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Countdown to perfect wedding beauty regime

• Tips and tricks from makeup artist Yvette van Schie
• Six week countdown to flawless skin and makeup
• Everything from cleansing, toning, glimmering powders, pedicures and manicures

Article Tags:  beauty tips for skin, makeup for wedding day, makeup tips

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Six week bridal beauty guide

Julia Mathams

28 October 2011

Bridal makeup artist Yvette van Schie, founding owner of Ethix Makeup Beauty and Styling, reveals her tried and tested secrets from the six-week beauty regime she prescribes to all her brides.

Six weeks to go
You still have time to experiment with new looks six weeks before your wedding so consider changing the shape of your eyebrows or trying that new cut or colour. “If you are having a fake tan for your wedding,” Yvette recommends, “try it out now so there will be no nasty orange surprises!”

Yvette also recommends having a manicure, pedicure and facial as well as drinking plenty of water and getting daily exercise. And her secret weapon to fight skin problems? Just add zinc tablets and three to six flaxseed capsules to your daily diet.

Five weeks to go
With five weeks to go it’s time to kick start your skincare regime. “Cleanse, tone and moisturise twice daily and exfoliate twice weekly as well as using a suitable mask,” Yvette recommends.

“Don’t forget to pay attention to your eyes as eye makeup goes on more smoothly when the skin is moist. Apply hand cream and foot cream daily as well as body lotion. Your body also needs a good scrub as well as your face twice each week.”

Four weeks to go
One month out it’s time to ramp up your exercise so start sweating! Focus on toning your arms and if you are wearing a backless gown concentrate on your back as well.

“Daily exercise will help you look your best on the day and keep you calm and healthy,” Yvette says. “You’re exercising to look good now and not lose weight, so look to yoga, long walks, Pilates, swimming and anything that helps manage stress.”

Three weeks to go
Beauty professionals can book out in advance, so use this time — the calm before the storm — to book ahead. Make appointments to have your eyelashes and brows tinted the day before your wedding as well as lash extensions and brow shaping if you choose.

“Do not leave your nails and toes until the day of your wedding, nor eyebrow tidying,” Yvette cautions, recommending brides make an appointment for a manicure and pedicure one day prior. “If you are having fake tan applied, book yourself in for a full body polish and then the fake tan as the tan will look luminescent after a body polish.”

Two weeks to go
With only two weeks to go, concentrate on your pearly whites. “If your teeth are not their shiny best, start a whitening treatment,” Yvette says. “Book yourself in at the dentist for a treatment and start your man on the same program as he needs to look great as well.”

One week to go
As tempting as it is to let your healthy eating plan and exercise routine slip during this hectic time, don’t! Eating well, drinking enough water, exercising daily and getting eight hours of beauty sleep will not only help you look your best but will ensure you feel it too.

“Have a final facial and have your hair trimmed and coloured if it needs it,” Yvette says.

One day before
The night before the big day double wash your hair and scalp, especially if you are wearing your hair up or having a style that involves hot rollers or straightening irons.

Go easy on the celebratory champagne to avoid any puffiness, drink plenty of water and try to get eight hours of beauty sleep on your last night as an unmarried woman!

On the day
Make-up glides smoothly onto well-moisturised skin so lather up before your make-up artist arrives, but steer clear of moisturising sprays as they can cause your make-up to run. Yvette recommends a body shimmer to get that glow and highlight your décolletage.

“An antiperspirant that does not turn white or stain is also a must-have on the day,” Yvette says. “Apply it to your underarms as well as the bottoms of your feet and toes. If you tend to sweat at your neck or if your man does, apply it to your neck.”

If you’re having your make-up applied professionally you shouldn’t need any touch ups apart from reapplying lipstick and blotting your foundation. “Blotting paper and powder are great to carry with you to keep the shine at bay,” Yvette says. And finally, stand tall, pull your shoulders back and smile — the bride has arrived!