by Christa Joanna Lee, BRIDES
Photo: Courtesy of CNP Montrose
With all the planning and prep that goes into creating your hair and makeup look for the big day, it's easy to lose sight of what you'll need to do once the party is over. Even if you had a great planner at your disposal, you're back to your own devices once the cake is cut, and the band wraps up. And since we're all about learning new ways to de-stress for your wedding weekend, we've rounded up a few of the beauty essentials to toss in your toiletry bag to help make any post-wedding festivities, like an after-party or Sunday brunch, a total breeze. Below are seven specifics you can't forget to pack in your wedding bag.
1. Creamy, Hydrating Face Cleanser
The free hotel bar soap isn't going to cut it when it comes to washing off your wedding day makeup. "Not only are you wearing heavier makeup than you normally would, your skin is probably going to look a bit red and blotchy after a night of drinking," says Suzy Gerstein of Honey Artists. "Sunday Riley's Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm starts off as a thicker balm, but then turns into a gentle, milky formula as you rub it onto your skin. It effortlessly removes makeup, dirt and irritants while plumping your skin with cocoa butter and good-for-you oils at the same time." ("Blue Moon Tranquility" cleansing balm, $50, Sunday Riley available at Sephora)
2. Strong Eye Makeup Remover
If your makeup artist is any good, he or she does everything in their power to make sure your eye makeup doesn't slip and slide throughout the day with budge-proof primers, long-lasting shadows and liner, waterproof mascara, plus literal glue for your lashes. And as thankful as you are that your makeup look stays in place as you tearily make it through your vows, "you don't want to cause a bad eye infection by leaving your eye makeup on overnight," notes Sonia Kashuk, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty. "Before washing your face, make sure to take extra care removing makeup around your eyes by soaking a cotton ball with Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover and softly dab away shadow, mascara and lash glue. If your lids are feeling raw or sensitive in the process, use a little olive oil to help give the makeup some slick and moisturize your skin at the same time." (Eye makeup remover, $10, Sonia Kashuk available at Target)
3. An All-Over Exfoliator
A bride's radiant, glowing skin doesn't need to end once the wedding day is over. "Usually brides are so stressed leading up to the wedding day that their skin is trying to fight breakouts the day after and throughout the honeymoon," says Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salon. "A cleansing brush like the Foreo Luna not only ensures every ounce of makeup is sloughed off, but it's also great for removing bronzer or sunscreen from your body to reduce clogged pores." ("Luna" cleansing brush, $169, Foreo available at Sephora)
4. A Revitalizing Face Mask
For your skin to look its best the next day, drink a ton of water, and slap on a sheet mask for good measure before you head to bed. "Your skin is likely feeling more parched than normal after a stressful, but exciting, whirlwind day, so you'll need to take your skincare a step up from your regular moisturizer," says Carmen Williamson, Dallas-based Joanna Czech spa makeup artist. "The La Mer Hydrating Facial soaks into the deepest layers of your skin and instantly zaps dryness and signs of fatigue. For extra de-puffing effects, stick your face mask in the hotel mini fridge for a few minutes before you use it." Think of it as a pre-honeymoon for your face. (Hydrating facial mask, $250 for six, "(Hydrating facial mask, $250 for six, La Mer)
5. Deep-Cleaning Shampoo and Conditioner
Multiple layers of styling products and half a can of hairspray is a good plan of attack against humidity, but leaving it in overnight after a day of dancing can clog your hair follicles. "Pack a high quality shampoo, like Oribe Signature, which has a really great lather, yet doesn't strip your hair dry thanks to moisturizing ingredients like coconut and keratin," says Teddi Cranford, hairstylist and founder of the White Rose Collective. "Make sure you shampoo twice to really give it a deep clean." If the full-size is a splurge, try the travel-friendly version, which is the perfect amount for two shampoos the night of your wedding, plus you can save any leftover product for your honeymoon. (Signature shampoo, $13, Oribe)
6. An Oil-Absorbing Dry Shampoo
However, if you want to extend the life of your pricey wedding updo or waves -- we don't blame you -- you can get away with a blast of dry shampoo to freshen up for the next morning and give it a real shampoo later that night. "Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo not only gives your hair a boost of volume, but it smells amazing," says Joseph Maine, Serge Normant hairstylist. "It's matte enough to disguise an oily scalp, but it doesn't leave your hair powdery. Remember to spray it about 10" away from your hair in large sections. ("Meta Revive" dry shampoo, $25, Serge Normant available at Birch Box)
7. Multitasking Tinted Moisturizer
"Give your skin a much-needed break from your heavy duty wedding day foundation and use a lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturizer for the day-after brunch. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer gives you that perfect no-makeup makeup look with buildable coverage, and also contains a healthy dose of SPF 20," says Kristine Cruz, Antonio Prieto Salon makeup artist and hairstylist. Pair it with an I-just-got-married natural glow and it's all you need for your post-wedding goodbyes. (Oil-free tinted moisturizer, $44, Laura Mercier)
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