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10 ways to avoid mirror shock
You’ll have to look at your mistakes for years
By Laurel Rhind
We’re all guilty of poor beauty decisions, whether it be a bad eye shadow or the teased and hairsprayed bangs of the 80s. Whatever your “I wish I’d never” moment (and I’ve had my share), you’ve likely swallowed your pride and moved on. It certainly helps that those beauty blunders were not documented by a professional photographer and kept in special albums for future generations to see. No, that’s what your wedding day is for. And that’s one day in your life that you don’t want to mess with your face and hair. But don’t distress, ladies. Here are the top ten beauty mistakes to avoid on your big day. Keep these in mind and you’ll be a picture of perfection as you walk down the aisle.
1. Treat yourself in advance
If you’re planning to beautify with a professional treatment, such as a facial or chemical peel, book it at least one week (preferably two) before your march down the aisle. It’s not uncommon for redness to occur after these treatments, so schedule them early. For the best results, go to a professional that you trust. This is also important if you have decided to perk up your smile by professionally whitening your teeth. Embark on this process well in advance of your wedding to ensure that you’re happy with your new smile.
2. Don’t make major hair changes close to the big day
So you’re a brunette and you’ve always imagined yourself a blond. Or after years of long hair you’re ready for a short ‘do. Get daring but do it well in advance of the wedding. The last thing you need is a major hair disaster one week before you walk down the aisle. If you make major changes ahead of time, you will have a chance to get used to them (or fix them if you’re unhappy). Even if you are just doing regular maintenance (such as highlights or a trim), schedule your hair appointment two weeks prior to the big day. Again, if you’re unhappy you will have the opportunity to make a change without damaging your tresses.
3. Avoid hair removal on the big day
If you need to wax or pluck unsightly hairs away, don’t do it on your wedding day. You can do without the redness it’ll cause. Even if you are doing the hair removal yourself, don’t do it on the same day as your wedding. The stress and pressure can lead to mistakes or one pluck too many (we’ve all overplucked an eyebrow or two at the best of times). If you’ve never shaped your brows before go to a professional and get it done right.
4. Don’t just wing it
Always have a makeup and hair trial before your wedding. If you decide on a style and your colours in advance, you’ll avoid surprises (and tears) on the big day. You’ll feel confident about the shape your look will take and in your makeup artist and stylist’s abilities. An important reminder: take a snapshot of yourself at the trials – this way you’ll know what your hair and makeup will look like in photos.
5. Always make yourself up to look like you
Of course you want to be a stunning bride, who doesn’t? But you want your guests to admire your beauty, not wonder if they’re at the wrong wedding. Your hair and makeup should compliment you, not create a new you. If you typically don’t wear a lot of makeup, don’t start now. Instead choose colours and products that bring out your best features but aren’t heavy and overdone. And when it comes to your hair, keep the same approach in mind. If you always wear your hair down, why pull it up into a tight chignon now? A good makeup artist and hairstylist will recognize your personal style and use it to create a look that is you, but you at your best. Most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable with your look. This is best achieved when you look and feel like yourself.
6. Go light on the fragrances
If looking your best takes first priority, smelling good won’t be far behind. With so many people to greet on your wedding day, you’ll want to smell fresh during the entire event. To do so you’ll likely turn to your favourite fragrance. Trouble is, it’s easy to overdo it. Strong fragrances are overpowering – and unattractive. We’ve all walked by a woman and immediately felt nauseated by her heavy perfume. When applying a fragrance, consider your wedding day weather. Heavy scents intensify in the summer heat so wear something light. And remember, spritz your fragrance before getting dressed in your gown – it can easily stain fabrics. Finally, if you do accidentally drown yourself in a heavy fragrance, you can tone it down. Use a cotton ball to wipe your skin with rubbing alcohol. Then apply a moisturizing lotion to the area (unscented of course) to counteract the drying effect of the alcohol.
7. Let go of unrealistic hair fantasies
Dreaming of having one of your best hair days as you walk down the aisle? I used to envision my hair in large, soft curls cascading down my back. But I got real a long time ago when I admitted to myself (and my Velcro rollers) that my hair won’t hold a curl no matter what I do. Avoid the frustration and work with what you’ve got. If your hair is naturally curly and frizzes in the heat and humidity, don’t straighten your locks and leave them down. If you’re a summer bride you’ll only end up disappointed. Instead wear your hair up, or let your curls be. As every woman knows, when it comes to hair, we always want what we don’t have. But instead of dwelling on what your hair won’t do, get talking to your hairstylist about what it will. This way your hair will be at its best behaviour and you’ll be a happy bride.
8. Keep hair loose and comfortable
When it comes to hairstyles, many brides opt for an updo and rightfully so – it looks elegant with a stunning white gown. However, some updos pull tightly at the hair in order to create a sleek look. Pulling your hair too tightly can be painful on the scalp. It will tug at your facial skin, which can create an unnatural and unflattering look. If you decide to wear your hair back, make sure it’s comfortable. Tell your hairstylist if you are feeling discomfort – before you leave the salon. Again, you want to enjoy your day. Even the most beautiful of hairstyles will be overshadowed by feelings of discomfort.
9. Avoid piling on self-tanner
You’re about to marry, it’s the dead of winter, and you’re feeling like a pasty bride-to-be. If you’re not a sun seeker (your skin says thank you!) but you want a little colour, self-tanners are one of today’s greatest inventions. Just remember not to overdo it. If you’re extremely pale at the best of times, a deep, dark tan will certainly look fake. Apply self-tanner one week before your wedding. This will give overdone tans a chance to fade and give you time to make necessary touchups. Keep the application light on your knees and elbows and between your fingers and toes where extra self-tanner tends to gather. Wear rubber gloves (try the surgical kind) to keep tanner from getting under your nails. Just remember to apply a light application on the backs of your hands as well. And don’t forget to apply self-tanner everywhere. Enlist the help of a friend to apply the tanner to your back – nothing looks more fake than a tanned upper body and a glaringly white back (which, by the way, will likely be centre stage during your wedding ceremony).
10. Don’t over-treat blemishes
It’s going to happen. Despite your regimented cleansing schedule, some brides will get a pimple or two. Stress can cause breakouts and let’s face it, pre-wedding is a stressful time. If a pimple rears its ugly head, don’t panic. Don’t rush to the drugstore and purchase every zit-blasting cream on the market. If you treat it too fiercely you’ll wind up with a flaky, dry pimple that’s difficult to conceal instead of just a pimple to contend with. Enlist your tried, tested and true methods of blemish control that you always use (and know the effects of). And resist the urge to pick or squeeze – this causes scaring and inflames the pimple further, making it larger and meaner. Most important, remember that a professional makeup artist knows how to camouflage a flare-up. The more you fuss with it, the more difficult it will be for them to work their makeup magic.
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