Picture-Perfect Brides

The day before your wedding is not the time to reinvent yourself with a new look. Bridal magazines have been issuing warnings to that effect since the 1950’s. Yet time and again the advice against last-minute experimentation has resulted in disastrous perms, unsightly rashes, puffy lips, and over-baked tans reminiscent of Cheetos. There’s even the story of a bride whose impromptu lasik surgery went awry and forced her to walk down the aisle wearing dark goggles that made her look like a frilly welder.

There’s also a tendency for brides of any age to forget that their grooms fell in love with them the way they look normally. A radical makeover - especially involving hair color changes and glittery showgirl makeup – could make him suddenly panic that he’s standing at the wrong altar.

For 2007, looking “natural” involves soft curls, glamorous extensions, and makeup that not only photographs well but doesn’t clash with your dress. A simple and classic gown, for instance, shouldn’t be overwhelmed by theatrical cosmetics or a hairstyle that requires a heavily gelled, moussed and sprayed infrastructure.

If you’re insistent on a new “do” for your special day, a lot of upscale salons, mall kiosks and online galleries such as www.thehairstyler.com allow you to electronically preview hundreds of hair styles and colors before a pair of scissors or bottle of color ever comes near your scalp. As for stylish wedding headgear, this year’s brides are opting for sparkling tiaras, jeweled or antique combs, and fresh flowers rather than hiding their tresses beneath voluminous veils and hats.

Is your wedding indoors or outdoors? Daytime or night? Whether you decide to use a professional makeup artist or are adept at doing your own, it’s recommended that you stage a dress rehearsal of the upcoming lighting conditions several weeks before the ceremony and have a friend photograph the results.

If you’re pledging your troth under bright sun, for instance, use a foundation that is light in tone and weight and won’t streak or melt off as the day goes on. Dark chapels and evening settings invite deeper colors…but don’t overdo it! Will you be under fluorescent lights? Steer clear of makeup with green undertones as the tint picked up by such bulbs may alarmingly render your complexion worthy of The Addams Family.

For more bridal makeup tips, visit http://www.brideonline.com.au/articles/weddingmakeup.htm.