As part of The Mindful Issue, we asked Inèz Deckers, of Make-up by Inez, a hair and makeup artist based in Castlemaine in regional Victoria, to share her take on wedding beauty. Inèz works with people of all genders and is known for her calm, down-to-earth presence on the day. Her practice is guided by cruelty-free products and low-waste principles, and she has a lot of feelings about pre-wedding beauty checklists. Here’s what she actually thinks.

The most important thing about mindful wedding beauty, like everything in a mindful wedding, is staying close to yourself.

The options are endless. You can go all out with a super glam or extravagant look, or tone it right down and keep things minimal or a bit casual. You might be drawn to bold colours, or feel most comfortable in soft, neutral tones. The key is to choose what feels right for you, think about how you want to look and feel for this very special celebration.

When you’re planning a wedding, you’ll quickly find that everyone has something to say about what you should or shouldn’t do. Countless blogs and articles promise the ultimate xx (insert any number)-step pre-wedding beauty checklist, or something along those lines, and it’s not uncommon to be recommended 6 to 12-month beauty programs that can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, to make your skin/hair/body “wedding ready”.

Photo by Eerik Sandstrom

But do you really need all of that?

Controversial opinion: No! You don’t!

By all means, if you love skincare, and enjoy taking time for yourself through beauty rituals or salon treatments, then absolutely lean into that. Those moments can be grounding, relaxing and joyful.

But your wedding isn’t a reason to overhaul yourself. You don’t need to become a different (supposedly “better”) version of who you already are. You don’t need to change your routines or your appearance in order to be “ready” for your wedding day.

Your partner wants to marry you. Exactly as you are now!

Try to put the outside voices on mute and look within yourself to find what makes you happy. Focus on what makes you feel good. Do what you enjoy. Don’t spend money and time on anything that you don’t think you need or want.

Because you know what, the (not-so-secret) secret is this: when you feel good, you look good.

This might not be the advice you came here for, but maybe it’s the advice you needed to hear.

One way to approach mindful (wedding) decisions is through the Three Brains Theory, considering your head, heart and gut.

Photo by Shannyn Higgins

Head (the thinking brain)

  • Plan your routine ahead of time. Decide whether you want to keep things as they are, or if there is anything you want to change or try in the lead-up to your wedding.
  • If you do want to try something different, do it well in advance, at least 6 to 12 months before your wedding, to make sure that it’s what you want and there’s time to change your mind.
  • Book key appointments you might want, such as hairdresser, beautician, dermatologist, hair and makeup artist, well ahead of time.
  • No new products or treatments in the three months leading up to your wedding.

Heart (the feeling brain)

  • Pay attention to how your routines make you feel. Not enjoying something? You don’t have to continue it.
  • Choose treatments and rituals that make you feel relaxed, confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Photos by Captured by Peta

Gut (the instinctive body)

  • Literal gut: eat well, stay hydrated, and prioritise rest. This is the best way you can take care of your skin and body!
  • Create space to switch off. Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming.
  • Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to change direction.
  • Choose vendors who make you feel at ease. How you feel on the day will shape your entire experience.

At the end of the day, a wedding isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about being in the moment and feeling comfortable and confident to be completely yourself.

About the author: Inèz is a hair & makeup artist based in Castlemaine, Dja Dja Wurrung, regional Victoria, who loves dogs and gardening. She helps people of all genders to feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves, tailoring their look to reflect their unique style. Couples praise her for her genuine, down-to-earth, professional and caring approach, her calming presence on wedding day, creating a relaxed, stress-free environment to get ready, and making them feel beautiful! Her work reflects a more mindful, intentional approach to weddings, and is guided by a commitment to cruelty-free products and sustainable, low-waste practices. You can find her at www.makeupbyinez.com or www.instagram.com/makeup.by.inez.

Header image by Smith +Archer