the look of love
Healthy radiance for that big day

A bride should always feel like the loveliest woman in the world on her wedding day. To help ensure her wedding-day glow is worthy of this once-in-a-lifetime event, a variety of restorative and toning exercises, skin treatments, makeup applications and beauty routines are available to brides-to-be.

The most important element of all is sleep. Begin your beauty regimen by replenishing your body nightly with at least seven or eight hours sleep. The payoff for allowing yourself sufficient beauty sleep is the energyand vitality to enjoy the inevitable prenuptial celebrations, shopping trips and last-minute details.

Another tip to the wise: Drink lots of water, no less than eight glasses a day. Water has a hydrating effect, giving skin a soft, healthy glow, and it nourishes the system. And be sure to stay away from refined sugar and excessive alcohol. While it might take the edge off your nerves, too much alcohol actually can dehydrate skin and cause puffiness around the eyes. Limit yourself to two drinks per event.

All-day spa packages for the bride and her attendants offer the ultimate pampering. Imagine a soothing facial, followed by a relaxing hot stone massage, a pedicure and lunch by the pool. It’s the perfect prescription for soothing wedding plan overload, particularly when shared with your dearest girlfriends.

If you have more than 24 hours prior to your wedding for a little glow insurance, experts recommend a professional facial followed by a daily skin-care program. But don’t be overwhelmed by the conflicting tales of what a daily skin-care regime should include. Leading professionals tell us to “keep it simple” with four basic steps: a cleanser, an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, a nourishing cream and sunblock. Dermatologists agree that the most effective sunscreens include UVA and UVB blockers as well as zinc.

For more in-depth treatment, brides and their attendants (moms too!) can choose from several new products and procedures, including Thermage, a treatment that uses radio waves to effect tighter skin. Thermage is performed using a computerized tip that cools the top layer of skin while it sends radio waves down to heat the deeper layers. The heat causes new collagen to form. Thermage has been called a “facelift without surgery.” The results of this non-invasive procedure can last up to several years.

Laser facials, microdermabrasion and non-ablative skin rejuvenation techniques can help reduce the effects of sun damage (often with long-lasting or permanent effects), reduce the appearance of fine lines and give skin a smoother, velvety texture.

Injections and fillers are becoming popular for women (and men) of many ages. Botox injections are popular for combating crow’s feet, frown lines and facial creases. Restylane is one of many dermal fillers produced using a natural sugar found in the skin. Rather than relaxing muscles that cause wrinkles (the way Botox does), fillers plump up the area around the wrinkle or crease. Both of these options involve injections but there is usually little to no “down time” after a procedure. The effects of Botox last from three to six months, while dermal fillers typically last a bit longer.

Bronzing spas are a popular new way to tan your body without damaging your skin. A client enters a private room, is misted with bronze from head to toe, and comes out looking kissed by the sun—all in less than 30 seconds.

Misting works best when used a few times at least a month before the wedding to get acquainted with how the product works. We don’t want any surprises, do we? Once you’re sure how your body responds to the treatment, follow up with a final visit a couple of days prior to the wedding.

Advancements in cosmetic dentistry make it possible to correct disfigured and broken teeth, fill gaps and whiten and brighten smiles in a matter of days, using veneers, porcelain and porcelain crowns. A dentist can even make teeth look straighter without resorting to orthodontic treatment. Consult your dentist at least three months before the wedding if you wish to investigate any of these cosmetic options. Those who are a little squeamish about dental work should consider a dentist who offers spa services during treatments—now that’s multi-tasking!

Brides should consider hiring a professional makeup artist for their wedding. Professionals are accustomed to applying makeup for photography, and the extra pampering will do you good on your special day. To find a trusted makeup artist, ask for referrals from your photographer, bridal shop or wedding coordinator, and ask to see the makeup person’s portfolio.

For wedding parties of nine or more, hire two or more artists. Book your makeup artist six to nine months out, and be sure to ask if the person you hire will work on-site or in a salon. This makes a difference if you are on a tight schedule on your wedding day. If you have never had your makeup professionally applied, you may feel the application appears to be a “bit much.” Although you always have the final say on whether a look is right for you, the pros know how to match the lighting of your site and your coloring with the appropriate products so that the most beautiful you shines through.

A friendly note of caution: the week before your wedding is not the time to try anything too inventive or out of the ordinary such as a drastic change in hair color. Likewise, sample new beauty products and treatments well in advance of your wedding day, to allow for any unexpected results or allergic reactions. The changes you make should be gradual with enough time to “change it back” before the wedding, if need be.

Overall, remember that your fiancé expects to see the girl he knows and loves walking up that aisle. Your true, radiant self, is the ultimate goal.