Wedding Beauty
Blissful Brides can address all of your beauty needs! As you prepare for your big day there are
so many ways to prepare yourself. Facials are the most common beauty treatment that many
brides enjoy. A good facial includes surface cleansing, deep pore cleansing (sometimes including extractions),
exfoliation, toning, and moisturizing. The combination of services you receive depends on your skin type; oily
skins will get extra cleansing, dry skin extra-moisturizing treatments.
The esthetician will look at your skin, usually under the unforgiving glare of a bright light, and sometimes using
a big magnifying glass. She may ask you questions about diet, exercise, skin problems, sun exposure, or skin care.
Then she'll identify what she sees as your problems -- clogged pores, blackheads, dryness, etc. This is a good time
to tell her when you're getting married and ask her to suggest a routine you can follow to ensure great skin on the big day.
Make-Up Beauty Tips
Skin Protection
Use a moisturizer that includes SPF 30 or higher, especially
if you are getting married outdoors! You may be getting more sun than you think
you are, and you will definitely look pinker in pictures.
Mascara
Choose a mascara that's waterproof; it lasts longer and withstands tears.
Eyeliner
Charcoal, navy, or mahogany are your best options for eyeliner.
Eyeshadow
Use a white shadow as a highlighter on your brow bone if you have light skin;
a warmer light peach or vanilla shade will suit deeper complexions.
Eyebrows
Define your brows with a pencil or shadow that matches your hair color.
Cheeks
Don't forget your blush! A pop of color on your cheeks is like an instant facelift.
For fairer skin, a pink tone will work; those with deeper skin tones can choose a rosier hue.
Application
For your makeup application, natural light is best. If possible, set up an application
table near a window. If there's no natural light available, use a bright lamp -- halogens work best.
Blend well all over, especially at the corners of your eyes, since cameras pick up visible makeup lines.
Neck Area
Use bronzing powder (not foundation) on your chest and neck if you need to even out
your skin tone -- it will make your skin more luminous and ensure that your face doesn't look too different from your body.
Lips
Choose a lip color that's a bit bright. Pale nude or brown lip hues can make you appear washed out in photos,
particularly since you'll be wearing white. If you normally wear a neutral hue, wear it as your base with a pink
or rose color on top. If you normally wear dark lipstick, use that as your base and apply a lighter sheer pink
on top to give you a lift.
Lipstick
Even if you mix various lip colors when applying your makeup, be sure to have one great lipstick to carry with you for touchups.
Makeup Setup
When having your hair styled, a low counter with a mirror -- like a vanity table -- will work best.
Check to see that your chair has a low back, so your stylist will have easy access to your head.
And make sure there are electrical outlets nearby for appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons,
and electric rollers. For extra insurance, bring a few extension cords.
If your veil needs to be removed after the ceremony, make sure your hairdresser shows your mom or maid
of honor how to do it without mussing your do.
Reflexology
It's a full body massage for the feet. There are seven thousand nerve endings in each foot.
And each foot has a map of the body, so when you're working the feet you're also working the whole body.
Applying subtle pressure to parts of your feet gets everything moving. It doesn't cure disease, but it
can definitely prevent it. And the big benefits of reflexology are that it helps to stabilize the body,
improves circulation, promotes relaxation, releases blocked energy, and eliminates toxins.
Sensual Massage
The most sensitive body parts are: head and neck, ears, sides of the body from armpits to hips,
inner thighs, fingers and toes, and, of course, genitals. Keep this handy list in mind as you
provide some sensual rest and relaxation.
With your guy lying on his stomach, sans-clothes, use massage oil
and warm your hands by rubbing them together and place them on your partner -- one hand on the
upper back, one hand on the lower. Leave your hands there for a long moment then massage him with love.
Whiter Teeth
You can have the perfect lipstick, but if your teeth are yellow you won't want to flash a smile.
Dentists remain the best source for the most dramatic results by way of bleaching products, which
contain peroxides that can help remove stains to reveal teeth that are five to seven shades whiter.
Depending on where you live, costs begin around $400 for treatments like at-home or in-office bleaching.
The list of over-the-counter teeth-whitening systems such as Crest Whitestrips, Oral-B Rembrandt Plus
Superior Bleaching Kit, and Simply White continues to grow, and all whiten teeth by a few shades.
