Wedding Day Makeup

A few months prior to your wedding, start trying different makeup looks. Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, aim for a clean, polished appearance. Don’t pile on makeup that’s too heavy; you don’t want to look back at photos and not recognize yourself. If you hire a makeup artist, plan a trial session or tow. Take a picture to see how you’ll look in photos, and note how the makeup holds up for the next day.

Facials

A facial can help you maintain a radiant complexion – and a sense of calm. If you plan to have facials as an ongoing part of your preparations, start treatments with a license esthetician at least six months before the wedding. You will also want plenty of time to evaluate how your skin reacts to the treatment, what the recovery time is, if any, and how long the effects last. This will help you determine how often to have a facial (once every month or so is usually fine) and how soon before your wedding to have a final one. Plan on leaving at least a week between the last facial and the wedding.

Manicures and Pedicures

You’ll be showing off your rings, so you’ll want your hands and nails to look great. Begin a manicure (and pedicure) regimen several months before the wedding, making weekly or biweekly visits to a nail salon. A day or two before the wedding, enjoy a leisurely final appointment. Pale, sheer shades of pink or cream look appropriate on most brides. Bright pinks and reds tend to stand out too much in photographs.