If you're busy planning your wedding day then chances are you'll have been consumed by dresses, canapés and what the weather is going to be like, but have you thought about how you're going to ensure you look like a beautiful, beaming bride on the big day?
If not, then here's a definitive check-list of all the things you should be doing in order to look radiant and ravishing:
MAKE YOUR MIND UP
Remember you're after an understated and elegant look not a dramatic diva one so don't go overboard on heavy hues or start experimenting with a bold catwalk look. The idea is to look beautifully natural and you can do this by enhancing your best features with lots of pretty romantic colours. Sugar pinks and peach shades work best on pale and fair skin while pale golds and subtle bronze will complement tanned skin...
Three months to go:
Book a make-up artist. Personal recommendations or the Yellow Pages are good ways to source these. For your initial appointment bring a picture of your dress, plus your veil/tiara so your make-up artist can get a good idea of your overall look. Tear sheets from bridal magazines depicting make-up styles you like can also be helpful.
Two months to go:
If you're not using a make-up artist visit your local department store and book an appointment with one of the many beauty brands who now offer make-over services and skin consultations. Bobbi Brown, Max Factor, Origins and Molton Brown are all worth checking out but Lauder have a special Bridal Beauty Programme make-over programme.
Six weeks to go:
Have your make-up rehearsal with your make-up artist.
Two weeks to go:
Have your eyebrows groomed and eyelashes tinted. If you can't get them done professionally then try Shavata Singh's fool proof shaping kit (020 8997 1089). Tinting should be done by an expert and will stop you from worrying about whether your mascara will smudge or run if your emotions get the better of you.
One week to go:
If you're doing your make-up yourself then double check you've bought all your concealers, powders, lipsticks etc. A skin illuminator is also as must as it will make your skin glow.
FACE FACTS
Flawless skin is a must as you're going to be photographed all day long so you'll need a picture perfect complexion. Try to have at least three skin smoothing/brightening facials once a month in the run-up to your big day. The final one should be done about a week before hand. Any nearer the date and you'll run the risk of break-outs and blotchy skin...
Three months to go:
Book yourself in for a facial. Clarins Pro-Active Radiance Facial (0800 036 3558) is a miracle worker while SKII's Anti-Ageing Facial (0870 837 7377) will perk up tired looking skin. Jurlique's De-Luxe Rejuvanessence Facial (020 8995 2293) is great for older skin as it helps eradicate any wrinkles.
Two months to go:
Book your second facial. Adopt a strict twice-daily cleansing, toning and moisturising routine. Gently exfoliate your skin once a week to keep it looking fresh and smooth.
One month to go:
Book your final facial. Try to keep out of the sun as you don't want any problems with sunburned or overly dry skin.
Two weeks to go:
Try not to wear any foundation/powder etc in order to let your skin breathe.
One week to go:
Try not to drink any alcohol otherwise your skin will end up looking dull and dehydrated - and you'll feel pretty awful too!
CROWNING GLORY
Whether you opt for a simple or sophisticated style, your hair will be your piece de resistance on the big day so to avoid any possible chance of disaster take the necessary steps to success. Always be honest with yourself. If you don't like something just say it. If you don't feel comfortable you certainly won't look it...
Three months to go:
Find a hair stylist. If you visit a salon regularly and like the staff then there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to treat your tresses on the big day. If you'd prefer a stylist to come to your house then check out your Yellow Pages.
Two months to go:
Arrange a styling appointment with your hairdresser. Bring along a picture of your dress and some tear sheets depicting styles you like. If you're wearing a veil or tiara then bring that too. Book yourself in for a couple of deep conditioning treatments.
One month to go:
Have a trial run with your hairdresser so you know exactly how your hair is going to look on the day. Bring a friend along so they can glean some tips on how you put it up if it needs redoing later on during the wedding.
Three weeks to go:
To avoid nasty roots showing through have your colour done. By now you should be using a conditioning treatment every week.
Two weeks to go:
Have a trim as this will revitalise your locks and give you the time to change or grow out anything you don't like.
NAIL IT
Your official photographer is bound to take lots of pictures of the happy couple holding hands and showing off their new wedding rings so chipped nails and chapped hands are obviously not an option. To ensure your hands are smooth and your nails look strong and healthy use a good hand cream every day and treat yourself to a regular manicure so unruly cuticles and soft/brittle nails can be sorted out in time. If you can, try to convince your husband-to-be to do the same thing!
Two months to go:
Organise a manicure and pedicure treatment. Nails Inc and New York Nails Company can do special bridal packages. While Jessica's Zenspa Pedicure (020 8381 7793) will whip craggy feet into shape. If you're after a really deluxe foot treatment try Michael John's Foot Facial (020 7629 6969)
One month to go:
Have another manicure and give yourself a DIY pedi at home. Gently file off any dry skin then place your feet in a bowl of warm water laced with peppermint oil then moisturise to get them super soft.
One week to go:
Treat your feet to a final pedicure. Paint toenails the same colour as your fingernails if you're wearing sandals otherwise you can go for a more vibrant shade that'll also be perfect for your honeymoon.
Two days to go:
Have your final manicure done. Don't go for dark colours (unless you're opting for a non-traditional gown) as they can look too vampish and therefore totally inappropriate. Pale nudes or pinks look best.
FAKING IT
If you don't want to go down the pale and interesting route and won't have the time or money to treat yourself to a last-minute beach holiday then you'll need to apply a little self-tan to get a gorgeous glow...
Six weeks to go:
Try out a few fake tans so you know what shade and style suits you. If you want to gain a tan courtesy of a sunbed you'll have to clock up a few sessions in the weeks leading up to the wedding to achieve a good colour. Remember that sunbeds are a health risk.
Three weeks to go:
Start exfoliating your skin twice a week and slapping on lots of rich moisturiser to prepare your skin for the self tan.
One week to go:
Remember that you do risk staining your dress if you wear fake tan on your big day so apply it a good few days beforehand so it won't run. Better still, get a professional to apply it for you. The beauty market is now flooded with a huge selection of gentle holiday glow style self tanners which are a useful device if you want to create a barely there bronzage and are less likely to cause staining.
BODY BEAUTIFUL
If you can, try and have a massage or two in the lead up as this will help to relax you and release any pent up tension. A professional exfoliation and contouring treatment are great treats for both you and your skin...
Two months to go:
Book an exfoliating and/or body contouring treatment. Decleor (020 7313 8780) and Dermalogica (0800 591 818) both specialise in these and have salons nationwide.
One month to go:
Book another body treatment and start dry brushing your skin before stepping into the shower each morning to really kickstart your circulation.
Three weeks to go:
If you're going to wear a self-tan then give yourself the best possible start by exfoliating your skin twice a week and putting on lots of rich moisturiser to keep it nicely nourished.
Top Tips
Eat healthily - adopt a sensible eating regime in the lead up to your wedding day. Whatever you do don't starve yourself otherwise you'll end up looking very unhealthy and you run the risk of not fitting into your dress. Exercise - makes you look better and healthier and helps you to breathe - which you may be forgetting to do as your stress levels begin to increase! It's also a great way of eliminating toxins which can make the skin look dull and lacklustre. Drink plenty of water - to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. Still mineral water is the best as fizzy will just bloat you. Try to drink at least two litres a day. Send up the Zzzzs - make sure you get a good night's sleep in the weeks leading up to your wedding to ensure you and your skin look great.
Getting married? Then be sure check out our sister site You and Your Wedding for everything you ever wanted to know about planning your big day
