Isn’t She Lovely?
Bridal Beauty Basics
By Cathy Baldwin
Your wedding day is your time to shine. With all eyes on you, you want to be sure that you look your very best. From a pre-wedding massage to the perfect coif, as the star of the show you deserve to be pampered. Check out these spa indulgences and bridal beauty secrets that’ll leave you feeling like the belle of the ball!
The Perfect Pedi
Tip-top toes are a must on your wedding day – especially if you plan on wearing strappy heels or bejeweled flip-flops. Book pedicures for yourself and your bridal party as a special treat. They’ll appreciate the pampering, and everyone will look all the lovelier stepping down the aisle.
For pedicure perfection, try a paraffin wax dip. The wax treatment leaves skin feeling smooth to the touch, and the warmth of the wax feels heavenly on sore soles.
Of course, a manicure is a must for a bride-to-be. What better way to show off your sparkly diamond ring than with a freshly manicured hand?
A bride has plenty of choices in the manicure department. If you naturally have nicely shaped nails, you might opt for a basic manicure. But if length or strength are issues, gel or acrylic nails might be better suited for the occasion. While some still shy away from the idea of faux nails, artificial nail technology has come a long way in the past few years and deserves a second chance. Gone are the days of cheap press-on nails that break almost as soon as they’re applied. When properly applied in a salon, gel and acrylics should last the wearer around two weeks. That gives you plenty of time to enjoy perfect nails for your wedding and your honeymoon.
Choosing just the right shade for your nails is part of the fun of your spa day. Vamp it up with a vixen red or go demure with a blushing shade of pink. If natural’s the look you prefer, opt for a French manicure. As for matching your toenails to your fingernails, you’ll simply look more put together if you choose the same hue from top to bottom. The exceptions to this rule are if you choose a French manicure or a very sheer, neutral shade for your nails and a solid color for your toenails.
Body Treatments
Nothing can soothe a bride’s nerves more thoroughly than a pre-wedding massage. You’ve spent months planning – don’t you think you deserve a little R & R? Of course you do!
Unwind with a hot stone massage, a Swedish massage or – even better – a couple’s massage with your hubby-to-be. Not only will a massage calm you down, it will help eliminate toxins and improve circulation.
For an even more deluxe spa experience, pamper yourself with a body wrap or scrub. For skin purification and exfoliation, a body wrap is a great way to get skin glowing for your wedding day. From fruit scrubs to glacial clay to seaweed, there’s no shortage of unusual and luxurious wraps to take your skin from dull and lackluster to nourished and radiant.
For the Face
Don’t let your pre-wedding jitters take their toll on your skin! Drink plenty of water, get lots of rest and exercise, and book a few facials in the weeks and months leading up to your wedding. Flawless skin is the very foundation of beauty, so get started on your skin care regime in plenty of time for your big day.
Facial treatments can work wonders brightening skin and eliminating fine lines. Local spas offer a variety of facials ranging from organic skin peels to anti-acne treatments. Some focus specifically on the area around the eyes to reduce puffiness and lines. Others deal strictly with the lips, making sure your pout is lipstick-ready and kissable. If you’re planning on wearing an open-backed gown, there are even “facials” designed just for the back so that you can look as pretty from the back as you do the front. One hint – don’t schedule your facial for the day of your ceremony. For the best results, estheticians recommend having your last pre-wedding facial a few days before the wedding to avoid any possible redness.
With your skin in tip-top shape, complete your look by hiring a professional make-up artist to apply your wedding day make-up. For best results – and to minimize any wedding day surprises – be sure to do a trial run with your make-up artist. That way you can get to know each others’ styles and preferences well in advance.
Fear not, brides who love the “natural” look. A true expert knows all the tricks to bringing out your best features without making you look like a clown. One hot beauty tip: for eyes that pop in photographs, have your make-up artist apply high-quality false eyelashes. These can come in whole strips or in smaller pieces to be glued on individually. The effect should be subtle – just enough oomph for you to notice a difference. You’re guaranteed to love the results!
Luscious Locks
Your hair is your crowning beauty, especially on your wedding day, so make sure that your style is one that you love, feel comfortable wearing and can last all day. Having a trial run with your hair stylist is an absolute must. Bring in your tiara, veil and any other hair accoutrements you might be wearing on your wedding day to the salon for your trial run. That way the stylist can incorporate all of the necessary elements leaving no room for last-minute surprises. On your wedding day, don’t forget to wear a button-down shirt when you get your hair done; there’s no faster way to destroy the perfect updo than by wrestling a shirt over your head!
What’s hot in hair for 2008? Local stylists say the side-swept bang is very popular right now. Taken straight from Hollywood, this look has old-school glamour written all over it. Whether you have bangs or not, stylists can create the look with bobby pins or headbands. Another new look taken from the red carpet is the chignon pulled to the side for an edgy take on a classic. Incorporate a sparkly pin or a few blooms of stephanotis, and you have a look that’s all your own.
For a more traditional style, you can always go with the sleek and sophisticated updo. This style brings attention to your face and dress. If wearing your hair loose and down is the romantic look you love the most, consider choosing a strapless dress so that your hair and dress don’t compete for attention on your shoulders.
Marrying on the beach in wind and humidity can wreak havoc on any hairstyle, so be sure that bobby pins, a brush and hairspray are on hand for any touch-ups before you make your arrival at the reception. Some brides are even choosing to bring their hair and make-up professionals with them for the day so that they can look their best from the I do’s to the last dance.
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