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Taking a trip down the aisle this year? Our beauty experts spill the secrets to looking picture perfect.
You’ve found the dress, the location is booked, and the guest list has gone through its fifth and final run. As you scan your to-do list, you know you’re off to a great start. Next up: bridal beauty, but hmm...where to begin? After all, it’s not every day that we’re expected to look picture-perfect for photos that will last forever in family albums. How does a girl make it through the tears, kisses, and cake-cutting looking more blushing bride than Bride of Frankenstein? Well, don’t worry; we were wondering the same thing, which is why we’ve asked the leading beauty experts to spill their secrets. So sit back, let us guide you through the process, and don’t forget to relax—this is the fun part!
Crowning Glory
Up or down? Wavy or straight? Highlights or au natural? There are several decisions you’ll need to make when deciding on your bridal coiffure. For that reason, it’s best to start looking for inspiration as far in advance as possible. Thumb through magazines and surf the Web for styles you like, but remember that you needn’t only look at bridal images: Red-carpet photos, runway shots, and old movie stills can all be great fodder. When you find pictures of styles you like, save them in a folder so you can show your hairstylist later on. Keep in mind that the hairstyle you choose will need to work with your dress, jewelry, and if you’re wearing one, headpiece or veil. (If your dress is very formal, for example, a free-flowing style may look out of place.) Also pay careful attention to the neckline. (If yours is, say, a halter embellished with beads, wearing your hair down might detract from the beauty of the dress.) In addition, remember that a trendy style may look stylish this year, but fads come and go (again, think family photo albums). “Supertight hairdos and tendrils around the face, for instance, are now seen as outdated,” says Rebecca Jarboe of Denver’s Grand Salon, who adds that most brides today opt for a classic look that’s either sleek and polished or soft and romantic. At the same time, “your bridal hairstyle should reflect you as an individual,” she stresses. These days, many women are finding that with a half-up, half-down style, they can achieve the best of both worlds—a look that’s elegant yet uncontrived. “One of the biggest trends right now is tying loose curls back to the nape of the neck,” Jarboe says.
Of course, if you have any intentions of changing your hair color—whether it’s adding highlights or returning to your roots—you’ll want to consult with your hairdresser as soon as possible. That way, you can come up with a strategy to achieve your goal gradually (warning: taking your brunette tresses to golden blonde two days before is ill-advised). This also applies to chemical processes such as perms and Japanese straightening. Keep in mind that you’ll want to book a stylist as far in advance as possible; if your regular hairstylist isn’t available, request a recommendation from the salon and ask family and friends. Once you’ve settled on someone, it’s helpful to meet a few months beforehand to experiment, and Jarboe urges all brides to schedule an official test run two weeks prior, bringing your veil or headpiece and any hair accessories you plan to wear. If you’ll be getting married out of town and depending on another hairdresser, bring a digital camera to the test-run so you can have photos taken from all angles. This final visit is also the time to get your color touched up and your hair trimmed, Jarboe says. A few days prior to the wedding, most experts recommend laying off the deep conditioners; although they can be helpful during the months and weeks leading up to the wedding, in the short term, they can make hair too soft to hold a style well. And if you’ve heeded all this advice, congratulations—all you need to do to get gorgeous wedding-day hair is show up.
Skin Solutions
Naturally, every bride wants her skin to look flawless as she walks down the aisle. With this in mind, Los Angeles makeup artist and aesthetician Emily Habibi recommends getting started on a skin-care regimen at least six months beforehand that includes a good moisturizer, cleanser, and gentle exfoliation. For those struggling with fine lines or dark spots with more than six months to go, “consider investing in a series of alpha beta peels,” she says. “They help lighten everything up, giving the skin a healthy glow.” However, if you have six months or less till your wedding day, Habibi warns against doing to too much too fast and instead recommends scheduling monthly facials. If you’re struggling with acne, melasma, or other complexion challenges, book an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible—that way, if you need a prescription, you can begin treatment now and start seeing results sooner rather than later. Women who want to pursue hair-removal options such as laser or electrolysis should also seek out those services well in advance so that they can determine their efficacy and avoid short-term side effects such as redness or irritation.
As you march closer to the date, you don’t want risk a big-day beauty mishap, so book your last facial one month before the wedding (facials can be a temporary catalyst for pimples, so it’s best to play it safe). Also be sure to shield your skin from the sun with a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen—something every women should do anyway—to avoid burns and unsightly tan lines. If you intend to get your upper lip or chin waxed, Habibi recommends getting it done two days in advance to reduce the risk of skin irritation at the altar. If you spot a blemish a few days beforehand, don’t squeeze it; that will only make matters worse. Instead, apply a benzoyl-peroxide or salicylic-acid cream, or if possible, book a last-minute appointment with your dermatologist, who can inject the blemish with an emergency shot of cortisone. To prep you skin on the day of the wedding, just follow the skin-care routine you established months earlier: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize. And though it’s easier said than done, remaining calm will help your complexion too.
Best Face Forward
Once you’ve created a flawless canvas, you’ll need makeup that makes you look beautiful, both in person and in pictures, and lasts until the guests have gone home—a tall order that requires a slightly different strategy than your everyday approach. Even if you never wear primer, foundation, or powder in real life, when you’re being photographed, these products can give you a more polished look. Along these lines, it can be helpful to hire a professional makeup artist who can work with you to achieve the look you want. To find a makeup artist, ask friends and beauty professionals for referrals, check out their portfolios, and again, be sure to book way in advance. The same principles you followed with your hairstylist regarding inspiration, communication, and test runs also apply. In addition, consider getting a professional manicure one to two days before the wedding. “Neutrals are a classic choice, as is a French manicure,” Habibi says, but these days some brides are opting for a bit more color. To make it easier, Essie recently debuted its 2006 Wedding Collection, which includes six elegant pastel shades—Ballet Slippers, Blanc, Limo-scene, Mademoiselle, Sugar Daddy, and Waltz.
If you’re doing your own makeup, there are a few rules of thumb to follow. First, you’ll want to use a good skin primer and foundation, such as Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation (“it photographs well and gives excellent coverage without looking cakey,” Habibi says). Face powder and blotting papers can also be helpful for minimizing shine, which can make you look greasy in photos (to this end, you’ll also want to cut back on the shimmer, or cut it out completely). When it comes to color, a little blush or bronzer can go a long way in creating a healthy glow, and for lips and eyes, Habibi stresses a basic principle—dark eyes with light lips, dark lips with light eyes. Her favorite look for brides is a neutral eye with a matte red lipstick: “It photographs beautifully and looks stunning against a white dress,” she says. Don’t discount the importance of lip liner in giving your color staying power, and when it comes to mascara, be sure to use a waterproof version—even if you’re not planning to shed tears of joy, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
http://beautyaddictmag.com/thescoop/features/weddingbelles.html
You’ve found the dress, the location is booked, and the guest list has gone through its fifth and final run. As you scan your to-do list, you know you’re off to a great start. Next up: bridal beauty, but hmm...where to begin? After all, it’s not every day that we’re expected to look picture-perfect for photos that will last forever in family albums. How does a girl make it through the tears, kisses, and cake-cutting looking more blushing bride than Bride of Frankenstein? Well, don’t worry; we were wondering the same thing, which is why we’ve asked the leading beauty experts to spill their secrets. So sit back, let us guide you through the process, and don’t forget to relax—this is the fun part!
Crowning Glory
Up or down? Wavy or straight? Highlights or au natural? There are several decisions you’ll need to make when deciding on your bridal coiffure. For that reason, it’s best to start looking for inspiration as far in advance as possible. Thumb through magazines and surf the Web for styles you like, but remember that you needn’t only look at bridal images: Red-carpet photos, runway shots, and old movie stills can all be great fodder. When you find pictures of styles you like, save them in a folder so you can show your hairstylist later on. Keep in mind that the hairstyle you choose will need to work with your dress, jewelry, and if you’re wearing one, headpiece or veil. (If your dress is very formal, for example, a free-flowing style may look out of place.) Also pay careful attention to the neckline. (If yours is, say, a halter embellished with beads, wearing your hair down might detract from the beauty of the dress.) In addition, remember that a trendy style may look stylish this year, but fads come and go (again, think family photo albums). “Supertight hairdos and tendrils around the face, for instance, are now seen as outdated,” says Rebecca Jarboe of Denver’s Grand Salon, who adds that most brides today opt for a classic look that’s either sleek and polished or soft and romantic. At the same time, “your bridal hairstyle should reflect you as an individual,” she stresses. These days, many women are finding that with a half-up, half-down style, they can achieve the best of both worlds—a look that’s elegant yet uncontrived. “One of the biggest trends right now is tying loose curls back to the nape of the neck,” Jarboe says.
Of course, if you have any intentions of changing your hair color—whether it’s adding highlights or returning to your roots—you’ll want to consult with your hairdresser as soon as possible. That way, you can come up with a strategy to achieve your goal gradually (warning: taking your brunette tresses to golden blonde two days before is ill-advised). This also applies to chemical processes such as perms and Japanese straightening. Keep in mind that you’ll want to book a stylist as far in advance as possible; if your regular hairstylist isn’t available, request a recommendation from the salon and ask family and friends. Once you’ve settled on someone, it’s helpful to meet a few months beforehand to experiment, and Jarboe urges all brides to schedule an official test run two weeks prior, bringing your veil or headpiece and any hair accessories you plan to wear. If you’ll be getting married out of town and depending on another hairdresser, bring a digital camera to the test-run so you can have photos taken from all angles. This final visit is also the time to get your color touched up and your hair trimmed, Jarboe says. A few days prior to the wedding, most experts recommend laying off the deep conditioners; although they can be helpful during the months and weeks leading up to the wedding, in the short term, they can make hair too soft to hold a style well. And if you’ve heeded all this advice, congratulations—all you need to do to get gorgeous wedding-day hair is show up.
Skin Solutions
Naturally, every bride wants her skin to look flawless as she walks down the aisle. With this in mind, Los Angeles makeup artist and aesthetician Emily Habibi recommends getting started on a skin-care regimen at least six months beforehand that includes a good moisturizer, cleanser, and gentle exfoliation. For those struggling with fine lines or dark spots with more than six months to go, “consider investing in a series of alpha beta peels,” she says. “They help lighten everything up, giving the skin a healthy glow.” However, if you have six months or less till your wedding day, Habibi warns against doing to too much too fast and instead recommends scheduling monthly facials. If you’re struggling with acne, melasma, or other complexion challenges, book an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible—that way, if you need a prescription, you can begin treatment now and start seeing results sooner rather than later. Women who want to pursue hair-removal options such as laser or electrolysis should also seek out those services well in advance so that they can determine their efficacy and avoid short-term side effects such as redness or irritation.
As you march closer to the date, you don’t want risk a big-day beauty mishap, so book your last facial one month before the wedding (facials can be a temporary catalyst for pimples, so it’s best to play it safe). Also be sure to shield your skin from the sun with a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen—something every women should do anyway—to avoid burns and unsightly tan lines. If you intend to get your upper lip or chin waxed, Habibi recommends getting it done two days in advance to reduce the risk of skin irritation at the altar. If you spot a blemish a few days beforehand, don’t squeeze it; that will only make matters worse. Instead, apply a benzoyl-peroxide or salicylic-acid cream, or if possible, book a last-minute appointment with your dermatologist, who can inject the blemish with an emergency shot of cortisone. To prep you skin on the day of the wedding, just follow the skin-care routine you established months earlier: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize. And though it’s easier said than done, remaining calm will help your complexion too.
Best Face Forward
Once you’ve created a flawless canvas, you’ll need makeup that makes you look beautiful, both in person and in pictures, and lasts until the guests have gone home—a tall order that requires a slightly different strategy than your everyday approach. Even if you never wear primer, foundation, or powder in real life, when you’re being photographed, these products can give you a more polished look. Along these lines, it can be helpful to hire a professional makeup artist who can work with you to achieve the look you want. To find a makeup artist, ask friends and beauty professionals for referrals, check out their portfolios, and again, be sure to book way in advance. The same principles you followed with your hairstylist regarding inspiration, communication, and test runs also apply. In addition, consider getting a professional manicure one to two days before the wedding. “Neutrals are a classic choice, as is a French manicure,” Habibi says, but these days some brides are opting for a bit more color. To make it easier, Essie recently debuted its 2006 Wedding Collection, which includes six elegant pastel shades—Ballet Slippers, Blanc, Limo-scene, Mademoiselle, Sugar Daddy, and Waltz.
If you’re doing your own makeup, there are a few rules of thumb to follow. First, you’ll want to use a good skin primer and foundation, such as Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation (“it photographs well and gives excellent coverage without looking cakey,” Habibi says). Face powder and blotting papers can also be helpful for minimizing shine, which can make you look greasy in photos (to this end, you’ll also want to cut back on the shimmer, or cut it out completely). When it comes to color, a little blush or bronzer can go a long way in creating a healthy glow, and for lips and eyes, Habibi stresses a basic principle—dark eyes with light lips, dark lips with light eyes. Her favorite look for brides is a neutral eye with a matte red lipstick: “It photographs beautifully and looks stunning against a white dress,” she says. Don’t discount the importance of lip liner in giving your color staying power, and when it comes to mascara, be sure to use a waterproof version—even if you’re not planning to shed tears of joy, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
http://beautyaddictmag.com/thescoop/features/weddingbelles.html
