You’ve found the perfect wedding dress. Now you need some tips to complete the rest of your wedding day “look.” Read on for some timeless bridal beauty and wedding makeup tips.

Bridal Makeup:

When it comes to bridal makeup, remember the mantra: “less is more.” You want your guests to gasp in wonder and admiration of your beauty- not in shock! Save the bright and glttery eyeshadow for the clubs.

Your wedding face should appear natural and flawless. There will be lots of photos taken of you throughout the day so your bridal makeup should include cosmetics that reduce shine. Experiment with different formulations of matte foundation to see if a cream, liquid, or powder-to-cream finish works well on your skin. Include a makeup primer which not only mattifies skin but also helps makeup last longer on your skin. For touch ups throughout the day, keep a compact of translucent powder at hand in your bag or with a trusted friend.

Take a look at some pictures of brides in magazines. You’ll notice that any colors used tend to be pinks, plums, grays and browns, all of which are universally neutral, but still flattering. Again, the emphasis is on achieving a natural look. Some artists avoid dark colors on the eyelids since they give the “black eye” look in photos. Always curl your eyelashes since that opens your eyes and give you a fresh, awake look. Adding a bit of white or light color beneath the brow and at the corners of eyes also gives a bright look. Do wear waterproof mascara if you’re worried about crying happy tears on your wedding day.

Live up to the “blushing bride” title with caution since you don’t want to look like a clown. Your best bet is to apply a soft shade to the apples of your cheeks. Don’t over do it because the excitement and the energy of the day is sure to add to the color of your face. A word of advice, though: for professional photos it is best to go with a bit more intense color since flash photography tends to “wash out” features. Your best bet is to take a few shots with a camera and see how your face appears. Also take into account if you’re taking photos indoors or outdoors, as well as the time of day. It may be worthwhile, especially if having a long photoshoot, to have your makeup kit at hand.

You’re going to be doing lots of smooching so make your lip color last by layering a lip tint or stain, lipstick and even lip gloss. A tip is to line lips first so a bit of color stays even if your lipstick eventually wears off.

Brides Hair:

There have been many arguments whether to leave hair up or down for the wedding. The final decision should be based on your dress and accessories. Both styles can look elegant and sophisticated as long as you remember a few tips.

If opting for an up-do, be sure to do several trial runs. An up-do can be elaborate and time consuming. Some brides even have their hair done the night before, though you would then anticipate awkward sleeping positions. The classic chignon is timeless but modern versions of the “bun” are quite popular as well. You can start by putting hair up in a high ponytail (add extensions if your hair is short or uneven), then use a curling iron on small sections of hair and pin them loosely. Other options are pinned up braids or a half-twist (French twist) with loose sections of hair curled into spirals or soft waves.

You’ll have the most success with a stylist or friend who is good with hair. You’ll also need lots of hairspray and bobby pins! In fact, keep some on hand throughout the day.

Leaving hair down does not necessarily mean you can just wash it and forget it. You’ll need to use styling tools to give straight hair volume, and serum or gel to tame frizz and give it a nice shine. You’ll need to keep hair controlled and not covering or falling into your face at crucial moments. Consider an elegant headband or even a half-up hairstyle to pin back longer bangs or front sections of hair while leaving the rest cascading beautifully down.

Some last tips on other bridal beauty topics:

Remember- when you smile, you show your teeth, too, so don’t neglect the health and condition of your gums and teeth. If you want to whiten teeth, start doing so slowly months before the wedding.

If you regularly visit the tanning salon, go easy before the wedding to avoid the “oompa loompa” fake-bake look.

Beauty comes from within so remember to exercise regularly, drink lots of water, avoid smoking, and eat healthy. With these tips, you’ll be the bride everyone is talking about.

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