How to Get a Glamorous Look

The wedding day is most stressful right at the start. There’s makeup to apply, hair to get done, and, most importantly, a dress to put on. But it’s easy to keep the panic to a minimum by following a few guidelines. Adrienne Pitkin, an Austin, Texas-based makeup artist, encourages her clients to arrive for their make-up appointments well hydrated, with clean skin and a good night’s rest. So drink plenty of water in the days before the milestone event. To minimize stress, brides-to-be should complete most beauty rituals prior to the wedding day. That means scheduling facials, manicures, pedicures and eyebrow appointments within a week of the event. For nails, pick a polish that is subtle, like pale pink or beige, so in case you do nick your nails it won’t be noticeable. Wash your hair the day prior, suggests Tara Fontana, owner of Fairytale Hair and Makeup in Southern Calif., because dirtier hair holds styles better. Another tool in your beauty arsenal is the wedding emergency kit, which should include the following: • a small bottle of hairspray, • a lipstick • blotting powder to control any shine. Stash the above into your wedding clutch or purse. The wedding morning also is the time to nosh a bit to fuel you up for the big day when nerves may take over and sabotage your appetite. Dress To-Do’s When it comes to looking beyond good - and staying calm, cool and collected - on your wedding day, two words should sum up your smart and savvy approach to assembling your flawless look: Plan ahead. Most retailers suggest that brides begin their wedding dress shopping nine months before the big day. That may seem a lifetime away, but the extra cushion helps you navigate issues like dealing with ordering from overseas and managing alterations and potential fit issues. “It’s like ordering furniture,” says Michele Martin, owner of M Bride in La Jolla, Calif. “It’s better to have some time than no time at all.” Those extra days can help you fit in dress research, such as scouring the web and bridal magazines, to hone in on the best style for your personality, along with scheduling appointments at bridal boutiques. And, when time is on your side, you can save money by waiting for those coveted sample sales (typically geared to those size 8 and under) both offline and on, which can save more than 50 percent off retail prices, especially at luxury flash-sale sites, such as The Aisle New York. Adding Accessories Once the all-important dress is found, planning the rest of the wedding may seem easier because the gown can set the tone for everything from flowers to the reception. Focus on accessories about four to five months before the wedding. Borrowing jewelry from family is one way to save money, check off the important “something borrowed” portion of the wedding and incorporate something meaningful into your special day, says Michelle Hanson, owner of Flutter Boutique, a Minneapolis bridal store. If your dress is ornate, stick to simple ornamentation, such as dainty drop earrings or an elegant bracelet. Book It! Around this time, you can start planning for hair and makeup and book your hair professional. Will you wear an updo? Or cascading curls? And, how will you set it off? With a veil, headband or tiara? Make sure to schedule a trial appointment with a hairdresser, and bring in a picture of your desired look along with your hair accessory. The appointment may cost $100 or so, but it’s worth the money. You’ll have the time and peace of mind to discuss options with your hairdresser. The same goes for a make-up artist - if you decide to splurge on help. Set up a time to meet with an expert who can help you perfect your wedding day makeup, advising you on false eye lashes and whether a bronzer or self-tan is a good idea. The goal, says Fontana, is to fashion a look that’s pretty and feminine and that is you. Perhaps you’ll focus on light and airy shades like peach, or borrow ideas from Chelsea Clinton’s wedding look, which included gray eye makeup to make her light blue eyes pop. Brides also can save on the expense and rely on themselves and complimentary help from department store professionals. Kate Middleton did her own makeup for her engagement photos, darkly lining her eyes and opting for muted colors for her blush and lipstick. Mineral makeup may be all the rage as consumers seek less chemical-laden eyeshadows, blushes and lipsticks, but most artists prefer to use traditional makeup for the wedding day. It usually has more staying power and photographs better, makeup experts say. “It’s great for everyday makeup, but it usually has titanium dioxide that acts like a sunscreen which can give a halo effect in pictures, so we tend to stay away from it,” says Pitkin.