The Finishing Touch — Weddings, Events, Design, Paperie

With just a few days left until the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, we are sure Kate has been following a beauty regimen to keep her hair, skin and nails in top form for the big day. Below Candice offers her suggestions for Kate before her wedding day, and, of course, any bride-to-be can follow this regimen.

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Exercise:

As the center of attention on your wedding day, you want to make sure that you are fit and confident in your beautiful gown.
With so many details to think about, finding time to hit the gym may not be at the top of your priority list. But when you think about all the people who will be taking your picture that day, and the moments you will want to treasure in your album for a lifetime, making time to burn calories will become more important.

You should first set realistic goals. Then enlist your fiance or bridesmaids as your workout buddies. Choose something you will enjoy doing over the course of several months like yoga, pilates, belly dancing, swimming or biking. Try to incorporate thirty minutes of activity into your routine at least three times a week.

If you prefer a more rigid structure, join a boot camp or hire a personal trainer and nutritionist. Either way, get moving today, eat healthy and don’t forget to have fun! If you have any health conditions, be sure to check with your doctor before starting your exercise plan. Your hard work and discipline will pay off when you “wow” everyone on your wedding day.

Skin Care:

Skin care leading up to your wedding day is very important. Here are some tips to help you get your skin ready for your special day.

~ Sunscreen is an important part of any bride’s daily routine. To keep your skin beautiful in pictures, apply daily weeks before you say “I Do.”
~ Use products to help stabilize your current skin type versus relying cleansers and lotions that are no longer appropriate.
~ Leading up to and on your big day, keep your pout beautiful by applying a moisturizing balm with Shea Butter to soften lips and give them a soft, kissable look.
~ For ultimate wedding skin, consider a series of monthly facials to unclog pores, reduce fine lines, treat acne and even out skin tone up to six months in advance of your big day.
~ Do not experiment with new products and facials for the two weeks before your wedding.
It also never hurts to stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Remember, your skin will be your best accessory.

Hair:

Your hairstyle will play a major role in your overall look on your wedding day. Here are some tips to consider as you finalize your look.

~ Decide on a hairstyle before you choose your veil or headpiece. Play with a few styles before finalizing your look.
~ Visit your hairstylist at least six months before the wedding to set up a hair care regimen.
~ Touch up your existing hair color two weeks before the wedding. Prepare a hair emergency kit for reception touch ups.
~ Think about whether your hairstyle will hold up at an outdoor wedding.
~ Match your hairstyle to your gown in degree of formality.
~ Consider extensions and hairpieces to add volume for special hairstyles.
~ Plan special hairstyles for the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner.
~ Get a final trim two weeks before the wedding.
~ Wear a buttoned-down shirt to your wedding day hair session.
~ Talk to your hairstylist to set a shampooing and conditioning schedule for the days before the wedding.
~ Invest in a good haircut. You’ll need less styling if you have a good foundation.
~ Decide if you will remove your veil after the ceremony. You’ll need to adjust your hairstyle accordingly.
~ Have your hairdresser practice with your veil and tiara.

Nails:
Start thinking about how you would like your nails to look on your wedding day. Remember, your hands will be photographed during special moments, especially during the ceremony when you exchange your rings and during the reception when you are cutting the cake. Plus, your guests will be excited to see your new wedding ring throughout your day. Start getting weekly manicures about three months before your wedding date to get your nails in tip top shape.

~ Find a manicurist you really like and stick with that person leading up to your wedding. It will be important to find someone you trust so there will be no last minute surprises.

~ Determine the color and length you desire for your wedding day nails when you start meeting with your manicurist. You may want them short and square or long and oval. You may want to wear pink polish or get a french manicure. Try different colors on the days that you are getting fitted for your dress to see which look will work best.

~ Don’t forget to also get a pedicure. You may want to match the color that you are wearing on your fingernails, or go completely bold with a bright hue. Either way, your new hubby will appreciate the time you took to make sure you have soft feet and polished toenails on your wedding night.

Check out this article and more on Contemporary Bride!