Wedding Hairstyles, Bridal Hair, Beauty & Makeup Tips

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Your wedding day is not the time to try new hairstyles nor are the weeks before the time to start a new beauty regime. Continue to use familiar products and colors when choosing your wedding hairstyle. If you don't normally wear much make-up, consult a professional, and start using the products regularly at least 6 weeks before your wedding day. This will ensure that you and your skin are comfortable with the products and will help to avoid any unwanted surprises.

PROFESSIONAL BRIDAL HAIRSTYLING & MAKE-UP

Many brides elect to have a professional do their and the wedding party's make-up and hair. Employing a professional certainly has its advantages. They have an assortment of products, are familiar with what works best in different lighting and in photographs, and know how to bring out one's individual beauty. If you choose this route, have a rehearsal session, keep the hairstyle and make-up on most of the day to develop a comfort level with the look and guarantee that you feel and look your best. Shop around for a professional and ask your friends for recommendations.

The flash from wedding photography and videos require that you wear a little more makeup than usual, however, this does no mean to over do it. The key is to layer the same color to add definition and depth, and to make sure that all makeup is blended well. A few pointers:

• Use matte products. Matte shades absorb light rather than reflect it. Therefore they minimize shine as well as faint lines and imperfections.
• Liberally apply powder, as flash photography can also make one look shiny.
• Eyebrows and eyelashes tend to fade away in photographs. Define and fill in your brows with an eye shadow that matches your hair. (You'll find that shadows create a more natural look than eyebrow pencils.) Use an eyelash curler before applying mascara, and then bring eyelashes out by using an extra coat of mascara and making sure that each lash is separated.
• Further define your eyes by applying a bone or white shadow directly under you brow bone.
• Use water-resistant and smudge proof mascara.
• Apply powder and blush on neck and neckline area for consistent skin tone.
• Use glare-proof lenses if you will be wearing eyeglasses.
• Lips also tend to fade in photographs. Use a shade or two darker than your regular shade.
• Make sure the area under your brow is clean and stray hairs have been removed.
• Don't match eye shadow with eye color. This will diminish rather than enhance your eye color.
• Avoid pink, light blue or frost around your eyes. These colors create a tired appearance.
• Don't use fuchsia or hot pink lipsticks or blush.

BRIDAL NAIL CARE

Keep an emergency nail kit in your purse or near by. Include a file, nail glue, hand cream, color and clear polish and clear adhesive. It is best to file a broken nail, however if necessary carefully glue the nail back on or use a clear adhesive strip to repair cracks. For dented polish, lightly buff the damaged area and then fill it in with color and a fresh coat of clear.

DEALING WITH IMPERFECTIONS

Dark Circles
Apply under eye-concealer from the inner corner to half way across the eye (directly below the pupil). Do not apply under the entire eye, as it will accentuate bagginess. Gently pat on a small amount several times. After blending, apply powder.

Blemishes and Pimples
Leave them alone! If you can, see your dermatologist or facialist immediately. A cortisone shot will reduce inflammation; a mini-peel will exfoliate the top layer of skin and prevent more breakouts. If it is the day of, use a creamy concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone. Dab a small amount and blend with the surrounding skin. Apply a yellow-based powder to counteract the redness.

Fading Lipstick
There are several clear lip coatings available that can be applied over your regular lipstick and will help your color last all day. However, keep a tube of lipstick in your wedding purse.

OVERCOMING REHEARSAL PARTY OVERINDULGENCES

Some quick refreshers and tricks if you end up having too good of a time at the rehearsal party:

• Lotion with vitamin C. These products revive the suppleness of your skin and bring back a rosy glow.
• Visine: Get the red out. Or try a white eye pencil on the inside rims of your lower lids.
• Purifying mask: Helps combat dehydration and irritation, and will provide nourishment to dry sensitive skin.

UNCOOPERATIVE WEATHER

Wet, humid or hot weather will require additional hair prep time and makeup touch ups.

• Curly hair that is straightened: Use a deep conditioning treatment before hand, blow dry, run a hot iron through your hair and then brush in a glossing product.
• Straight hair that is curled: Keep a curling iron handy for touch-ups. For an instant fix, wrap select pieces in velcro rollers and lightly spray. Remove after a minute or two, spray lightly with a soft spray.

Makeup: Refresh eye creasing eye shadow with a cotton swab dipped in your shadow. Remove mascara flakes and lipstick marks with a premoistened sponge, or fast acting makeup remover. Then touch up makeup.