The Only Skin Prep Guide You’ll Need This Wedding Season
Party, wedding or gala? Get your skin in its best shape yet.
It’s officially wedding (and summer party) season, and the assignment is simple: celebrate love (and finally wear that floor-sweeping Zimmermann dress) while looking and feeling your absolute best. Whether you’re walking down the aisle or showing up as the best-dressed guest, the goal isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about enhancing you. Think: skin that glows, makeup that feels effortless and beauty treatments that elevate what’s already there.
Ready to start your countdown? From strategic treatments to red carpet-approved tiny-tweaks, here’s your beauty game plan for getting event-ready—and exactly when to book everything
Skin Peels | Timeline: 6 Months to 5 Days
Lately, chemical peels (both at-home and professional) are having a moment. From smoothing skin texture and softening fine lines to tackling concerns like hyperpigmentation and acne, these treatments deliver serious results. And no, they won’t leave you looking anything like Samantha Jones’ post-peel mishap in Sex and the City—just glowing results.
“For a big event, like a wedding, don’t wait until the last minute to do a peel,” says Maicy Dizon, a skin therapist and educator at Dermalogica’s Toronto HQ. “I tell clients to start coming in every six weeks, about six months out.” She compares it to going to the gym once and expecting a six-pack: “You need a consistent routine—it takes time and dedication to get the results you’re after.”
Her recommendation? The Dermalogica LuminFusion treatment. This non-invasive option combines microneedling with a potent retinol peel, followed by LED red light therapy. The results: smoother, restored skin with zero downtime.
Planning to party? Dr. Linda Xing, a dermatologist and medical director at Rejuvenation Dermatology Clinic in Oakville, says you should book your final session four to five days before the event for peak radiance. “A professional peel will improve skin texture, tone and overall appearance, plus it’s minimal downtime.”
Botox or Dysport | Timeline: 1 Month
“In general—especially for anyone with sensitive skin—you should never try something new just days before a big event,” says Dr. Xing. That includes everything from peels to microneedling, but especially longer-lasting treatments like Botox. “The last thing you want is to be managing an unexpected reaction with no time to correct.”
While Botox is a blink-and-it’s-done procedure (we’re talking 15 minutes, max), its effects aren’t immediate. “You’ll start to see results in about five days, but it can take a full two weeks,” explains Dr. Xing. That means booking a last-minute appointment a week before your wedding—or any major moment—is a big no.
Instead, aim to schedule your final Botox (or Dysport) session about a month out. “I call this the honeymoon period,” says Dr. Xing. “It’s fully settled, you’re seeing the benefits, but nothing looks too tight or overdone.” Plus, that extra buffer gives you time for a tiny tweak, if needed.
Faux-Tan | Timeline: 2 Days
A warm goddess glow can elevate any big event but this isn’t the moment for the deepest tan of your life. Think soft, sun-kissed radiance that works for weddings, summer soirees and every alfresco celebration in between. “I call it a background tan,” says UK-based tanning expert and the visionary behind Self Glow, James Read, who’s bronzed everyone from Rosie Huntington-Whitely to Lady Gaga. “The tan should complement your look. It shouldn’t be the first thing you notice.”
Plan a trial run at least one month out to lock in your perfect shade. Exfoliate, shave and moisturize 24 hours before application, and re-moisturize dry spots right before tanning. “If your skin is super hydrated, it helps the tan come out better and last longer,” Read notes.
If you’re using a foam or serum, use a mitt to smooth on the product, buffing wrists, hands and feet with the clean side for a seamless finish. If you’re unsure about the colour, give it a full day to “settle into itself,” says Read, then check your glow in natural light. If you’ve never self-tanned before. And if this is your big day, consider getting a professional glow-job to sidestep any troubleshooting.
Hydrafacial | Timeline: 1-2 Days
Need instant radiance before a major event? Dr. Xing has a one-word prescription: HydraFacial. “It’s a zero-downtime treatment that exfoliates and deeply hydrates — essentially it’s plumping the skin and giving it a glow,” she says. For those in crunch-time mode—think brides, grooms and red carpet regulars—it’s a go-to for good reason.
The celeb-loved facial (Beyoncé, Matthew McConaughey, J.Lo and Hailey Bieber are reportedly fans) uses a wand-like device to gently cleanse, extract and infuse the skin with potent serums tailored to your needs—brightening, hydrating or collagen-boosting. The result? Smooth, dewy skin that looks like you’ve been sleeping, hydrating and masking like it’s your full-time job—in just one session.
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