Wear Colorful Eyeshadow on Your Wedding

One look at my closet and it's obvious: I'm not shy when it comes to color. Just about every hue known to man is represented, and even if I'm wearing black, I'll punch up my outfit with a bright accessory. So it's only natural that my makeup wardrobe has the same vivid personality. 


But while I love to play with color most days, I don't think I'll be so keen when it comes to my wedding-day makeup. Huge mistake, says renowned makeup artist Laura Geller. When it comes to wedding day eye makeup, a little color on your lids is a must. Neutrals can be flattering, but color can make your eyes stand out like never before, adding depth and intensity. (And hey, it's not like a tiny swipe of purple eye shadow is going to overshadow your dress!)



On your wedding day (aka the day of a thousand photographs), why not give your eyes the focus they deserve? To show how easy -- and essential -- bright eye makeup is, Geller gave me these tips: 


Tip No. 1: Let your eye color be your guide
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wearing color, but there are some hues that seem to flatter certain eye colors more than others. For blue eyes, Laura loves shadows in the cool toned family like rose, mauve, and pink; violet, eggplant, and coppery bronze colors complement green eyes really well. Brown-eyed girls can truly wear anything, but Laura especially likes sage, forest green, gold, and amber. Hazel eyes look great in most colors, too, though purples make them really pop. 


Tip No. 2: Keep it soft
Geller always tells her brides to steer clear of colors that are super bold (like neon or day-glo shades) anywhere on the face. She says these intense shades are easy to mess up and can look awful in photos if you don't know what you're doing. The key is to pick a more toned-down version of the bright color you want to use and to blend, blend, blend! There shouldn't be any defined lines of shadow on your lids, just a soft swipe of color. 


Tip No. 3: Try a line
If the thought of a purple eyelid freaks you out, consider just using an eyeliner in a bright shade along your top lashline. It will still help bring out your eye color, but is subtle enough not to be noticed from the back row of the church. Use a brush or your finger to smudge the line and make it even more subtle. 


Tip No. 4: Go neutral everywhere else
Particularly if you're wearing a saturated shade like blue or purple, keep the rest of your face more natural. "You'll want the eye to be the focal point and not have to compete with your other features," says Geller. Obviously, you want to define your cheeks and lips too, especially for photos. The trick is to choose softer colors that look like extensions of your features -- a just-gone-for-a-run flush and a rosebud lip are perfect.

Cry-Proof Makeup

I confess: I'm as sappy as they come. Greeting cards, commercials, even adorable animals can make me cry -- and the ultimate in tear-inducing occasions? Yup, weddings. I'll sob even if I've never met the bride and groom. So I can only imagine the mess I'll be on my own wedding day. 


And while there's nothing wrong with expressing your feelings (or so I tell myself), it does pose a bit of a problem for wedding-day makeup: The last thing you want is to immortalize a streaky face in photos. 


There's help for all of us over-emoters yet! Waterproof formulas are about to become your (and my) new best friend, especially since today's formulas are a far cry from the old waterproof mascaras that clumped and lingered on your lids for a week. These new
products are lighter, easier to take off, smudge-proof, and sweat-resistant. Plus, there's everything from foundation and concealer to blush, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. 


To help us navigate this new waterproof world, I asked Wende Zomnir, co-founder and creative director of Urban Decay cosmetics, to share her favorite tips. "Wearing waterproof makeup on your wedding day is like beauty insurance," she says. "Tears of joy are bound to happen, so be prepared." She also adds that since waterproof makeup stays put, you won't have to touch up your face throughout the night (a nice bonus). 


Here are Wende's top tips: 


No. 1: Read the label
When looking for a waterproof product, make sure it actually says, "waterproof" not "water-resistant." There is a difference. With water-resistant makeup, a slight misty eye and your makeup will stay put, but a deluge of tears and you're almost guaranteed to smear. 


No. 2: Put 'em through the ringer
Testing your makeup (either in a professional trial or if you're doing your own makeup) is a must no matter what. This is especially true if you'll be wearing new formulas. So do a dress rehearsal a few weeks before your wedding to see how your skin reacts. Wende also suggests wearing your makeup in the shower so you know just how much water it can withstand. 


No. 3: If you only wear one waterproof product ...Make sure it's mascara! Giving those lashes a raincoat is the single most important thing you can do. When you cry, mascara is typically the first product to run. And non-waterproof mascara does not hold back when it gets wet, so you can count on black tracks running down the length of your face. (Try Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara, $20.)


No. 4: If you only wear two waterproof products ...
Waterproof eyeliner comes in as a close second to waterproof mascara, because once you wipe a damp eye you end up smearing your eyeliner. Check out Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner, $18. It was formulated for water ballerinas, so it'll stay put even if you decide to plunge into the pool post-wedding. 


No. 5: Plan an exit strategy
There is one catch to wearing waterproof shades: No matter how much you scrub with a cleanser, they won't budge. So, make sure you invest in a good makeup remover, particularly one that's made for waterproof makeup. (One to try:Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, $6.)

Whiter Teeth for Your Wedding Day

Having a bright, white smile on your wedding day should be a top beauty priority for all brides. Pearly whites pop in photos, complement bronze skin, and radiate a glamorous vibe. But before you book an appointment with your dentist, road-test sting-y bleaching strips, or impulsively buy a kit from a pop-up mall kiosk, get educated about your best options. I mean, we are talking about the mouth that'll kiss your groom ... 


Arthur Glosman, DDS, Beverly Hills-based cosmetic dentist, says to choose a product based on the amount of peroxide in it (this often determines cost, too) and how long it says the effects will last --
usually up to several months, but this can be hampered by smoking and eating stain-producing foods like coffee, tomato sauce, and red wine. If you already have heavy staining or a blackish-gray hue from tetracycline damage, whitening usually won't work, so consider bonding or veneers instead. Just know that all paths to a brighter smile aren't created equal. "As with an engagement ring, you get what you pay for," he says. 


To help find the best system for your needs, see your dentist first for a checkup and professional opinion. If you're doing this at home and just want to take the plunge, Glosman says to avoid an over-bleached smile by matching the color of your teeth to the whites of your eyes, and look for kits that have at least 10 percent hydrogen peroxide, but no more than 12 percent (you can also use carbamide peroxide, which has about a third of its strength). But now, a few tips to help you narrow down your options: 

Option 1: In-Office Treatments 
To maximize coverage, a relatively high concentration of peroxide is professionally applied to your teeth, with or without a light or energy source to accelerate the process. This can be done by your dentist or an in-office facility like BriteSmile. Glosman calls this a "power wash," since it has immediate and significant results. Those with stubborn stains can return for additional sessions or ask for a professional take-home kit; Glosman also suggests on-the-go whitening pens for stain prevention, after your session. An in-office treatment also allows your dentist to take your medical history, note sensitivities and allergies, accommodate restoration work, and recommend a custom approach that's best for you. 
Cost: $400 to $600.


Option 2: Kit from Your Dentist
Traditionally, professional take-home whiteners use trays containing a strong concentration of peroxide, but not as high as when done in-office. "These provide a great, long-lasting, whiter smile," says Glosman. He suggests Ultradent products, particularly its Opalesence whitening system, which whitens teeth, decreases sensitivity, and protects the enamel; the sticky gels also don't leech through the tray, make a mess, or irritate gums. He also likes whitening kits with "boil and bite" trays that form from a mold that fits to your teeth after running it under warm water. These provide a great fit that help the peroxide better connect with individual teeth, and are also great for people who grind their teeth at night. 
Cost: $400 to $800


Option 3: At-Home Whitening Kits from Home Shopping Channels
At-home kits you see on TV typically contain the most bells and whistles, their efficacies are based on peroxide strength, which is important if you want to do more than just remove surface stains. Glosman suggests Aerowhite, a spray with a high concentration of bleach, followed by a rinse, for immediate results. "My patients like it because it's easy to use, there are no messy gels or strips or uncomfortable trays, and it works," he says. 
Cost: $50 to $200 


Option 4: Drugstore Products
Your best drugstore buys are kits that use small strips, typically using a low concentration of peroxide, which fit over the front of teeth. "Toothpastes, gums, gels, and mouth rinses sold as whitening products rarely contain any or enough peroxide to significantly change the color of your teeth," says Glosman. "However, many toothpastes contain abrasives, which used with a proper brushing technique, can physically remove surface stains." For strips, he likes Crest's line for a stronger whitening system, and if you experience sensitivity, try Crest 3D White Whitestrip Gentle Routine, $35.95. For toothpastes, he likes Arm + Hammer Mentadent Advanced Whitening Toothpaste, $5 since it contains a little peroxide, some polishes to remove surface stains, and fluoride. You can also look for abrasives that remove surface stains like calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts, and silicates. 
Cost: $5 for whitening toothpaste; $10 for whitening kit with trays or strips with very little peroxide; and up to $50 for sensitivity strips or a kit with a higher concentration of peroxide.

About Pre-Wedding Facials

We know you've spent months fussing over wedding day details -- the right dress, a stunning bouquet, delicious menu, friendly seating arrangements. But despite these gorgeous efforts, all eyes will still be on you for at least five hours, so don't neglect the most important detail of all -- your skin. Enter the pre-wedding facial. 


Why make the time? First, the emotional payoff is priceless. "Clear, beautiful skin is a confidence booster, especially when you want to look radiant, in person and in photos," says Claudia Colombo, esthetician and owner of Manhattan-based Fabula Skincare and Wellness. "You'll look back on your day and feel so relieved that you made the effort."
Practically speaking, a good facial also primes the canvas, so to speak, to help wedding day makeup go on smoothly. Even if you don't have problem skin, professional treatments will enhance texture and tone. Here, a few tips to get your glow on. 



Plan your treatments
At least three months before your wedding date, schedule a consult with a professional esthetician (if you don't already have one you trust, ask a friend or family member). Let her know that you're prepping for your wedding and when your big day is, says Colombo, so she can create a treatment schedule to help you reach your goals. Most likely, a series of treatments will be based on your skin's current conditions and what changes you're looking to make. "If you have acne, pigmentation, or severe sun damage, fine lines, or wrinkles, you'll want some time to get on a program, space out appointments, and structure the facials to give the skin time to benefit from them," she says. If you have relatively "normal" skin, the same three-month window applies, but you'll probably just need fewer sessions. If you're on a budget or your skin is relatively clear and free of blackheads and breakouts, you can get away with just two spaced-out treatments prior to your wedding day.


A final facial should be scheduled one week prior to the date. "It's a myth that you should have your last treatment weeks before your wedding," Colombo says. "If you're working with the right person, there will be no surprises. The skin looks best right after a facial." 


Speak up
Though you might be embarrassed by your beauty habits, you must be upfront with your pro. Explain your current regimen and how much you're willing to do to make it better. "This will help her understand what she can suggest and how to make your goals realistic," Colombo says. Also, fill her in on how reactive your skin is -- like if you have allergies, sensitivities, etc. -- so she can give your skin the right active ingredients. Finally, be honest about your diet. "Most women go on pre-wedding diets, but aren't eating enough or the right types of foods to help their skin," she says, adding that brides should drink lots of water and eat plenty of fruits and veggies to keep skin looking hydrated and healthy. 

Maintain the results at home
Colombo doesn't advise DIY facials for pre-wedding prep, since you won't get the same results or specific advice on your unique skin type. What you can do at home is establish lasting habits for after the wedding. These include removing all makeup before going to bed and using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that contains antioxidants every day. Also, exfoliate two to three times a week, and consider an overnight cream that increases cell turnover. Keep it up and you'll look like a blushing bride long after the wedding.