Bridal Cosmetic Treatments

All brides want to look their best on the big day, and many will start a new diet or beauty regime months in advance to make sure they look and feel fantastic as they walk down the aisle. In recent years, however, brides have been going beyond regular facials and fake tan, and looking towards cosmetic treatments to ensure they are picture perfect. Whether you simply want your teeth whitened, or you are considering dramatic plastic surgery, there are certain things you should consider.

Laser teeth whitening before your wedding

Having your teeth whitened can be a very simple and effective way to achieve a fresh look for your wedding, and can make you look years younger. Laser teeth whitening doesn’t take very long and is relatively low cost. If you do decide to have your teeth whitened make sure you take your fiance along as well. It might look a little odd on your wedding photos if you are the only one with an ice white smile.

Botox, skin peels or line filler treatments

These skin treatments are another way to achieve a more youthful look, and if you are concerned about wrinkles, blemishes or scars spoiling your overall bridal look they can be a real confidence booster.

If you do decide to try one of these treatments they will need at least ten days to settle in, but you should probably have them done around six weeks before the wedding in case of any bruising or, with Botox, an overly frozen look. A skin peel can be a great way to get rid of troublesome scars, but remember your face will be super sensitive to honeymoon sun afterwards.

Breast enlargement or other cosmetic surgery

If there is something you’ve always wanted to have changed, such as a breast enlargement or a nose job, your wedding might seem like the perfect excuse to finally get it done. On the other hand, making a dramatic transformation in the way you look may leave you feeling self conscious. You may find that cosmetic surgery means the bride in the wedding photos really doesn’t look like you.

If you are set on cosmetic surgery, try to have it done at least six months before the wedding to give you and your fianc?e time to get used to the new you. If you are having an operation that will alter your body shape, such as breast enlargement, you will have to have it done before you choose your bridal gown, which could be a year or so before the big day.

Keep cosmetic treatments subtle

All brides want too look their best, and with the wide range of cosmetic treatments available today it would be easy to get carried away on self improvement. However, don’t forget that your fiance fell in love with you just as you are. If you do decide to try cosmetic treatments try to keep any changes subtle and simple. Something as easy as laser teeth whitening can be as effective in making you appear younger as more serious cosmetic surgery.

Round Out your Perfect Look with some Choice Bridal Accessories

It is often said that the wedding day is all about the bride. There is one simple reason for this—the bride almost always puts in more work. Whether it is due to tradition or proclivity, women tend to do most of the wedding planning. Their number one priority, of course, is the dress. While the groom-to-be need only be fitted for a tuxedo, the bride-to-be has to find the perfect dress and numerous bridal accessories.

On average, she will start shopping for her dress nine to twelve months before her big day. And as soon as she finds it, she will start shopping for accessories. Altogether, these extras may be as expensive as the actual dress. Let us take a moment to review the most popular bridal accessories.

The Veil

The veil is an antiquated fashion accessory in the West. Women almost never wear them, unless they are attending a funeral or are the bride at a wedding. There is something about the tradition of lifting the veil and kissing the bride that sets most female hearts a-flutter. It doesn't even matter that veils can be quite costly. The cost of this traditional accessory starts at about one hundred dollars.

Choosing a veil often depends on the formality of the event. For a highly formal indoor wedding, most brides select a longer, more elaborate veil that falls to the elbows or below. These veils are typically made from tulle and have more than one layer. Popular formal veils include the elbow, the fingertip, the chapel, and the cathedral veil. These styles can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and they are generally only worn at formal affairs.

As wedding costs continue to rise, couples are looking for ways to cut costs. One of the easiest and ways to trim the proverbial fat is to go with simpler, more casual bridal accessories. When a couple plans an outdoor wedding in the grass or on the sands, they can sometimes save a few hundred dollars on the veil alone. Short veils like the blusher are made with only one layer of fabric and are much cheaper than the aforementioned styles. They fall just below the chin and can be used with nearly any style of dress.

Shoes

More often than not, shoes are the single most expensive bridal accessory. They are so important that brides-to-be often shop for them at the same time they shop for their gowns. Finding the perfect pair of shoes is seldom easy. For one thing, there are over eighty major shades of white, so matching a pair of shoes to a particular dress can be a real chore. Fortunately, there are shoes that can be dyed to match nearly any dress. These dyeable shoes can be found at most bridal boutiques and salons.

But at the end of the day, color is a secondary concern. Brides-to-be sometimes forget that they will be walking and dancing in their bridal shoes all day long. Therefore, they had better be comfortable. Otherwise, you might spend your wedding night with your feet soaking in Epsom salts.

Brides at informal or casual weddings should always go with flats or sandals. These styles are extremely comfortable and versatile. If you must wear heels, make sure that it is a pair you have walked in extensively before the wedding day. Women who have limited experience with heels should steer clear of anything over two inches. These shoes can be extremely uncomfortable, even painful when worn for hours on end.

The Bridal Bouquet

The bridal bouquet might seem like a relatively unimportant accessory, but it does play a rather large role on the wedding day. It is with the bride when she walks down the aisle. Then it is handed to the maid of honor while her best friend recites her vows. Finally, it is thrown by the newly wedded bride to a group of single women at the wedding reception. Legend has it that the girl who catches the bridal bouquet will be the next to marry.For obvious reasons, the bride-to-be almost always selects the bridal bouquet on her own. There are no hard and fast rules. Sometimes she chooses flowers that match the style or at least the color of her dress. Other times she selects a bouquet that is keeping with the wedding theme or the wedding colors. But many times, the bride-to-be simply goes with her favorite flowers. The choice is hers. The price of these arrangements usually runs between one hundred and two hundred dollars.

Bridal Accessories that will Compliment that Perfect Dress

The search for your dream wedding dress can be almost as exciting a journey as searching for the love of your life. Emphasis on "almost". But as important as your wedding dress may be, there are many other details that come together to make you look your best on your big day.

Even the most gorgeous dress in the world can often benefit from a few stylish accessories. Headpieces, veils, handbags, jewelry and shoes blend to create more than just the perfect dress, but the ensemble of your dreams.

When planning your wedding, it is easy to see that all the details add up to more than the sum of their parts. An otherwise ordinary venue can transform into a virtual paradise with the right decorations. The same theory applies to your your bridal accessories. These items will be sure to inspire smiles and cheers from your attendants and guests.

Veils

Bridal veils come in many different shapes, sizes and lengths. When planning out the right veil for your wedding day, it is important to consider the season, wedding theme and style of your dress. Summer weddings might call for a shorter veil, while winter ceremonies may require something a little longer.

Blusher Veils: Blusher veils consist of a single, see-through layer of tulle or netting. They come in two distinct styles.

Traditional blusher veils are worn over the face during your walk down the aisle, and then either the father of the bride or the groom lifts it up during the ceremony. Modern veils are great for creating a "retro" or vintage feel. You can wear these veils all throughout the day.

Short Veils: Short veils just sweep across the bride's shoulders. They can be composed of one single, lightweight layer or multiple layers of fabric. Short veils are ideal for daytime weddings or casual affairs. Some brides even choose to switch from a long veil during the ceremony to a shorter one during the reception.

Mid-length Veils: These versatile veils often come with multiple layers and extend down to somewhere between the elbows and fingertips. If you don't want to go all-out with an extra long veil, a mid-length style is a perfect compromise. They look great for photographs taken with your veil blowing gently in the wind!

Cathedral and Chapel Veils: These long, flowing veils extend several feet behind your wedding dress. They look breathtaking and glamorous while you walk confidently to meet your husband-to-be. Chapel and cathedral veils help to elongate the silhouette and look incredible in portraits.

Headpieces

Of course, veils aren't the only way to spruce up a wedding outfit. Oftentimes brides combine them with stylish headpieces.

Combs:Picking out the right hairstyle for your wedding day can be nearly as stressful as finding the right dress. Combs help to add sparkling accents to updos and other hairstyles. They come in different varieties and often feature dazzling crystals, rhinestones and pearls.

Headbands:Looking for a way to separate distinct parts of your hairstyle? Stunning headbands are available for brides, dynamically designed and perfect for bringing an outfit together. You can find them with crystal embellishments, floral rhinestone motifs, and even colorful three-dimensional ruffles.

Tiaras:Always dreamed of feeling like a princess on your wedding day? Then brightening up your look with a tiara might be the right choice for you. These look great with updos or flowing hairstyles. Many can even be paired with a variety of different veils. Tiaras often come highlighted with pearls, rhinestones, crystals and more.

Shoes

Deciding on the right pair of shoes for your wedding day is a tricky proposition. As much as you want to go for the best style, you also have to consider that you will be walking around in them all day long.

High Heels: Of course, high heels do a fabulous job of elongating your figure and making you look your best. But the long day ahead of a bride can make them a little bit intimidating. Many brides get around this by only wearing their heels during the ceremony and photographs. Afterward, they discreetly change into a pair of flats or even sandals for the reception.

Dyeable: Dyeable shoes are great for creating a cohesive look between the bride and her bridesmaids. The bride can simply wear a white or ivory version of the shoes, while the bridesmaids can have the same style dyed to match the color of their dresses.

These are just a few of the many accessory options available for brides on their wedding days. And you shouldn't stop there! Remember there is a whole wide variety of jewelry, handbags, garters, sashes and much, much more that can help to make you look incredible on one of the biggest days of your life.

Top 5 Beauty Tips for Brides.

Every bride wants to be picture-perfect for their big day. You want to look like yourself - but different, more dramatic, fresh... it can feel like a big task. Many brides think that because a wedding is such a big day, they have to go big on the makeup. Well, you've got the perfect groom, the perfect dress, and the perfect flowers - don't overshadow that by making your face as grand as the day itself.

Here are some top tips for helping you create a beautiful look that you will treasure in your wedding photographs for years to come.

Tip One: Less Is More

Yup, we've all got the idea - your wedding is the biggest celebration of the year. Do try to remember, though, that everyone wants to see you, not a radically changed woman masquerading in your wedding gown. If you don't wear much makeup normally - or none at all - you don't want to walk down the aisle with a heavily painted face. It won't seem natural, you won't be comfortable, and the pictures taken will reflect it (not to mention your memories).

The makeup that you do use should be good for flash photography, too. Stick with foundations that have a yellow undertone, as these will create a warm healthy appearance in the photographs that are taken during the wedding and reception. You might also look into a good bronzing powder to warm your skin tone. Apply bronzing powder with a natural bristle brush, lightly applying color to areas of the face that the sun naturally warms. Your forehead, the high curve of your cheeks, and the bridge of your nose are the best places, but if you're naturally pale you might want to apply a very light dusting over your neck and chest for a more even tone.

Use a gel foundation primer before you apply your make-up, but be careful about the powder you use to set everything. A light dusting of loose powder will help prevent unwanted shine (this can result in a greasy, highly reflective look in your photos), but stay away from heavy pressed powders. Too much powder will leave your skin looking chalky, dull and unhealthy in photos.
Tip Two: Glittery Bright

If I were doing a list of Do's and Don'ts, this tip would top the list of Don'ts.
Right, unless you've been living in a cave for the last few years, you know that glitter is all the rage. It's beyond trendy, and done right can be absolutely beautiful. Five or so years from now, though, will it still be so cool? Probably not. Do you want to look at your wedding photos and see a glittery shiney bride, or would you rather have a timeless, classic and natural face?

Basically, by going with "trends", you end up dating your photographs. If you're really stuck on the idea of glitter, why not get some special photographs taken before the wedding? Grab the groom, set an appointment, and go glam at the studio, but go for a natural, matte look on the big day itself.

Go for warm, flattering cheek colors like peach and rose, and don't forget about the bronzing powder I mentioned. This will give you a bit of a shine without unflattering glow. When you apply blush, focus on the rounded parts of your cheek and blend the blush back and up towards the top part of your ears. If you have dry skin, you can achieve a natural, dewy glow by using a cream blush - but powder blush will work better on oily skin.

By focusing on blush and bronzer instead of glitter and shine, you'll avoid looking either washed out or super-bright in your wedding photos. If after all this you still just have to have some glitter on your wedding day, stick to a little highlighting on your cheekbones or eyes, not your whole face.

Tip Three: Look-a-Likes

Many brides want to create a look that's just like their favorite celebrity's. Sultry, smokey eyes and the pale lips of J-Lo are often-quated requests to makeup artists.

There's nothing wrong with finding inspiration from the big names, but make sure that the look you choose works for the theme you're using. J-Lo looked great with that pale lip look, but it really won't go with the whole Victorian theme ... you get the idea.

If you are perusing the magazines looking for inspiration, stick with looks that match the theme you have for your overall wedding. Celebrities get married all the time, and the zines love covering the big event - focus on the ones that have the elements you're already using in your own wedding.

Tip Four: The Eyes Have It

It's been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and this being true, you want your eyes to be a special feature of your whole look.
When you begin working on your eyes, start with your brow coloring. Use a slightly darker brow powder or gel than your natural hair color. This will keep them looking their best, and you can fill them in with a pencil in a light shade to create a perfect shape if you need to. Your brows are likely the only thing you won't have to "touch up" during your wedding day, if you do it this way.

Create lush lashes by using an eyelash curler and a couple coats of mascara. Don't overshelm your lashes with too much mascara though - you don't want to end up "clumping". Instead, apply one coat of mascara, allow it to dry completely, and then use an eyelash curler to shape them. If you still think you need a second, apply it after.

Eyeshadow should compliment your natural coloring on your wedding day - try to stay away from unnatural colors like purple and blue, and stay closer to warm tan, orange, and pink colors.

Want a quick tip on eyeliner? Check out some of those star-studded pictures in magazines, and you'll notice that eyeliner always looks full (not thick) on celebrities. Makeup artists do this easily by brushing one stroke of eyeliner over the top of the eye, above the lashes, and a second stroke inside, under the lashes and close to the eye. This makes your lashes look fuller by leaving no "empty" space.

Tip Five: Consult the Experts

Hey, not all of us have the budget to hire a makeup artist to transform our bridal beauty into something amazing. There's no need to panic - there are trained experts right behind the counter of many of your local cosmetic stores. Most cosmetic companies now offer bridal consultations for free, and they will show you really great techniques and insider tricks. Usually, these consultations are performed by a professional makeup artist, so you can glide right through the process on your big day.

Wedding Makeup

Complete your look with gorgeous wedding makeup

On such a special day most brides want a totally different makeup scheme to their usual look, but many are worried about getting it wrong and ending up looking garish or overdone. Finding an experienced makeup artist, who will come up with a wedding makeup combination that suits both your skin tone and your wedding style, can ensure that you look radiant in your wedding photos.

When to book your wedding makeup artist and who to book for

You should be looking to choose your wedding makeup artist around four to five months before the big event, and you should book both for the wedding day itself and for a trial run two to three months beforehand. If you can arrange to have your hair and makeup trials on the same day it’s a great excuse for a girl’s night out.

You will need to book the makeup artist for any bridesmaids and possibly the mothers of the bride and groom as well as yourself, but you are the only one that should need a trial session.

Choosing a wedding makeup artist

When you are talking to makeup artists and deciding which one to use, the questions they ask you are possibly more important than their responses to your questions. They should be asking you about the lighting at the ceremony and reception, the type of venue you have chosen, the colour of your wedding dress and the overall wedding theme, and the hairstyle you have in mind.

Your makeup artist should have a wide range of styles in their repertoire and they should be prepared to listen to what you want, whilst also making suggestions themselves if they feel something you ask for might not suit you or your wedding style.

When you have a trial your makeup artist should try out a few different looks to make sure they get exactly what you want, rather than settling for the first try. If you aren’t happy with your makeup trial, either book another appointment or find another makeup artist.

Top beauty tips for brides

- Choose colours that match your complexion. Generally brunettes look good in warm shades of plum, cream and copper, while blondes can carry off colder shades such as lavender, blue-grey and teal. Redheads look stunning in peach, grey or moss green.

- Very few brides get through the day without a few tears of joy, so make sure you avoid panda eyes by using good quality waterproof mascara. This can also double up as waterproof liquid eyeliner; just dip the eyeliner brush in the mascara tube.

- If you want to make any changes to your skin care and beauty routine, do so several weeks before the wedding. Getting a facial or using a new beauty product the week before the big day can provoke a very ill timed breakout.

- Getting the perfect complexion on your wedding day can take more than a good foundation. The stress of wedding planning can cause breakouts and bad skin, so take time to relax and pamper yourself before the big day. Drink plenty of water and fruit smoothies, and try to limit the amount of coffee and alcohol you consume. Get into the habit of cleansing and moisturising daily, preferably several weeks before the wedding.

Fifties glamour is the latest trend in wedding makeup

When it comes to wedding makeup this season, Hollywood glamour is back with a vengeance. Eye makeup is both glamorous and elegant, with soft colourful shades enhanced by several coats of mascara, or possibly even false eyelashes.

Lips are lined to create fullness, and lipstick is topped with a little shimmering lip gloss. Red is the hottest trend in lip colour, but if you feel this is a little over the top, or doesn’t really suit you, ask your make up artist to recommend a shade that complements your skin tone.