We’ve heard it said enough times that the wedding day is the most important day in the life of any girl/ woman, so I will refrain from saying that! But this is also the day when you have to look your ravishing best for the shutterbugs, because, 40 years down the line, you still want the oohs and aahs to flow, when your children and grandchildren see you in all your glorious beauty. These pictures are supposed to be of one of the happiest times of your lives, and how would you like it if you saw your pictures with a big pimple on your cheek?! Or your hair a mess? Will not do! So, let’s see what all things must you take care of to look your best on your wedding day, so that the photos will do what they are supposed to do in a few years time – make you smile, and wistful, and remember the magic and love and help you live it again, without any blemishes.
Areas to Cover…
Health Care
Your inner health will affect your outer appearance. Eat healthy and you will have a blemish free skin and a glowing complexion. Avoid all junk food and soft drinks and eat healthy, balanced meals leading up to your wedding. Follow a detox program, to clean up your system from the inside and outside. Get your teeth leveled and whitened if you so wish, but do that a month prior to the day. If you are taking some medicines, consult your doctor before you stop the course. My pre-wedding diet advice would be, sleep and eat well, so that the chances of you falling ill are reduced.
Hair Care
Depending on the gown you choose, decide your length, style and cut at least 3 – 4 months prior to your wedding. Get regular hair spa treatments to give your hair that shine and make them luxurious. If you are planning to straighten out your hair or put them under any other permanent treatment, it is advisable to do it a month before, and if you also want to color it/ add highlights then do it a week after getting them straightened, so that there is time for the hair to get used to new things. If you follow quick treatments, you may end up damaging your hair, and it will end up dry and limp on your wedding day. Decide the hairstyle you are going to wear on the day and see if it goes with the type of gown you have chosen. Consult with your hairdresser as to which style will suit your face structure best.
Skin and Nail Care
Your skin is an indicator of your health, so it has to be at its glowing best on your day! Remember to moisturize your skin daily after your bath. One of the best pre-wedding beauty tips that I can share with you is, apply the moisturizer within a minute of having your bath/ shower, so that it locks the moisture in your skin and makes it look healthy, young and gives it a glow. It works much better than applying the moisturizer on dry skin. Also, clean your face, hands and feet thoroughly before sleeping, and apply a good overnight cream. Hands, feet and nails are equally important, specially if you are going to take close up shots of your rings, hands held, and the like. Also, if you are going to wear heels, you do not want to display chipped, and unkempt nails. If you are going with clear nails, good for you, but if you are going to have them painted, best to do that two days prior to the wedding.
Body Care
Body care is of equal importance in the pre-wedding beauty regime. If you are prone to acne on your back, then get a scrubbing brush/ loofah and exfoliate your body regularly. Every other day is also fine. Exfoliate all the exposed and most covered parts, like your hands, legs, armpits, etc. It helps in reducing the tan and also exposes the healthy and plump cells by getting rid of all the dead cells, to give you a fresh and glowing look. This is really necessary if you are planning to wear a backless/ strapless gown.
Facials
Facials are top ranking in pre-wedding beauty care checklist. Start getting regular facials almost six months before the big day, and get one every other week if you like. Don’t overdo it either, though, or you may end up looking like you had a layer of skin taken off, off your face. Facials will help your tired and tanned skin look cleaner and fresher and give your face a glow. Also, they will remove the layers of dirt that have accumulated on your face over time. Strictly stop facials a week before your wedding. And stick to products that suit you. Don’t test any new tempting products, anytime shortly before your wedding.
Waxing and Threading
Waxing and threading should be done regularly. If you have never done either before, but want to do it for your wedding, then I suggest that you start early, to let your skin get used to all the pulling it will be subjected to. And do wax two days before the wedding. The redness and rash, if any, will take a day to settle down and you’d not like your photos to look like you just got a bad rash or sunburn. Threading your eyebrows and upper lips should ideally be done a week before that actual date of the wedding, so that in case you need to correct the shape of your brows, you have time to do it.
Manicures and Pedicures
Get manicures and pedicures monthly for a few months before your wedding. That will also take care of the dryness and tanning of your hands and feet, and make them soft and beautiful. Getting manicures and pedicures on a regular basis will help in moisturizing your hands and feet and will get rid of dry, scaly skin, specially at the heels of the feet and tips of your fingers and toes. Get your final pedicure and manicure a couple of days before the wedding day, and you will surely notice the change. If you are not comfortable with long nails, then a french manicure will not please you. Go for the simple shaping of short nails, and apply a clear coat of polish over it, to make them shine.
Makeup
Whatever makeup you choose to do, make sure that it suits your skin type and skin tone. Do not go for new products as you do not know whether they will suit your skin or not. Also keep in mind your outfit and the shades in it, and see that the makeup doesn’t clash with the outfit. Make it subtle, highlight your best features and leave the rest be. Do not go over the top in an attempt to look ravishing, as you may end up looking like an overdone doll. Try to keep the makeup as neutral, subtle and light as possible. Use waterproof makeup, to avoid smudging and running in case you tend you sweat a lot. You are happy and that in itself is going you make you look pretty and gorgeous. The makeup is just to complement your natural looks, not alter them.