It takes much planning and preparation for a bride to look her radiant and glowing best on her wedding day. If a bride prepares carefully, she will have a wonderful wedding. She has many decisions to make and many tasks to complete, including finding the perfect bridal gown for herself and the best and most appropriate bridal accessories. Beauty and skin preparation is vitally important. Beauty Mona Sami, a hairstylist at Lamcy Salon, says a bride needs to decide early on what make-up and hair she wants for her wedding day. “Every bride should inform the beauty professional of the type of make-up she wishes to have. I could offer professional advice and guidance for her make-up,” Sami says. “Most people take care of their hair, so you should not need an intensive course of hair treatment for your wedding day, but if your hair is not in a good condition you should give it some attention ahead of your wedding date,” she says. “Having your nails done for your wedding day can not only make you feel more beautiful, but give you that extra special touch that just makes you shine with radiance and beauty,” Sami says. Skin Most brides choose skin care treatments at a beauty salon, apart from appointments with a hair stylist. However, some effort is also required from a bride to make sure her skin is soft, smooth and glowing. According to Dr. Hana'a Hashem, a dermatology and cosmetic consultant, there are some universal tips everyone can follow: Proper cleansing One of the most important things the bride needs to have is a proper cleansing routine. Use a soft cleanser for your face. After a bath in the morning, apply a good moisturizer. Also, always wash your face and apply a good moisturizer before going to bed at night. Watch out for the elements The sun can do a lot of damage to the skin. So make sure the lotion or moisturizer, as well as the make-up, has a sunscreen. Achieving a beautiful skin will be a lot easier without having to fight against sun damage. Wear gloves When you are doing dishes or cleaning anything else, wear a pair of gloves. This will help your nails stay strong and your skin smooth up to the wedding day. According to Dr. Modar Al-Kaiem, a dermatology and cosmetic consultant, there are simple steps which help a bride's face look bright and shining and prevent shadows under the eyes. Good diet and proper sleep Following a balanced diet is very important for skin care. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day and include lots of fruit and vegetables. Avoid junk food as much as possible, and stay away from food that contains too much sugar. Never compromise on your sleep; otherwise you will end up with a tired look on your face. Stop smoking Nicotine causes the “arrest” of blood vessels that leads to dark skin. Avoid nervous strain and start specific exercises that relax facial muscles. Stay away from stimulants like tea and coffee and drink plenty of water. Reham Sami, who married last summer, has advice for a bride on what to eat leading up to her wedding day. “In my experience, it is best to start eating a balanced diet three to six months before the wedding. This includes a balance between chicken, meat, fruit and vegetables to keep energy up and fight stress.” Another expert says that it is not a good idea to stress the body at an already stressful time. It is best to plan ahead, join a health club, get a personal trainer if needed, and see a nutritionist or registered dietitian to set up not only a well-balanced diet, but also a lifestyle change.
