Some ideas to help you look and feel your best...

Great British Life: Xen-Tan Scent Secure (www.xen-tan.co.uk)Xen-Tan Scent Secure (www.xen-tan.co.uk) (Image: Archant)

Golden glow

Great British Life: Dermalogica Multi Vitamin Hand and Nail Treatment (www.dermalogica.co.uk)Dermalogica Multi Vitamin Hand and Nail Treatment (www.dermalogica.co.uk) (Image: Archant)

Get your complexion in tip top condition by eating and drinking well in the weeks prior to your wedding. A body polish treatment – or an at-home scrub such as Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow – will ease away dead skin cells and leave skin looking bright and luminous in your photographs. For a sun-kissed look, gradual self-tanners such as St Tropez’s Everyday mousse allow you to build colour daily until you achieve the desired effect. Although more expensive, a professional spray tan will give streak-free, bronzed results that fade evenly. Organise a trial run for two weeks before and book the professional tan two days in advance of your wedding, so that you are left with a subtle but radiant glow. Afterwards, preserve the colour by moisturising generously with an oil-free lotion such as Xen Tan Scent Secure, which has firming properties and also masks any unpleasant self tan odours.

Great British Life: Show Beauty Lux Volume Mist (showbeauty.com)Show Beauty Lux Volume Mist (showbeauty.com) (Image: Archant)

Great British Life: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation (www.esteelauder.co.uk)Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation (www.esteelauder.co.uk) (Image: Archant)

Hands and nails

With all eyes on the ring, keep hands and nails looking as pristine as possible by including regular manicures in your pre-wedding routine. Moisturise hands daily with a good quality cream such as Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment, which contains antioxidant protection for smooth, healthy skin. A cuticle oil such as Jessica Cuticle Formula will nourish the cuticle base and help to promote healthier nails. For longer lasting nail varnish that will stay chip-free well into your honeymoon, Shellac manicures and Gel FX polish use curing technology for a durable finish, and can last up to twice as long as a traditional manicure.

Crowning glory

Whether you’re planning on a sleek straight style or a voluminous up-do, it’s important to plan a hair trial so that you can share your ideas with your chosen stylist. Take your veil or any hair accessories you plan to wear with you so that you can get an idea of the finished look. In the build up to your wedding day try a shampoo with thickening properties such as Kiehl’s Ultimate Thickening Shampoo which will boost fine or flat hair. On the day, a styling mist such as Show Beauty’s Lux Volume spray will keep your style smooth and in place for longer. Finish with a spritz of L’Occitane’s sweet and summery Pivoine Flora Hair Mist – a lightly scented perfume with delicate notes of peony and grapefruit.

Picture perfect

Bridal make-up should be elegant and timeless, with the focus on enhancing your natural beauty. If you wish to apply your own make-up, test it in natural light and on camera beforehand. Choose long-wear essentials such as Clarins Double Fix Mascara sealant, which will make your favourite mascara completely waterproof, an eyeliner such as Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear pencil that won’t smudge or fade, and Estée Lauder’s double wear foundation which will stay put for the entire day. For a flawless complexion, apply a light primer such as Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and for lips Chanel’s Ultra-Wear lip colour combines a high-shine gloss with a full-coverage lip stain.

Packaged up

Many salons offer special bridal packages that can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Face up for Beauty on Babington Lane in Derby offers gold, platinum and diamond packages plus a free consultation service where clients can create a bespoke package of treatments to suit budget and time constraints. The platinum and diamond options include a pre-wedding trial and make-up on the day. All three packages include manicures, two Fake Bake spray tans and two luxury Guinot Hydradermie Face Treatments – a facial that deep-cleanses, oxygenates and regenerates skin for a balanced and healthy complexion. As owner Vicki Hendry points out, ‘When it comes to one of the biggest days of your life, we want to make sure you look fantastic and feel comfortable with whatever decisions you have made in terms of your pre-wedding beauty preparation.’ For details contact Vicki on 01332 368195.