Potchefstroom Brides: Beauty Treatments to Avoid in the Final Month

Charlene Bekker
Jul 9
5 min read

The last few weeks before your wedding should be all about calm confidence, not surprise beauty mishaps! As a Potchefstroom bride, you want to glow on your big day without any last-minute drama.

To help, we’ve rounded up common salon services and when to do them (or not do them!) in the final month. Follow this friendly wedding-planner advice to stay radiant from head to toe.

Hair Colour and Styling

Your hair is one of the first things people notice, so don’t gamble on a new shade just weeks before saying “I do.” Experts warn that any major colour change (like going from blonde to brunette or vice versa) should be done months in advance.

In fact, stylists recommend scheduling significant coloring at least 3-4 months before your wedding. This way, you have time to adjust the shade if it isn’t perfect. Instead, stick to gentle root touch-ups or glosses in the final weeks. Avoid DIY dyes or trendy colours now, if something goes wrong, there’s no time to fix it.

Timeline: Plan major colour work 2-3+ months out. Then use small touch-ups (or a demi-permanent gloss) about 1–2 weeks before the wedding.

Why not last-minute: New colour can turn out unexpectedly, cause damage, or leave a fringe of regrowth on your wedding day. Give yourself leeway to fix it if needed.

Tip: Show your photos to your Potchefstroom stylist well ahead, and consider a trial run of any new hue several months before the ceremony.

Haircuts and Trims

You want your hair long and healthy on your wedding day, so resist the urge to chop it all off at the eleventh hour! Most hairstylists advise getting your final cut about 1–2 weeks before the wedding. At that point, your ends will be fresh but the cut will have had a little time to “settle in,” making styling easier. If you’re simply maintaining length, a light dusting of split ends is perfect.

Last Trim Timing: Schedule your final haircut/trimming roughly 10 days – 2 weeks before your wedding.

Avoid: Any big chop right before the day. If you want to donate or go very short, do it at least a month out (ideally after hair trials), so you’re not panicking about length.

Why: Hair takes a few days to look its best after washing and styling. A very fresh cut done just days before can appear too “precise” and not quite natural. Giving it approximately 10 days means it’s still healthy but not razor-sharp.

Eyebrow Grooming (Waxing & Threading)

Your brows frame your face, so you’ll want them on point – but not red and irritated! Waxing or threading can cause mild swelling and pinkness for a couple of days.

To play it safe, get any brow wax or thread appointment about 5–7 days before your wedding. This cushion of time allows redness to fade and hair to regrow just a tiny bit for softness.

Timing: Plan eyebrow waxing/threading roughly one week ahead. This gives skin a chance to calm (even 3–4 days might work, but a full week is ideal).

Why not too late: Hot wax or threading can leave your brows red and slightly swollen. By the wedding day, you want that irritation gone.

Lamination/Tinting: If you’ve never had brow lamination or tinting, don’t start these in the last month. Lamination (which perm-lifts the hairs) usually needs a 2-step process 2–3 months out. A brow tint (dye) can be done a few days before the wedding, but only if you’ve tried that shade before.

Microblading (Semi-Permanent Brows)

Microblading gives long-lasting, perfect brows – but it takes weeks to settle. In fact, experts say to book microblading at least 3–6 months before your wedding. The pigment and tiny “hair strokes” need time to heal and sometimes a touch-up session afterward.

Timing: Do your first microblading session at least 6 months prior to ensure healing, then a quick follow-up appointment approximately 1–2 months before the wedding.

Why not last-minute: If done too close to the wedding, brows will still be flaky or uneven. You could be left with visible scabs or a color that hasn’t settled. There’s also no time for corrections.

If you haven’t done it: Skip it now. Instead, simply shape your brows with waxing/threading and fill in any gaps with makeup. On your wedding day, a pro makeup artist will give you beautiful brows the usual way.

Facials & Skincare Treatments

While glowing skin is a must, be cautious with intense facial treatments late in the game. Deep-cleansing or exfoliating facials (like microdermabrasion or chemical exfoliation) can leave your skin red and sensitive. Schedule these at least 1–2 weeks before the wedding. In the final week, stick to gentle, hydrating facials or masks that calm rather than stimulate.

Avoid: Any new or aggressive facial in the last month, especially if it’s not in your regular routine. That includes switching to a new serum, starting a harsh acid peel at home, or trying a funky spa treatment. Your skin could react unpredictably.

Safe choices: At most, do a soothing deep-clean or light peel one week out. Instead of stripping facials, opt for moisturizing treatments that plump your skin (think hyaluronic acid facials or gentle oxygen-infusion facials). Sheet masks and plenty of water will boost your glow in these final days.

Routine: Keep up your normal skincare (cleanser, moisturizer, SPF) right up to the wedding. Avoid experimenting so your complexion stays stable.

Chemical Peels and Exfoliation

Skip the chemical peels in your final month entirely. Dermatologists universally recommend getting any facial peel at least 4–6 weeks (or even 3 months) before your wedding. Even a mild peel can leave days of flaking, redness or sensitivity as skin regenerates.

Why avoid: Peels thin the top skin layer, which then peels away. If you peel too late, you might still have flakes or pink patches on your big day. Deeper peels especially can take a month to fully heal.

If you already have one scheduled: Make sure it’s no closer than 6–8 weeks before your wedding. This gives your skin ample time to bounce back.

Alternatives in last month: Gentle at-home scrubs or an antioxidant-rich, calming mask can help keep skin smooth and bright without peeling it off.

Spray Tans and Sunless Tanning

A beautiful golden glow is tempting, especially with our sunny Potchefstroom weather, but timing is key. Plan at least one trial spray tan a few weeks before to pick your perfect shade.

Then schedule your final spray tan about 2–3 days before the wedding. This gives the colour time to fully develop and appear even.

Avoid DIY or tanning beds in the last week, as they can streak or turn orange unexpectedly.

Why timing matters: A rushed, last-minute tan often looks uneven or too dark. Experts warn “avoid last-minute tanning!” or you risk patches that can ruin photos.

Prep: Shave/wax at least a day before tanning (not immediately before) and gently exfoliate dry areas. Then rock your safe, custom glow with confidence!

Final Month Rule: No New Treatments

In your last month of prep, stick with what you know. Avoid any brand-new beauty treatments or products - that means no wild hair colour trial, no new skin care serum, no experimental spa gadget.

Aesthetics experts advise keeping the final weeks “clear” of new procedures. This prevents any surprises (a rash, breakouts, or uneven results) that you wouldn’t have time to fix. Focus instead on rest, hydration, and maintaining the routines that have worked for you.

In Conclusion

Dear Potchefstroom bride, the month before your wedding should be about maintaining your beauty, not experimenting. By following these timelines, you’ll minimize stress and look naturally radiant when you say “I do.”

Remember, every bride is unique – trust the local Potchefstroom stylists and estheticians you love, and communicate clearly what you want. With this careful planning, you’ll walk down the aisle relaxed, confident, and truly glowing. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding – we can’t wait to see you shine on your special day!