HEALTH AND BEAUTY - USE A MULTI-STEP SKIN CLEANSING PROGRAM
Now is the time to start working on your skin. On your wedding day, you'll be having your picture taken close-up and many people getting close to your skin as they hug and kiss you. Even a relatively nice complexion can benefit from six months of stress-relief, proper nutrition, and added water-drinking.
Use a good cleanser appropriate for your skin-type in the mornings.
Use make-up remover and cleanser at night.
Apply a daily moisturizer.
Use an exfoliant once to several times a week.
Drinking 8 to 10 glasses daily will help clear up blemishes and make your skin more luminous.
TIPS FOR YOUR 2010 WEDDING DAY HAIR
The right wedding hairstyle is just one of the things that help make the perfect wedding. The following is a list of tips to ensure everything goes smoothly so that you look and feel your absolute best on your wedding day.
1. Plan Your Hairstyle Ahead
This is all about deciding on the type of style you are looking for. Look through magazines and not just bridal ones. The glossy bridal shoots are often designed for the studio and are often impractical for an actual wedding. Talk to your hairdresser - they know you and your likes and will be able to suggest a style that will suit you. Also talk to them about a hair care regime.
2. Basic Haircare
This comes down the using the right product for your hair type. Your stylist will be able to advise you on a hair care regime, which is suitable for your hair. Have regular cuts every six weeks with treatments. If you color your hair, it is important to use the right products - normally a color-care shampoo and conditioner, plus a leave-in treatment. These products help prevent color fade and maintain the vibrancy and condition of your hair. I would normally recommend that you have your hair cut and colored one week before the wedding to allow your hair to settle.
3. What Style Should You Choose?
What style ultimately depends on your personal preference, but you also need to consider:
The time of the ceremony - is it day or night?
Is the ceremony inside or outside?
How long do you need the style to last?
A few guidelines when choosing a style are:
All Up: Very sturdy and will last all day and night. This look is very glamorous and stylish, suitable for both day and evening ceremonies.
Half up/down: Still sturdy and should last all day and night depending on the hair type. This is a romantic look, very young and youthful. Normally a day style but does transform well to evening wear
All down: Not recommended for outdoor weddings as this style won't last as long as the other two. The look is romantic and modern but normally considered more for the daytime than for evenings.
If you have decided on an up-style for your wedding day then wash your hair the night before as most hairdressers prefer to work with slightly dirty hair on the day, your own natural oils will help keep your hair shiny and smooth. Remember that some hairstyles can add inches to a bride's height, and shorter brides may choose to use this to their advantage.
The worst mistake brides make is loosing their personal identity when making hair and fashion choices for the wedding day. The most important thing to remember is to make sure you like what you choose for the wedding day.
One more important point is after choosing your wedding hairstyle, try the hairstyle out well in advance of the wedding day. Then try walking around with this hairstyle for several hours to make sure it’s comfortable as you wouldn’t want to have hair pins hurting you and ruining your wedding day!
4. Hairstyle Accessories
There are many different types of hair accessories available today a few suggestions follow.
Tiaras - Although less popular now, tiaras are available from most bridal shops and some hairdressers. Practical prices vary from sixty to three-hundred dollars.
Silk Flowers - very popular today. There is a wide variety of silk and fabric flowers available at the moment many of which look like fresh flowers and can be found in department stores, salons but for the best design I have found flea markets to be the most creative with one off designs. Pricing starts normally around thirty dollars.
Real Flowers - it's the "traditional" way of hair decoration and still looks fantastic. However, be careful to choose the correct flower. You want one that won't wilt and is not too big for you head. Talk to your florist about the hardiness of flowers and also talk about the type of flower with your hairdresser at the trial. Prices vary form florist to florist. 5. In Salon Or Come To You?
This is a personal decision, and to be honest the quality of the work provided by either a salon or a mobile hairdresser should not vary. Make sure that you try out, or trial your hairdresser somewhere between two to three months before your wedding, as this allows plenty of time should something go wrong.
One advantage of the salon is that often you can get everyone done at once. One disadvantage is that there may be multiple stylists involved whose work may vary slightly. Also consider you will have to coordinate getting your party to and from the salon.
One advantage of a mobile hairdresser is that they will come to you so that you are not rushing around on your wedding day. One disadvantage is that normally only one hairdresser shows up so with a large wedding party this means an early start.
6. How To Choose A Wedding Hairdresser
It's best to talk to a couple of hairdressers and listen to what they have to say about your hair and what they would do with it. They should talk about your hair history, what type of colors you have had in the past, what type of cuts you have had and what you did or didn't like about them, and generally get to know you and your tastes in style.
7. The Hairstyle Trial
At the trial you should talk about your wedding dress (have pics) and the image that you are after. Pictures which you have found in magazines also help your stylist design the style for you. Also have your head bridesmaids with you to give advice. The cost will vary from hairdresser to hairdresser so make sure that you get prices before hand.
Things to look out for when trialing a hairdresser are:
The cleanliness of their equipment. If they are salon based this also means the salon. Tidy hairdressers do tidy work.
How well organized the hairdresser is. Is the equipment laid out ready to go or arranged in an orderly manner and packed well in their bags.
Are they interested in you and your wedding? Did they ask about the dress etc?
Have they suggested hair styles for you. Did they give you advice on your hair, not just the styles for your wedding but on hair care, as well as cutting and coloring advice?
Are they punctual? You need your stylist to be running on time on your wedding day.
8. Who Goes First?
I always start with the bridesmaids making sure that a good communication is maintained to allow for changes in the hairstyles as we go. Then I do the mother of bride and any other relatives who are booked in, then comes the bride. The bride should be done last or near to last to make sure that she looks fresh. Last but not least the flower girls, only because of their age. Flower girls hair tends to be fine and wispy, and often does not hold styles well, plus they sometimes get impatient!
9. Pre-wedding Haircut / color
Your Pre-wedding cut should always be done by the hairdresser who is going to do your hair on the day of wedding. This takes away any chance of the hair being cut too short, and the hairdresser having difficulties with the style on the day. If you need to have a different hairdresser cut you hair, make sure they show you how much hair they are taking off before they start cutting. Any color work should be done anywhere from one to two weeks before the wedding. Style and color changes are not recommended just before the wedding, and definitely not on the day.
10. On the day
The day of the wedding has arrived and you have to keep to a schedule. Try to wash your hair the night before, rather than on the day. You should allow approximately forty minutes for hair styling per person. Make up a schedule for people to work by. Bridesmaid's hair and make-up should be done first, then the mother of bride, the bride herself and last of all the flower girls depending on their ages. Also, try to make sure that there are no errands left to do. Having people rushing in and out is very frustrating for the stylists, and may cause your party to run behind schedule. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the person who is doing your hair and make up. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life so start it being relaxed and well prepared.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HAIRSTLYES
Many African American women today are simply too busy to manage long tresses of hair. So instead they opt for short, manageable hairstyles that look trendy and professional. The great thing about short hairstyles is that you can choose different styles at any time. It's common for African American women who choose short hair to create their own styles.
You can opt for an immediate change using your own hair, a sexy wig or adding hair extensions to your own hair to create your fantasy, trendy hairstyle.
Not only does your hair frame your face, but it substantially transforms it. It is essential that you keep in mind when modifying your hairstyle your skin color, face shape and the texture of your hair. Always remember to choose your hair color carefully so that it compliments your natural beauty.
Trying out hairstyles at home can inspire you and provide new ideas. You can design your own exclusive short hairstyle for your wedding, or for any occasion, without the expense of going to a hair salon.
A hair style that is still popular today is the Afro. Like many other short hairstyles it is an easy, low maintenance style since there is no need for chemicals. This style has evolved from the days when it was perfectly rounded and pulled out from the head with a pick. In our modern era, an Afro is simply any length of hair that is in its natural state. It can be cared for with a pick or with your fingers.
Another great option that African American women can select is the cropped cut. This features short layers all over the head finger-combed with pomade for moisture and styling control. This is an excellent choice if you color your hair, since hair is trimmed frequently to remove dryness or damage from processing. This look allows for diversity - from cropped very close to the scalp to tight curls.
Silk Flowers - very popular today. There is a wide variety of silk and fabric flowers available at the moment many of which look like fresh flowers and can be found in department stores, salons but for the best design I have found flea markets to be the most creative with one off designs. Pricing starts normally around thirty dollars.
Real Flowers - it's the "traditional" way of hair decoration and still looks fantastic. However, be careful to choose the correct flower. You want one that won't wilt and is not too big for you head. Talk to your florist about the hardiness of flowers and also talk about the type of flower with your hairdresser at the trial. Prices vary form florist to florist.
