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Whether you're going for a natural look or for something with a little more oomph, chances are you'll definitely want to put your best face forward on your wedding day. Your makeup and skin have to look picture perfect -- and we'll show you that "pretty" is pretty easy.
THE INSPIRATION
Before you start ripping your favorite pages out of beauty magazines, look at favorite pictures of yourself. Maybe your eyes or your full lips make you stunning -- or perhaps you loved the rosy glow in your cheeks that day. Only after you know what it is that you love about yourself can you look to, say, Nicole Kidman for beauty inspiration. Afterward, look at the big picture of the wedding itself. Where you're marrying and what time of day will affect the beauty specifics: A wedding on a beach might call for a bronze and dewy look; an evening affair always requires more drama against dim lighting. Next, consider your wedding style. (Vintage? City sophisticate?) For example, if your gown and your details evoke an all-American preppy, striking cat-eyes probably aren't going to work.
Make note of your day-to-day beauty dilemmas, such as mascara on your bottom lashes tends to give you dark circles or lip liner makes your lips dry, and share these concerns with your makeup artist. And don't be afraid to try something new -- as long as you test-drive the look before the wedding. You may find colors or combinations you are afraid of actually look great on you.
FINDING A MAKEUP ARTIST
A good makeup artist can mean the difference between a nice wedding face and a drop-dead beautiful one. As with any wedding vendor, you'll want to do your research. Look online, talk to the ladies at your bridal salon or your reception venue, speak with local brides and friends -- cover all the bases. Nowadays, you can hire a makeup artist through the same salons where you find your hair specialists. Many salons offer makeup applications, and often a line of cosmetics -- which can be a big help for a bride with limited cosmetic resources. Some salons offer a discount if you book both your makeup and hair professionals there.
You can also find a great makeup artist through local department stores. If you have a favorite makeup counter, head there for a free makeover (or visit 20 different counters and then pick a favorite). When you like what you see, ask the salesperson if she does any outside makeup work. She may be willing to come to you on the wedding day or, if not, maybe she can set aside an appointment at the counter for the morning of the wedding.
What many brides don't realize about a consultation is that this is a trial run -- which means, most professionals will only want to give you an idea of the look you're after, not an exact replica of what to expect on wedding day. Your artist might do the left eye in one color combination and the right in another, so you have a comparison of which works better.
After everything with your professional is said and done, remember this: You know your face better than anyone. Don't get talked into something you absolutely hate or won't feel comfortable with. You're going to have to live with that face -- not only for the rest of the day, but in pictures for the rest of your life.
NO EXPERT? NO PROBLEM
Get some sleep. Your body requires a minimum of eight hours of rest to rebuild and repair itself. In that time, it sheds dead skin cells, flushes toxins and excess water, and regulates its natural moisture levels (among other things). Deprive yourself of sleep, and expect to see dull skin, dark circles, and puffiness when you wake up in the morning.
Your skin reflects how well you take care of yourself. Excessive smoking and drinking can also leave you with a pallid complexion. Since cigarettes and alcohol both restrict the circulation of oxygen through your body, your skin does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to look healthy and supple. Drinking lots of water (at least eight glasses a day) and getting enough exercise, however, can help to increase circulation and flush out toxins.
Last, create a skin regimen -- one that you'll stick to. For the most part, this should include washing your face twice a day with lukewarm or cool water (hot water evaporates the moisture from the surface cells, prematurely aging skin) and afterward applying a moisturizer with an SPF. Since we all tend to diagnose ourselves wrong (for instance, thinking you have dry skin when you actually have oily), a dermatologist can give you specific instructions as to what kind of products you should be using and how often.
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