A simple guide to help you look GREAT on your Wedding Day

Preparing for the Big Day

9 – 12 Months before

Congratulations you’ve just got engaged! Now is the time to start planning your wedding. And I don’t just mean the dress and flowers. In order to look radiant on your big day you need to put a beauty plan into action.

– If you want to loose weight or just tone up this is the time to start. By doing it gradually you will have the best long term results.

– Make an appointment with your hairdresser to discuss and try out hair styles. If you’re planning a big change such as colour or a cut this is the time to do it. If you are thinking of growing your hair for your wedding style now would be the time to start. But check with your hairdresser you may not need to. They have great hair pieces that are called hair wefts. These are not weaves. They simply attach to your head and you can remove them at the end of the day or keep them in for a couple of days.

If you are not using your usual hairdresser shop around and ask friends and fellow brides for their recommendations.

7 – 8 Months before

– If you are considering any laser hair removal, this is the time to do it as you may find that it takes several appointments for the best results.

Beautiful brows are a must whether you wear lots or make-up or prefer a natural look.

– Brows draw focus to the face and if they aren’t looking as good as they should you may not be looking as picture perfect as you could. Consult a brow specialist; there are ones all over the country. They will help shape or reshape your brows and even help you fill in over plucked ones, what ever is needed to look great.

5 – 6 Months before

– If you are a glasses wearer and are either planning to swap frames or change to lenses do it now so you get use to them.

– Get your complexion looking its best with monthly or bimonthly facials depending on your skin type. Don’t have a facial during the week leading up to your wedding.

3 – 4 Months before:

– Your hands are going to be on show so if your nails aren’t looking as good as you’d like them to start having regular manicures.

– A bride’s smile is so important. It is the one thing you will be doing all day along. So if your teeth aren’t looking as dazzling as you would you should consider teeth whitening. You can go to your dentist or you can opt for an over the counter at home kits, but make sure you keep them looking great by using a whitening tooth paste such as Pearl Drops Hollywood Smile or Replenishing White.

– This is the time to try out a false tan to see how you like it, how it looks with your dress and how it will affect your make-up.

– Now is the time to start experimenting with different make-up looks, you definitely don’t want to leave it to your Wedding Day and don’t do it any earlier unless you are certain your skin tone won’t change.

You should have your wedding gown and bridesmaids’ dresses by now, so it’s time to start thinking about the kind of look you want to create. Unless you are doing your own make-up (and if you are, you could start practicing now), audition a few make-up artists – be sure to go with recommendation, whether it’s from friends or even your wedding dress supplier. And be specific about the kind of colour palette and look you want to achieve. If you are doing your own – and a lot of brides prefer to – practice makes perfect. Invest in some staple beauty products and tools (see our Bridal Beauty in the Bag for a start-point) and get to work! If you’re having your hair done professionally, spend some time pouring over style magazines, celebrity red carpet pics or this website for inspiration, and take along any tearsheets or print-outs to make it easier for your stylist. There’s no reason you can’t do your own hair on your wedding day, but if this is the case, don’t go for anything too radical – work on perfecting your usual look instead. And don’t forget to treat locks to a fortnightly deep conditioning and shine treatment (or weekly if your locks are particularly dry/damaged).

– Check out the different bridal magazines or even look to your favourite celeb for ideas.

– Remember you should look like you only better. So, if you don’t wear much make-up don’t be tempted to pile it on and if you like your make-up strong don’t opt for a soft natural look, you won’t feel right on the day.

1 – 2 Months Before:

– If you are using a professional make-up artist on the Big Day have a trial run so you feel confident and comfortable with your look. Now is the time for any fine tuning.

Time for practice run! Arrange a trial appointment with your hair stylist and makeup artist to finalise your look – and double-check they are booked for the actual day! If you’re doing your own makeup and hair, arrange a girlie night with your ‘maids and do a practice run together – and remember to take photos, in daylight if possible, to get a real idea of how it will look on the actual day.

– Make sure to take a picture of the trial make-up so that you can check if the makeup looks how you want it to look. You must be happy how you look will in the photos.

 
– If you decide to do it yourself, why not take advantage of the many cosmetic companies who offer free bridal makeovers. That way you can pick and choose colours, products and ideas that are best for you. Again make sure to take pictures.

– Have a make-up run through with your bride’s maids. You need to be sure that everyone is looking like you want them to and are feeling happy. Again take pictures.

– Get a pedicure even if your toes aren’t on show for on the day they will be on the honeymoon.

– Your hands are going to be on show so if your nails aren’t looking as good as you’d like them to start having regular manicure.

–  Time to get those mitts a’manicured! Your hands and nails will be so on show non-stop throughout your wedding day, be it in your official pictures or all those obscure relatives asking to see your new ring. Start getting them ready for that all-important ring-on-the-finger moment today by avoiding dark nail polishes and rubbing cuticle cream or sweet almond oil into your nails every night. If they’re brittle or prone to breaking, start to apply a nail strengthener every fortnight from now on. And if you don’t already, get into the habit of using hand cream regularly – especially after you’ve washed your hands.

2 Weeks Before:

– Have your hair colour & cut refreshed.

– Get any body treatments such as seaweed wraps etc.

Keep up the good work with your strict skincare regime, you’re so close! In the meantime, keep a facial mist atop your desk or handy in your handbag to sooth, hydrate and refresh tired, thirsty skin throughout the day – especially if you work in an air-conditioned office. And lay off the wine! Even if you‘re starting to feel stressed or nervous, keep your alcohol intake to a minimum as it’s terribly drying for both your skin and hair.

One week before:

– Get final facial
– Get your brow shape checked..
– Top up your false tan.
– Make sure your lips are kissabley smooth, use a lip balm regularly.
– Have your teeth professionally clean by your dentist.

– Have your eyelashes tinted in preparation for your honeymoon, so you won’t need to worry with mascara on the beach, and

– Get your legs and bikini line waxed.

– Book a manicure and pedicure for the day before the wedding.

1 Day Before:

– Get a manicure and pedicure.

– If you doing your own make-up make sure that you have everything you need.

– Wash your hair the day before especially if you are wearing it up. Hair washed on the day is just too soft and won’t hold a do.

On the Day:

– Allow plenty of time to do your hair & make-up, you don’t want to feel rushed.

– Make sure you do your hair and make-up before you put on your dress.

– Have a towel handy to cover your dress for last minute hair & make-up touch ups before you head out the door. You don’t want anything to fall on the dress.

– All you’ll need to take with you for touch ups – shine absorbing sheets to blot up shine, lip colour and concealer.

– Above all enjoy the moment.