Looking
Your Best on Your Wedding Day
Looking
your best on your wedding day comes from both
the external cosmetics and also from your inner health and confidence.
Both are equally important and we will be discussing both on this
page.
External
Cosmetics
When you are doing your hair and makeup on your wedding
day you don't want to look too made up and not like yourself.
You want to look like you, just a really, really great you. Keep
things soft and romantic and you can't go 
wrong.
Like many
things when planning your wedding
you will want to try out how your hair, nails and makeup
are going to look before your wedding day. You
don't want any disappointing surprises on your wedding
day. You will want to make appointments to have at least your
hair and makeup done a couple of weeks before
your wedding. Make sure you take your veil and
headpiece with you when you go to your trial hair
appointment and as well as to the appointment on your wedding
day. It may seem a little costly to pay for these services twice
but you want to be sure of what you want. You don't want to be
dissatisfied when you get your photos back because you made a
quick decision under stress.
Make sure
you wear a front button up blouse on the day of your wedding
when you are getting your hair and makeup
done. This way when you are changing into your wedding
gown later you won't mess up your hair and makeup
by pulling your shirt up over your head.
Don't forget your smile. Today's teeth whitening kits that can
be bought at any department store make brightening your smile
easy. You can also have your teeth professionally whitened at
your dentist office. This is more costly but also more effective.
If you plan
on having your eyebrows waxed, we suggest you don't do it on the
day of your wedding. Usually the recommended
time is about 1 week before your wedding day.
Sometimes waxing can cause redness of the skin that is hard to
cover up. Talk to your aesthetician about when it would be best
for you to have it done. If you've never had waxing done to your
eyebrows before make sure you have it done sometime in the months
before the wedding so you know how your body
reacts to the waxing and that you are happy with the results and
the shaping of your eyebrows.
Wedding
Hair
Work with your
face shape and hair type when choosing a hairstyle for your wedding
day. It will not only suit you better but your hairstyle
will have a better chance of staying up and lasting throughout
your big day. Also, take in consideration if you are planning
to 
remove
your veil or headpiece for the wedding reception.
Your hairstyle should work with both looks so
that the look can be maintained throughout the wedding
ceremony and reception.
Keep the neckline
of your wedding gown in mind when choosing a
hair style for your wedding day. High necklines
look good with hair that is sweep up with more
skin showing while lower necklines usually look better with some
hair down around the shoulders. Play around with hairstyles and
use your own judgment. You hairstylist may have some suggestions
for you.
If you're
not that fond of the just cut look book your hair
cut about 2 weeks before the wedding. Short haircuts
tend to grow out very quickly so don't get your hair
cut too far in advance especially if you have been getting your
hair cut the same way by the same person for a long time. Drastic
changes in your hairstyle should be tried out several months ahead
of time incase you dislike how it turns out. This will give you
some time to change the look to something you fancy. Many Brides
try to grow their hair long for their wedding.
There are different types of hair extensions that can solve this
problem. They can make your styling options sore. Be sure that
the hair extensions are good quality. They can
be clipped in or bonded right to your own hair. It's always best
if your hair dresser has experience working with them to ensure
that they are securely placed and that they match your natural
hair colour perfectly.
Make sure
you use a hairdresser you know and trust for
your wedding day. This is not the time to be
trying out someone new to you. Take along pictures of styles you
have in mind for your wedding day to your practice
hair appointment. This will give your hairdresser
an idea of what you have in mind. Before leaving your appointment,
confirm that your hairdresser will be the one doing your hair
on your wedding day. You may want to take a few
pictures of your hairstyle after your practice appointment from
all angles. Take the photos to your appointment on your wedding
day to refresh your hairstylist of your final
choice of hair style.
We really
feel it's important to spend the extra money to get pampered and
have your hair done by a professional on your wedding day, but
if you are styling your own hair on your wedding day always start
with clean hair. Remember there are two situations that hold a
curl. When dry hair is heated and then held in the curled position
until it is completely cooled and when wet hair is held in the
curled position until it is completely dry. Hot rollers are just
one way to achieve curls. To accomplish volume, try blow drying
your hair with your head down and the hair upside down. If you're
doing an up do ensure you are comfortable doing it. Practice and
do your hair style before the wedding day, even a few times, so
you're confident you will be able to do it even under the pressure
of the day and use enough hair spray to hold the style for the
whole day. Using clear ponytail holders, bobbi pins close to your
hair colour and beautiful pins are all great ways to help get
a professional look.
The trend
today for jewellery is sparkling crystals. If you are wearing
crystal jewellery on 
your
wedding day and would like to tie your hair with
the same look, there are some wonderful crystal hairpins available
in many shapes and colours. When using hairpins, it's best to
use them in odd numbers like one, three or five. You can even
use crystal jewellery in your hair and have your hair dresser
pin it into your up do. Crystal bracelets can wrap around your
hair in a ponytail and necklaces can drape softly down through
your hair. Remember though, if you're planning to use crystals
in your hair, be sure to use your hairspray before placing the
crystals in your hair or you'll dull the crystals' sparkle with
hairspray.
If you are
doing your own hair for your wedding
day give yourself lots of extra time to get it right. You don't
want to be rushed and not get it the way you want it to look.
Use extra hairspray and bobby pins to hold your hair and keep
it in place for the entire day and evening.
Wedding
Makeup
Take
a few photos of yourself after your trial makeup
appointment or your trial at home to see how your makeup
looks photographed. Take photos inside and outside to test the
look of your makeup in the different lighting.
You may even want to exercise a little after to see how well the
makeup holds up when you perspire. This could be a good time to
try new products and new techniques and update your look, but
make sure you do this well in advance. Wearing the makeup at least
7 times before your wedding day will rule out any allergic reactions
you may have and make sure you test new makeup a few weeks before
the wedding incase you do react to the new products. If you do
react to a new product we suggest that you see a dermatologist
right away.
Don't forget
to use sunscreen on your face before putting on your makeup
on your wedding day especially if your wedding
is outdoors. Sun burnt skin doesn't photograph well. You may want
to make sure the men wear sunscreen too.
If you're
doing your own makeup avoid frosted makeup. Using
more neutral tones and soft shades will look softer in the photos.
Apply your makeup just a little heavier than
normal, as if you were going out for an evening. Blend all your
makeup very well. Put your makeup on in a well
lit area near a window with lots of natural light. Give yourself
lots of extra time so you won't be rushed. After using sunscreen,
start with a concealer and a foundation very close to your skin
tone to even your skin colour and to cover any redness or imperfections
on your face. Use neutral tone eye shadows without glitter so
it won’t date your look. Use a little blush on your cheeks
and soft coloured eyeliner. Liquid eyeliners are more popular
now and they do give you good control. It's a good idea to use
waterproof eyeliner to help keep your eye makeup looking its best.
No matter what form of eyeliner you use always blend it a little
to soften the look. Use two coats of waterproof mascara for those
emotional moments during your wedding day. If you feel yourself
getting emotional and welling up with tears, be sure to dab your
eyes gentle with a tissue, never rub or wipe your tears away.
This will help minimize the damage to the look of your makeup.
A longwearing lipstick will also stand up better to all the kissing
you will be doing on your wedding day. Many companies offer "all
day wearing" lipstick, most are applied in two steps. Don't
forget to pack your makeup into your bag to take
with you for touch ups throughout the day and night. This way
you will always look picture perfect. Preparing an anti-panic
Wedding 911 bag is a great idea to keep all your things
together for the day for when you need to freshen up.
Consider taking
your own waterproof mascara and longwearing lipstick with you
if you are getting your makeup done professionally.
Some makeup artists do not use waterproof mascara
and you will need the same colour of lipstick for touch ups throughout
the day even if it is longwearing.
You may want
to cover any tattoos you have for your wedding
day. If you go to a cosmetic counter they should
be able to help you find a 100% coverage product that won't rub
off. Test the product out before your wedding
day so you know if it's up to your expectations. Regular concealers
won't be heavy enough to do the job right.
Many Brides
choose to have their makeup done in their home
and hire a professional to come to their home. Sometimes, professionals
have a team of people that come in and do your whole wedding
party. This can be a very relaxed and convenient way of having
everyone's makeup done. We suggest the Bride
still has a trial run for her makeup at an earlier date.
Nails
Starting with
health nails and cuticles is the most important step to having
beautiful nails. When using nail polish both French and American
Manicures are a good choice for your nails for
your wedding day. They are both natural and polished
looking. If you want to do your nails yourself, kits are available
at most department and drug stores. Make sure you practice the
technique ahead of time to make sure you are able to do a neat
job. There are many products available to help nails that are
in rough shape. Look for nail hardeners and cuticle treatments
or ask at the cosmetic counter what they would suggest. If
you are using basic coloured nail polish, keep the nail polish
colour soft on your wedding day. Your photographer
will probably want to do close up photos of your hands with your
wedding rings on them. Your nails will stand
out too much and look to harsh in the photos if they are too dark
or bright in colour. If you don't want to wear nail polish on
your wedding day at least have a manicurist fix
your cuticles and buff your nails so they look neat and healthy.
The Groom
may also wish to indulge in a relaxing manicure
for the close up ring photos especially if he is in a line of
work that involves a lot of dirt or grease and his hands are stained.
If he can't bring himself to have a manicure at least get him
to soak his hands in a warm soapy solution to help lift and remove
the grease and dirt.
Inner
Health and Confidence on Your Wedding Day
A
healthy diet and exercise should always be a part of anyone's
life. They have a way of making you feel better, helping to relieve
stress and giving you more energy up to and on your wedding day.
You will feel more confident and comfortable in your body.
It is best
if you can fit some form of exercise into everyday. It will make
a difference in how you feel physically and emotionally. You may
find that if you take the time to exercise you will want to eat
better because you don't want to waste all the hard effort from
your workouts. Even going for a walk every day will give you more
energy and help you feel better. Little things like taking the
stairs instead of the elevator and parking farther away can really
add up over time. Always check with your doctor before starting
an exercise program especially if you haven't been active for
awhile.
Drinking 6
to 8 glasses of water is another great way to help your body feel
great. When you workout you will want to drink at least 2-3 cups
of water. This makes the additional cups of water easier to fit
into your day. Drinking this amount of water is good for so many
parts of your body including your skin.
Eating right
is another way to take care of your body. Stay away from white
sugar products, white flour products, processed foods and fried
foods. Replace them with more fresh fruits and vegetables and
whole grains. Eat as much unaltered food as possible, meaning
as close to the way nature made it. We can't always eat properly
but if we make an effort to plan our meals ahead of time we often
make much better food choices.
Making healthier
choices now, with the motivation of your wedding day, may change
your life habits and make for a healthier future. What better
time to celebrate life and look forward to your future as a couple.
One more thing
you might want to indulge in is a relaxing massage. You can go
as a couple or on your own. Many people use massage as part of
their regular life style. Massages are a great way to relieve
some of your wedding planning tension, step out of the hustle
for an hour and enjoy some peace. Always choose a licensed massage
therapist, preferable by referral. Also make sure they know of
any allergies. To be sure, have them use non perfumed oil. If
you have benefits, check to see if they cover massage and what
the requirements are. Other ways to relax and relieve stress are:
sock your feet and/or give yourself a foot massage, use relaxing
scents in your room with candles or incense, talk to a caring
friend, do deep breathing exercise or meditate for a few minutes,
dance to loud music or play with your pet.
