This summer you might want to add a little pop to your pucker as you’re walking down the isle. Shake things up a little! After all it is summer and color is everywhere…Hot colors include shades of red, orange reds, and fuchsia. Check out Max Factor Long Wear Lip Color, Cover Girl Long Wear Lip Color, Avon’s Perfect Wear Extralasting Lipstick. These lip colors will stay on long after “You may kiss the bride…”
With a veil like this you can focus all of the attention on your lips and keep your eyes looking soft and subtle. Use Beth Bender’sGet in Line Eye Liner Stencil Kit to help you to achieve this simple eye look in minutes! It’s so easy to use you won’t need to hire a make-up artist. (With the extra money you can splurge on a bigger wedding bouquet.)
Remember girls, keep a journal close by. This way you can document all of your wedding tasks and check them off as you go. I find brides who glue photos of make-up looks they want to recreate for their wedding day into their journal as a reference really handy when they come to me. It made it easier to match colors when we chose lip colours to match the dress, jewelry and look.
During a Hindu wedding ceremony the bride and groom take seven important steps together around the sacred fire. An important aspect of the Hindu ceremony is to light a fire. This fire has a special significance in the traditional Indian wedding ensuring that the human spirit is tied with the divine.
The fire invokes one of the most important of the vedic gods, Agni, the God of fire to witness the seven wedding vows between the bride and groom.
As a result the fire is called the holy Agni. Agni is Sanskrit (a classical language of India) for fire. Agni is considered sacred and vows taken in front of Agni are considered to be unbreakable.
During the Hindu wedding ceremony the bride and groom come to the altar as God and Goddess in human form. In many parts of India the bride is considered Lakshmi, Goddess of Fortune, and the groom is her consort Vishnu, the Great Preserver.
The Hindu ceremony is usually filled with the chantings and blessings in Sanskrit by a Hindu priest. These ancient sanskrit blessings and rituals are thousands of years old.
The Hindu marriage ceremony is the thirteenth among the sixteen samskaras (or rites of passage) that a Hindu observes in his or her lifetime as prescribed in the ancient scriptures, the Vedas.
The highlight of course is the Saat Pheere or 7 circles around the holy fire.
This is also referred to as the Saptapadi, also called “The Seven Steps”, which is considered as the most important aspect of the wedding ceremony and only when the bride and groom walk the seven steps together is the Hindu marriage complete legally.
The Seven Steps are outlined below:
The First Step The bride and groom take this first step along with the first vow to earn and provide for the household and maintain a purity in the diet nourishing the body whilst avoiding anything harmful.
The Second Step The bride and groom take this second step along with the second vow to develop physical, spiritual and mental strength to ultimately live a healthy life.
The Third Step The bride and groom take this third step along with the third vow to increase wealth and live a prosperous life through righteous and proper means.
The Fourth Step The bride and groom take this fourth step along with the fourth vow to live together with mutual love and trust in order to gain harmony and happiness.
The Fifth Step The bride and groom take this fifth step along with the fifth vow to be blessed with strong, healthy and virtuous children.
The Sixth Step The bride and groom take this sixth step along with the sixth vow to live a long and happy life together by maintaining self control.
The Seventh Step The bride and groom take this seventh step vowing that they will remain as true companions and life-long partners adding a spiritual dimension to the union.
Pep yourself up in the time it takes to watch a football match!
Running out of things to do while yet another World Cup match is on?
Make the most of 90 minutes to yourself, with a bride-to-be beauty routine that takes the same amount of time as the latest helping of footie.
Once a week throughout the month before your wedding is enough to put a sparkle in your eye and bring a glow to your skin that cannot be matched.
Thanks to beauty therapist Louise Thomas-Minns for this preen routine.
Start by running yourself a bath infused with a few drops of your favourite essential oils... lavender in particular will induce relaxation.
While your bath is running, a mini facial is in order. Massage either apricot kernel or even a good quality olive oil over the skin. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold over the face for a few moments to steam and deeply cleanse. Then gently remove the oil and repeat.
The action of using the washcloth will have gently exfoliated your skin. Now you can apply a homemade facial mask which can be left on for the duration of your bath. For a drier mature skin, simply mash half an avocado and stir in some honey to form a paste; smooth over the face and neck. Alternatively, mix oatmeal with natural yoghurt and add either a squeeze of lemon juice for oilier skins or a teaspooon of honey for drier skin. The yoghurt will work wonders on munching away at surface dead skin.
Before getting into your bath, you could add a cup of powdered milk. Just as Cleopatra bathed in asses' milk, powdered milk is great for exfoliating while you soak.
At the end of your bath it's time to remove any excess unwanted hair to reveal a smooth skin. Try new Nair Pretty Naturals hair removal cream. I particularly like the one containing exfoliating beads to leave your legs super silky. It's quick, efficient and easy to use, and gives you extra skin-smoothing properties of papaya extract.
Finish by removing your face mask with a warm washcloth, and then spend a few moments massaging the oil you sued to cleanse in an upward, circular motion to detoxify and reduce any areas of puffiness from the face.
Grooms preparing for an Indian style wedding have the luxury of choice when it comes to choosing their wedding attire.
The sherwani is a traditional Indian-style groom wear originating from the royal families in the North of India. The sherwani consists of a streamlined jacket that extends knee length and is sometimes longer. The jacket is uniquely designed with a Nehru-style collar and buttoned down the front. The Sherwani is usually teamed up with a tight fitting churidar, Jodhpurs, and a shawl draped over one or both shoulders. To complete the regal look the groom should wear jooties or traditional Indian footwear which are usually available in matching colours.
The sherwani usually features unique embroidery work like zardozi. Ari or zardozi is an ancient form of embroidery introduced during the Mughal era and has become a well-known, fashionable hand embroidery. The modern day groom can also select from a myriad of colours to blend in with the brides outfit as well as the decorated mandap.
Modern day males now have the luxury of choice when it comes to dressing up in stylish and traditional outfits.
Not only is there variety in the cut of the fabric as well as the nature of the fabric but also the wide range of colours and the amount of work that has gone into each piece distinguishing one sherwani from the next. A maroon coloured silk sherwani in maharaja style, which is embroidered with a golden thread is very distinct from the royal blue colored sherwani with zardozi work and white churidars.
The beige colored royal sherwani in rich silk, with extra special handwork could be worn at one formal occasion, while the heavily embroidered sherwani in gold and copper shades would be more suitable at another formal event.
Ideal for a formal wedding and reception, the Sherwani is undoubtedly glamorous and sophisticated and provides the ultimate Mughal look on your special day. Courtesy of Benzer World
A traditional Hindu wedding procession takes place following various rituals and ceremonies. The marriage is a reflection of the rich Indian culture where every ritual has its own importance. Out of many rituals ‘Solah Shringar’ of the bride is one of the most important one.
What is ‘Solah Shringar’? A traditional Indian bride has to dress up using sixteen vital components of her beauty known as ‘Solah Shringar’ which includes make-up items, jewels and other accessories. From head to toe she is adorned with accessories that add spark to her beauty. These objects of beauty are believed to be associated with the well being of her to-be husband. Having knowledge about accessories that comprises ‘Solah Shringar’ helps you understand their worth. We offer you a brief description of the sixteen accessories worn by the bride.
Face Accessories and make up include the following components:
Bindi: It is considered to be a mark of identity for a married woman. Traditionally, it used to be round in shape and red in color. But nowadays, a large variety of Bindis in various shapes, sizes and shades are available in the market. Generally, a girl chooses her bindi that is matching to her wedding dress.
Sindoor: Sindoor (vermillion) is a red colored powder that is applied on the centre parting of a bride. It has various religious and mythological connotations.
Mangteeka: It is a hair accessory that is generally worn in the centre parting of the hair and it comes till fore head. It is generally made of gold/silver.
Anjana: Anjana (kajal) is used to highlight the eyes of a bride. It is black in color and is applied on the edges of the upper and lower eyelids. It makes a bride’s face look beautiful and attractive.
Nath: Nath (Nose Ring) is another important symbol of holiness associated with marriage. It is a big, round ring that can be worn in a pierced nose. It is also generally made up of gold/silver.
Karn Phool: Karn phool (ear rings) is worn by a bride in both the ears. They are generally heavy and it further beautifies the bride’s face.
Hand Accessories include the following components:
Mehandi: Mehandi (henna) is prepared from the dried leaves of a tree. It is applied in the hands and foot of a bride. It stands as a symbol for the love between a wife and her husband. Mehandi applying ceremony forms an important part of an Indian wedding.
Choodiyan: Choodiyan (bangles) are worn in both the hands of the bride in large number. They are made up of glass or metal. They are believed to fill colors in the life of the bride.
Baajuband: Baajuband (armlet) is worn in the upper arms of a bride.
Aarsi: Aarsi (finger rings) is worn in the fingers of a bride.
Other Accessories include the following components:
Haar: Haar (necklace) is worn around the neck of a bride.
Keshapasharachana: Keshapasharachana (hairstyle) is also as important as the face. Different types of flowers and other ornaments are used to adorn the hair of a bride.
Kamarband: Kamarband (waist band) is worn around the waist of a bride.
Payal: Payal (anklet) is worn around the ankle of a bride. It produces sound when the bride moves.
Itar: Itar (fragrance) is applied to a bride to create a soothing aroma around her.
Wedding Dress: Normally a ‘Saree’ or ‘Lehenga’ is worn as a wedding dress. They are usually of bright colors like red, maroon etc.
These sixteen signs of beauty ensure complete adornment of the Indian bride. Though many modifications have been done in beautification of a bride, still these sixteen signs of beauty continue to hold their importance.
Indian weddings are generally royal and elaborated events in which bride and groom remains the centre of attraction and they both must look their very best, especially the bride. When it comes to bridal make-up for the big day, sometimes brides over do it and unfortunately their most memorable moment turns into something very devastating. It is advisable to choose the experienced make-up artist, because bridal make up is an intricate art, which can not be learned easily. There are certain things to keep in mind, so that you look fresh, vibrant and gorgeous at the time when you are starting a new chapter of your life.
Preparation For achieving fresh, beautiful, glowing and vibrant skin on your big day, start making advance preparations way before the marriage day. First of all ensure that the style and make-up you want is matching your bridal outfit or not, because that matters a lot. The second thing is to take a full test run of your wedding day make up with your dress at least four to six days before the marriage to assure that you get your desired mesmerizing look. Waxing, threading, facial, exfoliation etc. will help the bride in looking her best on that special day. All these activities should take place a week before the marriage in case of avoiding any irritation or side effect.
Choosing Makeup Elaborate, deep and heavy make up has become common for Indian brides, however the trend is changing at fast pace. Try and be a master in the art of complimenting your dress and jewelry with your make up. If your wedding dress and jewelry are heavy, intricate and rich in color then its better to choose light make up so that your entire attire will be in harmony. Embellished eyes looks good with natural shade lipstick and the vice versa for balancing your face. Select make up as per the time of your wedding, for example, if your wedding is in the morning go for neutral and lighter shades and if your wedding is in the evening you can try out deeper and more dramatic make-up. Make sure that your make-up colors compliment your dress and make you look elegant
Make Up Tips on the Wedding Day
Start with a concealer on blotchy spots or dark circles under the eyes. Foundation matching your skin tone should be applied evenly on face, neck, behind the ears and other visible parts of your skin.
Eye shadow matching the dress of your color with complimenting eye liner, which is not so heavy, suits the best. Use water proof mascara for avoiding running make up.
Use lip liner matching your long-lasting lipstick in double coats and finish it with gloss so that it stays for a longer period.
Prefer bronzer instead of blush and dust your face with a translucent powder for settling the make up.
Keep powder and gloss handy for any necessary touch-ups all through the celebration.
Thus, using these tips not only define your natural beauty but also make you look perfect on the very special occasion of your life time.
”Will you marry me?” “Yes!” So you have been just been proposed to. These days young brides have so much running through their minds when they are proposed to and in some cases when they propose to their partners.
While you are still drifting on cloud nine, here are a few points to consider when you are organising your wedding.
Depending on the religious and/ or cultural background couples may choose to celebrate their wedding day with more than one type or style of wedding.
1. What type of wedding do you want? Religious, Cultural or Civil
It is very important to determine the style of wedding you want as this helps to set the framework for the entire wedding ceremony and reception.
While prospective brides and grooms may practise the same religious beliefs they may originate from the same or different regions or country. A bride originating from Southern India may marry a groom originating from Western India in a traditional hindu style wedding and may choose to incorporate unique cultural practices from the South and West in the ceremony which can be the the distinguishing feature.
An example of this is the recent marriage of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachhan in April 2007. Aishwarya was born in Mangalore, in the state of Karnataka, South India whilst Abhishek Bachhan was born in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, Western India. Although they are both Hindu and come from India the different States have different cultural practises. They celebrated with a traditional hindu wedding in Mumbai.
Couples may also not wish to have a wedding based on their religious beliefs and instead opt for the civil ceremony.
On the other hand prospective brides and grooms who practise different religious beliefs may originate from the same or different regions or country. A christian bride may marry a groom practising in the Hindu faith and and may decide to celebrate their wedding by having two distinct ceremonies.
An example of this is English actress Elizabeth Hurley who recently wed half-Indian half-German businessman Arun Nayar in March 2007. Elizabeth Hurley married Arun Nayar in a civil ceremony at Suedely Castle and on the following day said their vows at a religious service at the English castle. This was followed by a lavish traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur North India.
In addition couples of a non South Asian background may also have chosen to celebrate their wedding in Hindu or Bhuddhist style ceremonies. A famous example of this is the marriage of English rocker and lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, to American supermodel Jerry Hall. They had a spectaculor Hindu wedding in Bali in 1990 which was later anulled as the marriage was not legally recognized under English law.
2. In what location is the wedding?
Are you organising a wedding and reception locally? If you are then it will make it easier for your family and friends who live locally to attend both the wedding and the reception. You may consider a wedding and reception interstate if your partners family is interstate.
However, more and more young prospective brides and grooms are contemplating getting married in their country of origin ie. Fiji, India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka and then having a reception back home in Australia. For example a couple may travel to India to get married at the ancient Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple (Hindu temple) in Trissur, Kerala which is popular for South Indian weddings and then head back home to Australia for the reception.
In some cases couples may also consider a wedding and reception in the country of origin as well as having a reception back home. This may be time consuming and expensive but it really depends on where all the family and friends are and where the couple want to mark their special day.
Increasingly more and more couples are having weddings abroad and its not necessarily in their country of origin. Popular wedding and honeymoon destinations include Bali,Indonesia as well as Fiji, and Thailand.
3. Where is the wedding held?
If you are having a religious wedding you may decide to have the ceremony conducted at a Church (Christian), Temple (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsee) Mosque (Muslim), or Synanogue (Jewish) etc. If you decide to have your wedding at a temple, then unless you can arrange the reception within the temple grounds, you will need to hold the reception in an alternate venue.
If you decide to to hold a religious or civil ceremony in a hall then this will be alot easier if you combine the wedding ceremony and reception under one roof.
4. How formal is the wedding and reception?
The question on how formal your wedding is will most probably be determined by your budget. Indian Weddings in general are always described as rich and colourful and in most weddings parents of the bride and groom usually spare no expense.
However as more and more brides and grooms opt to pay for the wedding they may be limited as to how formal their wedding can be.
Most Indian weddings are formal to very formal with ladies wearing colourful saris and ghagra cholis and men dressed in suit and tie as well as traditional Indian wear such as the sherwani. The wedding venue and reception can be held in places of worship, private homes to ballrooms of high-end hotels and rented reception halls.
Most Indian weddings include a large number of family and friends and are usually over 150 depending on the size of the wedding. Smaller weddings may exist but will more often than not retain an air of elegance and formality. The famous wedding of Lakshi Mittal’s (the Indian born, London based steel tycoon) daughter, Vanisha Mittal to Amit Bhatia, a Delhi born investment banker in the grand 17th century Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte in France in June 2004 included 1000 guests.
During the reception guests can be catered to in a buffet style or can be served with a multi-course meal. How much can you spend per head on your wedding and reception? At an average cost of $75-$100 per head you may only have the capacity to invite 150 guests to the wedding & reception. So you will need to calculate how many guests you can cater to with your budget.
5. Is there a theme for the wedding?
Some couples indulge in a theme for their wedding day.
Whether it is having an outdoor beach theme as depicted in the Bollywood movie ‘Salaam Namaste’ featuring actors Saif Khan and Preitty Zeinta or a castle wedding in Italy like the wedding of American actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who had their wedding in Odescalchi Castle by Lake Bracciano, Italy in November 2006.
A Royal Palace wedding theme in India is becoming more popular with not only with foreigners but also with South Asians looking for a unique setting to celebrate their wedding day. The theme for your wedding can also include colours as there really is nothing stopping you from choosing your own theme.
6. When would you like to get married?
You may wish to set your wedding day based on the season. Autumn weddings are beautiful when set in outdoor locations and set in sprawling parks with the backdrop of leaves on trees changing colour. Spring and Summer weddings are always popular year after year.
7. How far away is this from now?
Once you have determined which season and which year you would like to have your wedding determine how much longer you have from now to organise the wedding ceremony and reception.
On average young prospective brides and grooms can take about a year to organise everything from the venue right down to design of the wedding cake.
Photo: Indian Actress Aishwarya Rai in ‘Umrao Jaan’
A smooth, radiant complexion that's glowing with health and vitality and flawless make-up are both achievable if you embark on a beauty regime now. Whether you've got months, weeks, or merely days to go until you tie the knot, there's plenty of time to make yourself gorgeous for the big day...
One year until the wedding The easiest and most effective way to improve your complexion is to drink lots of water. You need to have at least eight glasses a day to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins from your system. Add a slice of lemon if you find plain water too bland, but avoid sparkling water. It contains carbon dioxide, which is a toxin that stops the absorption of calcium and can eventually cause osteoporosis. Good skincare is a must. Your make-up only looks as good as your skin, so get into the habit of cleansing, toning and moisturizing every morning and evening. Use a gentle exfoliator once a week to slough off complexion-dulling dead skin cells and follow with a moisturizing face mask.
Six months to go Treat yourself to a facial. Skin cells renew themselves every 28 eight days, so this is a great once-a-month treat. Don't worry if you get a few spots - they're a good sign! This is your skin's way of getting rid of impurities, and better now than on the day. Get skin in peak honeymoon condition by dry brushing all over with a natural bristle brush once a week. Start at your feet and work upwards in long, firm strokes towards your heart. Follow with a moisturising body lotion. Your skin will feel smoother and will tan better too.
Three months to go Have another facial or use a deep-cleansing face mask to rid your skin of toxins. Don't neglect your feet, especially if you're having a beach wedding or getting married in the summer and wearing strappy sandals or open-toed shoes. Smooth your feet with a scrub or foot file every few days to stop rough skin building up and get into the habit of moisturising them every night.
11 weeks to go Your hands and nails will be on show on the wedding day. Get them ready for that ring-on-the-finger moment by rubbing sweet almond oil or cuticle cream into your cuticles every night to keep them moisturised and healthy. If your nails are brittle and prone to breaking apply a nail strengthener every couple of weeks. Get into the habit of using hand cream whenever you wash your hands and always wear rubber gloves when you do the dishes.
10 weeks to go Treat yourself to a professional feel-good spa treatment, such as a seaweed wrap, to detox, distress and relax - you deserve it! Improve the appearance and texture of lips by brushing them with a dry toothbrush and then rubbing in lip balm. Relieve tired eyes by covering them with cooling slices of cucumber or teaspoons that have been chilled in the fridge and lie down for five minutes with your feet higher than your head.
Nine weeks to go Once a week, smooth feet with a clay face mask, wash off and slather with a rich foot cream. Spritz your face with floral water throughout the day to soothe, refresh and revive tired skin. This is especially important if you work in an air-conditioned office, is very drying for your skin. As a special treat, run a luxurious bubble bath, lock the bathroom door, light a scented candle and enjoy some well-deserved "me" time away from the wedding preparations.
Eight weeks to go Gloss nails and cuticles with a hot wax conditioner to stimulate blood flow to the nail bed. Get your body silky smooth by exfoliating with a scrub once a week. Massage over damp skin in small, circular motions, shower off and apply body lotion.
Seven weeks to go After weeks - or possibly months - of traipsing around the shops looking for your wedding dress and checking out suppliers, ease tired feet with a simple massage. Use a mild oil, such as sweet almond oil, and gently squeeze and pull your toes then massage your feet with your fingers underneath while your thumbs move up and down in a gentle rotating motion. If you're really tired, get your fiancé to do it for you.
Six weeks to go Have your eyebrows professionally shaped at a beauty salon. You'll be amazed what a difference it makes to your appearance and it's easy to keep them tidy afterwards. Soothe and tone your skin by smoothing nutrient-rich honey over your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Five weeks to go Get rid of rough, dry skin from elbows, knees, heels and ankles with a body exfoliator or make your own by mixing a handful of oatmeal with olive oil. Rub onto wet skin and shower off.
Four weeks to go Have a wedding make-up practice run, whether you're doing your own make-up or having a professional do it for you. Have a relaxing night in, cover your feet with a rich foot cream, slip on a pair of cotton socks to help the cream penetrate and enjoy a romantic video. Treat yourself to a nerve-calming aromatherapy facial at a beauty salon.
Three weeks to go Turn up the heating, steam up your bathroom and cover your body with a mineral-rich refining mud mask. Warm up the mud first by dunking the tub in hot water. This will increase the mud's ability to draw out toxins from your skin. Have your eyelashes dyed so that all you'll need on honeymoon is clear mascara.
Two weeks to go Slap on a treatment mask penetrate your skin. Ease tension and cleanse your skin all over by having a sauna.
One week to go Relax by lighting a destressing aromatherapy candle and place an aromatherapy diffuser in the house. Get your fiancé to massage a calming potion into your shoulders and neck where you are most likely to feel tense. Get your legs and bikini line waxed for the honeymoon. Book yourself in for a manicure and pedicure.
One day to go Tidy your eyebrows and make sure you've got everything you need for the big day. Get together a wedding day make-up bag in case you need to freshen up on the day and give it to your mum or chief bridesmaid to look after. If you can't sleep because you're too excited burn some calming lavender essential oil in your bedroom to help you relax.
On the day Relax in a luxuriously fragrant bath. Thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturize your face. Stick to the make-up routine you've rehearsed. Spur-of-the-moment changes don't work and you won't have time to rectify any mistakes. Wear a front-opening shirt when your make-up is being done so you don't have to pull anything over your head, which could smudge it.
Photography Wedding photos provide memories for a lifetime. Choosing a photographer that suits your requirements and budget is very important. In my personal experience, the one thing that couples do not think about is the “time” factor required in achieving those precious photos. Again, this depends on your style. Some tips that I have gathered over time are:
What is your budget? Don’t think you need to spend a fortune for your photographs. Do your research and be surprised at what’s out there.
What is the duration of your event? Most photographers have packages starting from 5 to 7 hours or charge by the hourly rate.
Do you prefer digital or film photography?
How many events do you want photographed? Such as Sangeet night, wedding and reception.
Traditional vs Contemporary settings.
Style of photography, journalistic or formal.
Interview and view the photographers work.
Do you want the photographer to be there while you are getting dressed?
Do you want an album or digital photos on a disk?
Colour vs Black/White photos?
and many more….
Interviewing the photographer is very important. e.
Well, I married a Rajput and he loves the look...so I thought - let me think about this. For me it was a harbinger of great pain. I Imagined piercing the soft lobes and membranes of your nose and how painful it could be. But I remember when Kate Perry flaunted a big huge gold nose ring at the Heathrow in London while boarding her flight to India.
No doubt nose rings are a rage this wedding season but they have always been around in form of nose piercings and nose studs for quite some time. But here we are talking about the nose ring that a bride wears on her wedding day. It is also known as ‘Nath’ in India and is called by different names in different regions. This piece of jewel is traditionally worn in the right nose and is connected with a golden chain that links it to the earrings or ends up being linked in the side hair, clipped with the help of a hook. Diamond studded nose rings look gorgeous and irradiate a brilliant and heavenly shine. The myth says that the nose is representative of a bride’s sexual prowess. In olden times, it was also considered a mark of virginity and that is why it was customary for a groom to remove a bride’s ring on the wedding night. Sounds amusing, eh?
In diverse states of India this jewel is made differently. The mukhuttis of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have ornate, traditional lotus and swan designs and are mostly studded with diamonds, or the poor man’s diamond, the topaz. Rajasthani women wear the nathuri and the bhauriya. While the first is a small gold or silver ring with precious stones, the bhauriya has a slightly different design. The conventional clove-shaped nose stud is called the laung, while the small pendant suspended between the nostrils is the latkan, because of its pendulous character.
In UP the nath is adorned with two pearls and a pendulous bead to augur prosperity. The Punjabi damsel has a gold ring strung with as many as 20 to 25 motifs. It is the shikarpuri nath. In Bihar the nose stud is the chhuchhi or the laung. In Maharashtra it is the guchhedar nath, which is known for its radiant beauty with pearl decorations. Pullakku nose ring in South India (bulaag in the North) is the pendant suspended from the partition of the nostrils.
Sometimes the septum rings in rural areas and tribal society are so large that they cover a portion of the mouth and often come in the way while eating.
The Ayurveda (ancient Indian system of medicine) has it that piercing the nose makes it easy for a woman to bear the pain during child birth as the veins in the nose are directly connected with a female’s reproductive system. There is virtually no end to these theories and the bottom line remains the same: it is customary for an Indian bride to wear a nose ring.
Though the élan with which today’s celebrities sport a nose ring is contagious. The media went gaga over how Perry got a piercing in her right nose before leaving London itself, something that shows how excited she is about her nuptial with Russell in the typical Hindu style. The nose ring looked a little flashy over her jacket and pants but then, she is the bride and it’s her wedding
Just a tip:
Nose Piercing Aftercare Never wear sterling silver in your freshly pierced nose, as the metal will leave a permanent stain on your skin. A black mark develops around the piercing that will never be erased. Always opt for stainless steel, niobium, titanium or 14k gold. The nose piercing takes around three months to heal fully. Therefore, avoid fidgeting with your nose and changing your jewelry. When jewelry is changed too soon, it causes a re-tear, lengthening the healing process and causing a new nose piercing infection.
Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on your tissue will increase the irritation and burning sensation. It may even slow down the healing process and cause a scar. You can apply powdered aspirin to provide relief from the nose piercing infection. Do not use swimming pools, hot tubs or go swimming in the ocean, as there are chances of bacterial infection and pollutant contaminant infection. Always maintain proper hygiene to reduce chances of bacterial infection.
One of the most significant moments during a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony lies in the exchange of Indian Wedding Garlands.
During this exchange the wedding garlands become the centrepiece. Australian Indian Weddings provides a quick guide to selecting your type of wedding garland.
Selection of Flower 1. Select the flowers of your choice. It could include one colour (red roses) or a combination of colours (eg. red and white roses)
Availability 2. Enquire if the flowers will be available based on the season when your wedding ceremony takes place.
Suitability 3. Be creative and explain to the person who will prepare your Indian Wedding garlands, the theme and colour of your wedding so that the colour of the flowers stands out against your bridal and groom wear.
Quantity of Flowers 4. The costs of the wedding garlands are based on the flowers selected and the quantity of flowers used.
Delivery 5. When ordering wedding garlands try ordering them so that they are ready for you on the day or atleast the day before the actual wedding ceremony.
Storage 6. Store the wedding garlands in a cooler or cold storage as the summer heat can ruin the flowers They usually last 2-3 days in a cool room
Contact the Temple 7. Contact the local Hindu temple in your state. They should be able to provide you with a local contact that prepares fresh wedding garlands throughout the year.
Contact a local business provider 8. Contact a local business provider specialising in Indian wedding garlands in your state.
Contact a local Indian Wedding Planner 9. Alternatively contact a local wedding planner who can arrange the wedding garlands.
The quintessential eastern fashion statement, the sari seems to be the most misunderstood garment, in the history of apparels.
Though a number of European designers are increasingly vouching for its comfort and beauty, it is still an enigma for western cultures, mysteriously draped and staying in place without any help from pins or buttons! A charming folktale goes The Sari, it is said, was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver. He dreamt of Woman. The shimmer of her tears. The drape of her tumbling hair. The colors of her many moods. The softness of her touch. All these he wove together. He couldn’t stop. He wove for many yards. And when he was done, the story goes, he sat back and smiled and smiled and smiled.
The long length of garment in rich hues weaves and warps, is just another few yards of textile, till it is draped on a womans body. And that is the beginning of the transformation, both for the garment and the woman.
The world's oldest surviving fashion statement, the sari first finds mention in the Vedas, the ancient wisdom of the Asian sub-continent. More than 5000 years ago it existed in a similar form and was called cheera, meaning covering cloth. Some people think that Indian sari is influenced by Greek or Roman toga, which can be seen on ancient Roman statues. This is not correct.
Saree is essentially Indian in nature and was best suited to local climatic conditions. Cotton was cultivated in India centuries before Alexander the Great landed on the borders of India and Indian cloth was a wonder to the Greeks. In fact, Herodotus and other ancient western historians thought there were trees in India which grew cloth!
Times changed and its patterns changed too, and after many changes, evolution and styles later, it is today the primary wear of the Indian woman, and still the only wear for the rural Indian woman. More than 75% of the population of the Indian subcontinent wears the sari, in one form or the other.
The dress has survived the test of time, cultural invasions and even colonization. It is to its credit that the Muslim invasions, Europe colonization and even the recent globalization of styles, fashions and cultural ethos, have not managed to dent the authenticity, utility or the fan following of the sari. It still is considered the best dress for occasions like marriages, festivals and gifting to women, across the length and breadth of the country. Another interesting thing that is now seen is the adaptation of the sari for noveau fashion styles, even by some European fashion houses. One can understand the interest that the classically oriented French culture can have for a classically beautiful garment like the sari.
The sari, in its original form, was a single length of cloth with designs, worn pleated on the lower half of the body and draped across the upper part. It is worn in at least 10 to 15 styles throughout the India, though the ways of wearing above used to be common. In Maharashtra and North Karnataka region, wearing a nine-yard saree (without a petticoat – long underskirt -which was superfluous) was in vogue till 20th century. In many tribal cultures of India it is still worn like that. But after the entry of Muslim and Middle Eastern influences in India, the petticoat or the undergarment covering the lower half of the body, started. The sari was fastened on this base layer, pleated to allow free movement of the legs, then the remaining garment thrown over the shoulder to drape the top.
The style of draping the sari differs between regions in India. The rural women wear it with the topmost pleat tucked into their backs, going from between the legs, and this seems to be the most comfortable style as far as hard workingwomen are concerned. The warrior queens who went to battle on horseback would wear their saris this way, so do the women who work in the fields, as hard a their men themselves, planting, hoeing and transplanting. The garment is convenient because it leaves the arms and legs free, covers the essential parts and gives a good drape too.
In other areas, styles differ, in the cities, it is worn with more style, even as a glamorous party outfit. The sari can be made to resemble shorts, trousers, flowing gown-like or convenient skirt-wise-all without a single stitch!
The textile used to make this ethereal garment boasts of real variety. From the diaphanous cottons, soft and delicate, the muslin from Dhaka, to the sturdy silks of South India, the weaves and wafts hold sway. Each region has its own special texture and design, depending on the regional crafts and the climate of that particular area. Woven silks, gauzy muslins and textured silk cottons hold sway over millions of female hearts. The areas which are hot and humid around the year have a unique style where the upper part of the body is not restricted to any more clothing, hence the traditional mundu of South India-Kerala is comfortable for women in those sticky, long months of tropical monsoon.
The garment has undergone functional changes even if its original style has stayed. For instance, the warrior races of Northwest India, the Rajputs developed the odhni, a slightly shorter garment worn over a flowing skirt and upper garment. The flowing skirt is called ghaghra and owes its origins to the gandharan garment that was wore in these regions in ancient times. The upper garment in the form of a small jacket or blouse is a Victorian addition, because when European cultures came into India, they were in the Victorian era, so even a naked ankle was scandal. For the far more open culture of India, this was difficult, but a mean had to be struck. So the sari adopted the blouse to please the colonial masters. Traditionally, Indian women wore what was called a kanchuki ( a single cloth tied across the breasts, much like a strapless bikini top), and there are many paintings and other evidences to prove this. But those were the times of the Kama Sutra, and for a culture that can come up with a treatise on sex, a revealing female garment was nothing extraordinary. In fact, prudery came to India only after the tenth century, first in the form of the Purdah with Muslim invaders, then Victorian values with the colonizers.
This odhni should be diaphanous, soft and billowing, conceal and yet give away the curves and beauty of its wearer. In fact, that is what the sari is supposed to do, and it does its job quite well.
The Sari is perhaps the only garment in the world that can make its wearer look modest and demure while baring the midriff, outlining the hips and draping sensuously around the curve of the waist, What is revealed is much more than what is concealed, the modesty is retained and the sensuousness is effectively conveyed. What better statement of fashion does one need?
A model presents a Satya Paul creation co-designed by Indian designers Puneet Nanda and Chiara Nath during Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in New Delhi, India, on April 9, 2006
Bridal Makeup Tips for Applying Lip Color and Enhancing Cheeks
Put the "blush" in "blushing bride" by choosing the right blush color and placement, and complete your wedding look with a perfect pout by following these tips.
Adding a soft lipstick and contouring the cheeks are a great way to add color and life into your wedding day makeup look. The following makeup tips will help you choose the right products for your bridal makeup. Lips
When choosing a lipstick color, consult your eye makeup first. Generally speaking, you should choose either your eyes or your lips as the focus of your face, not both. If you choose to do something more dramatic with your eyes, choose a neutral lip shade that closely resembles your natural lip color. If you'd like to play up your lips, opt for something a little more bold, but without being too trendy.
When choosing a lipstick, the formula is as important as the color. Sheer formulas will need to be reapplied more often than matte, cream, or semi-matte lipsticks. Longlasting lipsticks feel dry, and will show off any dry or flaky spots on your lips. To appear fresh, they require reapplication of the clear coat, anyhow, so only choose them if you absolutely love the color or don't mind the feel of dry lips.
You'll likely be doing a lot of kissing on your wedding day, and that means that you'll need your lipstick to last. Remember that lip glosses are beautiful, but they make your lipstick come off more readily. You can read more about making your choice of lipstick last longer here. Blush
Choosing a blush color requires a look at your natural coloring first. Do you tend to get red easily? Do your cheeks flush if you drink a glass of wine? When deciding on which blush color to use, keep in mind the activities of the day.
Brides who have a naturally pink or red appearance, may want to opt for a hint of a peach or bronze color to balance out their natural redness. Brides who tend to look pale all day can combine both blush and bronzer for an even, contoured tone. If being in front of a crowd makes you red all over, forgo blush entirely.
Remember, when contouring cheeks, apply the blush or bronzer just below the cheekbone. Apply the blush by moving the brush along the underside of the cheekbone as if you are drawing a "Nike Swoosh" symbol or a checkmark. Start with the bare minimum of color and add as needed.
When the focus is just on adding color, sweep a light dusting directly onto the apple of the cheek and upward toward your hairline. Start with only a touch of color, and add more, keeping in mind that you may produce natural color throughout the day. If you feel you've added too much, do not rub off. Rather, apply a dusting of loose or pressed powder to neutralize the color.
Wedding dresses are getting more and more revealing so bare as much as you dare with our body-enhancing tips
Brush strokes Don't neglect your body just because your wedding is months away. Supple, glowing skin - all over - is easy. A few minutes a week added to your beauty regime will quickly pay dividends and ensure you slip confidently into that revealing dress.
The quickest and easiest way to great looking skin that's glowing with health is regular exfoliation. Try dry-brushing your skin with a natural bristle brush every morning before you bathe or shower. This draws out waste products from your skin tissue and boost circulation and lymphatic drainage. Start at your feet and work upwards with long, firm strokes in the direction of your heart.
Don't forget your back. It's probably the most neglected part of your body and sexy shoulders are a must if you're planning to wear a halter-neck or strapless dress. Elemis, Opal and The Body Shop all make good body brushes.
Scrub away Once a week, use a body scrub to slough off dead skin cells and dry, flaky skin and give your circulation a good kick-start. Exfoliated skin also absorbs moisturiser and cellulite creams better. Make sure you give your back a good scrub when you're in the bath - or get someone else to do it - to exfoliate all those hard-to-reach places, and if your back is prone to spots, tie your hair up in a bun when you sleep so the oils from your hair don't touch your shoulders. L'Occitane, Molton Brown and L'Oreal all make good exfoliating body scrubs.
Clever cleavages It's easy to neglect your cleavage too, especially when it doesn't see the light of day throughout the winter months. Hidden away under tight clothes, your chest area can be a breeding ground for spots. If you do get an untimely zit, dab it with tea tree oil and resist the temptation to squeeze.
A daily slathering of body lotion after your bath or shower will keep skin hydrated and do wonders for its tone and texture. Your body will feel much smoother and softer, plus well-conditioned skin will also tan better on honeymoon.
Heaven scent No doubt you'll be wearing your favourite perfume on your wedding day, so treat yourself to the body products from the same range so you can 'layer' your fragrance. This means using bath and body products and fragrance in combination to ensure your scent lasts all day long.
Cleanse using fragranced bath or shower gel, moisturise with fragranced body lotion to seal in the scent and then spray with eau de parfum or eau de toilette. If you're wearing pure perfume, make sure you apply it only to your pulse points. It's more concentrated than eau de parfum or eau de toilette and won't evaporate as quickly so you don't need to use nearly so much.
SIX YARDS of sheer grace and elegance is what the sari is all about. A Sari is one of the most elegant attires a woman can adorn. It is essentially an un-stitched long piece of fabric which needs to be draped in a particular way to achieve the fully dressed effect. Draping a sari is an art. The saree is worn in in different ways in different states of India. However, the most common method is wrapping the cloth around the waist, making pleats in the front and draping the final length around the shoulder. The remaining fabric that is draped over her blouse and shoulder, falling behind her is called the pallu.
Before you Start
Two essential parts of attire, that go along with the Saree, need to be chosen carefully to compliment the Saree. These are:
A petticoat which is a waist-to-floor garment, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat color should match the base sari color as closely as possible. No part of the petticoat, of course, is visible outside the Saree, after having worn it.
A blouse which needs to be tight-fitting and whose color needs to be chosen keeping the look of the saree in mind, can be short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines. The blouse ends just below the bust.
Wearing a Sari the Traditional Way
* Step 1. Around your body. Starting at the navel, tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat and continue tucking till you take a complete turn from right to left. Adjust the lower end of the saree to the height required. Ideally wear your footwear so that you drape the saree to the right length.
* Step 2. Measuring the pallu. Hold the top edge of the saree where the pallu is and bring it around your hips to the front and over your left shoulder, thus measuring the length of the pallav or pallu. The pallav should hang down the back to the knee. You may pin your pallu to your sari blouse provisionally.
* Step 3. Making pleats. Create pleats with the saree. Make about 7 to 10 pleats and hold them up together so that they fall straight and even. Tuck the pleats into the waist petticoat slightly to the left of the navel, taking care to see that the pleats are turned towards the left.
* Step 4. The pallu. The remaining portion of the saree must be turned once around the body and then draped over the left shoulder. Arrange the pleats on this part of the saree and then pin them up on the left shoulder to prevent the pallu from falling off.
This is the most common method to wear a saree. With matching bindi and jewellery you feel like a complete Indian woman.
Different Ways of Wearing a Sari
Different regions of India have their own distinct forms of draping a Saree. Some of these are outlined below:
Gujarati way: This version of draping, ccommonly known as the seedha pallu way, is also found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Instead of opening to the left, the pleats are tucked so that they open to the right. Then, the pallu is taken to the back and brought over the right shoulder. It is then spread across the chest, and the left edge is tucked in the petticoat at the back.
Maharashtra method: Instead of the usual five-and-a-half meters, the sari in this version measures eight meters. One portion of the sari is drawn up between the legs and tucked in behind at the waist, while another portion is draped as a pallu over the bosom. Thus it forms a kind of divided sari, allowing greater freedom of movement.
Tamilian version: Like the Maharashtra version, the sare in this version, too, measures eight meters. After wrapping around the waist, the pleats are positioned along the left leg. The rest of the sari is taken over the left shoulder, wrapped once again round the waist and tucked on the left side.
Bengali style: The saree is worn pleatless; it is wrapped around the waist, brought back to the right side and the pallu is thrown over the left shoulder. The pallu is then brought up under the right arm and once again cast over the left shoulder.
Every bride seeks to look her best on her wedding. Great wedding makeup starts with a great canvas. Learn how to put your best face forward on your wedding day.
People who wear makeup often seek to enhance one feature, like their eyes or their lips. In order to best play up that feature, however, the skin needs to be in its best form. This means proper skin care, makeup preparation, and finding the perfect foundation match. Skin
If you don't have a regular skin-care routine, start one three to five months before the wedding. This will give your skin time to adjust. Skin care doesn't have to be expensive or confusing. Use a basic cleanser, such as Cetaphil, morning and night. Exfoliate once or twice per week, and use a moisturizer twice per day. Lip balm is also a good idea to keep lips hydrated and soft.
Seeing an esthetician at a salon or spa is also a great way to begin a personalized skin care routine. While it would be ideal to start getting facials 4-6 months before the wedding, you can start as late as three months. Do note, however, that you should not get a facial within two weeks of your wedding, so schedule accordingly. Indian Wedding Dresses Find more sources/options for Indian Wedding Dresses www.webcrawler.com NYC Makeup Artist Film/HD/Video/Print/Commercial Theatrical. Online portfolio. www.verastromsted.com Ads by Google
Avoid the tanning bed. Not only is tanning bad for the health of your skin, brides who are normally light to moderate in color end up looking unnatural in their wedding photos years later. If you truly feel you need a touch of color for your wedding day, opt for a sunless tanner or spray on tan instead. They have developed significantly over the years and options for fair skin and dark skin are all available without the worry of turning bright orange.
Sunless tanning products are safe for your skin, temporary, and achieve the same results without the damaging effects of the sun. Your first coat of sunless tanner should be applied five days prior to the wedding, and if you desire a darker color, apply another coat three days prior to the big day. Foundation
On an everyday basis, a foundation with SPF is recommended, but on your wedding day, you should use a foundation that does notcontain any sort of sunscreen ingredient. The ingredients that act as sunscreen will reflect the photographer's flash, making your face look brighter than the rest of your body. The reflection also washes out your features. During formal portraits, the photographer can "bounce" the light, which neutralizes the SPF brightness, but candid shots, photos during the ceremony, and the reception are usually not staged, and therefore it is best to eliminate SPF in your foundation altogether.
Using a foundation primer after moisturizing and before your foundation will significantly increase the length of time between powder touch-ups. Additionally, foundation primers even out the skin tone and texture of the skin, and absorb oil, to keep shininess at bay.
Make sure that the foundation you select matches your skin tone perfectly. Choosing the right foundation texture is equally as important. The right texture will ensure that your makeup lasts throughout the day and into the evening.
Use concealor sparingly and just where needed. With concealor, less is more. Learn more about how to hide dark under eye circles my emailing us.
They say that they eyes are the windows to the soul. Make your eyes pop on your wedding day by following these makeup tips.
When it comes to wedding eye makeup, there are several things to keep in mind. Often, the less you do to your eyes will enhance them more. Eye makeup that is classic and timeless will look wonderful in photos for years to come, whereas trendy looks will appear dated and overdone. The following tips will help you figure out what is best for your wedding day. Brows
Eyebrows are often overlooked when it comes to makeup. Yet they frame the face, create depth and add shape. If you have never seen an esthetician or waxing specialist to shape and groom your eyebrows, consider booking an appointment 8 weeks from your wedding day. This will give you a chance to see how you react to waxing, threading, or tweezing, as well as give you some time to adjust to seeing the shape. Your esthetician will tell you when you should come back again before the wedding, but generally you should get your brows waxed a week prior to the wedding. This allows for any redness to disappear completely.
To further enhance your eyes on your wedding day, consider filling in your eyebrows with a soft powder to complete your look. A neat and tidy eyebrow will only enhance any eye makeup you choose to use.
Eye Shadow That Lasts All Day
Before applying eyeshadow, use an eyeshadow primer, such as MAC Paint. Primers are designed to help the powdery texture of eyeshadow adhere to the eyelid better. This increases the longevity of your eyeshadow. Do not use a concealer in place of an eyeshadow primer. Concealers do not dry like primers, and actually make eyeshadow more susceptible to creasing, running, and smearing.
An alternative to using an eye shadow primer is to simply apply a layer of powder to the eyelid before apllying eye shadow. While this will help somewhat with controlling the creasing and oiliness on the eyelid, it is not as effective as using a primer designed for the eyes.
Choosing Eyeshadow and Eyeshadow Application
Avoid using eyeshadow with a lot of shimmer or glitter. Used sparingly, they can create a soft, beautiful look. However, in photographs, they can easily look like oily skin or greasy spots instead. Stick with semi-matte or matte eyeshadow shades, which photograph better than any other texture. Make sure you practice your makeup several times before the big day. Take a digital photo after each trial to objectively look at the end result.
When applying your wedding day makeup, apply your eye makeup first. It seems counterintuitive, but applying your eye makeup before anything else will save you time in the long run. When eyeshadow is applied, small particles often fall onto the cheek, and brushing them away usually leaves a small streak of color. This means going back again and correcting your foundation and concealer. By applying your eye makeup first, you can wipe away any fallout without having to reapply your foundation and concealer again.
Mascara and Eyelash Options
For brides who are likely to cry, waterproof mascara is a strongly advised option. Alternatively, consider using a cream-based mascara, like Kiss Me Mascara. They are water-resistant and will not smudge, smear or flake.
Another option is to have your eyelashes tinted in a salon or spa. The results last two to three weeks, or longer, and give the same appearance as if you are wearing mascara. This is a great option for brides with blonde or ultra-light eyelashes.
False eyelashes are a popular option for brides. When choosing false eyelashes, choose a set that looks to be almost "not enough." Once applied, they will create a full, natural-looking lashline without being noticeably fake.
Remember, the key to DIY Wedding makeup success is practice and patience. Give yourself ample time to do your makeup. You can learn more about other areas of wedding makeup by shooting us an email.
Balancing family traditions with your own beliefs and values is a key issue new couples face when planning their wedding. Many of the traditions that will come up involve religion or cultural themes (where you marry, what you wear, readings), and you will need to address these complications ASAP. Whose wedding is this, anyhow? Traditionally, the parents of the bride pay for the wedding, while the groom’s parents cover the rehearsal dinner. Although these “rules” have changed significantly in the past 20 years, if any parent is contributing a significant chunk of money to your wedding, their input needs to be honored. If your mother is dead-set on you getting married in a church, and you and your fiancé want a secular affair, your best bet is to compromise. Take Mom aside, and explain to her how much you want to honor her request, then see if, perhaps, you can have the ceremony in a church, followed by an outdoor reception with a rock band.
If your husband is firmly against the church idea for whatever reason (he’s Jewish, it goes against his own beliefs, personal reasons), you should still opt for a compromise. See if you can arrange for a priest to do a reading and blessing. If not, have your mother or another relative do a reading. Weddings, like life, are all about compromise. Some couples even have two weddings; an official, religious ceremony, with just close family and friends, followed by a secular affair with a larger guest list; as for who signs the marriage license, that’s up to you.
Taking advice to the limit. Whenever you say “no” to a close relative, you risk repercussions. Your parents could withdraw their financial support, or, in extreme cases, refuse to attend the ceremony. You need to be prepared to deal with both scenarios and weigh your options. If your 200-guest affair has been a life-long dream, and you can’t do it without parents’ help, bite the bullet and give in. If either set of parents are asking for something that morally goes against your values, then you need to tone down the wedding, and, in the most drastic cases, change the affair to a long-distance wedding so as to avoid any family conflict.
The last thing you want is strife before your big day, so always do your best to alleviate the issue beforehand. Whatever is requested from a parent or relative, take time to think it over and talk to your fiancé about it, then ask for time alone with the person making the request. Take them out to lunch, or ask if you can drop by one afternoon when they’re alone (no e-mails or impersonal calls). Tell them how much you appreciate the gesture and that you love them, and then politely remind them that it’s your day and your decision to make. Hopefully, they will come around to the idea that they’re not the one in the spotlight.
Smaller requests are a bit easier to deal with. If Mom insists you wear her wedding dress, and you’ve already picked out your Vera Wang gown, offer to wear some jewelry of hers -- a bracelet or necklace or brooch. Should the request be in the form of a 12-piece band or a martini bar, and the two of you are paying for the wedding and on a limited budget, you have to explain the financial situation.
A word to the wise: Before you start major wedding planning, reach out to close family and friends, tell them how much you’re honored that they are taking part in this wondrous event, and ask them if they have any ideas they would like to incorporate into the wedding. Even though you don’t have to say yes, they’ll be flattered that you sought their advice.
You have met the man of your dreams, fallen in love with him and even got the marriage date fixed. And now, you are eagerly waiting for the day of your union, when the two of you would become each other's, forever. In the meantime, you have started with the preparations, right from choosing the venue to selecting the bridal dress. Now, have you given any thought to the D-day makeup as well? No? Then, waste no more time and start taking care of yourself from this moment onwards. We have listed a number of make up tips and ideas for the bride, in the following lines, just for you.
Makeup Ideas For Bride
Before The D-Day
Undertake a skin, hair and nail care program at least 6 weeks before the wedding. Start going for regular facials and manicures and ask your beautician to advise good beauty products as well.
Stay away from the sun as far as possible. In case you have to move out, do not forget to use a sun-block, with at least 20 SPF. Try to avoid extremes of weather, like wind, pounding rain or freezing cold, as well.
If you have a stressful job, make sure to go for relaxing massage, at least once in a week. Use essential oils in your bath and try to attend at least one aromatherapy session before the wedding.
Do not compromise on your sleep; otherwise you will be hard-pressed to hide your under-eye circles on the D-day. At the same time, be happy. Remember, what goes on in your mind reflects on your face as well.
Make the booking for the make-up artists at least 3-4 months before the wedding. Let him/her see your outfit, so that he/she can plan the exact look. You should also go for a trial session before the wedding.
On The D-Day
It is always advisable to synchronize your makeup with the bridal outfit and jewelry. If they are extremely heavy, then you should prefer to get light makeup done on the D-day.
The time of your wedding also has a bearing on the type and amount of makeup. For instance, heavy makeup looks good at night, but will make you seem very odd under the harsh rays of the sun.
If your wedding has been scheduled for spring/summer, bright, pastel shades will work the best. For a winter wedding, warmer and deeper shades will be a better option.
Though your bridal makeup needs to be heavier and more dramatic than the one you do for usual parties, it should no be so heavy that it makes you look like a made-up doll.
Since it is your wedding, you will be photographed a lot. Remember, foundations will yellow tones work best with flash photography. While, the ones with pink tones will make you look too pale.
Always go for a lip-liner that is the same shade as your lipstick. Otherwise, you might end up with a lip-line that is too noticeable. At the same time, always stick to long-lasting lipsticks, for your wedding.
Remember, you have to balance the eye makeup with lip makeup. In case you want to go for dramatic eyes, go for a light-color lip shade. If you are using a dark lipstick, it is better to have natural, light eyes.
Never ever forget to apply the foundation on your neck, back, ears and other exposed areas of the body as well. Otherwise, your face will look painted on and your beauty - artificial.
It is advisable to go for a light dusting of translucent powder, so that your face does not end up shining too much. You can also apply bronzing powder to warm your skin tone and get a natural glow.
Ask your sister, friend or some other female relative to carry a powder compact, tissues and lipstick for you. This will help you do the touch ups, especially if your wedding is going to be a long affair.
A Buddhist wedding is typically a simple, yet meaningful, occasion. The civil ceremony takes place in a back yard or home, and afterwards, couples usually go to a temple to receive special blessings from a monk. This also involves a time of prayer and giving gifts to the monk, such as food, medicine, flowers, and candles.
In Buddhist wedding traditions, the bride and groom wear embroidered mediation robes (the exact type of robe depends on the country where the wedding takes place). In the western world, couples might not even wear a robe. Wedding guests should wear something that is in good taste. If you are a guest at a Buddhist wedding, remember that you will need to remove your shoes before entering the temple.
Buddhist wedding ceremony vows typically go something like this: “Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, present gifts to please her.” The bride says: “Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and fastidiously.”
At an Indian Buddhist wedding, the food is almost always vegan or vegetarian. Western Buddhist weddings do not necessarily adhere to this practice, and meat can be consumed.
Brides to be … it is your wedding day and please allow us to congratulate you. As you are probably aware, wedding planning is a fantastically challenging process and there are times of utter confusion when making certain decisions. Bridal makeup and hair styling is definitely one of them!
While we know, you love to be in "the know" of the latest makeup trends (tutorials on blogs and video sites, always stopping by a makeup counter to try out a new launch), but you when it comes to your wedding day look what style do you go with???
While working with brides for over 20 years, one thing has always been consistent in my interaction with my North American & European brides. They want to look flawless and natural, but glamorous and not caked-up. Here are some guidelines on how to achieve this goal.
Do's
1. Do start looking for a professional artist at least 6 months before the big day, especially if your wedding is on a Saturday or a long weekend.
2. Do put aside a realistic budget for your beauty. There will be a higher price tag if you expect the artist to remain with you the entire wedding day. Try offering the artist more clients to work with at your wedding to make it worth their time commitment.
3. Do get comfortable with your artist's style. This includes reviewing their portfolio, considering recommendations from their previous clients, and a one-on-one consultation and trial makeup session.
4. Do set aside a budget for the trial sessions. Remember that the artist is investing time and talent to help finalize a look that looks exquisite on you.
5. Do have your outfit with you when you set up a trial session. A black T-shirt will not represent your wedding day outfit and therefore will not be able to fully translate the impact of the final look!
6. Do take your dupatta/chunni to your hair trial, especially if you need to have your head covered during the ceremony. Many a fabulous hair style succumbs to the weight of an embroidered chunni, so the hairstyle has to be pretty, as well as functional.
7. Do take pictures as reference, but remember that every look will have to be translated to reflect your features, hair, and skin tone. The Jodha Akbar look when replicated on you will be your version of it, not Aishwarya Rai's.
8. Do be open to your artist’s recommendations. They do this for a living and know how certain colors and intensities will turn out in pictures. It is always best to take pictures before, then with an initial trial and then a stepped up style to see how the looks look on film.
9. Do try out different styles of eyelash enhancements - extensions, individual lashes or custom made full sets. They look spectacular and mascara is no match for what they can do for your eyes!
10. Do remember that colors look different in different lighting situations. If you get a trial session done for an evening event that is going to be in the soft mood lighting of a hotel, don't judge your makeup by looking at it in sunlight as it will look too bold.
Don'ts
1. Don't attempt to do your own hair and makeup. The bride has an enormous amount of nervous energy during those last few hours leading up to the wedding.
2. Don't ask a best friend or aunty to do it either. Yes, your friend does an amazing job with makeup when you go out to party, but can she make it work for different lighting situations and for professional photography? Does she have an array of professional grade tools and products on hand to do emergency fixes for stress related acne that just showed up or really dark circles that reflect the sleepless nights of the week preceding the wedding?
3. Don't try to cut corners on cost by going to a makeup counter to get a makeup for product purchase deal. Do you really want to run around the mall on your wedding day?
4. Don't show up at your consultation and trial session without taking care of grooming. Out of shape brows, facial hair and peeling skin will never let the flawless, perfect look come into play.
5. Don't opt for a trendy look for your wedding. If you must follow a trend, do so on the night of the sangeet. You really don't want to look time stamped on your wedding day.
6. Don't insist on dark eyes and nude lips for the wedding. Nude lips will not show up in the photographs and you will look washed out.
7. Don't go with an all out shimmery look to replicate the look you see on magazine cover shoots. It will make you look like a disco ball! Instead, keep the shimmer and sheen for your eyes with just a tad bit on your cheekbones.
8. Don't keep your hair all down for the garba and reception if you want to dance the night away (Although I did not follow this because my significant other wanted my hair down...he still owes me for this one ;) The energy, movement and passion of the moment will make you sweat and your hair will stick to your face and neck … not very pretty!
9. Don't believe everything you read about beauty products. Airbrush makeup does not last for over 18 hours and unless you use a perming chemical for curls, your curls will get looser, softer and more open as the hours progress.
10. Don't take too many suggestions from multiple friends and family after a trial session. Everyone has their own taste and viewpoint which may end up frustrating you. Let this be your decision and work with your artist until you discover the look you love!
SIX YARDS of sheer grace and elegance is what the sari is all about. A Sari is one of the most elegant attires a woman can adorn. It is essentially an un-stitched long piece of fabric which needs to be draped in a particular way to achieve the fully dressed effect. Draping a sari is an art. The saree is worn in in different ways in different states of India. However, the most common method is wrapping the cloth around the waist, making pleats in the front and draping the final length around the shoulder. The remaining fabric that is draped over her blouse and shoulder, falling behind her is called the pallu.
