Bridal Beauty Preparations | Eleanor Pendleton of Gritty Pretty

Eleanor Pendleton of Gritty Pretty is undeniably one of the most prolific women within the Australian beauty landscape. Having spent 13 years working in the beauty publishing industry, Eleanor established herself by contributing her words to some of Australia’s most reputable publications, of which she fostered an authentic and trusting relationship with her readers. After a few months as a freelancer, Eleanor launched Gritty Pretty to offer women free and wide access to digital beauty that was inclusive, aspirational and achievable. Today, Gritty Pretty is Australia’s leading digital beauty destination providing like-minded women with inspiration, tutorials, trend reports and ingredient investigations. 

 

When it comes to bridal beauty prep, Eleanor knows a thing or two, having started hers 9 months out with a 1:1 skin consultation with Sydney-based skin therapist, Jocelyn Petroni. We asked Eleanor exactly how brides should approach their bridal beauty.

 

“Planning a wedding is one of the few moments in your life you’re able to really focus on you”

 “I recommend seeing a skin therapist nine months out from your big day to address your skin concerns. Your skin operates on a 28-day cell turnover cycle, so if you can start having monthly facials from 9 months out and integrate LED light therapy into your facial appointments in conjunction with quality at-home skincare products, you’ll be glowing as you walk down the aisle. It’s also important to avoid highly-active facials or change skincare products too close to your special day to avoid any adverse reactions.” she says.

 

Eleanor began her bridal beauty preparation with a skincare plan advised by Jocelyn Petroni, which included monthly facials including Omnilux light therapy to boost collagen and increase cell turnover. “I wanted to look like the best, healthiest version of myself on my wedding day so I was thrilled that my skin ended up being the best it’s ever been. I felt so beautiful,” she says.

 

When it comes to your bridal makeup look on the day, Eleanor expresses the importance of thinking about how you want to feel when looking at yourself in the mirror. “Consider how you want to feel about yourself when you look back on your wedding photos 30 years from now.

 

While it might be tempting to be adventurous and try something new – like a bold red lip colour or dark eye makeup –  instead opt for a makeup look that simply accentuates your natural features and makes your skin glow so you still look like you,” she says. To ensure you and makeup artist are on the same page, she also advises arranging a makeup and hair trial prior to your wedding day, and to always arrive at the appointment with references.

 

Scent, as we know, has the power to evoke strong memories, making it all the more important to carefully choose a perfume to wear on your wedding day. Instead of thinking about a special occasion spritz or a trusted signature scent, opt for a perfume that works with your wedding day vibe as a whole. That way the scent will trigger nuptial nostalgia for anniversaries to come.“Fragrance is connected with our brain’s olfactory, which means when we smell certain scents and aromas, a memory of a person or place can be instantly conjured up. It can be a really special idea to choose a fragrance that is special for your wedding day – whether it be the perfume you wore when you and your partner first met or an entirely new scent you’ve never worn before so it’s eternally reflective of your wedding day,” she says.

 

“Personally, I chose to wear a scent I’d never worn before. Being a beauty editor, and given I have tested a lot of fragrances, I found this harder than choosing my wedding gown! In the end, I couldn’t choose one – so I settled on two fragrances for my wedding day,” she says. Eleanor and her husband Mat married in the Philippines so both scents Byredo Lys 41 Eau de Parfum and Grandiflora Madagascan Jasmine Eau de Parfum suited the tropical surrounds perfectly.

 

As for her parting words of wisdom, Eleanor reminds us to enjoy the planning. “It really can be such a joy to plan for one of the best days of your life. If, at all, it becomes stressful: just remember what ultimately is important – your marriage and your promise to each other,” she says.

 

For most effective facials and treatments, Eleanor recommends:

• Hydrating or clarifying facials
• LED Light Therapy

 

For the most effective at-home skincare products, Eleanor recommends:

Chemical exfoliant (applied at home, 2-3 times a week)

Try: Biologique Recherche P50V

or Alpha-H Liquid Gold Vitamin

 

A derivative face treatment (applied at home, 2-3 times a week at night).

Try: Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Night Oil

or Hydro Peptide Nimni Cream

 

Hydrating face serum (applied at home, every morning)

Try: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

or Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum

 

Brightening face serum (applied at home, every morning)

Try: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Face Serum

or SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid Serum

 

Gua Sha face tool (used at home to improve lymphatic drainage)

Try: Salt by Hendrix Rose Quartz Gua Sha

 

Nourishing face oil (used at home, every night)

Try: Emma Lewisham Supernatural Triple Vitamin A+ Face Oil

or KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil

 

For the must-have beauty products to have on hand, Eleanor recommends:

• A translucent powder
• A face mist
• Your chosen lip colour

 

Wedding Photography: @alli.studio