Picture
Perfect
De-stress to look your best in front of the camera.
By Diana Dudas
Your wedding day will probably be the most photographed day in your life. It is
the day when above all others you want to look perfect. This means getting
everything right. The make-up, hair, skin nails everything will need
preparation.
Preparing for a wedding is stressful, and this stress can cause
symptoms such as blemishes that rear their ugly heads the week before the
wedding. Lack of sleep may cause dark under eye circles and your hair becomes
rebellious, by becoming UN manageable and will look stressed as you are, as the
camera never lies it is necessary to relieve the causes of stress. This will
prevent those nasty symptoms from occurring the following remedies will reveal
your inner beauty, making you the bride "Picture Perfect"
Indian Head Massage
Kill two birds with one stone by treating your self to a course of Indian head
treatments. Indian head massage has been practiced in Indian for over 5000
years. In India, couples received this massage before their wedding ceremony.
This served two purposes. To both condition the hair and relax the couple. .
Hair would normally become dry due to the hot climate, thus oils were used to
make the hair look healthy. . This treatment promotes total relaxation and will
take you to a far off place. Promoting a feeling of calm and relaxation. Indian
head massage has many physiological benefits, including, relaxation, improving
the condition of hair and skin, helping to detoxify the system. T his is due to
the increased lymphatic circulation. It also triggers the release in the brain
of endorphins, which create a feeling of contentment and happiness. (Just what
the doctor ordered)
Aromatherapy Treatment
Early Greeks traditionally crowned newly weds with wreaths of Sweet Marjoram.
This was because to reduce anxiety and tension, so that the couple could enjoy
their day. Nowadays essential oils extracted from such plants and flowers are
used during massage or facial treatments. These oils have many amazing
psychological and physiological effects. Some oils such as lavender or Ylang
Ylang have relaxing and de-stressing properties. Other oils will have smells
that will link to our memory causing particular responses or feelings. General
effects or aromatherapies are:
Reduction in stress
Feeling of well-being, balance and calm
Healing and supporting the immune system (preventing illness such as colds or
tummy bugs, before your big day)
During an aromatherapy massage, the therapist will use various moves that will
help drain toxins from the body. Desquamation (removal of dead skin cells) will
also give your skin a healthy glow. Face masques are used incorporating the oils
chosen by yourself and your therapist. A masque will exfoliate and draw out
impurities from the skin. This may cause an initial blemish, so be sure to get
your treatment at least a week before the wedding. Once your body has expelled
all toxins and healed itself, you will feel re-energised, rejuvenated and simply
j great. You can discuss, what your objectives are, during your consultation.
You may want to reduce water retention, relieve stress, or simply feel great.
Your objectives will determine which combinations of oils are used. Ask your
therapist if you can take some home with you, so that you can take a relaxing
bath the night before the wedding, so that you get your beauty sleep. If you
live in a sunny climate or are going to be taking a honeymoon in the sun, be
sure that you tell your therapist certain oils such as lemon, orange or
bergamot, are phototoxic. They will cause the skin darken or burn when exposed
to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If you are planning your wedding abroad, be
sure to book yourself in at the spa for some serious pampering.
Perfect Pedicure.
Give your feet a well-deserved pampering for sexy looking toes, in your summer
sandals. Aromatherapy oils can also be used, such as eucalyptus, rosemary and
menthol. These oils have both anti-septic and therapeutic properties. Make sure
that a top coat is used, that has a UV protector. This will prevent fading.
Manicure.
As your ring is one of the star attractions, your hands are going to be on show.
A hot oil manicure will soften both your hands and your cuticles, and a good
moisturizer will make your hands look soft and healthy. A nail polish is
essential to give your nails a total look. For a natural look, a French manicure
is great. However, make sure that a top coat with a UV protector is used, as
French manicures tend to go yellow when exposed to sun or UV rays.
For your eyes only
During the ceremony, the groom will be spellbound; He will be losing his self in
your eyes, which will be sparking and brilliant. You will have done everything
imaginable to prevent dark circles and puffiness, but just incase, make sure
that you have a cucumber in the fridge and some concealer on hand. There are a
few other things you might need to keep in your fridge, just in case:
Puffy eyes: use a couple of tea bags; place cooed tea bags over your eyes for
ten minutes.
Tired or irritated eyes: A slice of cucumber over each eye for ten minutes will
sooth, calm and enliven the eye.
Dark circles under the eyes: Raw potato, use a slice over the whole eye area.
Blood shot eyes: Soak some cotton balls in skimmed milk and place over the eyes
for ten minutes.
Have everything on hand for sparkling wedding day eyes.
Make up by trial
Do not wait until the morning of the wedding to decide on your make-up. Most of
us would feel naked in front of the camera with out a lick of lipstick. It is
usual to be overly conscientious to get your make up just right on the big day.
Remember less is more! Use neutral tones that will enhance your complexion.
Waterproof mascara is essential, there are bound to be a few waterworks during
the course of the day. Make sure that you have concealer, just incase you have a
blemish or dark circles that you want to camouflage.
Meditation.
We all relax in different ways. Personally a night in with Miles Davis or Billie
Holiday, a good book, and glass of merlot hit?s the spot every time. It could be
that a long hot bath, with an aromatic candle is your cup of tea. These all work
for the moment and may make you feel good for a day. However, for a longer
lasting affect, meditation or yoga are more beneficial. They teach you to have
control of the body and mind, and meditation has the same affect as a short
sleep. It allows the muscles, mind and body to relax. Practicing yoga on a
regular basis will increase energy levels. Promote relaxation; improve
concentration and a sense of well being. You stress levels will be much lower
and your wedding planning will seem less daunting.
You now know what you need to do in preparation for looking illustrious. Do not
spoil it all by being more naughty than nice the night before your wedding.
Naughty or Nice.
Naughty: Drinking to much alcohol the night before the wedding.
Nice: Drink plenty of water; this will make you feel and look good for your
wedding day.
Naughty: Not eating the night before or morning of you wedding. You will feel
faint and lethargic. There is a long day of socializing ahead of you, eating may
not be your first priority.
Nice: Have a good breakfast or lunch ahead of time.
Naughty: Going out with friends that night before, will be a temptation to drink
too much or stay up too late. You need your eight hours beauty sleep.
Nice: Spend either a quiet night with someone close or even a relaxing night by
yourself. You can use this time for some meditation. Visualize your perfect day,
surrounded by happy people. Take a long relaxing bath, light some candles and
chill out.
Naughty:
Overdoing it the night before. Do not leave things to the last minute, so that
you are frantically ironing your veil, or doing last minute chores.
Nice: If there are things do, designate. Friends and family will always want to
do all they can to help. You just relax and enjoy!
