Bridal Beauty Tips

Every bride deserves to be the very special lady of the day and look her best. The hairdo, the makeup, the bridal trousseau and how the bride conducts herself is the focus of everybody's attention on this day and you will certainly feel much more comfortable, if you have already done the dress rehearsal first.

Here are some useful tips for the bride:

• To cover the reddish skin, use sheer color corrector and apply tinted moisturizer of yellowish green or olive green shade to neutralize it.
• Pink color blush is not for the wedding day, generally speaking. Try bronzer under cheekbones instead.
• Bright lip colors may be warm such as orange-red, orange-gold, copper and warm beiges, creams and caramels or cool such as fuchsia, magenta, blue-reds, shades of lilac and pink and make lips look plusher and fuller.
• Deep warm lip colors such as yellowish and orangish browns; mahogany, deep warm reds and chocolate and deep cool shades such as cool brown, taupe, deep purple, plum and blue-toned burgundy underplay too much thickness of lips.
• The subtle look can be achieved by using the air-brush a lot and sticking to light shades such as cream, gold, lime green and brown for warm skin undertones and lilac, plums and soft pink for cool skin undertones.
• Neutrals are the safest choice to make you seem a bride endowed with natural beauty.
• Be sure to coordinate you overall look: all the colors should have either warm or cool tone while your hair, make-up, jewelry and gown should correspond to the carefully chosen theme.
• Hairstyle is usually chosen, after completing the makeup to suit the looks of the bride.
• If you are not used to wearing heavy makeup, keep your hands away from blue and green eye shadows.
• For olive and dusky skinned ladies, maroons and brown lip colors are the safest bet as well as the golden tones.
• Hairstyles are often adorned with pearls, rhinestones, flower buds, golden lace, satin ribbons, jeweled hair bands and tiaras among other hair ornaments and may range from the simplest French braid or bud to complex and elaborate hairdos.
• Bridal makeup includes all the attention to the minutest of details. Don't overlook them for the finished look.
• A timeless makeup look will keep your wedding snaps fresher forever, so try not to give in to the fads of the day.
• Cream foundation with a high pigment level is recommended.
• Don't forget to cover your neck, chest, area behind your ears with foundation and makeup too.
• Morning weddings need natural look makeup while evening weddings need more formally adorned brides with darker makeup shades.
• Lighting also determines your makeup. A well-lit area uses lighter colors while deeper tones are good for darker areas. Fluorescent lighting will add a greenish tinge to everything so avoid green shades.
• Try not to be too dramatic but there is a secret seldom revealed: red lipstick makes teeth appear whiter!

Makeup Tips

Brides should understand the difference between everyday makeup and the type of application that will enhance their beauty in wedding photos. For brides, the choice is simple -- learn the proper techniques from a makeup artist months before the wedding, or simply invest in a professional application on the day of the event.

For perfect photos, apply foundation evenly. Use a long lasting matte finish and end with a dusting of pressed powder. Be sure to keep pressed powder handy for touch up; you don't want a shiny nose or forehead in your pictures! Remember to match powder to your foundation color. Be sure to blend it well along the jaw line.

Avoid heavy eyeliner - it'll only make your eyes look smaller. Pass on false eyelashes, too. They can cast a shadow beneath the eyes. Instead, accent the outer corner of eyes with black or gray eyeliner.

Choose bridal makeup that's on the understated side. Our best suggestion, select a professional makeup artist with experience in bridal photography.

Because skin tends to break out or look flushed after a facial, be sure to schedule your facial at least one week before your wedding.

To keep your hands soft, apply our rich non greasy Hand Crème before going to bed, then put on a pair of white cotton gloves. While you sleep, the gloves will hold in body heat and help the hand crème penetrate. In the morning, you hands will feel softer and smoother.

Colors:

• Light colors such as pastels reflect more light and hence enhance the volume of a person. Advisable for persons on the slimmer side.
• Dark colors such as blacks and burgundy, by virtue of reflecting lesser light diminish the volume of the wearer and are advisable for persons on the stouter side.
• Short persons should avoid wearing clothes with contrasting colors.

Fabrics

• Banaras koras, brocades and silks
  These fabrics have always been, are and will always be intrinsic to dressing for weddings in Indian culture. They remain a favorite with the designers as they are versatile and lend themselves to unlimited possibilities as far as embroidery is concerned.
• Laces / Nets
  This fabric conveys a fresh, young, pretty, dream-like feel. Delicate embroidery is preferred on lace while net is more versatile and lends itself to a wider range of embroidery.
• Satin
  Satin has a luxurious, rich and glossy feel. It is used as lining of expensive outfits. Satin is a versatile material for embroidery and can carry considerable embroidery weight.
• Lycra / Lurex
  This fabric hugs the body and provides a close fit. Hence, it is necessary that the wearer has a good figure else it would accentuate features of the body that are not as attractive. Embroidery on lycra / lurex is limited and requires a special technique.

Dressing for the ceremony

• Mehndi
  Mehndi is a ceremony that is full of fun and excitement. Hence bright colors are predominant with green being the most popular color. Ghagra cholis are the trend. Half sleeves are advisable, as the mehndi has to be applied.
• Sangeet
  Sangeet is characterized by song and dance. Hence the garments designed for this occasion should not be heavy and should not constrain movement.
• Cocktails
  The accent on garments for this occasion is towards the Indo-western and western. Cocktails, generally being a night function, darker shades are preferred and the look of the garments are sleeker, more streamlined and less traditional. Fabric such as lycra, satin and net are in good taste and embroidery is generally light.
• Engagement and Wedding Ceremony
  These being the most auspicious of wedding ceremonies, the clothes worn are almost always traditional, primarily dictated by the background and culture of the client.
• Reception
  The clothes designed for the reception tends to be the most elaborate, the most grand. The reception outfits can be more modern in terms of cuts, embroidery and fabric.

Celebrate happy and safe Diwali

However, a little precaution could add more sparkle to Diwali, and even a bit of callousness could lead to fatal consequences. Here is how you can celebrate a safe Diwali. 

Keep flammables at bay

 Make sure the diyas and candles are kept away from flammable materials like clothes, curtains, papers and wood. Most importantly, keep kids away from diyas. 

Go for the best Quality

Always buy the best quality crackers and ensure that you go through the instructions before bursting them. Good quality firecrackers reduce the risk of dangerous mishap. 

Burst crackers in open ground 

It is also important to not burst crackers in crowded areas or along the roadsides, because that might prove to be dangerous for bystanders or for the passing public. 

Emergency precautions

 While bursting crackers, keep a bucket full of water nearby. Make a note of emergency numbers to call in case of accidents. Keep some basic medication with you.

What to wear 

Take care of your clothes while bursting crackers. To avoid any accident with fire it is recommended that you wear cotton clothes and stay away from synthetic material.

Candles and Diyas

Diwali is all about beautiful candles and diyas spreading their light and happiness. However, keeping lit candles and diyas at home can cost you dearly at times. You must make sure that there aren’t any curtains or inflammable materials close to them. 

Keep the crackers away 

Do not keep stock of crackers near fire. Fireworks are to be stored away from fire or any other heat source or light fireworks inside the house. Hence, they should be stored safely somewhere cool and dry, out of children’s reach. 

One at a time

 Light only one firework at a time. Do not light any firecrackers in your own hand .Always maintain a safe distance from the fire crackers. Avoid bending over them. 

Rush to the hospital in case of emergency 

Don't use powder or ghee or any other home remedies on burnt body surface to avoid the chance of infection. In case of emergency, rush to the nearest hospital. 

Sensitivity 

It is important to celebrate festivals with utmost sensitivity and care. Using firecrackers that do not create a lot of noise can be the first step towards being sensitive to your fellow neighbors and friends. Too much noise pollution can be harmful for everyone as well as the environment.Spread happiness this Diwali and celebrate this beautiful festival joyously with your loved ones.

Avoid Diwali crackers, try cracker facial instead

cracker facial, a two-hour relaxing treatment, includes the following steps:

• The protein therapy: It's given keeping in mind various skin problems like tanning, blemishes and patchy skin.

• Massage: A 10 to 15 minutes gold gel massage is given to rejuvenate the skin.

• Pack: Chocolate pack is applied on those with dry skin and gold for oily skin.

The price ranges between Rs 3,100 and Rs 5,000.

To maintain the glow, moisturize your skin on a daily basis. 

Protect Hair This Diwali From Pollution

The smoke and pollution will damage hair so it is essential to protect hair by using natural ingredients.

Here are a few helpful tips: 

- Nourish your hair with coconut based hair oil, preferably a night before the festival. Wash it with a mild shampoo the next day. Dilute the shampoo with water to avoid using excessive shampoo.

- Use natural ingredients such as honey, yoghurt, strawberry and vinegar to make hair masks at home. Apply the masks on hair for half an hour, then wash it off with lukewarm water.

- It is advisable to avoid using too many styling products as they can make your hair rough. - See more at: http://post.jagran.com/Protect-hair-this-Diwali-from-pollution-1383288047#sthash.yYKH9R1T.dpuf

Skincare Precautions During Diwali

Limit your sweet intake
It may seem like wet blanket advice during the season, but at least keep consumption under control. If you have an overdose of sugary and fried goodies, in a few days it'll start showing on your face – breakouts, dull skin, weight gain, not to mention allergies thanks to the artificial colours and flavours that go into mass-produced sweets. Also make sure you include plenty of fresh fruit and raw vegetables in your diet.

Don’t stop working out
Some form of workout – walks, gym, and meditation is required. In the hustle and bustle of shopping, socialising and pre-Diwali card parties, do not compromise on your health. Continue your exercise regime as usual and you'll be thankful at the end of the season that you didn't pile on the pounds. 

Hydrate yourself 
Nothing saps the skin of its lustre like dryness. The sudden change of season and drop of atmospheric humidity experienced during this month can shrivel up your skin. Use a water-based moisturiser frequently and drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin. Lukewarm water to which honey and lemon can be added takes away the puffiness of face caused by fluid retention at night.

Protect your skin from firecrackers 
Most firecrackers have high smoke emissions due to high magnesium and cordite content. These fumes and particulate emissions can settle on your skin and harm it, causing irritant reactions, chemical burns and allergies. Stay at least six to seven feet away from lit fireworks. If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to tie a cotton scarf over your face while lighting or watching fireworks. Wash your face thoroughly with a mild soap and water immediately afterwards and follow up with a moisturiser. In case of burns, wash the area immediately with cool running water for 10 minutes or longer, till the burning sensation eases. Apply an antibiotic cream like T-Bact, Fucidin or silverex on mild burns and consult a doctor immediately. Do not tamper with or attempt to burst any blisters if they appear on the burnt area. In case there is a skin allergy or a skin rash, use mometasone / desonide skin ointment on skin. If the problem still persists, consult a dermatologist at earliest.

Wash your face
Excessive exposure to pollution can cause premature aging and wrinkles. Excessive humidity can cause acne eruption, fungal infections and a host of other skin diseases. Skin stays excessively sticky and greasy and should be washed every few hours with a gel face wash.

Dark circles and puffiness around eyes 
This is commonly seen especially during hectic shopping and late night outs during Diwali. For dark circles, Vit C serum massage for the under eye area at night for 3–5 minutes is a good remedy. Active ingredients like kojic acid, liquorice, hydroquinone, azelaic acid etc are good lightening agents. Cucumber or potato pulp applied for a few minutes under the eyes reduces puffiness as well as dark circles.

Hair care 

Hair too takes a beating of stress and pollution causing dry, frizzy, dull and limp hair. Use mild shampoo and conditioner. As a home remedy for nourishment, take a cup of coconut milk, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp of any conditioner, 4 drops of lavender oil. Beat well and apply this to the hair and scalp. Keep on for 30 minutes and rinse off. You need not shampoo if the hair texture is dry. Else take half tsp shampoo, dilute it in a tumbler of water, beat it well until foamy and run this through the hair and rinse off with water. Avoid using hot air of the dryer. Instead use cold air if needed.

How to Take Care of Your Skin This Diwali?

The festivals are here. With them, all the dirt, pollution and breakouts. So how do you make your skin behave while still enjoying the festivities?

  • You can use Himalaya Herbals Neem face pack, face wash and face scrub. First wash your face with the Neem face wash and then scrub for a few min. with the Neem face scrub. Then apply the face pack over cleansed skin. Let it dry for 15mins and wash off. It helps you in dealing with the breakouts and makes your skin clear.

  • You could also use the Lotus Herbals Acne gel I reviewed recently. Apply it on clean face 2-3 times a day, it does not make the existing pimples disappear but does help in fighting with the new ones.

  • Don’t forget to moisturize your skin. Sagged, dry, dull skin is the least you want in the festival season.

  • Don’t eat any fried foods. If you can’t resist, then limit the intake. The fried food is very rich in all these oils which promote breakouts, dull skin and what not.

  • Similarly, you can’t put a full stop to the sweets since its festive season. But you can limit it to a great extent. And not just sweets, the same applies to the chocolates too. All this would not just result in breakouts but weight gain, dull skin, etc. Remember, desserts are meant to be taken as desserts, not main course.

 • Eat plenty of fresh fruits and raw vegetables.  Nothing can beat fruits and veggies when it comes to health.

  • In this entire hustle bustle, don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day. Dehydration is the last thing you probably want.

  • All this smoke and pollution from crackers can irritate your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.  Cover your face with a cotton cloth while watching or burning crackers. Wash your face after you are done.

  • Work out to burn all the accumulated calories and fat due to the extra dosage of sweets. Not only will it keep you fit, but bring a glow to the face. A fit and healthy body is your asset.

  • Keep a spray mist in your bag. Spray some of it whenever your skin feels dry or dull. You can use rose water and put it in an empty spray bottle to make your own mist spray.

Just remember whatever you eat shows on your face. Keep these simple skin care tips in mind and you will sail through Diwali with total ease.