the JOURNAl
Have I got a treat for you on the blog! I sat down with Lyssa Pfauth, owner of Evergreen Beauty based in Northern Virginia, to get all the juicy secrets for a flawless face of makeup on your wedding day. Hint: it’s all about the skin. Your makeup is only as good as the skin underneath, so Lyssa let us in on her tips for glowing beautiful skin that shines through the makeup. Keep reading for the interview.
“You have to learn to be ok with yourself and your beauty. I want to give them confidence—I love to be a hype woman for my brides!”
How far in advance should a bride start prepping her skin for her wedding?
As soon as you get engaged! This is true especially if you aren’t already doing something for your skin. Starting early means your skin looks fabulous for all wedding related events—engagement photos, showers, bachelorette party.
Where do you start on your skincare routine? How do you figure out your skin type?
If your skin isn’t where you want it to be for your wedding, book an appointment with an esthetician—NOT a Dermatologist. A dermatologist is who you call when you are worried about a skin condition; you call an esthetician when you want to refine and care for the skin. Your esthetician will deeply cleanse and treat your skin before walking you through your skin type and how to care for your face at a price point you can afford. If you are in NOVA, I recommend Esthetics by Emily in Gainesville, VA.
What does the ideal wedding skincare routine look like?
Wash your face EVERY night with an actual oil/balm cleanser, not a makeup wipe. They don’t take care of business. Focus on a good double cleanse in the evenings, and never go to bed with makeup on. I promise you will regret it in the morning and beyond when acne, wrinkles, and premature aging begin to show on the face. I strongly encourage as full a routine as a bride can manage: cleanse, exfoliate, tone, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen (daytime). Your makeup should be that flawless filter on top of beautiful skin—a filter, not a mask. I cannot stress exfoliation enough! I know this scares a lot of my brides, but if you use a chemical exfoliant, you’ll avoid any physical scarring, but you’ll allow the skin to turn over. Start slow around 2-3 times a week and build up to every evening.
“Put down the soda and coffee, you’ll thank me for it!”
What lifestyle choices influence the skin and makeup application?
Your diet is 100% affecting your skin, which affects your makeup. You need to get ample sleep, ideally 8 hours. Eat well, cut sugar, and make mindful decisions when you can’t eat at home. Our worst diet decisions happen when we eat out. Limit your salt, switch to sea salt, and up your veggie and fruit intake.
What should a bride avoid when trying to achieve that perfect wedding makeup?
You should absolutely limit your alcohol and caffeine intake! Save the party for the wedding. Be honest with yourself and manage your expectations. Avoid spray tans. Your makeup will not look better. You don’t need it. If you really want one, that is totally fine, but you do NOT need one. You should look like you on your wedding day. You are beautiful in your own skin.
How do you manage a bride’s expectations?
I always have my brides ask what they want out of a bridal look? What do they need to cut and what do they need to add to achieve it? Will they do all of those skincare steps? If you are only willing to put in half or less of the work, then you need to know that will affect your wedding makeup.
Is there anything special a bride should do for her skin on the day/week of the wedding?
Get a hydrating facial at the beginning of the week to plump up the skin. Anything beyond that is too risky. No peels, no heavy extractions, none of that. Make sure you are drinking enough water and eating well. Limit your alcohol and get a good night’s rest—no more than two drinks at the rehearsal dinner or your skin will look dehydrated and sad.
What do you do for brides who want to avoid flashback from sunscreen in photos?
I use a powder sunscreen by Super Goop on top of their makeup. You don’t need a lot, but you do need to reapply and flashback is very minimal. I actually apply an illuminating serum to the arms and chest with SPF that gives my bride a lit from within glow.
What is your ride or die product for getting the skin on track for perfect wedding makeup?
It differs from client to client. I base my recommendations on what they currently use and the products they are drawn to. I hand out a bridal prep guide that has a basic recommendations list for them and their bridal party, and will tailor it to them if they ask.
“You should look like you on your wedding day. You are beautiful in your own skin.”
What is the one thing you wish every bride knew before doing her makeup?
I wish that brides understood that they are beautiful the way they are. The expectations on beauty and filters has compromised women and how we feel about ourselves. It breaks down a woman’s confidence. You cannot compare yourself to instagram photos and other brides. You have to be OK with yourself and your beauty. Texture is normal. Pores are normal. Freckles are normal. I want to give my brides confidence—I love to be the hype woman for my brides, because you are all so stunning.
Conclusion
Beautiful makeup starts with the skin! Get started and book with Lyssa, or check her out on instagram @evergreenbeautydmv.
