Wedding Makeup.

Lets start with a words of advice, forget the propaganda you have been fed by the glossy magazines, about the ideal woman with the perfect shape and exquisite beauty. You are you and the fact that you are here finding out about wedding make up, proves the point, that your partner who had the whole world from which to choose the most beautiful woman, chose you. What you have to do is keep yourself in shape and treat your body sensibly.

So what about your wedding makeup? How are you going to look your best for the whole of your wedding day? The answer is care, planning and using the right cosmetics. We have put together a few hints and tips to help you achieve and keep that radiant bride look all day long.

Sleep.
Sleep is a vitally important time for body and mind, it is essential for the natural renewal of the skin. If you can't get the recommended eight hours, make amends by using a night cream.

The treatment that your skin needs depends to a great extent on your age, we have divided the advice below into three sections.

In your twenties your skin is elastic and relatively wrinkle free. Occasionally you will have a breakout of oiliness which is probably due to a hormone imbalance, by the time you reach your mid to late twenties this imbalance will rectify its self.

It is generally accepted that collagen and elastin can regenerate themselves as long as they are protected from UV light and pollution. The three main rules for looking after you skin in your twenties are.

1. Protect your skin against sunlight and pollution. Protecting you skin now is the most important anti skin ageing tactic you can adopt.
2. Pay particular attention to your diet, you skin will reward you if you treat it well from within, a bad diet will manifest its self first in your skin.
3. Establish a skin care routine. Cleanse tone and moisturise twice daily. Always remove your make up thoroughly to enable your skin to breathe.

Twice Daily.
Use a basic cleanser (mild and creamy or deep cleansing for oily skins.) Use a toner gentle for the average skin, sebum control and anti shine for oily skin. Also a anti pollution moisturiser containing vitamin A,c or E to combat free radical damage.

Daily.
Use a sun screen to protect from UV light (matt and shine free.)

Monthly.
Use a clay based deep cleansing mask to combat the oily areas which may appear during the time of your period..

Your skin is probably looking good, and now is the time to act to keep it that way. In your early thirties the pigment cells become less efficient at producing skin colour. You may have noticed the tone of your face, neck and chest may have become a little uneven. If you have subjected yourself.

1. Always use a high sunscreen on your face, hands and chest. You could use a moisturiser which includes a UV sunscreen. Look for creams containing anti oxidants, to combat free radical damage which speeds up in your thirties, resulting in uneven pigmentation and drier skin.
2. Pay particular attention to the delicate skin around your eyes, which is usually the first place to show signs of wrinkling, also your neck and the backs of your hands.
3. Your thirties is a very demanding time, make sure you body is getting the nutrition it needs. So don't skimp on your vitamin supplements, iron vitamin B complex vitamins C and E and evening primrose oil.

Twice Daily.
Use an anti pollution formula moisturiser to help the skin heal itself.

Daily.
Use a high protection UV sunscreen and moisturiser especially for the eye area.

Twice Weekly.
Cell turnover starts to slow down in your thirties, so use a slightly more abrasive face polisher to exfoliate.

Fortnightly.
Use a mild moisturising mask.

For a blushing bride look that doesn't dissolve during the ceremony, try these great techniques:

• Use a powder based blush it will last longer than a cream blush.
• Alternatively, try a cheek stain -- just be sure to blend fast. Once the stain sets, it stays put.
• You've done your homework. Your skin glows. What comes first, Foundation, Powder, Conceal?
  
• Relax. Try these tips for a flawless complexion.
  
• Apply moisturiser twenty minutes before starting your makeup to minimise slide.
  
• Use conceal under your eyes.
  
• If you think you'll be a teary bride, look for an oil-based conceal
  
• If your foundation wears away easily, try a formula with a little oil -- sounds strange, but it works.
  
• Finish your foundation with face powder.

The Eyes.

The eyes are the mirror of the soul and, on this day at least, your eyes will probably be brimming with joyful tears. Try these tips to keep your eye makeup in place through the waterworks:

• Prep your eyelids with an eye shadow base or a little face powder.
• Use waterproof mascara, allow each coat to dry for a few seconds before applying the next layer.
• If you expect to cry a lot, leave your lower lashes clean -- this minimise smudging.
• Try an eyelash perm -- the French swear by this spa technique. Results last for about nine weeks.

The Lips.

Kissing is probably the only thing you'll do more than crying on your wedding day, so you'll need lip color that lasts, without constant touch-ups. Try these steps for a lasting, kiss able smile.

• Skip your lip moisturiser, or apply it at least an hour before starting your makeup.
• Prep your lips with a little foundation -- to give the color a base.
• Using a lip liner, first outline your lips, then fill them in for an extra layer of color.
• Apply your lipstick with a lip brush.
• Apply one layer of lipstick, blot with a tissue, and apply the second layer.
• For color that really lasts, try a lip stain. This is a particularly good choice if you want a bright, high maintenance lip color, like ruby red.
• Moisturise your lips in the days before the wedding lip stain can be drying.
• Apply lip stain directly to lips skip the foundation and lip liner steps.
• Be sure to have makeup remover ready for mistakes lip stain won't just wipe off.