Top tips from Eavanna Breen on achieving that Bridal Glow

By Cathriona Murphy

As we fast approach Valentine’s Day, ladies across the country will be anticipating a journey of celebration and intense planning that comes hand in hand with accepting that coveted engagement. More so than ever before, we are conscious of how our photos will look on the day given the reach of social media. One way to ensure we look our best in photo’s is to start as early as possible to achieve flawless skin, with this said there was only one lady that I could chat to around this. Irish Celebrity Skin specialist, Eavanna Breen is one of the biggest names in Irish skincare and the founder of renowned Skin Clinic, Akina Beauty. Behind some of the most flawless faces in Ireland such as Samantha Mumba, Holly Carpenter and Greg O Shea, Eavanna is the go to in Ireland when it comes to achieving a flawless, fresh complexion.

I recently sat with Eavanna to get more insight into the planning and preparation that brides will need to do!

Eavanna, there will be a lot of excitement with newly engaged couples looking towards the next 1-2 years of wedding planning. With this, they will start to worry about skincare, what would your advice to them be?

Countless brides come into my clinic every year wanting the best skin of their life for their wedding day. No matter the time limit, yes of course we can help them achieve their best possible skin health, but so many of them leave wishing that had come in sooner, not realising the huge benefits this would have had. The best time to visit your beauty therapist is 8-12 months before the wedding; this will allow your therapist enough time to evaluate your skin and decide on the best course of action to take. If you have a skin condition such as acne, this time frame is critical. Often people suffering from acne have had to deal with it for several months or maybe even years, and that can't be turned around in a matter of weeks. A program of treatments is needed, diet and lifestyle need to be evaluated, and the varying changes that need to be made can take time. Depending on the person and the type of treatment chosen, it can happen that certain treatments will make the skin worse before it gets better, as some treatments require downtime, so leaving plenty of time before the wedding is hugely advised. If you don't have a particular skin problem, a series of treatments would usually be recommended to give your skin a boost and get it in tip-top condition. Then you will be given a maintenance program to follow.

We live in a world full of TikTok trends and Instagram remedies, should we be more careful and stick to the professionals?

Seeing a professional is imperative when deciding the best course of treatments required for your skin type. There are a variety of treatments available that will tackle any issues your skin is having. From laser, to peels, to specific facial treatments, each treatment targets a different skin condition, so there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to pre-wedding skincare preparation. For example, a bride in her early twenties with a normal skin type does not need laser treatments. However, a course of gentle peels such as Lactic Acid Peels can be of benefit and give a brighter, fresher look to the skin with a more even tone. This will also ensure makeup will sit nicely on the day. A bride who is thirtyplus, no matter what condition their skin is in, will benefit from Laser Rejuvenation, Peeling/ Microdermabrasion, or Microneedling treatments. They give a more even skin texture and deal with any scarring or pigmentation problems. One of the most popular treatments we offer for brides is Venus Freeze, and it is very popular with brides because of its redcarpet-ready results. The combination of radio frequency and pulsed magnet energy in this treatment allows the skin to stimulate collagen without any downtime. Plus it is a very relaxing treatment to have done.

When we have consulted with a professional such as yourself, what products should we be using at home after our treatments to maintain the work?

It is very important that all brides-to-be are doing the basics correctly at home. If they are not cleansing the skin properly, make-up will not sit well on the day, as there will be a build-up of dead skin. I recommend the Skin made Clean and Care CleansingOil on a nightly basis. It’s the best cleanser I’ve ever come across in my 30 year skincare career. A gentle exfoliation once a week is also a good idea, along with a hydrating mask. The AlumierMD Enzymatic peel gives a gentle exfoliation without compromising the natural skin barrier.”

With all skin conditions be it Acne, Rosacea or Psoriasis, they are all aggravated by stress. What, in your opinion, should we be doing to avoid this?

Self-care and a healthy diet are powerful tools for combatting the effects of stress. If the bride suffers from mild eczema or psoriasis, she can try to cut out dairy products from her diet for a short period, while also ensuring that she is getting enough of the right nutrients from foods such as green leafy vegetables, which support healthy skin. Home remedies such as adding a few drops of aromatherapy oil to a warm bath will help the physical effects, as well as the psychological effects of stress. Emphasising the importance of self-care rituals,. A daily self-massage with Environs Essentia A Oil will hydrate and heal the skin, as well as help to keep the skin supple. Don't go to bed with your make-up on and avoid trying any new products a month before the wedding. If you don't have a routine with electrolysis or laser and must wax, do it at least 4 days before the big day. Don't use a false tanning product that you have never used before. If you are having a spray tan applied, do a trial at least six weeks beforehand. If you are a smoker don't smoke more than usual, it prevents oxygen from getting to the skin leaving it looking dull and grey.

From our first kiss as a married couple to that perfect pout all day long, I asked Eavanna what treatment she would recommend?

If dehydrated lips are a problem for you, Mesotherapy is a super, non-invasive option for dry lips. Mesotherapy is a cocktail of vitamins, minerals hyaluronic acid and amino acids, which are injected into the lips to nourish and hydrate.

Unlike fillers, mesotherapy will not alter the shape of your lips, it will simply hydrate and plump the area.

Finally Eavanna, for some of us being organised comes easy, its second nature but for more of us it doesn’t! What advice could you give those of us that are more last minute?

Giving yourself enough time to ensure consistent treatments is key, as a series of treatments is needed to achieve and maintain wedding-day-ready skin. To begin with, I would usually recommend a course of between 6-10 treatments depending on the skin condition. The treatment type will depend on the frequency of treatment; for example, facials can be done monthly. However, a course of radio frequency treatments is done weekly. The final treatment should be done 3-4 days before the wedding. Our signature wedding treatment at Akina Beauty can be done the day before the wedding without fear of breakouts or downtime post-treatment. For those who have left their skincare preparation to the final weeks before the wedding, not all hope is lost and there are treatments available that can ensure a glowing complexion on your wedding day. One such option might be an Environ Vitamin Facial, which will feed powerful antioxidants, Vitamin A, C and E into the skin, leaving the skin looking younger, fresher and firmer while also combatting free radical damage caused by stress.

If you would like to begin your pre-wedding skincare preparation, Eavanna and her expert team of beauty therapists are available for consultation at Akina Beauty and Laser Clinic on Dublin 2’s Leeson Street. Eavanna and her team will advise you the best products and treatment course for your skin type and ensure your skin is at its healthiest for your big day. Visit Akina.ie for more information and to book your consultation. You can also follow Eavanna on Instagram @Eavannabreen

By Cathriona Murphy