Because you want to look your best on your big day, it´s a good idea to hire a hair and makeup stylist. If you´d like a facial, schedule it well in advance of the event to allow time for your skin to recover. Think twice about any major hair changes like a permanent or hair coloring. If you´re still determined to go for it, do so long before the big event. Body waves should be done a month in advance, and you should allow three weeks to get used to a color change. See a makeup specialist a few weeks before, so you can get used to any new cosmetics he or she recommends.
Unless you want your wedding photos to look dated, don´t go with the drastic or trendy styles for your wedding day. Experiment with a few classic styles, and don´t forget to bring your veil with you to get an idea of what the overall look will be.
A few days before the wedding, you may want to treat yourself and your bridesmaids to a manicure. A gift certificate to the beauty salon is also a great thank-you gesture for special guests, such as your mother and mother-in-law.
To help makeup last longer, follow these tips. Use a neutral-color lip pencil. Hold one ply of facial tissue over lips and dust with a powder puff. Brush off the excess, then apply lipstick. Use a light-textured foundation, then apply a cream blush with your fingertips (to control cover and for more staying power). Follow with face powder.
A good rule of thumb when considering headpieces: you don´t want it to hide your face or ruin the line of your hairstyle. Keep in mind that most headpieces are made to sit on the crown of your head. If you´ve got short, layered hair, try a short tulle veil. Bobbed styles look great with longer veils. Romantic hats look best with long or medium-length hair, but can be overpowering if your hair is short. Pillbox styles look great with almost any length hair, as long as the style is neat and controlled. If you´re wearing a back piece, style hair simply around the face to balance the work in back.
