So you booked or are thinking about booking a boudoir session (CONGRATS) and you want to know how to prepare for boudoir I have created the Ultimate Boudoir Preparation Guide for you to get ready for your big day! We are gonna do this count down style so you have a timeline of events to do and complete leading up to your big day.
ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
This is the most important time to start some routines and habits you may have been lacking. In fact, you want to really start the following months before booking your boudoir session but it’s OK if you are just now seeing this and are starting now.
DRINK WATER – The moment you book your boudoir session you need to hydrate like a beast! You should be drinking the recommended amount of water, about 11.5 cups per day. The camera picks up everything so if you’re dehydrated it’s gonna show and you can’t wait until the day before your session to finally hydrate your body.
WALK A 20 MINUTE MILE – Every day make it your goal to power walk a 20 minute mile. If you can’t walk a 20 minute mile at first, keep going every day pushing yourself. You’ll build up the stamina and endurance each day you push that pavement. Walking a 20 minute mile will help you tone up and feel sexier for your session.
DO YOGA & PILATES – Boudoir is a lot like yoga and pilates. You’re gonna be bending, flexing, and hyper arching and holding these poses for several minutes at a time. Start doing yoga and pilates a few times a week – I promise you that you will be glad you did!!
GET A SKIN CARE ROUTINE- If you don’t have a dedicated skin care routine get one now so that your skin is glowing and healthy and ready to be on camera. Cleanse your face, body and moisturize both every day. Two to three times a week exfoliate your face and your body and every day dry brush your skin. By adapting to this skin care routine in addition to all the water you are now drinking your skin will glow, be hydrated, and exfoliated so healthy skin glows and shows.
WHITEN YOUR TEETH- Your teeth are gonna shine on camera so get those pearly whites their brightest by visiting the dentist for a whitening treatment or start using over the counter Crest Whitening Strips so by the time your session arrives your teeth are nice, bright, and white.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP- If you’re not getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night your skin is going to look tired, you will have bags under your eyes, and a tired face. You cannot just go to bed early and the night of your session and think that will fix tired and saggy skin. You need to start now treating your body right and giving it the sleep it needs and deserves. DSLR cameras are unforgiving and pickup everything!
START SHOPPING-Because you don’t know how a piece will fit and due to shipping times, you want to start purchasing lingerie now. This way you can try on your pieces and make sure that they fit, you like them, and return or exchange them in time for your session. When shopping online pay attention to the reviews, fit guide, shipping times, and the return/exchange policy.
CUT THE CARBS- This is not a necessity and ONLY for those who want to. If you’re worried about bloat, now is the time to cut out unhealthy carbs and starchy foods.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
HAIR APPOINTMENTS- Now is the time to book your appointment with your hair stylist for any root touch ups and cuts you need to make to your hair. This way everything tones down before your boudoir session day. This is not the time to make any drastic changes to your hair!! Wait until after your session to cut off all your hair, or go blonde….
MAKE RETURNS/EXCHANGES- Now that your lingerie orders are arriving, TRY THEM ON and if they do not fit right or you do not like them, return or exchange them.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
GET WAXED- About a week and a half before your boudoir session, you’ll want to schedule your waxing services. Even if you wax all the time without issue, this may be the one time your skin has a reaction, or the wax is accidentally too hot, and your skin gets damaged. We’ve had several clients arrive with burn marks and swelling from waxing oopses.
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
GET YOUR JEWELRY CLEANED-take your jewelry to the jeweler and get them professionally cleaned so they shine on camera. Non real jewels clean them per the manufacturers instruction at home with at home jewelry cleaner.
SCHEDULE YOUR MANI/PEDI- Don’t show up with chipped nail polish or acrylics that need to be filled. Schedule your mani/pedi this week so you have fresh paint and your nails look great. Your hands and feet will be the focus of a lot of your shots so don’t skip this step. If you don’t want to have your nails done, that’s fine, not everyone is a mani/pedi girl, just make sure your nails are clean, filed, and clipped.
DRY CLEAN- Any outfits that need special cleaning or dry cleaning take to the cleaners.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
TWEEZE- Tweeze any stray hairs
PACK YOUR BAGS- Gather everything you need for your boudoir session and pack them neatly in a bag or garment bag. Don’t forget outfits, jackets, lingerie, bras, panties, garters, shoes, accessories, jewelry…don’t forget to throw in a robe and house shoes for walking around the studio in between sets.
EAT A HEALTHY DINNER- Boudoir is a workout more than anything else so make sure you eat a healthy dinner the night before. You may want to avoid foods that cause bloating, gas, and heaviness.
REFRAIN FROM ALCOHOL- Alcohol can cause flushing, red eyes, tired and saggy skin! Do not drink even a glass of wine the day before your boudoir session… I really can’t tell you what to do but I can tell you that the DSLR cameras up everything!! Enough said… if you need some calming remedies try adaptogens such as Recess Mood drinks (HEB carries them) or mix tart cherry juice with some magnesium glycinate and Sprite Zero. If you have anxiety try Ashwaganda and/or L-Theanine to calm your nerves.
GET TO BED EARLY- Go to bed extra early in case your nerves cause you to toss and turn. I can tell you all day long a boudoir session is fun, it’s nothing to be nervous about, you’re gonna really love your boudoir day but because of fear of the unknown some people may lay awake with nervousness or anxiety so give yourself some extra time by tucking in early.
THE DAY OF YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
DON’T SKIP ON BREAKFAST- Today is gonna be a workout. You need the calories and the energy. Eat a healthy and well balanced breakfast this morning!
PACK WATER AND SNACKS- Because boudoir is a workout, pack healthy snacks to munch on and water to sip on.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME- Traffic is everyone’s arch nemesis. Don’t let traffic cause you to be late to your boudoir session, leave a few minutes early and arrive to your session on time.
BREATHE- YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS AND YOU’RE GONNA DO GREAT!
