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 Beauty
Tips - Your Bridal Beauty Plan
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From head to toe,
tips on what to do once a month,
week, day -- if not only for this
once -- to look positively radiant
on your wedding day.
Your Hair
Once a month:
Show your locks a
little tenderness with a deep
conditioning treatment. It'll help
mend ends and fortify your strands
while making them silky smooth --
and, come on, like you'll really
mind just sitting still and doing
nothing for 10 minutes! For stressed
tresses, try a deep conditioner to get your
hair in top-notch shape.
Once a week:
Give your hair a
rest! All that drying, styling and,
yes, even shampooing has been
causing it some serious stress. If
you feel you can't go even one day
without at least a good scrub, use a
shampoo that's formulated for
frequent use, heavy with
moisturizers as our hair tends to be
dry.
Once a day:
If you're a
blow-dryer (or flatiron) junkie,
protect your locks first. Use a
fortifying heat styler that adds
shine and strength while controlling
frizz. A dab'll do you when it comes
to protecting your tender ends.
At least once:
Get a trim to remove
your dead ends and clean up your
cut. If you do this only once, do it
a week before your wedding. Worried
your roots will be unwelcome wedding
guests? Give them a quick touch-up
with your favorite color.
Your Face
Once a month:
This isn't for
sensitive types, but for the rest of
us, an at-home peel may be just the
thing to clear out dead, dull skin
cells, and make way for a radiant
face. The key is to keep it moving
-- work in a circular motion to
cover your whole face, and don't
focus on one spot for more than a
few seconds.
Once
a week:
Purge pores with a
deep-cleaning mask. Choose the right
formula for your face; an
exfoliating mask that doubles as a
scrub is ideal to slough off dry
skin, while a clay-based mask will
minimize pores and help reduce shine
on oily complexions.
Once a day:
Keeping your face
clean is a no-brainer, but make sure
you protect your investment with a
good moisturizer. It's a must
whether your skin's dry or oily.
Look for a moisturizer that is
formulated for your complexion and
is at least SPF 15 (read the fine
print too—you want broad UVA and UVB
coverage). Take special care around
your eyes, where the skin is more
delicate. Use a cream or gel that's
made just for this sensitive skin.
At least once:
Get a facial. A professional skin
expert will be able to clean you up,
clear you out, and also identify
(and help troubleshoot) skin
problems. Don't just lie there --
speak up and ask questions. Find
out what should be added (or
skipped) in your beauty routine,
what kinds of ingredients you should
be looking for to suit your skin
type, and plenty of other insider
info.
Your Body
Once a month:
Digress with a visit
to your friendly neighborhood salon.
To take some of the sting out of
waxing, pop a pain reliever and
drink a glass of water before you
head out, and try to avoid
scheduling services when you're
premenstrual (you'll be way too
tender).
Once a week:
There may be
variances in undertone on different
parts of your face so it's a good
idea to have three foundation shades
-- light, medium, and dark -- on
hand to allow for the different
gradations of color. Women of color
tend to be darker across the brow
and chin, and slightly lighter on
the cheeks. Use the light foundation
as your under-eye concealer and to
lighten a dark forehead or chin
area. Use the medium foundation as
your all-over color to correct spots
of varied pigmentation. Use the dark
foundation to even out the lightest
areas of your face. You can also
experiment with a bronzing stick to
bring down the lighter tones of your
face.
Say sayonara to scaly
skin. Hop in the shower for some
serious exfoliation. Clearing out
dry, dead cells will help skin stay
rejuvenated.
Once
a day:
Keep your glow going
with a daily head-to-toe lotion
rubdown. During the warmer months,
look for a lighter formula that's
filled with an SPF of at least 15.
In winter, fight dryness with a mega
moisturizer like body butter.
At
least once:
Hit the spa. A little
posh pampering is sooo relaxing, and
there are some beauty routines (like
a back facial or a full Brazilian
waxing) that you just can't deny.
Indulge yourself with at least one
tempting treatment -- you won't
regret it.
Your Hands
& Feet
Once
a month:
Get a professional
manicure and pedicure to ensure your
hands and feet look great. Plus
(bonus!) you'll always be prepared
to show off your engagement ring.
You'll feel especially wedding-ready
in classic pale pinks.
Once
a week:
Show those tootsies
some tough love. Slough off any dead
or dry skin with a foot scrub. This
callus blaster will eliminate any
rough spots and leave your feet
totally sandal- worthy.
Once
a day:
Make a habit of hand
cream. Even if your hands aren't
dryness-prone, a little deluxe
treatment for your digits can't
hurt. Tuck a tube of it in your
purse.
At
least once:
Yes, it's strange --
and definitely squishy. But spending
the night deep moisturizing your
hands and feet (inside socks and
gloves) will enrich your skin and
leave it unbelievably moist. Take
out some of the "yuk" factor by
picking up a product just for this
purpose, spa beauty booties,
moisturizing gel socks and
moisturizing gel gloves will do the
trick!
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