Bridal Beauty

It’s the one day you want to look your best, only better. You’ll be exchanging vows, toasting your new union, hugging family and friends—and, of course, posing for countless photos. Here’s advice from local pros on how to put your best face forward.

Begin with the skin. For a gorgeous wedding-day face, start tending to your complexion early on. “People often overlook the skin, failing to realize that it is the largest organ in the body,” says Alana Echols of Renew Cosmetic Spa in Carmel and Lafayette. “Properly caring for it will give you that radiant look that brides want.” Some treatments should be done several weeks before the wedding to give the skin time to recover from any redness or other reactions, so consult your spa or salon early—preferably at least six months ahead.

Go easy with the changes. Always wanted to be a redhead? Thinking of chopping off your long locks? Lisa Gorman, owner of the Fishers wedding-planning company Memory Makers, urges caution. “Now is not the time to cut your hair,” says Gorman. “Let’s face it—you can do more things with long hair than you can with short hair, so you should grow it out as much as possible before the big day.” If you want highlights or a new style, hit the salon at least 10 days before the wedding.

Figure out what suits you. “Some brides are ready for a glamorous look, but there are some who want a more natural look,” says Karla Sempsrott of A Do Hair Design in Broad Ripple. “There’s also this idea that a lot of volume is preferable, and while that’s generally true, you also have to consider the shape of your face and what is going to look best.” A good stylist will ask about your current beauty regimen to determine what you’re comfortable with and what will make you look the most vibrant version of yourself, says Sempsrott. “If you’ve always had a side part, don’t radically change it and go down the middle,” she says. “If you like to have lots of layers around your face, don’t pull it back into a sleek bun.”