- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have a theory in which I believe all wedding fantasies have a common thread-- we all wish to be radiant, fresh, and luminous brides. We aspire to be goddesses as we come out of our carriage, possibly an apparition worthy of gasps and "wows" as we walk down the aisle. It’s not rocket science but I’m certain that we all want to be beautiful. Mind you, not just pretty, but gorgeous, enchanting all our guests and ultimately, our husband-to-be.

Now being beauty is not something you can achieve overnight. Sure, you can slather on moisturizer the night before and pile on make-up on the big day to cover all your secrets, but then, you run the risk of not having your relatives recognize you with all your face paint. The process of being beautiful takes time and effort. The process of transforming into a radiant, blushing bride requires ample planning and discipline.

Needless to say, being effortlessly beautiful is, in truth, a lot of work. And all this work must start long before you book the florist and even before you receive the first RSVP. This step involves the body’s largest organ, your shield from the outside world and ultimately the most abused part of our body – your skin.

Skin talk

Some are luckier than others. We always know of people who have clear, pore-less, porcelain skin; those who tell us that they use only soap and have never tried using moisturizers. Those brides have it good, because they can spend their pre-wedding time stressing over other things. For the less-fortunate goddesses, we troop to the dermatologist. Though some may prefer the services of a cosmetologist, or some may prefer to just use over-the-counter skincare products, consulting your dermatologist about specific issues such as adult acne, rosacea, blemishes, freckles and other discolorations would ensure your safety if treatments will be required.

But no matter what your skin type, be it normal, combination, oily or sensitive, nothing beats a diligent cleansing ritual for perfect skin. This cleanse-tone-moisturize-protect procedure should suit your skin type and may occasionally include exfoliants, scrubs and other specific treatments if needed.

Caring for your skin in preparation for the big day need not always be topical. In fact, a more effective way to purify your skin is through eliminating free radicals from your body. Smoking, drinking, excessive sunlight, pollution, all these things contribute to the deterioration of the skin so the more effort you take to stay away from them, the more radiant your skin will be. Do try to get adequate sleep, and try to get some shut eye from 11pm to 3am as this is when the body regenerates.

Hair Beware

Part of the dream package usually includes long silky tresses with colors from midnight black to chocolate brown. Cliches aside, your mane is instrumental in creating a look that is uniquely yours for your wedding. But before you start deciding if you want curls or pin-straight hair, take a good look at your strands up close and see if your locks need extra pampering. More often than not, you will rarely have had your hair treated, thinking that shampoo and conditioner is enough to take care of your hair. What you may not realize is that your hair is also exposed to pollutants, and is subject to dryness resulting from changes in weather.

With that in place, you can now plan your hairstyle, including the possible treatments or procedures required. Darling, your options are endless. You can have your hair dyed (to any imaginable color), add hair extensions, have it thermal reconditioned, or you could opt for thermal curls. Of course, you also have the choice of just ironing or curling your hair on the big day itself, but many brides now prefer to have these procedures permanent, perhaps as a personal marker as you go beyond the single life.

For a hair-free, smooth skin, it is best to have all the hair removed 3-6 weeks before the big day to make sure that your skin would have healed by then, and the stubs won’t appear prematurely. Don’t forget to work on your brows, as they can work wonders for your face. Some actually underestimate the power of well-shaped brows, thinking that the make-up artist can just fix it the next day. Have a brow expert assess your face and features for them to suggest the best brow shape for you. And finally, for that goddess pucker, bleach, wax or use any depilatory product on your upper lip hair to eliminate the whisker.

Hot Bath

For the final touches, give yourself a long hot bath as you get ready for your grand entrance. Light your bath with vanilla or lavender aromatherapy candles and prepare for a long soak in the tub covered in petals and bath salts. Breathe, relax, and meditate on what will transpire in the next few hours. Cleanse your aura and think only of serene thoughts as you get ready.

After your bath, cover your body in moisturizer, bath oils and perfume to reinforce your scent. This should, of course, complement the flowers you chose to decorate the area for the wedding ceremony and the reception.

The Blushing Bride

And now, it’s all about you, the blushing bride. All eyes are on you as you walk down the path of rose petals to the aisle. Aren’t you glad you made sure your skin is glowing, that your hair is so healthy that it has bounce and real shine, that your aura radiates a certain peace that people just stare at you in awe?

Well done beautiful!

1. If you suddenly get a zit, don’t pop! Instead ask your makeup artist to use a spot concealer and don’t forget to put loose powder on top of it to seal it.

2. For dark undereye spots caused by pre-wedding jitters, use an area concealer and blend this with your foundation. Look up while this is being applied to ensure that the concealer won’t settle in the fine lines in your eyes.

3. Use a lipliner to keep your lipstick from feathering and bleeding.

4. Carry a mini-makeup case that has the basics: blotting powder for retouch, a small version of your lipstick and a small vial of your perfume.

5. Instead of using tissue, carry blotting paper to take away the shine.

6. Spritz on rose water, deepsea water or Evian to keep your face fresh throughout the reception.