oil with Gua Sha
4. Mask: Pistachio Face Mask
5. Wash off the Pistachio Face Mask, and then apply Hibiscus Serum
6. Eye Cream: Olive Eye Cream
7. Moisturizer: Hibiscus Night Cream
What would you suggest for the day of the wedding?
I suggest the usual morning routine mentioned above, and ideally, a lymphatic facial massage, if at all possible. After this, the adrenaline and happiness you feel on your wedding day should give you the ultimate glow up.
