Countdown to the Big Day

PUBLISHED: 10:31 16 May 2012 | UPDATED: 21:23 20 February 2013

Somerset Life asks Rhona Gillmore for her top tips, so brides-to-be can look their very best on the day!

Each year the competition grows

for who can come up with the

latest wedding novelty venue,

entertainment, decorations but I am

still surprised at how little thought is

given to skin preparation, colour theme

and make-up for the bride and

bridesmaids. So lets look at the planning

and timings to deliver that all-important,

glowing and radiant bride on the day as

this wont happen on its own!

1 Research, in plenty of time, a reputable

beauty therapist. Just chatting on the

phone can give you a good idea if they

are right for you remember we live in a

very media-led world, so looking at

websites alone often isnt enough, as what

is promised doesnt always happen.

2 Colour Analysis is a great way to plan

the colour scheme. You need to

complement your skin tone, finding out

whether you are a warm or cool season.

This will decide what is best suited to

you a white, ivory or cream wedding

dress which is very important as this is

the only colour you are wearing.

3 Advice on your skin is vital. I see so

many brides with dry, irritated skin, and

the inevitable spots that erupt due to

stress, not drinking enough water and

using the wrong products. At least three

months before the wedding, seek some

expert advice for diet and have a

professional facial with a good home-care

programme. Salon-based products are

more effective in general than cosmetic

counter products. Drink more water to

hydrate the skin, avoid stodgy carbs and

cut back on sugar.

4 Eyelash tinting is brilliant as it gives a

good base for mascara application,

avoiding the clogged look. A skin test is

required for this treatment. If lash

extensions are your thing, try them the

month before. Dont go for a full-on

look because, as photographers will say,

you cant actually see the eyes.

5 Eyebrows should be shaped at the same

time another very important feature, as

they frame your eyes. If you have over

plucked, allow a couple of months to sort

them out.

6 If you want a self tan please try it the

month before to make sure you dont

end up orange! Personally I prefer the

manually applied self tan, as it wont end

up on your dress; spray tans can prove to

be disastrous.

7 Remove unwanted hair by regular

waxing or investing in IPL treatments.

Again this should have been started

during the winter months, and you

should moisturise your skin twice a day.

8 Arrange a pedicure and manicure, but

please avoid the tip-ex tipped shovel look!

9 Book your make-up for the wedding

party on the day at home or in the venue,

to have a relaxed morning.

The final countdown!

MONDAY body massage and facial

TUESDAY eyelash tint or extensions;

hair removal for legs, underarms etc.

THURSDAY self tan with exfoliation;

pedicure

FRIDAY eyebrows shaped; manicure

SATURDAY home or venue visit by

professional therapist and hair stylist.

And remember after all the expense,

the living record of your special day will

be the photograph album, so hair, skin

and make-up are the most important

things to get right!

Rhona Gillmore, 28 Park Street,

Taunton, 01823 271367

Each year the competition grows for who can come up with the latest wedding novelty venue, entertainment, decorations but I am still surprised at how little thought is given to skin preparation, colour theme and make-up for the bride and bridesmaids. So lets look at the planning and timings to deliver that all-important, glowing and radiant bride on the day as this wont happen on its own!

1. Research, in plenty of time, a reputable beauty therapist. Just chatting on the phone can give you a good idea if they are right for you remember we live in a very media-led world, so looking at websites alone often isnt enough, as what is promised doesnt always happen.

2. Colour Analysis is a great way to plan the colour scheme. You need to complement your skin tone, finding out whether you are a warm or cool season. This will decide what is best suited to you a white, ivory or cream wedding dress which is very important as this is the only colour you are wearing.

3. Advice on your skin is vital. I see so many brides with dry, irritated skin, and the inevitable spots that erupt due to stress, not drinking enough water and using the wrong products. At least three months before the wedding, seek some expert advice for diet and have a professional facial with a good home-care programme. Salon-based products are more effective in general than cosmetic counter products. Drink more water to hydrate the skin, avoid stodgy carbs and cut back on sugar.

4. Eyelash tinting is brilliant as it gives a good base for mascara application, avoiding the clogged look. A skin test is required for this treatment. If lash extensions are your thing, try them the month before. Dont go for a full-on look because, as photographers will say, you cant actually see the eyes.

5. Eyebrows should be shaped at the same time another very important feature, as they frame your eyes. If you have overplucked, allow a couple of months to sort them out.

6. If you want a self tan please try it the month before to make sure you dont end up orange! Personally I prefer the manually applied self tan, as it wont end up on your dress; spray tans can prove to be disastrous.

7. Remove unwanted hair by regular waxing or investing in IPL treatments. Again this should have been started during the winter months, and you should moisturise your skin twice a day.

8. Arrange a pedicure and manicure, but please avoid the tip-ex tipped shovel look!

9. Book your make-up for the wedding party on the day at home or in the venue, to have a relaxed morning.

The final countdown!

MONDAY body massage and facial
TUESDAY eyelash tint or extensions; hair removal for legs, underarms etc.
THURSDAY self tan with exfoliation; pedicure
FRIDAY eyebrows shaped; manicure
SATURDAY home or venue visit by professional therapist and hair stylist.

And remember after all the expense, the living record of your special day will be the photograph album, so hair, skin and make-up are the most important things to get right!

Rhona Gillmore, 28 Park Street,Taunton, 01823 271367