Six months before | Dermatologist
Dr. Sapna Westley
In-demand skin pro Westley says brides’ biggest concerns are acne and sun damage, which she treats with fruit-acid peels and gentle laser treatments. (Your skin needs longer than you’d think to adjust to the new regimen and any medications, so best to get started as soon as possible.) If you wake up the day before with a hall-of-fame blemish, she’ll administer a quick and (somewhat) painless cortisone shot to reduce the swelling.
$50 for cortisone shot; $150 for peel at Mercer Street Medical, 77 Mercer St., nr. Broome St.; 212-274-0800; drwestley.com
Six to eight weeks before | Colonic
Birgit Krome
You know who you don’t want to get when you go in for your first colonic? The newbie. If anyone can make the cringe-y process an easier sell, it’s Krome, a pro with 29 years of experience who has seen some clients lose two to three pounds a week when on a once-a-week program. Some brides opt to just go in for a quick-slim fix a few days prior.
$190 per 60-minute session (plus counseling) at Core Club, 66 E. 55th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-988-7816; birgitkrome.com
One month before | Hair Extensions
Jermina James
The favored stylist at Union Square’s Tosler Davis salon, James uses Great Lengths extensions, which are made from human hair, so the strands are finer and more uniform. The effect should last three to four months—assuming you avoid the pool and shampoo sparingly—but she advises coming in a month before the wedding so they’ll be in place for styling trials.
Extensions, $550–$2,550 at Tosler Davis, 89 Fifth Ave., nr. 16th St., 10th fl.; 212-229-0100; toslerdavis.com
One week before | Group Outing
New York Spa Castle
This quirky, 100,000-square-foot Korean beauty behemoth may be in the far reaches of Queens, but for bachelorette or bridal-party outings, it’s worth the cab fare (about $38 from Union Square). Troll around the spa’s four floors, which include seven sauna rooms, massive rooftop hot pools with acupressure jets, and a Korean restaurant.
$35 per person for an all-day pass on weekdays; $45 on weekends; 10 percent discount for groups of ten or more; 131–10 Eleventh Ave., College Point; 718-939-6300; nyspacastle.com
One week before | Wax
Strip: Ministry of Waxing
The Asian chain’s first U.S. outpost offers a pair of hair-removal options—IPL, or “intense pulsed light,” and two kinds of wax—for a lengthy list of body parts. You can expect it to be over in about fifteen minutes and to be relatively discomfort-free. It’s best to give your skin time to recover so you’re feeling (and looking) your best. See website for full menu and prices; 56 Spring St., nr. Mulberry St.; 212-431-1121; strip-usa.com
Five days before | Lash Extensions
Mary Schook
Even the most minimalist brides might want to splurge on lash extensions, thanks to their eye-opening effect—which allows the wearer to forgo mascara. Schook imports hers from the West Coast and says the fringe will take about three days to set.
Full lash extensions, $375 (includes touch-up, if necessary); for scheduling, e-mail [email protected]
Three to seven days before | Toning Massage
Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa
The primary purpose of this spa’s signature wine-themed massage may be to tone, but it’s also an excellent antidote to the anxiety brought on by the wedding-planning process. Client-beloved masseuse Jennifer Lopez (no relation) alternates between bare-handed and rolling techniques, using a rounded oak stick to stimulate circulation.
Wine maker’s massage, $185 for 50 minutes at the Plaza hotel, 1 W. 58th St., nr. Fifth Ave., 4th fl.; 212-265-3182; caudalie.com
Two days before | Spray Tan
Euphoria Spa
Calves, buttocks, and thighs are the top zones that brides want contoured at this popular spot. (The spray’s aloe-based formula is designed to last five to ten days, and won’t transfer when you cry or sweat, but the pros suggest giving it two days to settle.) Stephany Voss is a best bet.
Spray tan, $55; 18 Harrison St., nr. Greenwich St., 2nd fl.; 212-925-5925; euphoriaspanyc.com
One day before | Facial
Hiroko Oda
The unbeatable hydratone facial at this newly opened spa includes an exfoliating peel, microcurrent toning, and a soothing, collagen-rich mask—but aesthetician Oda has such a gentle touch that you won’t have any residual redness.
Hydratone facial, $225 for 75 minutes at Spa Merge at West 57th Street by Hilton Club, 102 W. 57th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 646-484-4104; spamerge.com
Day of | Nails
Sweet Lily Natural Nail Spa & Boutique
With plush armchairs at each pedicure station and a famously attentive staff, this salon is a beauty editors’ favorite. Private parties include a pedicure and lavender-cream manicure for each guest, plus catering and bubbly ($150 per person; five-person minimum).
Manicures from $24; pedicures from $46; 222 W. Broadway, nr. Franklin St.; 212-925-5441; sweetlilyspa.com
Day of | Makeup
Landy Dean
Dean, a longtime celebrity makeup artist, believes makeup should look as great in person as it does on film, so he opts for visual trickery over extra product. He’s also a brow specialist, in case your arches are in need of TLC.
Wedding makeup trial, $300; on-site wedding-day rates start at $750; Marie Robinson Salon, 155 Fifth Ave., nr. 22nd St., 4th fl.; 212-358-7780
Day of | Hair
Devin Toth
Ted Gibson’s latest protégé and a Fashion Week regular, Toth has become the go-to for simple, elegant hairstyles. Most brides are opting for romantic half-up, half-down looks; for the more traditional, he’s a whiz at the standard updo.
Wedding hair trial, $250; in-salon updo, $300; on-site styling, $1,000 for a half day and $1,500 for a full day for up to four people; Ted Gibson Salon, 184 Fifth Ave., at 23rd St., 2nd fl.; 212-633-6333; tedgibsonsalon.com
Groom Grooming
F.S.C. Barber
The groom who is reluctant to beautify will feel at ease at this purposefully mellow, throwback barbershop, to which artsy types flock for help with their studiously maintained scruff. Send him on the big day for a cut, straight-razor shave, and, if necessary, a hangover cure, which includes a warm rosewater cleanse, a hot towel steam, and eye cream application.
Shave and a haircut, $75; hangover treatment, $25; 5 Horatio St., at W. 4th St.; 8 Rivington St., nr. Bowery; 212-929-3917; fscbarber.com