What Should I Expect at My Wedding Hair and Makeup Trial?

At each trial you are testing out your wedding-day hairstyle and makeup colors and application. It’s important to bring photos of what you like, and you can bring photos of what you don’t, to show the hairstylist and makeup artist what you want, or what you don’t.

For your hairstyle trial it’s important to bring any hair accessories you are planning on wearing -- tiara, headband, hairpins. You can also bring your veil to see how that will look. But make sure to have it pressed after the trial so it’s not wrinkled for the wedding. You may also want to wear a top that has a similar neckline to your wedding dress’ so you can see what the style will look like in a bodice of the same cut.

Once the style is finished and you like it -- you should feel comfortable to make comments/adjustments that are both positive and negative -- and make sure to take several photos. For your hair, you need pictures from multiple angles -- front, both sides and above. For makeup you only need a front shot but you want to write down every color used and where -- foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow, liners, lipstick, mascara -- so on your wedding day you and the makeup artist remember what you liked.

How Do I Find the Perfect Hairstyle for My Wedding?

When deciding on your wedding-day look it’s important to keep in mind that you want to look like yourself. You can follow the latest trends and get inspired by celebrities, but that doesn’t mean that you should have an extreme makeover for your wedding.

Schedule an appointment with your hairstylist to discuss what you’re thinking as well as his ideas. Bring photos of styles you want to try. A trial will give you an opportunity to see what a specific ‘do will look like on you.

If you’re not 100% on the first one try another one. Your stylist wants you to feel beautiful. Remember that if you don’t you probably won’t recommend him to your engaged friends.

Since your wedding dress is a lot fancier than jeans and a tee-shirt, plan a night on the town after the trial. Get dressed up. Wear a shirt with a similar neckline to your wedding dress’ and you’ll get a better feel for it.

Once you’ve finalized the style schedule any necessary appointments -- coloring or highlights, trims or cuts and of course time on your wedding day.

You, Your Weight & Your Wedding

I did an interview with the NY Post last week re: Kate Middleton's weight.  I was asked if I thought the bride to be looked too thin and I said she looked fine.  And no I don't think she'll become bulimic like her late mother in law.

Some people don't eat when they're stressed and others do.  Depending on how you manage stress you may lose or gain a little weight before your wedding.

Some brides put together a fitness plan to get in shape and that's fine as long as it's a healthy plan and that you don't over do it.  You still want to look like yourself on your wedding day, not a rail-thin version of yourself.

If you don't already go to a gym you may want to take some of your wedding budget and put it toward aerobic or cardio classes or sessions with a trainer who can help you tone the areas you want toned and give you general advice on what you should and shouldn't eat.

As for Kate's weight, like any bride I'm sure she wants to look and feel beautiful on her wedding day and the added stress of the entire world watching isn't making the wedding planning process as much fun as she thought it would be.

If I was getting married today I'd follow her lead:  exercise and eat healthy, and ignore ugly comments from people who are probably jealous of your happiness.

Don't Neglect Your Teeth

Dave is driving me crazy.  Seriously, just because he's a dentist he thinks he can tell me to floss night and day.  He's not my dentist.

But I know he's right.  It's very important to care for your teeth because you only get one set and if they fall out you're going to be in a lot of trouble.  Trust me, I've heard stories.

You'll see lots of ads and stories about having a bright, white smile on your big day but be careful, you don't want to over do it and have blinding, white teeth.

Visit your dentist for a cleaning after you get engaged and make sure to brush, floss and rinse each day from then on and follow up for a cleaning every six month.  You may want to time it so you get a cleaning the week or two before your wedding day.  You may also want to talk to your dentist about having your teeth professionally whitened.

You should also avoid drinks that can stain your teeth like coffee, tea and red wine to help brighten your smile.  

Bridal Beauty: A Trial is a Must

When planning your wedding day hair and makeup remember that you still want to look like yourself. If you have a stylist give you a makeover for your wedding day you may regret it when you look back at your wedding photos.

It's important to schedule a hair and makeup trial if you're hiring a stylist, or give yourself a trial if you're planning on doing your own hair and makeup, so you know what you want to look like on your wedding day.

Save photos of hair and makeup styles that you think you want and have the stylist recreate the looks at your trial. In addition to wedding beauty inspiration you should also bring a photo of your wedding dress and any headpiece or jewelry you will be wearing to make sure everything goes well together.

If you're unhappy with the trial results tell the stylist what you don't like and try something different.

Once you're happy with your hair and makeup take photos from every side and have the stylist write down the details of colors and techniques used so that on your wedding day there won't be any questions as to what your hair and makeup should look like.

Glowing Skin: When to Start a Skincare Routine

Many beauty experts will suggest brides start a skincare regimen at least six months before the wedding to ensure that their skin is glowing on the big day. But there's another reason you want to try skincare and beauty treatments months before: to make sure that you don't have an adverse reaction to the treatment or products, and if you do you have time to recover from it.

If you're not sure where to begin, you can visit a dermatologist to talk about skin problems that may need medical attention or schedule an appointment with an aesthetician. Either will be able to discuss a treatment program for you.

Girl You're Amazing, Just the Way You Are

I don't know if this is the title of the song but it was playing on my way home tonight.  If you listen to the lyrics he is singing about how beautiful and perfect the girl is and that she shouldn't change a thing about herself.

I posted a story on aisledash.com today titled Extreme Beauty where we featured some cosmetic treatments you may be considering, including lash extensions that last for months, specific hair treatments, teeth whitening and botox.  These aren't that extreme when you think about the lengths people have and will go to make themselves over.

There's a new reality show being taped as I type this featuring about a dozen brides who compete in challenges to win - not a beautiful wedding - but plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures for their wedding.  Seriously.  The winner is then "unveiled" at her wedding.

Can you imagine the groom at the end of the aisle waiting to see his bride and she looks completely different?  He is marrying you for you and think your perfect just the way you are.

I'm sorry but there is really something wrong if you think you need to have plastic surgery before your wedding, unless of course you were in a horrible disfiguring accident.

I'll be honest, I don't love my nose and have thought about having it "fixed" but in the end I decided that this is how G-d made me and I'm happy with who I am and what I look like.  Also, how do you know that after the procedure you'll look any better?  I know a few people who had work done and one of the nose jobs didn't make them look any different and someone else decided to have her chin implant removed because she liked her chin better pre-implant.

I get emails weekly from doctors who perform plastic surgery specifically for brides and I think there was one email about a group session where all the bridesmaids and the bride can get work done together - what a fun bachelorette party idea, right?

I don't promote plastic surgery on either site because I don't want to encourage this as a trend.   Be happy with who you are and know that you are amazing, and beautiful, just the way you are.

A Thought on Wedding-Day Hair

No bride wants to look back at her wedding photos years after the wedding and think that her wedding looks dated.  As in, that wedding is so 1985.

You want your wedding to be timeless, classic and you also want to look like you.

When picking your wedding-day hairstyle it's important to choose a style that looks natural on you.  A style that won't make people take a second glance to confirm that it's you.

I always wear my hair down or pulled back in a half-ponytail, so when I got married I chose to have a cleaner version of a half-pony.  My hairstylist got me a fall (fake hair, sort of like a half wig) so my hair looked thicker and he pulled the front of my hair away from my face.  Looking back I like the style, I just think I should have worn something sparkly after I took my veil off because it was a little plain.

Anyway, the point is that I didn't wear some over-the-top up-do that didn't look like me at all.

And the same thing goes for makeup.  It's okay to go a little more sparkly or dramatic on your wedding day but it's not Halloween so don't go overboard.  You want your groom to recognize you too.

Hair & Makeup Trials

It's very important to have a hair and makeup trial in the weeks before your wedding even if you're planning on doing your own hair and makeup.  The morning of your wedding is not the time to experiment.

At your trial remember to bring a digital camera, not just your camera phone, and make sure you take pictures of yourself from the front, both sides and for your hair, from behind.  This way you can see what you'll look like from all angles.

Your makeup artists should take notes, writing down exactly what colors she is using on you so on the day of your wedding she is not trying to remember which shade of pink blush she wanted to use.

You can ask for a copy of the notes to have for your own records and if you want to purchase any of the products, such a the lipstick or liner, make sure you have the brand and color name correct.

WARNING: A Massage May Leave Fingerprints

A friend recently told me that she got a massage a few days before her wedding, a deep-tissue massage.  And on her wedding day, in a strapless wedding dress, she noticed that she had fingerprints on her shoulders and arms.

The only way they could have gotten there is from the massage and so now she says as a warning to brides: Don't get a massage the week of your wedding because you don't want fingerprints on your skin.  They show up in photos.

I know this is very rare but I thought I'd pass along the warning.

Random Wedding Planning Tips From My Family

My dad joined us for dinner tonight and as I sat down to write today's post I asked him if he had a wedding planning tip I could share with you. After all the weddings he's been to he couldn't think of one besides: Use deli mustard with pigs-in-a-blanket, which of course you already know.

So, here's Dave's Teeth Whitening Tip (he's a dentist):

If you're going to whiten your teeth before your wedding make sure you do it no later than 5 days before the big day because it takes that long for the whiteness to even out and second, you shouldn't have food that can stain your shirt in that time because the same foods may stain your teeth and you'll want to enjoy food on your wedding day.

And since cousin Ally Jane (a college senior) is over cooking dinner, here's one from her: Buy your wedding dress in your size not a smaller size, because you may think you're going to lose 15 lbs but you'll probably only lose three.


Thanks Dad, Dave and Al for these great tips!

Tanning Tips

I went to lunch with my sister yesterday and noticed that she had a very nice tan. I knew she hadn't been laying out in the sun so I asked her how she got such great color and she said she was using a tanning cream from Clarins.

When she got up from the table I noticed that her back was much fairer than her front. It turns out she forgot to add the cream to her back so she was half tan and half white.

If you're hoping to get a bronze-ish look for your wedding day go for an even tan. Remember that most of your guests will see you from the back - the cermeony, dancing, etc... so it's important to look good from all angles. Here are some tanning tips:

1. Test the tanning spray, bed, cream, etc.. months before your wedding so you know how your skin will react.

2. Don't lay in the sun the days before your wedding without proper sun lotion. You don't want to get a burn or sun poisoning the week of your wedding.

3. If you are using a spray or lotion to get the perfect tan, make sure you cover yourself evenly and ask for help for those hard to reach areas like your back.

4. Do not put any type of tanning lotion or spray on the morning of your wedding in case it can rub off on your white dress.

Post from the Past: Bridesmaids Makeup

Here's one of my all-time favorite beauty tips for bridesmaids:

As you probably know, you can visit almost any makeup counter in the beauty department of a department store and the sales staff will apply not just one product, but make you up for the night. And the price for these makeovers? The cost of one product.

If you’re getting married near a shopping mall – or your bridesmaids can get to one well before the time you need them at the wedding location – send them to the mall to have their makeup done.

Each girl can pick whichever counter she likes – MAC, Prescriptives, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, NARS – and ask the sales girl to apply makeup for her. She should specify if the wedding is a formal black-tie affair or something more casual.

The cost of lipstick is probably around $20-$30 – much less than the cost of a professional makeup artist. She can always use the lipstick to reapply it at the wedding, and unlike her bridesmaid dress, she will use it again.

Hair Care

Many brides purchase or get a cute “bride” outfit to wear while they are getting ready the morning of the wedding. Whether you get a custom “Soon to be Mrs. Jones” top, a shirt that reads “Bride” or just grab something from the closet, it’s very important to wear something with buttons or a zipper.

Here’s why: After hours of stylists getting your hair and makeup just right, you don’t want – and in some cases may not be able to – pull your shirt over your head. It’ll be easier and mess-free to unbutton or unzip something. I’ve heard many stories of brides you had to be cut out of t-shirts and tank tops because pulling them off was not an option.

Hair Styling Tip and Offer

NYC area brides: One of my favorite salons, BLOW, has just opened a second location at 843 Lexington Avenue (between 64th and 65th Streets).

Both BLOW locations (the other is at 14th Street off 9th Avenue) offer bridal packages for brides and their ‘maids (and moms) to get their hair and nails done in a fun and festive setting.

Through October 31st BLOW’s Lexington Avenue location is offering 50% off first-time customers. If you need to get your hair done for your shower or rehearsal dinner I highly recommend BLOW. Their prices can’t be beat and their stylists are great.

Here’s a wedding hair tip: Don’t forget to get a wedding hair trial a few weeks before your wedding to make sure you not only like the style, but that you feel comfortable that your stylist can create the look you want. After you agree that you like the style he or she has done, take a few photos of the front, back and both sides so that on your wedding day there is no question as to what you are expecting.

How to Avoid VPL

I know this is going to sound strange, but let’s be honest, we’ve all seen it… visible panty lines or VPL. On the subway this morning I couldn’t believe the tight, ill-fitting pants and the horrible panty lines on so many women.

A few weeks back on Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood (the best show on television – 9am Sunday mornings) had a segment on Spanx, and how they have revolutionized the underwear and shapewear market.

While nobody wants visible panty lines any day, you definitely don’t want them on your wedding day. If your dress has a voluminous skirt you probably won’t have to worry about this issue. But, if your dress is a more fitted – sheath, trumpet, mermaid – silhouette you need to test out a few different types of undergarments during your dress fittings to make sure that not only are the bulges and bumps smoothed out, but that no one can your panty lines.

Ask the salon where you bought your dress if they carry a line of undergarments or shapewear, and also visit some local lingerie stores or lingerie departments at a department store. Before you buy anything find out what the return policy is so you can return items that don’t fit properly.

Here are some links to recommended shapewear and undergarment stores online:
Spanx by Sara Blakely
bare necessities
figleaves.com

The product featured above is Marry Me Footless by Spanx. This $18 shapewear product offers tummy control, smoothes thighs, eliminates visible panty lines and has a soft waistband so it's comfortable. It's available in black and pearl.

More Wedding Hairstyling Tips

Here are the rest of Antonio’s wedding day hairstyling tips:

4) A trial should take at least one hour, sometimes the excitement takes time away fast!

5) It may be helpful to have a look at the back in the hand mirror to ensure you are on the same page, so if any changes are to be made you can save precious time.

6) If you are a little unhappy with your trial, ask if some changes can be made at that time and see if he or she can produce a satisfactory result. If you are still unhappy, politely get up, say thanks, pay and EXIT THE BUILDING!! :)

7) Remember not to be worried about hurting the stylist's feelings by going to someone else; it's about you not the stylist. In our field we can't take it personally. All we can do is our best.

BONUS TIP from me: Don’t forget to take photos at your trial of your ‘do from the front, back and sides. Paste them in your wedding planner so you can refer to them on your wedding day.

Don’t forget to check out his blog, Hair by Antonio, for more hair care tips. And if you’re looking for a hairstylist for your wedding, or any day, you can schedule an appointment with Antonio at the Eva Scrivo Salon.

Wedding Day Hairstyle Tips

It's very important to start thinking about your wedding hairstyle early on.  If you want to grow your hair, color it or highlight it you'll need time to let it grow and test out colors. It's not a good idea to show up the morning of your wedding and say to your stylist, by the way, I'm getting married today.

You should meet with him or her a few months before and talk about your ideas. Bring photos from wedding magazines and Web sites for inspiration. If you know that you're wearing a tiara, hair pin or other accessory, bring it with you.

I asked Antonio Gonzales of the Eva Scrivo Salon (and a Vogue magazine favorite) for his tips on how to ensure your wedding day hair is picture perfect. Here's what he had to say:

Your wedding day is special to you and should be special to your stylist. Some women have dreamt of this day since they were girls and others have a more casual approach. With this in mind, have patience and fun while approaching your special day where your hair is concerned.  Here are some tips that are designed with your best interests in mind:

1) If your existing hair stylist does not dress hair for weddings, that's OK, ask for a recommendation in the salon or go to another salon.

2) Always do a trial; there should be no surprises on your special day.

3) Ask the salon if they do complimentary consultations before booking an appointment. This way you can decide if there is a positive energy between you and the stylist. After all, you want to trust the person and be able to be emotional in front him or her without feeling uncomfortable.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of Antonio's fabulous tips. And visit his blog, Hair by Antonio, for more ideas and hairstyling tricks!

Smarty Pants!

Remember that as you are getting your hair and make-up done the morning of the wedding, your photographer will be running around snapping pictures of you and your 'maids. I know you want to look just as good in those pictures as the ones he'll take later, when you're in your gown and a tiara is placed on you perfectly coiffed head.

Smarty Pants owner, and recent bride, Jennifer Titton has the perfect thing - a sweat suit embroidered with "Soon to be Mrs. ... " or your monogram or anything else you can think of on the back. You can also have a set made for your honeymoon with "Just Married" embroidered on the jacket or bottoms. With several colors to choose from, your Smarty Pants suit can match the palette of the wedding.

Wedding Tip - Remember to wear a zippered or button-down top while you're getting ready. You don't want to have to pull a tee shirt over your head and ruin your hair and make-up, nor do you want to have to find a scissor and have your shirt cut off of you.