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 Samina's Bridal Advice |
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Don’t forget the beautician! Make-up is often overlooked and left until the last minute. As soon as you have set the date, book the venue and then the beautician.
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Outfit and Jewellery
Choose a colour i.e. red and then try on several shades of that red. Darker shades work better on dark skin, lighter shades on fair skin.
Make sure the embellishment on your outfit matches your jewellery.
If the embellishment is diamante, then gold jewellery is going to clash with it.
It’s better to buy your jewellery at one shop as shades of gold can vary.
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Consultation, Portfolio and Trial
A trial is highly recommended. Book in for a consultation first, this will give you the opportunity to discuss ideas and ask questions. Take a look at their portfolio. Be weary of beauticians who claim to have done a large number of bridals in a short space of time. An experienced beautician should have a portfolio to match. Take a look at my henna portfolio and my bridal hair and make up portfolio.
Ask to see actual bridal photo’s and not models.
A trial allows you to get the bridal look right and it saves time on the big day. You will need your dupatta or dress for the trial. If you don’t have your dress then take a fabric swatch or picture of your chosen colour. It gives the beautician a colour to work with.
It’s better to do a make-up trial during the day, so your foundation can be matched correctly! I have a little trick up my sleeve for matching foundation in poor light too!
The trial is usually for the make-up only. It is possible to have a hair and dress rehearsal at an extra cost.
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Realistic Expectations
Don’t be fooled by fancy websites and glossy magazines as they don’t show a beautician’s true ability. Often the models have been heavily contoured and airbrushed to death. They look plastic, real brides don’t look like that.
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Inspiration
It’s ok to use magazines and TV for inspiration but again be realistic. I once had a bride who wanted me to make her look like Bipash Basu (Bollywood Actress). (She didn’t look anything like Bips). Beauticians are not cosmetic surgeons. There is only so much we can do. A professional photographer and lighting will help too.
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A Good Beautician
A good beautician should be able to match your foundation perfectly, contour to minimise or maximise your features, conceal dark circles, cover problem skin, correct a lazy eye, create different looks i.e. classic or contemporary make up.
A good beautician will bring out the best in you. Make sure she is using professional make-up and tools. Your make-up should last the day.
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Go for the Natural Look
Ditch the coloured contacts and highlights. They spoil the asian bridal look.
Oh and you don’t need to match your nails to your outfit either!
By the way I’m not a big fan of heavy contouring. I watched the Aminah Haq show on Aag channel recently, her nose was contoured badly. In Pakistan they are obsessed with making the nose look ‘sharper’. It’s not a good look. Her nose looked red on the sides. It looked odd.
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Less is More
Some brides choose to go for more of everything: make-up, bhindis, mehndi, hair accessories, glitter, jewellery.....the works. This may seem like a good idea at the time but trust me when you look back you’ll be sorry. Less really is more!
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Don't like Make-Up?
If you’re not a fan of make-up, it is possible to create a barely there look
without foundation. The old ‘powder and lipstick’ technique (remember our mum’s did this) is okay but, your beautician needs good products and you need clear skin!
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8 Glasses of Water
Drinking 8 glasses of water per day is uncomfortable and unnecessary. Not everybody needs that much water. Larger people need more water than smaller people. Just drink when you’re thirsty.
Instead of reaching out for tea, coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, choose water. Add a splash of squash to make it more bearable. Keep a bottle in your bag, on your bedside table and even on your desk at work.
Eat raw fruit and veg, which is full of water. If you have skin problems such as acne, trust me water will help. Start a good 6 months before the day.
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Make-up Hygiene
Make sure your beauty therapist is qualified as she will have been taught about make-up hygiene. Cross contamination can occur from poor hygiene practices which can cause nasty eye and skin infections.
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Countdown to the Big Day
If you don’t have regular beauty treatments, now is the time to start. Here is a breakdown of what you should be doing:
Start facials 6 months before the big day. 1 every month combined with a home care regime.
If your eyebrows are overplucked grow them out and get them re-shaped. It can take several months to grow them out though. Get them tidied every 2 weeks to keep them in shape.
If you are growing your hair, do this a good 12 months before. If it’s still not long enough for an up-do, hair pieces can be used to create length and volume. If you are growing your fringe out, just pin it back.
In the last 3 months have a manicure and pedicure each month.
In the last week go for an exfoliating body treatment and a full body wax. This will leave your skin silky soft.
3 days before, get your threading done.
If you have short eyelashes or nails, consider getting eyelash and nail extensions done.
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Henna
To be applied 2 days before. If you are keeping your henna on overnight don’t sleep with your hand under your face, you might end up with a print on your skin! I ended up with a henna print on my leg once, luckily I wasn’t getting married.
Don’t try anything too new before the big day don’t try any new treatments, you might have a skin reaction.
For example if you have facials for the first time, your skin will probably break out before it gets better. So don’t leave things too late. I had my forehead threaded before my own wedding, I ended up with spots. Even my beautician couldn’t cover them up. They were still visible in the wedding movie (which I’ve hidden). The really annoying thing is I didn’t ask her to do this! You know how it is in Pakistan, you go in for a brow tidy, you come out having had a load of other treatments forced on you!!!
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The Big Day
On the day, you are the most important person. The bride always comes first, bridal party second. Allow 3 hours so you don’t feel rushed. Make sure your beautician doesn’t have more than one booking on the morning. Do you really want to pay somebody to do a rush job?
Please provide a vacant room on the day preferably with a window. It also helps if there aren’t children running riot as this makes working very difficult.
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Terms and Conditions
A 50% deposit is required to secure bridal and bridal party bookings. The remainder is to be paid on the day. Deposits are non-returnable.
Henna will be applied at the salon, 2 days prior to wedding. If a home visit is required, a quiet room must be provided.
The bride will be served first for henna and make-up, guests will be served after.
Guests will be charged separately for individual designs. A price will be quoted for each design before tattoo is applied.
Other treatments such as nails and threading will not be done on the wedding day. Bride must book in before hand.
One person may accompany the bride to be for the trial.
Additional charges
An additional charge of £10 for every 15 minutes will be applied if the beautician is kept waiting.
Travel charges may be payable, depending on location. This will be confirmed on booking.
Only cash payments will be accepted. Outstanding payments must be cleared on the day.
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