• 68% of brides considered at home non-professional beauty treatments ahead of their wedding day to save money
  • Out of all professional beauty treatments ahead of wedding days, hair is considered the most essential. Haircuts came in first place with 72% of brides getting this done professionally, followed by hair coloring at 54%, and then washes & blow drys at 51%
  • Younger brides spent more on professional beauty treatments ahead of their wedding day. 41% of 25-34 and 34-44 year olds spent $100-$300 on beauty treatments, whilst most 45-54 year olds only spent up to $100
  • 87% of brides spent up to $300 on hair and makeup on their wedding day, and spent $100-$300 on hair & makeup for their bridal party
  • Over 50% of brides revealed that social media made them feel even more pressure to look perfect

With wedding season approaching, Beauty Daily by Clarins conducted a survey to find out how brides spent on beauty treatments for their wedding day. In a new survey of 2,000 brides, Beauty Daily found that 68% considered at-home non-professional beauty treatments as they prepped for their big day.

Out of those that responded ‘yes’ to having considered at-home beauty pampering and treatments in the run-up to their wedding day – 21% actually decided to give their hair the TLC it needed at home, 14% self waxed and 12% did their own nails.

Despite trying to save money on beauty prep, there were still some beauty treatments that brides deemed essential to get done professionally. Out of all respondents, hair was the highest on the list with 72% of brides getting a haircut at the hairdressers, 54% getting their hair colored and 51% paying for a wash & blow dry. Professional waxing, and acrylic nails followed at 37%.

Top 10 Professional Beauty Treatments Brides Get Ahead of Their Wedding 

1). Haircut – 72%

2). Hair Coloring – 54%

3). Wash & Blow Dry – 51%

4). Waxing – 37%

5). Acrylic Nails – 36.8%

6). Pedicure – 35%

7). Shellac/Gel Manicure – 34%

8). Facial – 31%

9). Hair Treatments – 28%

10). Spray Tan – 25%

When looking more closely at the spend distribution across ages, younger brides are more inclined to spend more money on beauty. Ahead of their wedding days, 41% of 25-34 and 34-44 year olds spent $100-$300 on beauty treatments ahead of their big day, whilst most 45-54 year olds only spent up to $100.

In regards to beauty on their wedding days, 87% of brides spent up to $300 on their own hair and makeup, in addition to spending between $100-$300 on hair and makeup for their bridal party. Even though weddings cost an average of $28,000*, most brides still covered the costs of their bridesmaids hair and makeup. 51% of brides paid the full cost of hair and makeup for the bridal party, 11% contributed partially and 38% didn’t foot the bill.

With pressure for brides to look their best, along with being the centre of attention for the day – over 50% of brides revealed that social media made them feel even more pressure to look perfect. The biggest insecurities included their weight or how their figures looked at 21%, followed by how their hair looked at 15%.

In regards to brides feeling pressure to look good on their wedding day, Zoe Burke, Wedding Expert and Editor at Hitched.co.uk states: “If you’re feeling the pressure to look perfect on your wedding day, I would recommend talking to your wedding photographer – your photographer will have honestly heard it all before, and their job is to capture the best of your wedding day. They will be able to reassure and advise you about your photos. You hired them because you love their work, right? And I can guarantee that everyone they’ve worked with prior to you was a human being with their own insecurities and flaws, but you saw pictures you loved. Your pictures will then become an inspiration for more couples too!

… Also refresh who you follow on social media – we love a good body positivity campaigner here at Hitched. Start following people who make you feel empowered. The key to being a body positive bride is understanding you are more than how you think you look to other people. You are marrying someone who loves you for you, and I can promise you will glow on your wedding day as you’ll be on Cloud Nine.”