Marriage season is in full swing and the Woman This Month beauty team has a round up of tips to help this year’s lucky brides-to-be from turning into high-maintenance bridezillas.
Look good inside and out
1. Don’t diet. One mistake most women make is going on a crash diet. Cutting calorie intake in an attempt to look slim quickly can reap negative results. First, starving your body will cause it to go on calorie-saving mode. Second, even if you do shed a few kilos, you will gain it all back as soon as you start eating regularly.
2. Eat food that is good for you. While you must make sure to stick to your beauty regimen for a glowing, smooth complexion, don’t forget to heal your insides too. Dig into skin-loving foods like avocados, salmon, pomegranates and carrots.
3. Shape up. Your wedding is a great motivation to get back in shape, so try to increase your cardio by at least 30 more minutes. If you are short on time, don’t worry too much about your legs and focus on what will be on full display — your arms.
4. On the day. Don’t have a facial right before the wedding; instead exfoliate gently and moisturise. Also, refrain from trying anything new. You don’t need any last minute surprises.
5. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water. It will help you lose those extra kilos, rid your body of toxins and help give you a better complexion. Don’t forget, true hydration is also about reducing sodium intake. This works wonders on reducing bloating.
6. Remedy your skin. The link between a diet and acne is not completely clear. Research suggests that those who are allergic to dairy and sugar tend to breakout more. Stay clear of excess cheese; maintain a diet rich in vitamin C to promote younger, healthier looking skin.
7. Protect yourself from the sun. You don’t need to be getting married to live by this rule. Don’t leave the house without sunscreen. If you had a day out under the sun, blitz up a homemade face mask of yoghurt, cucumber and aloe vera (if you’re not allergic) to cool down burnt skin.
8. Have a schedule. The perfect time to start detox, body wraps or any beauty treatment is about 12-14 weeks before the big day.
9. Don’t overdo it. If you are comfortable with your skincare regimen, stick to it. Changing the products you use drastically in an attempt to attain the perfect complexion can backfire. However, if you must makeover your routine, then do so a few weeks in advance so your skin can get accustomed to it.
10. Make time for you. In the hustle and bustle of getting a party together, it is important not to get too caught up in the anxiety. Maintain a mindset that will allow you to look at your wedding day as a fun, joyous start to the rest of your life instead of a stressful event. fun, joyous start to the rest of your life instead of a stressful event.
Your beauty must dos
11. Check your essentials. No matter what look you are going for, be it classical, glamorous or even Goth, three things are essential. You need a foundation with staying power, mascara that doesn’t run and a stay-put lipstick.
12. Bring an extra pair of shoes. Go ahead and splurge on those Jimmy Choos. You don’t get married everyday. Of course, once you are done with the ceremony and photo sessions, you might want to slip into something more comfortable.
13. Avoid princess looks. Yes, the fairytale world is all the rage these days, but you don’t want to look back on your wedding album and see yourself looking like the real-life Cinderella. Keep your look timeless.
14. Pose for the camera. You will need to be prepared to take hundreds of photos. If you feel like your smile is starting to stiffen, close your eyes and relax your face.
15. Dress for your shape. Finding the perfect dress is one of the most challenging aspects. Figure out your budget and don’t hesitate to tell the salesperson what exactly you are looking for. Before you start shopping, do some research and find the silhouette that best suits your shape.
16. The right make-up. Get a trial make-up run a month or so in advance. Remember, if you are blonde or fair-skinned, cool tones of grey, blue, soft pink and lilac are ideal. If you are a brunette or olive-skinned, warm neutral tones of brown, taupe, burgundy and red are more apt. Whatever you choose, tone down the bronzer to avoid looking carrot-hued in pictures.
17. Pay attention to detail. Make sure that your jewellery does not overpower your dress. Accessories are not meant be the statement piece of your ensemble. Choose to wear classic,
timeless shapes.
18. Picture-perfect nails. Let’s face it; there is one thing that will definitely upstage you during your big day — your ring. Manicure your nails and choose a colour that is fresh but natural. A nude shade is a modern take on the clichéd French mani.
19. False lashes are more practical. It’s a wedding and there will be plenty of crying so save yourself from a river of mascara running down your face.
20. Have an emergency bag on hand. We mean a full-on first aid kit with aspirin, ibuprofen and the works. You never know what your body will decide to do and on such an important day, you need to have quick relief close by.
