Don't Do Anything Drastic To Your Hair Before Your Wedding!

Have you ever dreamed of sporting an electric blue Mohawk, or trading your flowing tresses for a cute pixie haircut? That's fine, but trying to live out your follicular fantasies a month before your wedding is a recipe for disaster. Ideally you'll plan your wedding 'do the minute you get engaged. If you have a blond bob and you long for a vibrant red up do for the special day, you'll need to start growing your hair out and shopping that perfect shade of ginger. Or if you want to walk down the aisle wearing a short look, you should get it cut immediately to allow yourself time to restore your locks should you end up regretting your new style.

Hopefully by the time you find your dress and headpiece, should you choose to wear one, get yourself to your stylist to experiment and find the perfect coif to complete your look. Make sure this is the same person who will design your hair the day you actually get hitched. Once you discover the magic look, snap a photo or two so your stylist can remember exactly what you both came up with. Make your appointment for your wedding day hair as far in advance as possible. Don't forget that you'll need an additional appointment to have your color done one week before you get married so you'll have time to get it corrected if needed and also so the skin around your hairline is no longer stained from the dye.

Once you're married you can finally get that bleached-out mullet you've been longing for, but until then, it's better to play it safe!

The Highlight of Your Wedding Day

Have you ever noticed how some celebrities positively glow in photographs? That's because their makeup artists know a little trick many folks are not privy to. Highlighter! No, not the fluorescent felt-tip pen you used to mark up your college textbooks. The highlighter in question is a light-reflecting powder, cream, or liquid utilized towards the end of your makeup routine to enhance certain areas of your face. Mind you I did not say glitter! Unless you're a fairy, you have no business putting glitter on your face. Illumination is the look you want to achieve.

Highlighters come in a variety of colors, but it's best to choose one that's neutral and close to your skin tone. You don't want to look like a clown for your nuptials, unless of course you're having a circus-themed wedding! To brighten up your peepers, sweep the highlighter over your brow bone and inner corners of your eyes. Next, apply it from the bridge to the tip of your nose, and at the top of your cheekbones above your blush. Blend with a brush. For luscious lips, apply the highlighter to the Cupid's bow before you sweep on your lipstick. You'll be amazed at how gorgeous and ravishing this will make your mouth look!

As with any hair or makeup routine pertaining to your wedding day, do a trial run with the highlighter several weeks before the big event to ensure you like the color and application, and don't have a reaction to the newest cosmetic in your beauty arsenal. Get illuminated!

Falsies

...as in false eyelashes! What better time to glam up your eyes than on your wedding day? Very few women sport false eyelashes on a regular basis, which makes wearing them to get hitched just that more special. If you've been blessed with naturally long lush lashes, then congratulations, you can skip this step. But for most of us, the daily abuse of mascara, and mascara removal, can leave our lashes looking a little less than lovely. Pumping up your peepers with falsies will cause your man to swoon at the altar. And who doesn't want to make her guy breathless on the big day?

There are several types of lashes at your disposal. Some are applied to the lash line in clusters for maximum control of placement and effect. Others are strips that create a more uniform appearance. To see if you like the way you look in these lash enhancers, test drive a variety of them several weeks before your nuptials. Follow the packages' instructions for gluing your lashes on, then once the glue has dried, curl your natural lashes and the new additions together to blend them. Save mascara and eyeliner application until after you have your falsies right where you want them. Once you single out a favorite brand, length, and style of lashes, bring a package of them with you when you go for the pre-wedding trial run with your makeup artist. This will allow your pro to know exactly how you want your lashes to look when having your face made up on your wedding day.

It's the truth! Falsies can make you look fabulous!

Hair Extensions for the Big Day

Do you wish you had longer fuller hair to complete the fairy tale look that you're trying to achieve on your wedding day? Have you considered clip-in hair extensions? These beauties, made of real human hair, can make your locks look lush and natural for your nuptials. They come in a wide range of colors and the perfect shade exists to blend in with your own hair. Hot styling tools can be used on these extensions and they can even be dyed. Temporary clip-in hair extensions can make a world of difference in your appearance and I highly recommend them. I offer them for sale for $95 and can show you during your wedding hair practice session how to apply them. You'll be amazed at how much they can enhance your hair's overall appearance!

Proper care of your extensions is crucial in prolonging their life and looks. Treating them gently is key. You must remember that any hair lost from your extensions will not regrow as it would from your own scalp. Remove them daily and use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner every second or third day. Lightly trimming the split ends caused by wear and tear is also paramount. If you choose to use any hot styling tools on your extensions, utilize a heat protectant beforehand. With proper care, your extensions, and the gorgeous head of hair they give you, can last for years!

Pearly Whites

One thing many brides neglect to consider is the health and appearance of their teeth. And why not? When your busy dreaming about wedding gowns and honeymoon destinations, who wants to think about dental hygiene? Having bright clean teeth for your wedding day is crucial for several reasons. One, you're going to be forever immortalized in hundreds of photos. Also, you'll likely be wearing white or a variation thereof, and the bright fabric can make your teeth appear yellow by contrast. Keep in mind that the color of lipstick you choose to wear can also make your teeth look less-than-pearly. Consult with your professional make-up artist who can recommend the best shade for a bright smile.

So, what should you do to achieve those pearly whites for your wedding day? Several months before the big event, go to your dentist for a full check-up. She'll perform x-rays to see if you need any major dental work, which should be performed sooner rather than later. You don't want to neglect a cavity and end up needing an emergency root canal several days before you get married! While you're there, ask the doctor about whitening your ivories. This can be performed in a single treatment at the dental office or at home over several weeks with over-the-counter preparations. Also, start flossing now. Don't wait to establish this healthy habit a week before you tie the knot. For those unused to flossing, it can cause your gums to swell and bleed until they become accustomed to the stimulation.

On your actual wedding day, brush and floss your teeth several times before having your make-up applied. After that perfect shade of lipstick has been swept over your lips, use this simple trick to prevent it from ending up on your teeth. Place your clean finger in your mouth, close your lips around it, and remove. Any color on your finger probably would have ended up on your teeth. Don't be afraid to discreetly consult a mirror or ask your betrothed to check your teeth every now and then throughout the day to make sure they are immaculate. After all, you won't be able to wipe the smile off of your face on this, the happiest day of your life!

Attend to your Decolletage

Every bride wants to look as gorgeous as possible for the special event. You'll practically spend days choosing your dress, shoes, and jewelry. For hours before you walk down the aisle, your face will be made up and your hair perfectly coiffed. You'll stare at your exquisitely manicured hands in anticipation of your future husband slipping that sacred ring on your finger. From head to toe you'll be the picture of beauty and the personification of love. But did you remember your decolletage? This is one of the most neglected parts of a woman's body. Do you realize that the skin on your chest and neck receives as much sun exposure as your face? This means it can age just as quickly. However, very few women bother to exfoliate, apply sunscreen, or moisturize this very vulnerable area.

Unless you're tying the knot in a gown with a high neck, your decolletage is going to be exposed. Why have a flawless face and leave your chest covered in blemishes, wrinkles, and sunspots? To prevent these skin issues from occurring in the first place, exfoliate, use sunscreen, and moisturize daily as previously mentioned. Take the same degree of care of your decolletage as you do your face. Don't be afraid to ask your professional make-up artist to apply concealer and foundation to this area if it has been ravaged by the sun. Preparing your appearance for your wedding day should literally be a head to toe endeavor. Don't forget to attend to your decolletage!