Wedding Beauty Countdown

You’re getting married! You feel on top of the world. In your mind you’ve already got a picture of your gown, your hairstyle and even the perfect wedding accessories. But looking fabulous on your wedding day takes more than just picking the perfect outfit. It takes money. So to help you budget, we compiled a range of costs based on what the average bride might spend on her bridal look. As with all things there can be a huge difference in prices depending on designers or stores so it pays to shop around. We’ve compiled a great DIY guide at the end of this article so read on for our top beauty tips.

Use this as a starting point – and get ready to look sensational!

Headgear Veil: $50 Tiara: $50 – $350 Flowers for hair: $3 – $15 per bloom	Lingerie Torselette: $119 – $239 Bra & Briefs: $100 – $300 Garter belt: $15 – $40
Rings Engagement ring: $800 – $5,000 Wedding ring: $150 – $1,000	Jewellery Necklace: $20 – $350 Earrings: $20 – $60 Bracelet: $30 – $150
Manicure $40 – $85	Pedicure $50 – $80
Bouquet $30 – $150	Gown $900 – $3,800
Fake tan Tan (bottle): $20 – $80 Tan (salon-applied): $60 – $140	Teeth whitening Dental clinic treatment: $350 – $500 Whitening toothpaste (home care): approx $30
Hairstyle $75 – $150	Shoes $80 – $275
Perfume $100 – $130	Makeup $50 – $150
Handbag $20 – $80	Eyebrows and lashes Brow shape and eyelash tint: $20 – $45 each
Gloves $25 – $49

Every bride wants to look radiant on her wedding day. Follow our beauty countdown to ensure you’re a gorgeous, glowing bride!

Six months

• Start an exercise routine so you are trim and toned on your big day.
• Try to maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water to hydrate your body.
• Start researching by reading magazines and asking advice from counters to decide on the hair and make-up look you want on your wedding day.
• Decide who you want to do your hair and your make-up, and then contact them to see how much notice they will need for consultations and bookings.
• Start having regular facials so your skin is glowing for your wedding day.
• Ensure you have a daily face and body moisturising routine to keep skin hydrated.
• Start using hair treatments as it takes months to repair damaged hair.

Three months

• If you are changing the colour and style of your hair for the wedding do it now, so there’s time to change and grow it before the big day.
• Have a hair and make-up trial and book in future hair and beauty appointments.

Two months

• If you’re thinking about waxing or plucking before your wedding, have a trial now as the skin on your face and body may react to it.
• Trial your hairstyle before the wedding to make sure it’s comfortable and you’re happy with it – the hens party is an ideal night to do this.

One month

• Confirm all of your wedding day hair and beauty appointments.
• Colour and trim your hair a week or two before your wedding day.
• If you want a spray tan, trial it now to ensure your skin becomes a more natural, flattering hue.
• If you are getting acrylic nails get them now so you are used to wearing them – they can be uncomfortable at first.
• Start getting a massage each week until your wedding to relax your body and mind.
• Choose your nail polish colour and buy a spare bottle for the day in case of emergencies.

One week

• Have a facial early in the week as you may break out for a couple of days afterwards.
• Waxing should be done at least two days before the wedding to allow any redness to disperse.
• Exfoliate to remove the top layer of dead skin cells then get your spray tan done.
• Have a manicure and pedicure a couple of days before the wedding so they don’t grow out too much before the wedding.

Fancy a true DIY experience? Make masks, exfoliators and conditioners yourself using natural ingredients.

Exfoliators: Baking soda made into a paste with water, oatmeal, almond meal or finely ground sea salt or sugar granules mixed wit a little vegetable oil are all traditional ingredients used in scrubs or exfoliators. But be careful if your skin is sensitive and be gentle – no rough rubbing motions. Don’t use harsh grains such as apricot or walnut kernals unless they are ground to a fine paste-like consistency, since they can cause tiny tears in your skin. If in any doubt, only use these ingredients on the skin on your body, not your face.

Masks: Mashed banana, cucumber and yoghurt, strawberries and honey, mashed grapes and almond meal are just some of the ingredients you can use to create your own natural face masks.

Conditioners: You can make hair conditioners out of eggs (mixed with oil); almond, avocado, wheat germ, jojoba, sesame and olive oils; fresh avocado; honey; coconut milk; and even mayonnaise. But if you don’t want to end up smelling like a tossed salad, make sure you rinse the ingredients out thoroughly.

DIY Manicure

With all eyes on your hands checking out your gorgeous wedding ring, you want your hands to look their best. Try this easy DIY manicure once a week.

Time Commitment: 20-30 minutes every week.

Tools: Nail file, clippers, pumice stone or foot file, orange stick, moisturiser, cuticle oil, nail polish, top and base coat, and nail polish remover.

Result: Well-cared for hands that people will notice. If you’re not a fan of nail polish or find it too high maintenance, you can still achieve a glossy finish by simply buffing your nails to a high shine. Buffed nails not only look glossy, they radiate health and vitality. But if you like to have fun with colour, go for it. There are few rules: Short nails are currently more fashionable than long: if your nail bed is large and square-shaped, a square nail shape will look better than rounded: petite hands suit rounded nails more than a square finish.

Step 1: File and shape your nails.

Step 2: Gently massage in a cuticle oil, then wash your nails and/or remove any oil or filing debris with nail polish remover.

Step 3: Soak your hands for two or three minutes in warm soapy water. Clean nails while they soak, then massage in your facial exfoliator. Rinse and pat dry.

Step 4: Either buff your nails with a special buffer (available from pharmacies – one that’s labelled ‘very fine grit’ is recommended) to eliminate any ridges, scratches or imperfections, or apply a base coat of nail polish to create shine. But don’t overdo the buffing: if you’re too rough you can damage your nails.

Step 5: Apply nail enamel –  matching toe and fingernail colours is a contemporary approach but ‘light on the fingers, dark on the toes’ is a more traditional look that has stood the test of time. Wait a few minutes before you apply a second coat of polish, then finish with a top coat. Allow to dry for an hour or two. Daily use of top coat will ensure your manicure lasts for up to a week.

DIY Pedicure

For lovely soft, gorgeous feet that will let you dance the night away at your wedding; treat yourself to a DIY pedicure every couple of weeks.

Time Commitment: 45 minutes-plus every two to three weeks.

Tools: Nail file, clippers, pumice stone or foot file, orange stick, moisturiser, nail polish, top and base coat, and nail polish remover.

Result: Feet you’ll be proud to show off.

Want to know the real secret to an at-home pedicure?. Time. It’s no good applying nail polish and then jumping straight into bed, showering or shoving your feet into shoes. Never do a pedicure just before going out, unless you can wear jandals or open-toe sandals. It takes a good hour, maybe more, for nail polish to dry to a stage that you can put on covered shoes or hosiery.

Step 1: Clip and file your nails and soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Totally dry your feet and use a pumice stone or foot file to smooth away rough skin. It’s okay to substitute your facial exfoliant for pumice or a file, but you’ll need to spend a few minutes working the product into the skin to et the best result. It can also be a relatively expensive option.

Step 3: Cover each foot in moisturiser and wrap in a damp towel that’s been warmed in the microwave. Put your feet up for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Remove any cream residue from your nails with nail polish remover, and gently push back cuticles with an orange stick. Use cuticle oil or cream at this stage if your toenail cuticles are very noticeable.

Step 5: Apply a base coat and wait for 2 minutes.

Step 6: Apply two coats of nail polish and a top coat. Wait at least 10 minutes before re-moisturising, but don’t touch your nails or put on shoes for an hour or two.

DIY Facial

The experts will tell you that a regular facial is one of the best gifts you can give your skin. A deep cleanse, soothing mask and thorough exfoliations is not only a treat for the complexion, it’s good for the soul. Allowing yourself a little ‘me time’ is as kind to the spirit as it is to the skin.

But not all of us have the time or budget to fit in a once-a-month salon facial, let alone a manicure or pedicure, all of which seem a luxury rather than a necessity when you’re juggling all sorts of commitments. If you can’t make it to the salon, you could perhaps make it to your bathroom and find the time for a few DIY spa treatments to leave skin and spirit glowing.

Time Commitment: 45 minutes to one hour once a month

Tools: Cleanser, exfoliator, mask, moisturiser, eye cream.

Result: Smooth, glowing skin that requires less day-to-day maintenance.

Naturally, regular salon facials are the most beneficial, since therapists are trained to deal with all sorts of skin types and condition. But never discount the importance of good home maintenance. Skin that’s looked after properly is much more receptive to treatment products such as anti-ageing moisturisers, creams that lighten pigmentation and serums. They penetrate the skin better, meaning you use less and get a better result.

Step 1: Start by removing all traces of dirt and makeup. The best way to do this is to clean your skin as you would normally – twice.

Step 2: Exfoliate, but be gentle. If you’re too enthusiastic you can over-stimulate your sebum glands and cause your skin to break out. Excess exfoliation is also not a good idea if you’re prone to broken capillaries or increased redness.

Step 3: Fill a bowl with hot (not boiling) water, and add a few drops of essential oil such as lavender or eucalyptus, or even a camomile teabag. Hold your face close to the steam and cover your head with a towel for a few minutes to let the steam open your pores (it makes your skin more receptive to the mask that follows).

Step 4: Apply a face mask. Choose one that suits your skin’s requirements. For example, if you’re worried about blemishes, choose one with anti-bacterial properties. If you want your skin to look plumper, chose one that promises intense hydration. Big night out? Pick a mask that offers immediate remedial effects.

Step 5: Using sweeping circular motions, massage in moisturiser, oil (rosehip or wheat germ are good options). Don’t forget your neck and décolletage.

Step 6: Apply eye cream or gel. Gel is recommended if you’re going out because makeup will sit better over gel than over cream. And don’t forget to apply sun block if you’ll be in the sun – thorough exfoliation will make your skin more sensitive to its rays.

DIY Hair Conditioning

Want silky smooth tresses on your wedding day without paying a fortune at a hair salon? Try this quick and easy DIY hair conditioning treatment for results you won’t believe.

Time Commitment: Approximately three minutes once a week.

Tools: Conditioning treatment.

Result: Glossy groomed locks.

It’s no longer true that deep-conditioners need to stay on for at least half an hour, covered by a warm towel. New formulations are designed for the woman in a hurry. Applying them once a week is enough, and there’s often no added benefit in leaving them on for longer than a few minutes. Conditioners work by coating the scales of the hair shaft, which become raised through normal wear and tear. The effect is to smooth the hair down, making it appear smoother and shinier, and feel softer.

Step 1: Choose a deep-conditioner that’s suitable for your hair type and apply according to the instructions. Generally, the ones that come in tubs are thicker and more moisture-intensive than bottled lotions.

Step 2: Using the pads of your fingers, massage your scalp using circular motions. According to most wellbeing philosophies, if you want to feel relaxed use slow, deliberate movements. A steady but vigorous approach is required to boost energy and circulation.

Step 3: Rinse out and style as usual.

Removing Unwanted Hair

In a perfect world, we’d all have plentiful hair where we want it and none where we don’t (and eat whatever, whenever, without gaining weight, but that’s another story). Hair removal is a female rite of passage – we generally start young and spend a good part of the rest of our lives maintaining the growth on our legs, arms, face and more intimate areas.

Shaving, waxing and plucking at home are perhaps the most common ways to groom excess hair, but there are other popular in-salon treatments that are performed by professionals.

Threading

The demand for facial threading is definitely on the rise, many clients convert from waxing to treading as their preferred method of facial hair removal.

Threading gives you defined, clean, elegant eyebrows – framing the face and opening up the eye area.

Spa therapists use cotton thread to twist around individual hairs, lifting them out of the follicle by the root, and unwanted hair becomes finer and sparser over time.

Threading won’t pinch, burn or pull your skin like waxing, which can lead to premature wrinkles in the delicate eye area. Also, for those who cannot wax due to being on retin-A or accutane medication, threading will help remove facial hair without damaging or traumatizing their skin.

Threading can be used by both women and men, and it has a celeb following too – it’s popular with Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and Salma Hayek. The pain is said to be similar to waxing as the hairs are lifted from the root.

Average Price – Starts at $15.

VPL

VPL (variable pulsed light) works by passing a pulsed light through the skin, which is absorbed by the hair pigment (colour) in the hair shaft and follicle. This pulse generates heat, which loosens the hair and disables the hair forming cells.

VPL is the newer generation of laser machines from IPL (intense pulsed light), they both do similar things but the variable settings mean that it can treat the different types of hair found all over the body, from thicker underarm hair to facial hair.

It is said to work well on the face, neck, chest , arms, back, underarms, legs, stomach and bikini line and it isn’t too painful. Most people liken the feel of it to a rubber band flicking the skin.

Post treatment, the area may be a little red, but this subsides quickly. The hair will then fall out for up to three weeks after treatment.

VPL hair removal is safe when performed by trained professionals, and is suitable for most skin types. It’s pricey, but results are permanent. A course of treatment is required, and varies for individuals and the area being treated.

Average Price – Starts at $800.

Waxing

Hot wax is applied with a spatula that is removed directly against the hair, removing it in the process. This is best used for terminal hairs in areas such as bikini and underarms.

The other type of waxing is strip wax, which is applied either with a roller or a spatula and removed with a cloth strip, also against the hair growth. This type of wax is great for larger areas such as legs, arm and backs.

The most commonly waxed areas are legs, bikini line, underarms, arms and brows, with the most popular treatment for women being the Brazilian wax and brow shape. For men it is legs, back and chest.

I won’t lie and say it is painless! However, if performed correctly and regularly the pain definitely diminishes over time as hair grows back sparser and often in some areas finer. Clients can also manage the pain with some simple tips such as taking a couple of Panadol before the treatment, avoiding caffeine or energy drinks, and making sure hair is not too long or short (especially from shaving) beforehand.

Waxing is a long-lasting result compared to many other methods as hair is removed from the root and will not grow back fully for up to six weeks post treatment. Waxing can tackle both small and large areas quickly and effectively. It is also a cost –effective method.

As for post-waxing fallout. There can be some redness, but we use a post wax process to help minimize this and a tea tree soothing solutions to help cam and protect follicles and skin.

The golden rules are for 24 hours following treatment to avoid hot showers, exercise or applying any moisturizers.

A couple of days after your treatment make sure you exfoliate skin to minimize ingrown hairs.

Average price – Legs start from $40, bikini line starts from $30, brows start from $25.