Beauty and Health FAQs
(Courtesy online.wsj.com)
Should I do my makeup myself?
This depends on how confident you are in your makeup skills. Around 90% of brides choose to hire a makeup artist for the bridal party. If a professional makeup artist is out of your budget, there are many makeup tutorials available online but it would be best to practice, practice, practice until you get it right or else you and your bridesmaids may be very disappointed on the big day.
What if I don’t like my makeup on my wedding day?
A little preparation should prevent this dilemma altogether. In the months leading up to your wedding, try mixing and matching makeup styles until you decide on a look that you like. You can practice some of the designs yourself to work out which ones will or won’t suit you and then when you have made a decision, it’s a good idea to go for a trial run with your makeup artist a few weeks before the wedding, to make ensure that you are completely happy with the end result on your wedding day.
I have very sensitive skin and don’t usually wear makeup. What should I do for my wedding day?
Mineral makeup is a good alternative for women with very sensitive skin. Try to find a makeup artist who uses mineral makeup products and ask if you can purchase some of their products, to try at home, a few months before the wedding. If you have an allergic reaction, it may take a few weeks for the inflammation to go down before you can try a different range of products. It’s important to prepare your makeup plans well in advance of your wedding because you need to find products that will look fantastic in photos without irritating your skin.
My skin is prone to acne and I don’t want a breakout on my wedding day. What should I do?
Start a really strict skin care regimen at least three months before your wedding. Find a suitable soap, cleanser, toner and moisturiser and stick to it every day until your wedding. It might take a while to find products that work for you which is why it’s so important to prepare ahead of time. Remove all of your makeup before bed every day, exfoliate once a week and consider having microdermabrasion about a month before the wedding. If you feel a zit is on its way the night before your wedding, do NOT squeeze it. Dab some benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or toothpaste on it before bed and then some concealer on it in the morning. Note that none of these products will zap your blemishes overnight- they’ll simply shorten the lifespan of the offending pimple.
Should I get airbrush makeup or just stick with traditional makeup?
Airbrushing is a very technical procedure and should only be done by highly trained makeup professionals. If your skin is already in really good condition, airbrushing might be a good option, especially because it looks so fantastic in photos. However, if your skin has scars or blemishes, air brushing is too thin and you should go with an application of traditional makeup. If you’re really set on airbrushing, you might consider it only after a base of traditional makeup has been applied to smooth out your skin’s imperfections.
What can I do to make my eyes really pop in photos?
False lashes are an option but they can be a pain to apply and the glue could cause an allergic reaction. Either practice applying falsies well in advance of your wedding or go to a salon and have some eyelash extensions applied about a week before the big day.
What can I do with my nails to make sure they don’t chip before the honeymoon is over?
The best way to keep your nails from breaking and chipping is to have gel nails professionally applied by a nail technician. Having them applied a few days before the wedding will ensure that they stay intact throughout the wedding festivities and honeymoon.
If I get a spray tan, will I end up looking like an oompa-loompa?
Not every spray tan results in a Jersey Shore worthy tone. Do not apply store-bought fake tan yourself. Find a reputable salon and go for a practice test a month or so before your wedding. It’s best to only go a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone and you can decide from the results of the practice test whether or not you need to adjust the shading for your big day (or skip the fake tan altogether).
I’m planning on losing some weight before the wedding. Should I just buy a smaller dress?
You should never buy a wedding dress that doesn’t fit. Buying a smaller dress is just setting yourself up for disappointment and disaster. Buy a dress that fits and if you successfully lose some weight before the wedding, give yourself a pat on the back and hire a skilled seamstress to adjust the dress for you.
What should I do to lose a few kilos?
Do NOT crash diet. A crash diet will leave you feeling dizzy and miserable at the altar. If you are really serious about looking your best on your wedding day and beyond, it’s important to start a healthy eating plan and exercise routine six months in advance. This will ensure that you look and feel your best during the wedding planning stage, ceremony, reception, honeymoon, and well into your life as a married woman.
Will perfume and deodorant stain my dress?
Nobody likes a smelly bride but nobody likes staining a dress of such sentimental and monetary worth either. Try to find an antiperspirant deodorant which is suitable to wear with white clothes without leaving a stain. When it comes to perfume, make sure you spritz yourself and allow the perfume to completely dry before putting on your dress. It’s said that men associate attractiveness with sight first and then smell. If you meet your groom at the altar smelling like a divine, fragrant angel, he’s likely to fall in love with you all over again.
What is a classy hairstyle for short hair?
If you have a bob, you might want to consider curling it under or adding a slight wave to it and pairing it with a tasteful tiara. Another popular wedding hairstyle is the chic finger wave of the 1920’s.
I have long hair and don’t want to wear it down because I’m worried I will get too hot. What can I do with my hair?
For a soft, versatile look, a chignon bun can be very elegant and stylish. A ballerina bun is also a beautiful option for a classic, sophisticated look.
