Beauty blunders are never something any girl aspires to make -- but on your big day? The one day of your life that is destined to live on in facebook and shutterfly infamy? Avoid them at all costs.
We've chatted with some brides, scoured the internet, and threw in a cent or two to compile some beauty faux pas that we want you to avoid!
#1 Your Wedding Day Is No Time To Experiment.
I get it. And I agree. It's plain and simple FUN to play around with makeup. I'm like a wild, carefree, uncaged animal whenever I hit Sephora. And yes, I do leave the store with both eyes caked in different colors of shadow, a variety of glosses layered over one another, and the tops of my hands covered in bronzers, blush and glitter. That is what Sephora is for. But my advice? Keep your inner makeup magician far far away from your wedding day. This big day is NOT the time to throw on purple mascara if you've never tried it before...And that bronzer you read about in Glamour? Don't give it a wedding-day whirl.
Our advice? Whether you're doing your own makeup or paying someone to enhance your amazing assets, give it a trial run. And by that I mean the whole kit and kaboodle. Schedule a hair and makeup dry run the day of a gown fitting. You can see exactly how you will look when all is said and done. And don't forget to take pics -- LOTS of pics. Natural light, flourescent light, candle light (is that possible with your seamstress?) Take the pics home and scour. What do you love? Hate? When did you start to get shiny and need a touch up? And please, take our word for it, you're going to want to look back at these pics in 30 years and have your kids say "Whoa! Mom! You were HOT!" no "Whoa. Mom? Blue and green eyeshadow with a plum liner?"
#2 Coco Chanel's Words of Wisdom
Seriously. She isn't arguably the most famous fashion icon for nothing. Her advice? Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one accessory. Now, as with all advice, you have to take it with a grain of salt. But I write this to encourage you to consider your wedding day accessories. Earrings, necklace, bracelet, veil, hair piece, various rings, your bouquet? What are you wearing and are you weighed down by the baubles hanging from your body? You want your guests to remember you as a beautiful bride -- not as the girl wearing her entire jewelry box.
#3 I (insert name here) solemnly swear not to pick a strapless dress only to tug on it all night long.
Strapless gowns are far and away the most popular wedding dress style. And they are stunning on many people. But please. For the love. Do not spend your entire wedding day hiking up your dress. Prevent this unfortunate situation by really giving your dress a trial run during your fittings. Walk around, sit, stand, hug your seamstress, bend over to fix your shoe, dance a few steps...You may find that your dress just won't stay up. A good friend had her tailor add some gorgeous straps using material she had snipped off the hem. A bride I chatted with found a way to attach her dress to her strapless bra for extra hold. Whatever you can do to prevent a day long tug of war will make you a MUCH happier bride!
#4 Undergarments. Need I say more?
I know. I hated to admit to myself that I actually DID need spanx under my satin wedding dress...and the strapless bra/corset/girdle contraption was probably the least sexy thing I have EVER donned. But you know what? I felt great all day. And in my photos, my dress hangs perfectly and I don't have a pained "I'm holding my breath and sucking in while simultaneously puffing my chest to keep my dress up" look. Besides, your husband WILL give you a few minutes to change into "something more comfortable" after the reception!
#5 EVERYONE looks better with a tan.
Ok, I said it. I'm SORRY to those of you who use fair skinned celebs like Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger to prove that beauty does not start with a golden bronze. I disagree with you. Spoken like a true spray tan addict, no? Here's the deal: tanned skin shows muscle definition, hides cellulite, masks skin imperfections and makes diamond rings SPARKLE.
I do NOT suggest or recommend actually lying out in the sun or going to a tanning booth. Boo for skin cancer! But there are so many different, fabulous options for a you to achieve a healthy glow on your special day. My new favorite cheapo? Loreal's new spray in a bottle. Yes, the cashier at Walgreens held it up and asked me if I was a buying a blowhorn. But seriously, this spray dries in SECONDS and goes on for a fabulous, streak free tan. (No, they aren't paying me to say this...but they should after all the money I've forked over). At a mere $10 per bottle (I get 2 full body tans out of each bottle) this is a BARGAIN. And for less than 2 mocha-frappa-cocoa whatever drinks you pick up at Starbucks, you can easily buy a can of this ahead of time and perfect your perfect color!
My only advice? ABSOLUTELY do a tanning rehearsal if you're not an obsessive spray tanner (yes, I'm speaking about myself), and plan on getting your final spray 2 - 3 days before your wedding. You'll be stunningly fabulous for your rehearsal dinner AND your color won't rub onto your dream dress.
Do you have any beauty blunders you'd like to share? Any timeless tips? Words of wisdom? Send 'em on over, we wanna hear!
