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Making beauty wishes come true

 

Make your nuptial beauty dreams a reality with these DIY techniques

 

Quick: If you could have three beauty wishes come true for your wedding day, what would they be? If you said luscious hair, glowing skin, sparkling eyes, you’re in luck. Think of this article as a magic genie that will make this trio of desires into a reality. Here’s how:

Wish 1: Curly Hair

“Every woman wants waves and curls for her wedding, whatever her natural hair texture.


To give naturally wavy hair a pretty, textured look, apply a silicone-based cream or curl-enhancing gel to hair while it is wet (a wide-tooth comb will help distribute product evenly from roots to ends). Next, “wind quarter-inch sections of hair around your finger, hold for a second, then move on to the next section. To dry, use a blower with a diffuser attachment “so you won't disturb the curl.


If your hair is naturally straight or you just want to up the curl quotient, the best way to achieve the look is with a one—and-a-half-inch diameter curling iron. Starting right at the root, twist sections of dry hair around the iron and hold for a few seconds. Gently slip the hair off without disturbing the curl. Let each section of curled hair cool, then use the iron to smooth out any frazzled ends. Spritz each curl with hair spray. You can leave the curls loose or casually pin them up. Symmetrical, strategically placed curls can look contrived, says Maciques, so take a casual approach to your styling. Whether you wear your hair up or down, you want to look like a modern bride, not a beauty pageant contestant. Finish with a soft holding spray. To revitalize curls throughout the day, Ttip your head over, spritz on volumizing spray, and press the curls to your head to restrengthen them.
 

Wish 2: Healthy Skin

Luminous skin doesn’t just happen overnight. Ideally, you need to start perfecting it three to six months before your wedding. “Acne is the number-one problem for brides-to-be. If your breakouts are relatively mild, try products containing pore-clearing benzoyl peroxide or alpha-hydroxy acid. For more serious conditions see a dermatologist, who will probably prescribe some type of antibiotic, either topical like Cleocin or oral like tetracycline. If your skin has a tendency to be left with hyperpigmentation (brownish marks) after a pimple, you will need a bleaching cream as well.
 
Sun exposure takes a heavy toll on skin, leaving it looking uneven and dull. Protect your skin with lots of sunblock, Grossman says. “Pair the sunblock with a topical antioxidant like vitamin C in the morning to help prevent further sun damage.” Then at night use a combination retinol and AHA exfoliating product to brighten your skin.
 
No matter what your skin type, have a deep-cleansing facial one month before your wedding, Repeat it one week before, then treat your skin to a gentle hydrating mask the morning of your wedding. Before you apply your foundation, smooth on one of the new light-diffusing skin illuminators. Then, add a sheer cream or liquid shimmer on cheekbones for a glistening effect.
 

Wish 3: Lovely Eyes

“Before applying any makeup, make sure the eye area is clean and not overly moisturized or your makeup will crease. For extra staying power, start with an eye-makeup primer. “Heat a dab of it between your index finger and thumb and apply to your lid,” she says.
 
Pat concealer from the inside corner by your nose to about the middle of your undereye area to cover dark spots and circles. “Don't extend it over any crow’s feet or it will emphasize fine lines,” Dempsey cautions.
 
Start with a pale shadow (depending on skin tone, choose from almost white to bone to peach), applied from lash line to brow. Next, layer over that a medium shade from lash line to just above the crease. The shade should complement both your skin and your gown. He likes tawny gold and peach shades for ivory dresses, and cooler berries and plums for bright white gowns. Powder shadows will last longest.
 
Insider tip: Use a soft black pencil, and make a series of tiny dots right between the top lashes. “This technique creates a frame for your eyes without an obvious line. Smudge a deep shadow in a matching shade over the pencil. “It adds a nice definition and life to the eye by giving it a soft and smoky look.
 
Before you add any mascara, be sure to curl your lashes three times. Then stroke mascara on your top lashes, working from the inside to the outer corner. Even if you use regular mascara on top, be sure to use a waterproof mascara on the bottom lashes, where tears can do the most eye-makeup damage, Dempsey advises. For extra impact, add individual false lashes to the outer corners of your eyes.