1. Don’t try anything new during the weeding week Avoid trying new make up and beauty products at least one week prior to the wedding. You may not have sensitive skin but it is always better to avoid the risk of developing an allergy. Ensure bridal make up consists of only brands you have tried and tested. Even if you are having a beautician do your make up, you can always insist they use your personal make up products. 2. Stay calm, eat healthy! Being tensed and having last minute jitters is quite common among brides. Unfortunately they can show on your skin. So take time off to relax no matter how caught up with you are with the wedding activities. And don’t forget to splurge on those veggies and fruits.

3. Do all spa sessions at least a week ahead

A lot of brides go in for bridal packages which include facials, manicures, spa sessions and what not. Ensure you are done with all this at least a week ahead. In the unfortunate event you do develop an allergy to something from this package; you will give your skin time to recover before the big day.

4. Have a clear idea of what you want.

Choosing the make up look for your big day can be quite a task. Browse through magazines and the internet for ideas. Take a print out and show it to your beautician to ensure she/he gets a clear idea of what you want. When you choosing a look, remember to choose one that suits you rather than what you think looks fabulous. For example Aishwarya Raia’s bridal look in Jodha Akhbar was fabulous, but it won’t suit everybody!

5. Have a trial

Irrespective of whether you choose to do your make up or you are opting for a beautician have a trial run. Some women are hesitant about spending extra on a trial but it will be totally worth it. The trial will be done in a more leisurely pace than your actual wedding one, so you can take time out to try different options. Carry a shawl that is close to your bridal outfit in terms of color. Drape it on yourself after the make up is done, to get an idea if it goes well. (Some brides do not have a problem trying on their bridal outfit during the trial. While some believe this is bad luck so this tip for those who fall in this category) Taking a friend who can give honest feedback for your trial also helps.

6. Take pictures

After the trial, take pictures of yourself and check out how you look in the image. You might notice that sometimes the foundation may stand out in a terrible way in the pictures. And remember to take photos in different lightings, both indoors and outdoors.

7. Have a Plan B So you have decided your make up looks great now make a plan B. What if something does not work out in the look? During the trial, you have a chance to see how long it would take. This gives you extra time to leave on the wedding day, as with nerves you must have a few alternatives that can help. 8. Bag it! Most brides have multiple functions as part of their wedding. Multiple functions translate as multiple outfits, each with their own accessories etc. Put each outfit with its respective accessories and make up in separate bags. This will help you find things easily when changing between functions.

9. Assign an assistant

Appoint a make up and accessories assistant. This person will be in charge of knowing where all the stuff is placed and more importantly where the back up make up, extra pins, clips etc is kept. It is quite normal for brides to lose track of where everything is placed. Avoid choosing your assistant from your immediate family, they will be really busy on your big day. An ideal candidate would be a friend or a cousin.

10. Stock up straws

And finally this is a small and useful tip picked up from a make up artist. Keep some drinking straws with the make up kit, this is very useful for a bride who gets thirsty AFTER the lip make up has been done perfectly.