1 If money’s no object, book your hair and make-up artist the minute the ring’s on your finger. If you’re going to be doing your own make-up, you can still get good advice from the pros: head for a department store, and have a makeover from a consultant whose look you like. Have another one, a week or two later. And so on, till you’ve tried three or four ranges. (Clinique, Bobbi Brown and Estée Lauder all give great on-counter makeovers, in my experience.) If you’re happy with the results, you can even enquire about the make-up artist’s availability for weddings. At the very least, you’ll pick up a tip or two for how to make the most of your face – and how to make sure your make-up stays put – on your Big Day. (NB Many top make-up artists will do wedding make-up at a price; check out the on-line portfolios at www.joygoodman.com, www.mandycoakley.co.uk and www.teresafairminer.com
2 Remember, though: don’t go mad with make-up; go for a look that’s ‘you’, so you don’t look in the mirror and see a stranger, which can be a very unsettling feeling. I like Cindy Crawford’s wisdom: ‘At my wedding, I kept my make-up simple. I wanted something that 20 years later, you could look at the pictures and it’s not so trendy that you go, “Oh my God, what was I thinking...’
3 Fragrance and mood are inextricably linked, so think about choosing a new fragrance for your wedding day. Then every time you smell it, in future, it’ll work its magic, catapulting you back through time and space to what should be the happiest day of your life. Sublimely romantic scents for brides include Estée Lauder’s voluptuously feminine Pleasures, Creed Fleurissimo (created for Grace Kelly, for her wedding day), and Antonia’s Flowers. Wear your chosen new perfume every time you try your dress on, so that it’s inextricably linked with wearing the dress – but always allow it to dry properly before you slip into the frock...
4 Rely on bridesmaids/matrons-of-honour as your personal stylists. Ask them to keep an eye on your hair, make-up and dress to make sure you look your best – especially when photos are being taken. You’ll be too caught up in the whirlwind of the day to do it!
5 Happy feet make a happy bride. Fact: many bridal shoes can be staggeringly uncomfortable. (Gorgeous, yes, but torture.) Wear your shoes around the house before your wedding. (Follow Linda Evangelista’s advice for fledgling supermodels: ‘Go home and wear high heels till they feel as comfortable as slippers.’ Not bad advice for a bride, either.
Jo Fairley is author of The 21st Century Beauty Bible, Kyle Cathie, £15.99. For more beauty tips, see her website www.beautybible.com
