JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
EXCLUSIVE: The ULTIMATE checklist to follow & look like bridal beauty on your D day as per Shahnaz Husain
To look your best on your wedding day, preparations should begin well in advance. Home skin and hair care regimes should start at least 4 to 6 weeks before.
Salon services are the easiest for bridal care for specific skin and hair problems. Some of these should be taken in good time. For example, if there is an acne condition or blemishes, or a hair problem, the salon treatments should be taken at least 2 to 4 months in advance, depending on the problem. Specific bridal packages and actual salon make-over for brides culminates on the day before and on the day of the wedding itself, with make-up, hairstyling and even “dressing up” in the bridal attire.
Salons offer a total bridal make-over. Find out about the packages that are available in good time, so that you can make your appointments well in advance. Salons offer a choice of make-up, like high definition, airbrushed, or soft make-up. “High definition” allows the make-up to look flawless, especially in photographs and close-ups. Rich in pigments, it suits a variety of skin tones. Soft make-up is a minimal, natural make-up look, with a naturally flawless and non-shiny skin texture and natural colours. “Air Brushed” make-up is sprayed on, rather than applied with sponges and brushes. It is said to be faster to apply and easier to remove.
To ensure glowing skin on your wedding day, tone the skin daily with a rose-based skin tonic, or rose water, using cotton wool pads. Wipe and stroke the skin with them. Then, pat briskly with the rosewater-soaked cotton wool pads.
Cleanse your skin twice a day. I always maintain that night time cleansing is most important, to remove pollutants and makeup before bedtime. So, cleanse the skin daily at night and rinse well with plenty of plain water. For normal to dry skin, use a cleansing gel or cream, while for combination skin, sandalwood based cleansing milk would be better. For oily skin, a face wash, containing ingredients like tulsi and neem would be good.
Exfoliating the skin once or twice a week works wonders, removing dead cells and brightening the skin. Twice a week apply a facial mask, avoiding the lips and area around the eyes. Wash it off when it dries. After removing the mass, give your face a cold compress with chilled rose water, using cotton wool. Then apply a protective cream or serum.
Before your bath, apply olive oil or coconut oil on the body, and after your bath, apply a moisturizing lotion on the body, while the skin is damp.
For your hair care, once or twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply. Then, dip a towel in hot water, wring out the water and wrap the warm, moist towel on the head for 5 to 6 minutes. Repeat this three times.
If you need to get waxing and threading done, it is better to have it done a day or two before the wedding. If you have never had threading done before, it is better not to attempt it close to the wedding date, as sensitive skins can develop redness or even rash.
The day before the wedding have your manicure and pedicure done, followed by the application of mehndi. It is a good idea to have a manicure and pedicure at a beauty salon. Keep enough time for this, so that you can have your hands and feet massaged. It not only benefits the skin but also induces relaxation.
All brides go through some kind of stress, which can reflect on the face. It has been proved that physical exercise actually helps the body to cope with stress. A few weeks before the wedding, start taking a little exercise, like going for a walk. In fact, walking is good for both body and mind. Deep breathing exercises and meditation are also helpful, in terms of calming the mind and inducing relaxation.
About the author: Shahnaz Husain is the founder of Shahnaz Husain cosmetics.
ASO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Fitness expert approved tips for new moms to kickstart your fitness regime
