Image courtesy of Photography by Pippin
Image courtesy of Angela Barbara Make-up Artist
Hair by the Art of Hair, Make-up by Wendy McGregor Make-up Artist and Hair Stylist
Make-up by Simone-Leigh Bush Make-up Artist, Hair by Sharon Leigh Make-up and Hair for Brides
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You don't have to consider cosmetic surgery, live on lettuce leaves or put yourself through hell just to look good on your wedding day! But you can do your best to enhance your most attractive features and improve on the bits and pieces that aren't so good. Naturally you'll want to look as lovely as you can on your wedding day - which means making that extra effort to work towards a firm, well toned body, gleaming manicured, pretty nails and radiant, clear skin.
planning for bridal beauty
A stunning figure and beautiful complexion won't happen overnight so you'll have to start planning your health and beauty routine as soon as you've set the date. If you would like to lose some weight or firm up some of those problem areas, now is the time to start a healthy diet and exercise program. You also need to start a thorough skin care routine as it takes a while before you see the benefits. Buy some good quality skin care products, if you don't already have some, and cleanse, tone and moisturise day and night, religiously.
make-up
Even if you don't normally wear much make-up you should wear some for your wedding. Every girl looks glamorous with expertly applied cosmetics - particularly for photography and videos. You don't have to look like a painted doll. In fact cleverly applied make-up can look very natural indeed. The very latest look in make-up for brides is a glowing, soft and natural looking skin, highlighted by sexy eyes. Today's bride wants to look glamorous but not in an artificial way. This is achieved by playing up the eyes with black or brown eyeliner, smoky or pearlised shadow and lashings of waterproof mascara (also black or brown). The strong eyes are balanced by subtle lips - soft coloured lipstick which has been well defined with lipliner. Alternatively, if you wish to emphasise your lips with a rich, bright lipstick then balance the overall look by soft and subtle eye make-up.
On your wedding day, everyone's attention will be focused on your face, so it's a great idea to have your make-up done professionally for your wedding - and perhaps your bridesmaids' and mothers' too. Make-up artists are experts at creating the look you want for your wedding day - probably a look you would never be able to create yourself. They also know all the tricks of the trade so that you will look your best in your photographs and video. And they will apply your make-up so that it stays on as long as possible.
Make-up artists recommend a trial run before the wedding so that you can make sure you are completely happy with the results and there are no surprises on the day. You can rehearse 'the look' you're aiming for and do your own test market survey on an outing with your friends and fiance to see if you feel comfortable with the 'picture' of your face. Book your make-up artist well in advance because professionals who excel are often heavily booked (six to nine months is a fairly safe time allowance). Then confirm your booking in writing and also on the phone just prior to the wedding.
hair
You need to think about how you want your hair to look as early as possible. If you want it longer then you'll have to start growing it straight away. And now's the time for regular trims and conditioning treatments to get your hair into optimum condition. When you've chosen your gown and headpiece discuss ideas for your hairstyle with your hairdresser. Will you need a perm, bodywave, cut and/or colour? If so, make sure you have these done well in advance. A couple of weeks before the wedding have a trial run. Your bridesmaids and mother should also consider their hairstyles. The groom and groomsmen will probably need a tidy hair cut a week or so before the wedding. Don't forget to ask your birdesmaids to take a brush, some bobbypins and hairspray for you on the day for touch ups.
hands and nails
Your hands will receive a lot of attention on your wedding day when you are showing off your wedding and engagement rings and cutting the cake. Give your hands and nails some intensive loving care in the months leading up to your big day. Use a good hand and nail cream daily, apply nail hardeners regularly and eat sensibly. A weekly manicure will keep them looking their best. Consider treating yourself to a professional manicure. Why not splurge, after all this is your wedding! Decide how you want your nails to look on the day. You could buff them to a gentle shine, apply a coat of clear varnish or paint your nails a shade to compliment your style. Neat, round and natural nails are in for 2003. Whatever you decide, prepare your nails either the day before or on the morning of your wedding but make sure you leave plenty of time for the polish to dry.
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