Preparing for your wedding can consume weeks and even months of your time before the special day. Along with all the other preparations, brides-to-be should also start a beauty regime for their hair, face and body well in advance if possible.
Hair
If you’re planning to dye or cut your hair, do so a couple of weeks before the big day. Plan a hair rehearsal with your stylist at least 10 days before the wedding, and don’t forget to bring the veil or headpiece to try out different looks. Plan a bain d’huile or bain de creme a few days before to give that special glow and smoothness to your locks.
Face
Arrange for a facial a week before the wedding and refrain from wearing makeup for two to three days afterwards. If you suffer from acne or breakouts, make an appointment with a dermatologist right away.
Abide religiously to your daily beauty regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. If you’re planning to experiment with permanent makeup, do it at least two to three weeks before your wedding. Tattoo makeup takes about a week to peel and reach its final color.
If you have dark circles, try Chanel’s eye cream or Happyology by Guerlain. To avoid puffy eyes, try to get a good night’s sleep and avoid salty foods to prevent water retention. Make sure to stay away from extreme sun exposure to prevent tan lines on that vital shoulder and neck area.
Finally, schedule a rehearsal with your makeup artist a few weeks before your wedding day to decide on the look and colors he or she will use. Ask a specialist for a facial mask you can apply for a fresh and radiant look.
Legs and arms
Schedule a waxing session a couple of days before your wedding. Get a manicure and a pedicure a day before your special night.
Most brides choose a French manicure because it looks simple and elegant, and goes with the general theme of white. But if painting your nails red is what you have in mind, make sure to tone down your lipstick.
If you want a sun-kissed look, you might want to consider a tanning session at places such as Pace e Lucy or Clarins.
Body
Schedule a relaxing massage a day before the event. For exfoliation, opt for a Moroccan bath; if the beautifying bath is too harsh for your skin, get a special body treatment at a nearby spa.
A Cleopatra milk bath is also highly recommended, and body treatments such as a papyrus wrap or a chocolate bath are also available. Most of all, make sure you get enough rest before your big day and drink plenty of water to keep your skin looking its best.
This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.
