Daily workouts? Torture. Protein and veggie diet? Mental warfare. Weekly skin sessions? Expensive. Loving how you look on your big day? Priceless.
John Herr
For my wedding, I vowed to get my skin and body in the best shape of my life. With my date just a week before my 36th birthday, I knew that it would take discipline and dedication–lets be honest, with age, simply opting for salads at lunch and slathering on a moisturizing face mask weekly isn't going to cut it. If I wanted a sleek silhouette, including the elevated booty and Madonna-like arms that would so elegantly complement my beloved Kenneth Pool "Celia" gown, I was going to have to work for it. If I wanted to turn back the clock on sun damage, enlarged pores and those expression lines on my forehead, I was going to have to be diligent with my at-home and in-office treatments. After a few months of albeit, intense workouts, super clean eating and consistent beauty appointments, I was not only 15 pounds lighter, I was more toned all over. I had legit curves. My skin was glowing and smooth. When I slipped on my dress that day and looked at my reflection, I felt transformed.
I will preface the month-by-month plan below, that potentially could be deemed extreme by some, with this: I am a beauty girl. I write about breakthroughs, innovations, treatments, and products in beauty and fitness for a living. It's in my blood, and I know as much as anyone the power that they can have not only physically but mentally–I was willing to do it all. What you feel when you see yourself in the mirror is more than skin deep. Bottom line: do what you need to do to be your best self. I promise, your hard work and the cost will be worth it.
Countdown: 2 Months
To me, along with the dress, my hair and skin were two crucial components to completing my look. Sure, makeup was essential, but it would come naturally if my skin was gorgeous. Since my hair was not going to be down and flowing, it needed to be in amazing shape. Just like my figure, they too were on full display. I wanted my hair color to be just right: bright blonde and not at all brassy. I booked an appointment with Arrojo colorist Taylor Kline who painted on a head full of highlights, then whipped up a slightly deeper shade to paint over the darker pieces, and then finished with a toner. Suddenly, my tired blonde was Kate Hudson vibrant. She told me to use a purple conditioner 1-2 times a week (like my favorite Christophe Robin hair maskfor Baby Blonde hair) and to come in for a mini-touch up two weeks before.
While my lioness-like hair is not only long but also thick and full, my nails are in a constant state of carnage, breaking below my skin line before they even have a chance to grow. To make my tips photo-op ready, I hit the drugstore for over-the-counter One-A-Day prenatal vitamins. I popped one every a.m. and threw a few in my bag to have on the go. After a month, I had long, rounded nails like I have never had in my life.
After walking through a sea of DVF and Philip Lim, I located the Blink Brow Bar at Saks Fifth Avenue. I explained that I wanted eyelash extensions instead of wearing glued on falsies because everyone claims you need the length for your eyes to stand out in pictures, but I wasn’t a fan of the fake effect. Brow expert, Sabah Feroz, told me lay down in the reclining chair and close my eyes. An hour later, I fluttered my eyes open to super fine lashes that were not only longer, fuller and perfectly graduated, but created a natural uptick at the corners and were completely undetectable.
John Herr
