Sunburn at the Altar?

Your wedding day is fast approaching. You’ve spent months, maybe even years, planning every detail down to the color of the napkins, the perfect flowers, the song for your first dance as well as how you'll be rocking your hair!

But what you didn’t plan for was getting sunburned just days before your big day!

As professional hair and makeup artists we see this situation more common than you might think, especially during the summer months (even with our British summer!) when outdoor pre-wedding events such as beach and boat days or barbeques can lead to unexpected sun (over) exposure!

If your burn is visible you may be concerned about how it will affect your appearance on your wedding day so here's a few tips on how you can manage it so that you and your loved one can still have the wedding day that you've always dreamed of:
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Photo credit: Lotus Photography UK

DO try this at home...

1. Apply a cool compress to the affected area. This will help reduce the heat and prevent any further damage. 


2. Moisturise with aloe vera gel which you can purchase from most chemists.   It is particularly effective for sunburn due to its soothing and healing properties.  If you can get it straight from the plant - even better!


3. Hydrate!  Burns can dehydrate your skin, so drink plenty of water to help your body recover and keep your skin hydrated.


4. Pain Management.  Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help manage discomfort and reduce inflammation. Avoid products with lidocaine or benzocaine, which can irritate the skin further.
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5. Avoid Further Irritation. Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritating the burn. If the burn is on your face, avoid makeup as much as possible and avoid even more exposure to the sun!

In the Makeup Chair

Fortunately if you've booked a skilled professional makeup artist for your wedding they'll be able to work wonders with skincare suitable for sensitive skin and colour correcting and camouflaging products to minimise the appearance of redness as well as any peeling!

Note: Egyptian Magic Cream for a very dry or flaky nose is a fave with us!

Photo Credit: Daniel Wilkins

In the Hair Chair

If you've caught the sun on the back of your neck and were dreaming of a 90's inspired Pammy up do to show off your backless dress, you may want to consult with your stylist to tweak your hairstyle to draw attention away from the affected area.   

A knee jerk reaction would be to wear your hair down to cover it instead but Sunburnt skin is often hot skin so opting to wear your hair down could make it feel worse.  Ask your hair stylist to adjust a high bun to a slightly lower one nearer the nape of your neck with a few loose tendrils could be the simple tweak that's needed to disguise the burn!

Hair Styling by Senior Stylist Emily Bailey at Sopley Mill

Behind the Lens

We all have a 'good side' or angle that we prefer for photography.  You may want to discuss this with your photographer if you are particularly self conscious of any visible sunburn.

You may think your photographer will just edit any sunburn out. However, we spoke to Rachel Elizabeth Photography for her feedback and she comments "As a photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how sunburn can affect both your photos and your enjoyment of your wedding day.

​While I do my best to tone it down during editing and might even touch up a few key photos, it’s a time-consuming process and sometimes may even need to be outsourced to a professional retoucher.

I’ve had brides who have had peeling skin or patchy tan lines, and others who got sunburnt on the day itself. In some cases, brides have even needed to take a break for a cold bath and a rest because of the discomfort.

To avoid this, I always recommend using SPF to protect your skin, ensure your photos turn out beautifully, keep you comfortable and having the best day!"

Photo Credit : Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Getting burnt before your wedding day can be a painful and stressful experience, but with the right steps, you can recover quickly and still look stunning on your big day.

​Remember, while the burn may seem catastrophic now, in the grand scheme of things, it’s just a small bump in the road.

​Focus on the love and joy that your wedding day will bring, and soon enough, the burn will be just a funny story to tell.

Photo Credit: Dominic Williams

If you're looking for an experienced professional makeup artist or hair stylist for your wedding who knows how to handle your hair and beauty needs when the mercury rises - get in touch with us today!

CONTACT BARNET + BOATRACE