It’s happened to the best of us … we look in the mirror before a special occasion and decide it’s time for a makeover. And your wedding and engagement events are the most makeover-worthy occasions of them all. We all want to look fabulous and stay current with the latest trends especially on our wedding day.
When you do decide it’s time to get a makeover or update your look, don’t panic! It can seem overwhelming at first, especially if you feel like you need to do everything at once. But with a few guidelines, this can be a simple and fun journey to looking fabulous on your perfect day.
Assess your beauty challenge
Stand in front of the mirror and take a good look at yourself. Ask yourself what you feel needs improvement or updating. Is it your skin? I find that my skin looks dull and dry if I haven’t given it some TLC. Have you worn the same lipstick shade for the last three years. Do you look older than you are? Work this out, and you will know where to begin your makeover.
Don’t do it by yourself
Bring in the professionals. Just make sure you get the most out of your time and money and make every appointment a lesson. If make-up is your issue, schedule an appointment with a make-up artist at a department store and learn how to do it on your own. Ask for a face chart of the make-up application techniques she uses and then tape it to your mirror as a cheat sheet. Even if you aren’t doing your own makeup on the big day, you’ll need to learn flawless application techniques for all those pre-wedding events. This is your time to glow!
Q: Hi Shalini,
My wedding is coming up in three months, and I’m stressed about my skin! I have been struggling with acne for years and it is really starting to scar my face up. I have very oily skin. Do you know of any products I can use to either cover it up or help get rid of the acne? I want to look flawless on my wedding day and in my pictures.
Thanks,
Melissa
A: Hi Melissa,
I know how you feel. I get bouts of acne every so often and it's no fun. And especially with a wedding coming up! There are a few things you can try.
One of the easiest and least expensive first steps is to start using a good cleanser. I like the Clean And Clear Cleanser by Johnson and Johnson because it is one of the only cleansers over the counter that contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide and helps battle oil and acne. Use it morning and night. I had fantastic results when I used this product and have recommended it to many of my brides.
I recently appeared on the Dr. Oz show and had a blast sharing a few ancient skin secrets that are absolutely perfect for special moments like your wedding.
I’ve always been enchanted by the women I meet while traveling the world’s exotic countries in my quest for beauty secrets. How is it that Indian women have traffic-stopping shiny hair? Or Chinese women never seem to age? And those Brazilian women – wow their tans are so bronze! I simply had to know.
On one particular quest, I found one of my favorite secrets for gorgeous looking skin that’s great for every bride. No one should have a more visible glow to her than a blushing bride.
The women in India make their skin radiant on their special day with a traditional mixture of chickpea flour (absorbs oil), turmeric (a great anti-inflammatory and antiseptic) and almond oil (talk about moisture!). Their face and bodies are instantly exfoliated, skin softened and brightened. It’s glowing skin, head to toe!
Q: Hi Shalini,
I’m getting married in a few months and I want to look my best! I’ve found my dress and know how I want to wear my hair but I need some advice on my makeup. It’s a destination wedding so I most likely will be doing my own makeup.
My question is, what eyeshadow or eyeliner colors would look good with hazel eyes. I can never seem to find the right color to make my eyes pop. And I really want my eyes to shine on my wedding day! Can you recommend any particular colors I should use? I use brown colors everyday.
Thanks so much! ~Lisa
A: Hi Lisa,
Congrats on your wedding! I absolutely love hazel eyes. You have so many options depending on what type of look you are trying to achieve. Being that it’s your wedding day, I think you should really play up your eyes.
Let’s pull out the green in your eyes. To do that, use plum colors. Purples and plums are the perfect shades to bring out the green in hazel eyes. The Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Enigma has a great mix of plums for a more dramatic look if your wedding is in the evening or for a softer, pretty look if you are having a daytime wedding.
It’s your big day! All eyes are on you … and those kissable lips of yours. From greeting your guests, to sipping champagne and of course sealing the deal with the long-anticipated kiss, you are probably wondering if it is possible to keep your lips looking kissable and sexy all day long. Trust me, it is. My five tips will have you mastering the perfect pout in no time.
- Dry chapped lips? That’s a big wedding day don’t! A few days before the wedding, start exfoliating your lips to get rid of any excess dry or chapped skin. There are a few ways you can do this. The first and easiest is to use a warm washcloth and gently rub your lips. You could also use an old toothbrush with a drop of moisturizer and gently brush your lips. If you’re a product junkie, there are several great lip scrubs on the market including Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub or Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub.
Before Zane and I got married, the only weddings either of us had been to were in churches or hotels. Still, we had our ceremony and reception in a beautiful art deco hotel in Hollywood, which happened to be down the street from our apartment. It would never have occurred to me to do anything else. We just didn’t think inside the box. In fact, in the five short months we had to plan, we never truly realized there was a “box” to begin with.
As a wedding planner, this continues to ring true. Most of the couples I’ve worked with haven’t gone the traditional route. They want that “wow” factor and a venue whose personality matches their own. Art galleries are in. Or how about a converted warehouse? Or a train station? Couples want a venue with less rules or more rules they can live with, whatever gives them better control over what their wedding day is going to look and feel like.
But, when you don’t have a lot of time to plan, how do you find a fun, unique wedding venue that’s perfect for the two of you? Start with what you know.
Here's your master class in wedding videography:
Be Candid: Like any worthwhile relationship, the relationship you form with your videographer should be based on honesty. Don’t be afraid to tell them what you want. Before your first interaction, ask yourself what you are looking for. What aspect of the video will you cherish most for years to come? Then, when you meet, you’ll be able to begin a collaborative journey.
Insider Tip - Honesty is a two-way street. If your videographer is adamant about something, hear them out. More often than not, their advice rings true.
