Pre Wedding Beautification

Your dream day is getting nearer. You’ve bought everything from stockings to table decorations; you’ve had the same conversation with your mother-in-law on what the colour scheme is to be and you’ve still not changed your mind!

But how about you?

As the bride you’ll be centre of the attention, so it’s imperative that you look your best. It’s every bride’s nightmare to have bad skin, or wake up with a giant spot. Unfortunately there’s no sure fire secret to guarantee clear skin, but there are ways to try and avoid problems.

Here are our tips on preparing you:

Diets - I’m a true believer in being you but just better so don’t put yourself through months of dieting, just lose enough to be comfortable. Then tone up your body by exercise, which will improve your posture and make you feel great.

Get Fresh - Drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit and vegetables (Innocent Drinks are a great way to get your daily needs), this will cleanse your body from within, giving your skin a natural glow.

Facials and skincare - These are a great way of relaxing and treating ‘you’. It’s best to try a couple of different facials to see which one benefits you. Also start a proper skincare routine in the run up to your wedding. Don’t have any facials or saunas in the week of your wedding or change products, as this may encourage any impurities to come out, which may lead to spots.

Bronzed beauty – Due to the nature of sun beds I avoid them. So my advice is to have a tanning treatment. I strongly suggest that you test a few different treatments before your wedding day, not just to see if you like the colour, but also to see how it wears off, if it rubs off onto clothes, streaks etc.

Planning your hair and make-up - Get some hair and bridal magazines; pick out the styles you like. Most brides select their tiaras and veils first, and work their hair around them.If you are unsure what to put in your hair, select a style and then decide what would complement it, maybe a fresh flower, hair diamantes, a tiara, a hair slide, feathers…there are many options.

Preparing your hair - If you are having any colour applied to your hair, make sure you have already tested the colour. If you’re thinking of doing something new, don't leave this to the last minute. Have it done a few months before hand so that you can decide if you like it. Get any re-colour done about a week before the wedding so that it is toned down and at it's best with no unsightly roots showing. The month of your wedding, look after your hair. Treat yourself to some special shampoos and make sure you have a deep conditioning treatment.

The make-up & hair trial - It is best to book your trial at a convenient time for yourself and any other members of the bridal party who will be having make-up/hair done; this way it is more fun and you can bounce ideas and get opinions from one another. It is also advisable to have already selected your colour scheme and have your tiara and veil with you so that a look to compliment all these aspects of the day can be achieved.

Waxing – Personally I can never leave my hair to grow enough to wax. However if you have the will power it’s a good way to get silky skin for your wedding and honeymoon. If you do wax, book in a couple of days before your wedding to allow any irritation to calm down. If you’re a ‘virgin’ waxer try it a couple of months before to see if you like the results. If you prefer to shave invest in a Venus shaver and proper shaving cream as it gives the closest results.

On the day – get your trusty bridesmaid or best friend to keep:

• A lipstick and lip brush as these gives a nice finish. (Ruby & Millie do a retractable brush available from Boots)
• Blotting paper (Try Mac Blot Film) – This is powdered paper, which is perfect to use on your t-zone if you get a bit shiny
• A pack of tissues are handy for any tears that may appear but remember to dab, not smear tears away.
• A few hairgrips just in case of a stray curl

Jointly written by The Bridal Artists and Chloe Mortimer Hair & Make-up Artist

Photograph supplied by Truly Gorgeous

Did you know...

...L'Oreal Elnett was the first lacquer-free hairspray.

Launched in 1961 the reworkable formula means you can change the hair as many times as necessary without it becoming sticky or flaky.