Wedding Day Skin Beauty Tips

Don't hide behind a veil your entire wedding day. Learn the way to healthy, vibrant skin.

(MS) - You bought the gown, scheduled the hairstylist, and picked out the bridal accessories. But are you forgetting about one of the most important parts of looking beautiful on your wedding day: your face?

Every bride wants to shine on her wedding day, but she probably doesn't want her skin to shine, too. Problems like oily, dry, or irritated skin plague a good portion of the population. But on your wedding day you don't want skin inconveniences to ruin your festivities.

"One of the best ways to put your best face forward is to know your skin type, what causes you to breakout, and to avoid any products or foods that may contribute to the problem - at least until the last wedding photo has been snapped," says Brooke Tilson, a Toronto makeup artist. If you don't know the answers to these questions, you may want to visit a dermatologist a few months before the wedding to talk about your concerns and to get recommendations for proper skin care.

In addition to professional skin advice, here are some other ways to maximize your beauty potential come your wedding day.

Cleansing and Toning

Healthy skin starts with clean skin. Be sure to remove makeup every night and wash your face with a mild cleanser appropriate for your skin type twice daily. Toners can refresh the skin, dry up any extra oil on the surface and clean out pores. Now is not the time to experiment with the latest and greatest products out there. You don't want to risk irritation to your skin before your wedding day.

Be Gentle

When cleansing, drying, or even applying makeup, treat your skin with a soft hand. Blot gently with cotton balls or swabs, and avoid tugging or rubbing the skin. Not only can this cause redness or irritation, it may also contribute to long-term wrinkling.

Not So 'Sun'sational

Many brides-to-be believe that suntanning will cure many of their skin ailments. This isn't the case. While sunbathing may temporarily alleviate acne or breakouts, it could actually compound the problem and make outbreaks worse over time. Other ladies think that tanned skin will make them look better against their white bridal gown. However, on your wedding day you should look like the best version of you, not a complete stranger. Fair-skinned individuals may look out of place with a deep tan. Err on the side of moderate whenever contemplating modifying your skin tone, as it will affect makeup choices and other things as well. And avoid tanning booths or sitting out in the sun. If you must be tan, look for artificial spray tans or bronzers that create natural-looking color.

Makeup

Conservative, natural-looking makeup should also be the rule. The photographs you take on your wedding day will be a testament to the era and moments you shared. But you don't want to look dated when you reminisce years later. Choose muted shades on eyes, lips and cheeks that enhance, rather than cover up your beauty. Select makeup that is smudge- and waterproof so it will stand up to tears of joy and kisses from well-wishers. Pressed or loose powder can also be your best friend. It will come in handy when you have to touch up spots on your face or combat shine.

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* Recommended Online Sites *

• DermaStore  Great discounts (I love this site!)
• Murad Acne Skin Care

Please be sure to visit us on Merry Brides Twitter for great wedding tips!

The Bridezilla Syndrome: Do You Have It?

In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are high; immune systems are low; and over the course of the past 20 years, brides have transmitted, what has become a bridal epidemic of our time.

The number of victims has steadily increased; and to date, there is no cure. It's been dubbed various clinical names: Multiple Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Temporary Insanity. But in the world of matrimony, anyone who's been exposed - fiancés, family, friends, and victims themselves - this broadening illness has been commonly termed "Bridezilla Syndrome" or "BS."

A contagious condition, BS has become more prominent and has plagued today's busy, wedding-planning woman. In a preliminary study, the disease has spread at an alarming rate. Symptoms of victims of BS - better known as Bridezillas - include reoccurring mood spells, bouts with selfishness, signs of controlling behavior and feelings of meticulousness.

Unfortunately fiancés, bridal party members, friends and family eventually fall victim to the actions and attitudes of a Bridezilla.

Research suggests that symptoms are recognized most often by the fiancé and Maid of Honor, and are completely undetectable by the actual victim. In some cases, a bridal party member, who having had too much alcohol to drink, confronted the Bridezilla. Most often, an emotional, breakdown of the victim would follow, thus intensifying her condition. In a survey of 100 Maids of Honor, an alarming 85% said they avoided confrontation with the victim for fear it would only exasperate the illness.

So we must ask the underlying questions: Where is all this BS coming from? How does one know when she's full of it? Unfortunately the source has not been found; though it is believed that it has existed since the dawn of the institution of marriage. A short-term condition (symptoms persist about 1-2 years depending on one's wedding date), Bridezillas seem to have been unfairly blamed for their actions, for which some believe they have no control, albeit their control over everything else. In fact, it's been clinically proven that a Bridezilla actually does have feelings - feelings of selfishness, insecurity, anxiousness and stress!

Though it's been said there is no cure, there are ways to prevent infection of BS. A survey of healthy brides, whom successfully planned their weddings without contracting the disease, was conducted. Results showed commonalities of the actions performed to avoid the disorder. Doctors, psychologists and wedding planners strongly suggest the following preventative therapy:

1. Keep Perspective - remind yourself that the wedding is only one day in your life. When things get out of control, close your eyes and remember the reason why you are planning this wedding in the first place.

2. Don't Assume Your Groom Doesn't Want to Help - ask him what he'd like to take responsibility for; and then let him. (note: some grooms may follow the cliché and decline this offer.)

3. Know That You Can't Control Everything - realize this and accept it!

4 Delegate. Delegate. Delegate - If you act like you can handle everything, people will let you. Spread the duties.

5. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - people won't remember whether or not your invitations had those cute little tissues enclosed.

6. Treat The People You Cherish with Love - the wedding is one day; your family and friends are forever.

7. Allow Others to Vent - give your fiancé, family and bridesmaids permission to tell you when you're going off the deep-end.

8. Take the Heat - give yourself permission to hear them.

9. Do Something for Yourself Every Day - the catch is that it must not involve the wedding.

10. No Wedding Talk After 10pm.

Although preventative therapy is available, some brides inherently fall victim and still contract BS. But there is hope! This is not a terminal illness. In fact in most cases, the bride has been known to be miraculously cured once she has returned from her honeymoon. Doctors and psychologists theorize that the change in altitude from flying coupled with excessive levels of the love hormone, Oxytocin counteracts the disease by boosting the immune system, thus eliminating symptoms.

In cases of remission, the disease has been known to resurface when a person, under certain circumstances, may be planning her wedding again. According to research, those brides with a higher IQ score avoided the reoccurrence of symptoms by simply eloping.

Whatever your situation, whether a Bridezilla, fiancé, friend or family member of one -- join in the fight! With love, hope and education, our brides of the future and their bridal parties will have a winning chance against all the BS!

Product Recommendation:

THE PERFECT WEDDING BEGINS WITH INSPIRATION!

Romantic, humorous, touching and true. This books brings to light the true meaning of love and commitment, whether you are newly engaged, recently married or reflecting on the years of married bliss. Makes the perfect bridal shower gift!

Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul (Click Here)

About the Author

Gina Romanello, author of Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul. Noticing many friends and family members endure the stress of planning a wedding, Gina saw a need for Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul, a Chicken Soup title sure to comfort and enlighten a stressed-out bride planning her big day. Visit Gina's website Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/Footnote: Preventative Therapy of BridezillaSyndrome provided by http://www.weddingquestions.com/

Additional Wedding Planning Reading:

http://merrybrides.liveournal.com

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com

http://funweddings.blogspot.com

http://merrybrides.blogspot.com

Planning Barbie's Wedding Wasn't This Stressful!

By Ciara Daykin

The more you dive into planning your perfect wedding the faster and faster time seems to be flying by. Before you know it you'll be making your grand entrance and then at the blink of an eye the wedding cake will be merely a pile of crumbs on your plate, and the shoes you shopped painstakingly for will be tossed in a box.

Your wedding day is THE DAY that means so much to you. You have so many emotions surrounding this event... love, excitement, joy, jitters, elation. Are you confused? Feeling overwhelmed?

Bridal Blues

Brides often experience post wedding blues. It's hard to explain the feeling but it definitely comes. I know I got it after my wedding was over. But it didn't mean I wasn't absolutely thrilled to be married, I was just sad because my wedding was over (and as you probably know by now, I really love weddings). The day you imagined for so long, and spent at least the last year of your life planning is all of a sudden OVER. Now your other girlfriends are celebrating their engagements and you're not "the bride" anymore. The droves of friends and family that were suffocating you all went home and it's finally just you and your new husband. But you keep reflecting on your wedding, was it what you had hoped it to be? Did your details dazzle??

Getting married is a BIG DEAL! Don't let anyone tell you it's not. Regardless of whether or not you and your honey have lived together, getting married is a big life change for any woman. Hence the reason we all feel the need to throw a lavish party. You need to celebrate this life change!

EVEN BARBIE NEEDED A LITTLE GUIDANCE

Sheryl Paul is a bridal counselor (who knew there was such a thing!) and the author of The Conscious Bride. Sheryl sums it up best when she says:

"...it has become something of a taboo in our culture to utter the words "grief" and "wedding" in the same breath. Yet how could grief and fear not be a part of this transition?! We have the bride and groom letting go of their singlehood and stepping into one of the biggest commitments of their lives; we have the mothers of the bride and groom letting go of their "little ones" and possibly facing their own disappointments about their wedding or marriage; and we have girlfriends freaking out about panty hose color when really they're scared about losing, at least temporarily, their lifelong friend. In short, a wedding, as the rite of passage that it is, involves a loss and a gain, a death and a birth, an ending and a beginning."

This book is a must read for all brides to be. It will really help you to understand that you are going through a big life change and that everyone around you is affected by your transition as well. This book will give you a lot of perspective and you'll finally realize why the little things, like the perfect shade of red for your bridesmaid dresses, are so darn important to you!

Bridal Advice:

Pick up a book that is going to nurture your bridal heart. It doesn't have to be this book, although I really do recommend it. As an expert wedding planner, the most important part of my job is helping my clients plan each detail of their wedding so that the climax of their emotional journey is truly the celebration that they deserve it to be.

Love and Bridal Bliss,

Ciara Daykin

Additional Wedding Reading Sites
http://www.merrybrides.livejournal.com
http://www.funweddings.blogspot.com
http://www.merrybrides.blog.com


Ciara Daykin is Calgary's premiere Wedding Choreographer. Brides wanting a dazzling, dashing, dream-filled wedding turn to Ciara for all their wedding planning needs. Ciara is a proud member of the Association of Bridal Consultants.
Sign up for Tips & Tricks for the Vibrant & Stylish Bride and Party Host at: http://www.fireflyoccasions.com/
Email: info@fireflyoccasions.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ciara_Daykin

How to Calm Wedding Jitters

(MS) - The work involved with planning a wedding can stress out even the most stable of individuals. Even those brides-to-be who knew all the reasons why they were getting married a few months ago may be facing the prospect of walking down the aisle with anxiety.

Call it cold feet or wedding jitters, the feeling is common among newlyweds-to-be. Stress has a funny way of making mountains out of molehills - little idiosyncracies in a partner can quickly grow into horrible character traits. The key is recognizing when fears are just the result of too much planning and not deep-rooted relationship issues. Usually a person quickly realizes they're more overwhelmed about the wedding details than the thought of making a commitment.

"The What-If Guy," by Taylor G. Wilshire has messages of love, forgiveness and affirmation at its roots, which can offer help at this important time in your life. It also provides an entertaining story that gives you a chance to kick back and escape.

1. Put your thoughts onto paper - Make a list of what is causing the most anxiety. This release technique is something main character Ryley McKenna used in the book to clear her fears and prevent overworrying. Sometimes having all of your racing thoughts organized and on paper can help you rationally address the issues and see that there is no serious cause of the jitters. It can also help you pinpoint a common stress trigger, such as a financial concern or a conflict with a family member. Compare these fears to a list of reasons why you love your partner and want to enter a commitment with this person. This simple task can bring order to jumbled feelings and offer clarity on any nervousness you may have.

2. Learn to relax - Make time for yourself and enjoy activities that are not directly related to wedding planning. For example, some women benefit from a massage or facial treatment. Others find that a relaxing drive or walk along the beach or through another quiet area can help promote calmness. Or take a cue from Ryley and learn to relax by meditating to put your mind at peace: Find a quiet place and focus on deep breathing.

3. Talk to your partner - Open up to your partner about how you are feeling. You just may find that he is experiencing some of the same things as you and that jitters are completely normal. Working through fears to a place of love is one of the underlying concepts of "A Course in Miracles," the inspirational text that helps guide Ryley throughout the book. By expressing your fears and doubts, and working through them as a team, this can be the first step you take as a married couple to support each other in good times ... and bad.

4. Recognize that changes understandably make people uncomfortable - One of the most life-altering changes a person can make is getting married, particularly if you've both been used to living on your own and making your own decisions. Instead of focusing on what you could be losing by getting married, reaffirm all of the things you will be gaining. It may help to talk to married couples who have been successful in keeping their relationships strong. Remember though, your relationship is unique to you as a couple. So don't be sidetracked over what could or may happen.

5. Keep in mind that love is most important - While you want the weather to cooperate and the day to be flawless, you cannot control the outcome of everything when getting married. There may be some minor (or major) bumps along the way. Being able to recover gracefully and enjoy yourself can help start your relationship off on the right foot. Remember, you'll have many other chances to create winning memories as you grow old together with your partner, so don't put so much emphasis on the wedding details or the most important moments may pass you by. For further inspiration, see the ways Ryley overcomes challenges to find her path to true love in "The What if Guy."

Add "The What-If Guy" to your bridal shower wish list to provide some much-needed salvation during this wonderful, but often stressful time.

Brides and Bloating Prevent bloating before your wedding day

Theirarticles.com
By: Gail Young

Your big day is just two weeks away and with your crazy schedule at work and at home and the fact that youve been eating poorly and are all stressed out it suddenly occurs to youwhat if I retain water and end up all bloated and feeling like a soggy marshmallow in my dream wedding dress?

You have spent countless hours planning and dreaming about your wedding day which is now fast approaching. As you count down the days the panic begins to set in. How do I prevent the all too familiar pre-wedding bloating experienced by so many brides on their wedding day?

Naturally, we as women may think, I will simply starve myself and not drink a lot of liquids for a few days before my wedding. If I do so perhaps this will help drop a bit of weight and reduce some of that nasty cellulite on my bodyright? Wrong!

Did you know that water retention is directly linked to what you eat, drink and your daily habits?

Bloating is caused primarily by dehydration. The loss of water in the body can cause constipation. And the corresponding lack of bowel movements creates the tummy bulge.

Here are six tips to follow for at least 1-2 weeks prior to your big day:

1. Drink 8 10 glasses of water a day. Drinking less fluid will not cure water retention and can actually make it worse. So drink plenty of water to flush the toxins from your body. Cellulite is a form of fat with retained water. When the body cannot get rid of the wastes and toxins it tends to store cellulite.

2. Try to eliminate salts and refined sugars from your diet. If you cant eliminate these types of foods then at least cut down on their use as much as you possible can.
3. Get some exercise. Go for a brisk walk, even if it is just 10 minutes. Movement helps you lymphatic system drain and gets the blood pumping which increases circulation. Did you know poor circulation can cause water retention?

4. Dont skip meals. Much as you may think this is wise, low calorie diets have been shown to increase water retention. But do avoid high fat foods. Incorporate protein in your daily routine. While you are running around getting all the last minute details finished remember to reach for a yogurt, some cottage cheese or make yourself a protein shake. One of the most important nutrients to prevent water retention is protein.
5. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol. These liquids cause dehydration, plus they are empty calories.

6. Take a good multivitamin. Find one that has a high content of Vitamin B (12 and 6). Stress robs your body of essential vitamins, plus you are probably not eating as healthy as you should. Vitamin B is especially good to take when you are under stress, or have bloating. I always take a daily multivitamin but supplement them with a good B vitamin.

Of course it goes without saying that you should also try your best to get proper and sufficient sleep during this stressful period.

If you can follow these six simple, natural yet highly effective guidelines then you'll look better, feel better and be as radiant as a bride should be on her wedding day. Take charge and eliminate that unnecessary and unwelcome pre-wedding bloating!

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Recommended Links

• Personalized Gifts for Wedding's!
• Visit the Ultimate User's Guide to Your Body
• GreatSkin.com - A special gift for everybody!

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