The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Checklist

Get prepared for your nuptials with the ultimate bridal beauty checklist…

Skin: This is where it all begins. If your skin is in tip-top shape, it will only take a minimum of makeup to attain the coveted bridal glow. Begin with regular facials once you become engaged. Every four to six weeks will ensure that your pores are unclogged and your skin is as radiant as possible. And if you happen to get a nasty pimple the week of your wedding, run to your doctor for a cortisone injection to kill the blemish in a flash.

Eyelashes: I just recently learned that it is possible to get eyelash extensions attached to your existing lashes. Adhered one at a time, the extensions last for weeks, and will hold on through tears at the ceremony as well as splashing in the ocean on your honeymoon. Running close to $2000, eyelash extensions are not for everyone. However, a good makeup artist can add individual false eyelashes for your wedding day for a minimal cost. If you are going for an ultra-glamorous look, you can even have lash extensions with tiny crystals on them; perfect for matching a great pair of Swarovski crystal earrings!

Hair: Nothing less than silky lustrous hair will do for your wedding day. Begin by getting regular haircuts to keep split ends at bay.  Bridal hair looks best when the color is natural, as it is the most timeless. To tame frizzy hair, there are thermal straightening treatments available, and a deep conditioning treatment is a good idea for any bride to make sure her mane is in tip top shape.

Nails: As soon as you become engaged, manicures are a must. Everyone will be looking at your hands to check out your engagement ring, after all! The week of your wedding, treat yourself to a paraffin manicure which will make your hands as smooth as silk. Keep your bridal manicure classic and simple; neutral polish, a French manicure, pale pink, or classic red are the best options for nailpolish. As for a pedicure, the answer is yes, please. You want your nails to be neat and your feet to be free of rough callouses. Not only that, but a good pedicure is just the kind of pre-wedding pampering to help melt away all that stress. After all, brides, the better you feel, the better you will look.

The Latest Wedding Hair Trends

The most recent bridal shows definitely presented a different approach to bridal hairstyles than have been prevalent over the last few years. The messy, tousled look is out, replaced by a much more polished and classic approach to styling hair. Personally, I am all for it, as the current hairdos are much more glamorous and pulled together than their beach-messy counterparts. With one of these chic new hairstyles, you will look every bit the gorgeous woman ready to get married, and the look will be just as appealing in your photos twenty years from now as it is today.

The polished chignon is the ultimate new bridal hairstyle. Classic, ladylike, and sophisticated, it will complement any wedding gown. The ideal way to do it is with a little bit of height on the top and the crown (very subtle and even, so you don’t look like you are wearing a Bump-it!). This softens the look and keeps it from becoming severe. A single large hair ornament is the perfect finishing detail for a chignon. Tuck a fresh gardenia into the side of it, or add some drama with a spray of feathers. Gorgeous!

A variation on the chignon is the intricate bun. The hair is sectioned before being formed into a large low bun shape. The sections can be braided or smooth, depending on how much hair you have. It is a very pretty style, as polished as a chignon, but a bit more youthful. The intricate bun would be wonderful for a youngish bride. Sparkly bridal hair jewelry tucked along one side of the bun is the freshest accessory. Either use a crystal bedecked comb or a cluster of crystal hairpins to complete the look to perfection.

Romantic styles are always lovely for brides. Medium length wavy hair looks fantastic when pinned back into a faux-bob style which brings to mind the Jazz Age. The hair is loosely gathered in the front, leaving enough draping to resemble the effect of a bob, then the rest is pulled back and pinned at the back of the head. It is a neat combination of a hairdo which is pulled back, yet has a fair amount of hair showing in the front. Try it with one of the 1920s inspired wedding gowns with beaded chiffon to look like the modern version of a glamorous flapper!

Wedding Hair Advice

Every bride wants to look perfect right down to the last detail. One of the most important things to consider is the wedding hair. Getting fabulous hair on your wedding day starts long before the morning of the event, however. Learn how to get the perfect look with this helpful wedding hair advice.

There is an old custom that says when a woman becomes engaged she should begin growing out her hair. You know what? This is actually still great advice. The idea is that longer hair will allow you the most versatility for wedding hairstyles. Some of the popular braided buns and chic chignons require a fair amount of hair to work, so having long hair can prove to be an asset. Simple haircuts without a lot of layering are the easiest to put up.

Upon becoming engaged, an initial consultation with a great hairstylist is a really smart idea.  In the beginning, you should discuss your long range plans for your wedding hair. Early in the game is the best time to experiment with a new haircolor or to try out highlights for the first time. If your hair is usually permed or relaxed, discuss with your stylist deep conditioning options to keep it in tip-top shape as the wedding draws closer. No one wants to have frizzy or fried hair in their wedding pictures, after all!

As soon as you have selected your wedding gown, it is time to begin shopping for your bridal hair jewelry. The type of headpiece which you choose will have a major impact on the hairstyles which will work the best. If you have selected a set of hairpins, for instance, an updo will be a necessity to anchor them properly. You will want to bring your bridal hair jewelry to your wedding hair trials so that your stylist can plan around it.

A few final words of wedding hair advice…never make any drastic changes in the final months before your wedding. This is not the time to see how that cute little pixie crop suits you if you have always worn your hair long, nor is your wedding the best time to experiment with bold artificial haircolors. The best wedding hair looks natural, healthy, and timeless.

Gorgeous Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair

If you have long hair, you are in luck! There are numerous great looking ways in which to wear your hair for your wedding day. To help you narrow down the options, check out these gorgeous wedding hairstyles for long hair.

The key with long hair is to select a style which will keep your tresses under control all day long. You also want to take your veil and bridal hair jewelry into consideration when meeting with your stylist for a hair trial. By pulling back at least the front of your hair, you will give your veil a secure place to anchor so that it does not simply slide down the back of your head as you glide down the aisle. The more elaborate your hairdo, the more options you will have for bridal hair jewelry, as you will be able to fasten any type of comb, hairpin, or headband somewhere into the hairstyle and know that it will not move around.

One of the top trends in wedding hair right now is asymmetry. Low twists are among the most fabulous asymmetrical wedding hairstyles for long hair this year. Have your hairstylist gather all of your hair near the nape of your neck. Let the pulled back part be smooth and tidy, which allows you to tease the twist part without getting that overall messy appearance. The gathered section of hair at the nape of the neck can either be arranged into a loose twisted bun or a more polished smooth spiral.

Soft curls can be created to make a romantic wedding hairstyles with long hair. Loosely pinned curls and waves are soft and feminine for an “undone” updo. Or pull back the front of your hair, and allow cascades of soft curls to flow down over your shoulders. One caution: this style can quickly turn into a frizzy mass on a humid day, so it is a bridal hairdo best reserved for indoor or cool weather weddings. The best bridal hairstyles complement the style of the gown, the texture of your hair, and the shape of your face. Work with your favorite hairstylist to design the hairdo which will make you feel absolutely beautiful and chic on your wedding day.

Romantic Wedding Hair

A romantic hairstyle should always look soft and touchable (even if it is actually lacquered with hairspray). The first step towards achieving this effect is to evaluate your haircolor. It should look pretty and natural, never harsh or artificial. The most likely stumbling blocks are shades of blond that are too light, yellow, or brassy, or burgundy red haircolors never found in nature. Now it may take a number of hours in the salon to end up with your ideal “natural” look, but it should look as though you were just lucky enough to be born with such a pretty haircolor full of natural highlights.

When I envision romantic hair, the first image that comes to mind is the long flowing curls of a pre-Raphaelite beauty. The women in the pre-Raphaelite paintings embodied an innocent sensuality that is a lovely look for a bride. They wore their hair long and loose in soft waves or curls, which is a great hairstyle for a bride with long enough hair. Pull back little twists on each side of your head. This will get the hair out of your face, and will give you a place to anchor your veil and bridal hair jewelry. Keep your accessories simple; a few pearl hairpins or a dainty wreath look lovely with this hairdo.

Another romantic wedding hairstyle is a soft chignon or a loose bun. These styles look even more romantic if the hair is curled first and then loosely secured. It should look as though you could release a bobby pin and your whole beautiful mane would cascade down your shoulders. (Remember that this is only the look that you are going for; it may take dozens of bobby pins to actually pull it off.) A few soft and wispy tendrils can be left loose around the hairline and the nape of the neck, as long as it looks natural. Avoid at all costs the contrived spiral curled tendrils that will make you look like you are headed to the junior prom.

Less often seen, but no less pretty, is a well-executed braid. Once again, this will look the most romantic if the hair is made wavy before the braid is woven (kudos to you if your hair is naturally wavy). The braid should not be pulled too tightly or look too perfect. The most modern take on a braided wedding hairstyle is to have a few tiny braids on each side of the head that are then woven into the main braid. For your bridal hair jewelry, consider weaving a small strand of crystals into the braid to catch the light. It is a look that is both timeless and fresh, making it an ideal wedding hairstyle.

Trendy Wedding Hairstyles

How you wear your hair will have a huge impact on your wedding day look. It can be elegant and romantic, or it can be something you will regret in later years (’80s bang ball, anyone?). To make sure that your wedding day hairstyle is a “do”, check out the latest trends.

Romance is the key for all of today’s most popular hairstyles. Your hairdo should look fresh and easy, not overly styled or contrived. You definitely do not want your hair to look stiff or heavily sprayed. It should look as though you could remove a few pins and let it tumble over your shoulders in a sexy cascade (even if it is really held together by fifty pins and a whole can of hairspray!).

These soft styles are often gathered back away from the face. One thing that you do not see in the wedding magazines these days is bangs, especially the kind that are cut straight across the forehead. If your wedding is at least a few months away, that should be enough time to grow out your bangs long enough so that your stylist can sweep them off to one side for a fresh and current look.

Most of the trendiest wedding hairstyles involve pulling the hair back into some sort of knot or bun. It is from there that you see many variations. As with the natural waves, these are loose knots, not tight ballerina buns or pristine chignons. Even more interesting are the intricate knots and buns that stylists are creating by twisting braids together at the nape of the neck. For your hair bridal jewelry, finish off the look with a scattering of beautiful crystal or pearl pins tucked into the knot.

Planning for Your Wedding Day Hair

One of the things that you will surely want for your wedding is great hair. The right hairstyle will be the perfect complement to your wedding gown, and it will help you to feel beautiful all day. When you become engaged, there are a few things that you should do to plan for your wedding day hair.

You may wish to formulate a long term plan with your hairstylist as far as a year before your wedding. This is not to say that you should have trial runs to come up with your exact hairstyle this far in advance. It is more about thinking in general terms what options you would like to have, and what you will need to do to get there.

Your haircut is another thing that you should think about well before your wedding date. Very layered haircuts may be great for everyday life, but can pose a problem for styling on the day of your wedding. You may find that all of those loose layers can be very messy when you are trying to form them into a more defined style for a formal event. To keep all of your options open to you, talk to your hairstylist about keeping layers to a minimum.

Another thing to think about when it comes to your wedding hair is how it will work with your headpiece. You have the option of choosing the headpiece based on the hairstyle that you want, or designing a hairstyle around your favorite hair jewelry. For instance, if you know that you want to wear you hair mostly loose, then a choose a piece of hair bridal jewelry such as a dainty pearl headband. On the other hand if you have fallen in love with a set of hairpins, then you will know that some sort of updo is needed to anchor them.

Your wedding hairstyle will definitely help to define your final look on your wedding day. This is why most brides find it helpful to start planning for it well in advance. You will find that with a little preparation, your wedding day will be the ultimate “good hair day”!

Wedding Hairstyles for Medium Length Hair

A woman’s hair is often referred to as her “crowing glory”. On no day will this be more true than your wedding day. If you have medium length hair, you will find that there are many hairstyles available to you. It is just a matter of picking the right one.

There are several things to consider when deciding on your wedding hairstyle. The first is the formality of your wedding. Just as a stiff updo might look out of place at a backyard barbeque, wearing your hair loose might seem underdone at a cathedral ceremony. It is important to match your hairstyle to both the formality of your bridal gown and your wedding location.

One of the most popular wedding hairstyles for brides with medium length hair is the half up look. In this hairdo, the stylist will pull the front of the bride’s hair back, and leave the rest flowing down. This look tends to work well for any formality of wedding. Having the hair shaped into a definitive style makes it polished enough for a more formal wedding, but having some of the hair left soft and flowing makes the half up style feel feminine and un-stuffy, as well. It is the best of both worlds.

One advantage of the half up style over leaving all of your hair down is that it makes it easy to anchor the bridal jewelry that you have chosen for your hair. You can wear a twinkling crystal tiara or headband for the most dressy look.

If you prefer vintage styles, then a rhinestone comb would be perfect tucked into the side of your hair. You can also wear a comb on the top of your head with feminine details such as porcelain flowers for a romantic effect. Just be certain that the bridal jewelry you choose for your hair coordinates with the rest of your wedding jewelry.

Whichever way you choose to wear your hair for your wedding, be certain to have a trial run. This will give you the chance to see how you like the style with your wedding gown. When your hair looks perfect, you know that you will feel beautiful on your wedding day.