Beauty countdown

Three, two, one... gorgeous! Get ready for perfect bridal beauty

Expert Beatrice Aidin shares her top beauty tips to get you ready. This is your big day, and here’s your essential countdown...

Three months to go

Now’s the time to experiment with colours and looks, do any research and prepare the groundwork for your final bridal look.

Get ready to make up

• Unless you’re doing your own (and if you are, start practising now!), find and audition a make-up artist see our supplier directory. Go through friends or ask in your wedding dress shop. As with most things, of course, you get what you pay for.
• Always audition your make-up artist for your big day. Credentials don't really mean anything at this point. Just because they’ve done Jordan’s make-up doesn't mean they're right for you!
• If you’re doing it yourself, aim to look like yourself and not the brides in the brochures and magazines. The best advice is that practice makes perfect. Do have a dry run, so you don't have any surprises on the day. And remember to wear a dress similar in colour to the one you will be wearing. Your make-up will look different if you're wearing a lighter colour (like white).
• Be careful you don't go for an overly dramatic look -- you want the groom to see you, the dress and your happiness... not just the make-up!
• Get into a regular skincare routine. Invest in some good products and cleanse, tone and moisturise every morning and evening.
• List any beauty treatments you want to have -- facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, massages, eyebrow shaping and so on, and book the necessary appointments as early as possible.
• The larger department stores often offer free beauty consultations, especially for brides-to-be. This is a good place to start.

Start shaping up

• If you don't already do any exercise, it's a good idea to start now, as it helps to reduce stress and increase your circulation, which in turn gets more oxygen to your skin and brain, so making you look radiant on the day. Getting fit will also help you to breathe properly, which you may be forgetting to do as your stress levels go up... Walking to work or swimming should help burn off a few pounds.
• If you’re planning to detox, start now -- it can give you spots thanks to all those toxins coming out.
• Drink water like wine -- ideally, drinking six to eight glasses of mineral water a day will help to clear your skin and make your eyes and hair shine like never before. Try replacing your usual coffees and fizzy drinks with water and you'll see the difference in no time.
• Eat healthily -- too much dieting can make you look gaunt in your wedding photos but a healthy eating regime will help you look your best. Have a varied diet, rich in anti-oxidant giving fruits and vegetables to help repair cell damage and reduce inflammation. These can be found in the most deeply or brightly coloured fruits and veg such as spinach, carrots, red bell peppers and tomatoes. The three-day Dr Perricone face diet is worth trying for amazing-looking skin.
• Don’t set yourself unrealistic targets. It's difficult to stick to a diet at the best of times and when you're stressed out, it's even harder. Chances are, you'll lose weight anyway, rushing around doing all that organising. It's much better to concentrate on a routine of healthy eating and exercise, rather than dieting. You'll look too thin and pale anyway and your grandmother will tut throughout the ceremony.

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