WEDDING COUNTDOWN SKIN

She put me on a 8-10 week strict trim protocol to snip off dead ends and prevent breakage, which would allow my hair to grow and still look super healthy. Which meant, I needed to grow my hair as long as possible so that I didn't lose length from pulling it all to one side. I booked an appointment with Bumble&Bumble hair stylist Denise McLaughlin in the Meatpacking district to explain my vision and a showed her a picture of the stunning exposed and lace-lined back of my dress that simply could not be hidden behind my hair. I envisioned long blonde hair side swept over my right shoulder in cascading finger waves. Now that I had the dress, I also knew how I did-and did not-want to wear my hair. Each time, we would start with a dynamic warm-up (think high knees and walking lunges), then alternate days of cardio bursts and strengthening–all with my beloved Celia as the main get-fit goal. For the next two months, I showed up with my hair slicked back ready to work for 60 minutes, three times a week, regardless if I was tired, hung over or too busy. Not only were my arms exposed, the plunging illusion neckline and open back as well as the form-fitting backside meant that I had to look lean from every angle. so that he could not only tailor my workouts to hit my trouble spots (the usual female-focused suspects such as toning up my triceps, flattening the lower area of my belly and strengthening and tightening up my legs) but also focus on what made sense for my dress. I started off with personal training sessions with local fitness expert, Mark Hibbard, founder of Next Level Fitness. While living by the beach for the summer at my New Jersey home, I knew I had to jumpstart my fitness routine and lay the foundation for a slimmed down physique worthy of my wow-factor dress.

WEDDING COUNTDOWN SKIN

Not only did my stress-induced breakouts stop, but also after a few weeks, I could see that my skin was looking more radiant. Regardless of what else I had going on, I made time to pop over to his office on Park Avenue or his Beauty Rx Peel Bar outpost at the Flatiron Butterfly Salon for a quickie two-minute (with zero redness) session. I immediately penciled the biweekly sessions into my iCalendar to slough away dead skin, keep my pores clear and help erase dark spots over time. Neal Schultz, who recommended getting his signature 40 percent glycolic peel on my face, chest and hands ever two weeks and applying his SPF50 sunscreen daily under my makeup to ward off future damage. I made an appointment with my amazing dermatologist, Dr. subtle sun damage all over and enlarged pores as well as just obtaining an inherent glow), would require repetitive treatments to see stellar results. Especially because my main complexion concerns, although not severe (i.e. I knew it was time to start perfecting my skin. I promise, your hard work and the cost will be worth it. Bottom line: do what you need to do to be your best self. 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. I write about breakthroughs, innovations, treatments, and products in beauty and fitness for a living. I will preface the month-by-month plan below, that potentially could be deemed extreme by some, with this: I am a beauty girl. When I slipped on my dress that day and looked at my reflection, I felt transformed. 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. 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. 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. 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. For my wedding, I vowed to get my skin and body in the best shape of my life.

Wedding countdown