BRIDAL

Magic

Brides-to-be needn't worry about their hair and make-up on their special day, with our guide to the looks to steer you up the aisle.  Here comes the bride, all dressed in white... and wearing a garish shade of bright green eyeshadow that overshadows her beautiful gown.

Your wedding day is one of the most important of your life and is an occasion that will forever be captured on camera. You want to look back and reminisce with fond memories, rather than cringe in horror whenever you peruse your wedding pictures.

John Gustafson, Handbag.com's beauty guru, says that you should stick to what works best.

"Wear what you know looks good on you and feels comfortable. This is not the day to experiment with a completely new look. This is a day to make yourself look the very best version of you," he says.

"You may want to wear more than your everyday make-up, but you don't want to walk down the aisle looking like bridezilla!"

He adds: "When you're having all of your trials done - hair, dress

fittings, make-up - remember that you are seeing each of these things singularly. When it comes to the big day and you put all of it together, sometimes it looks way too much. Avoid looking like a meringue monstrosity by keeping it on the understated side."

MAGNIFICENT MAKE-UP

"On your wedding day, subtly applied make-up is essential and will bring out the star in you," reassures Jacqui Ripley, author of How To Be A Beautiful Bride.  She advises paying particular attention to your base: "Applying a primer before foundation will help the foundation to stay put. You don't want a heavy-looking base, so choose a foundation that

covers blemishes while allowing skin to breathe."

Jacqui advises against lipgloss if you're wearing a veil: "It will make your veil stick to your lips. Use a slick of petroleum jelly instead." Choose a mascara and eyeliner that can withstand tears, such as Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara, £17.50, or Almay Amazing Lash Waterproof Mascara, £7.99.

Bobbi Brown Bridal Face Palette, £40 or 55 Euros, has eyeshadows, blush and lip colour that would suit most women.  Turn to the experts for professional advice - Estee Lauder offers a free three-consultation Bridal Beauty Programme to help you prepare for the big day. The service is available at selected counters nationwide - call 0870 034 2566.

A HEAD-TURNING AFFAIR

Stylists recommend that you start thinking about your hairstyle for the big day as soon as you set a date.

Three months before the wedding, start discussing ideas with your stylist and take pictures of looks you like, so they can offer advice on what style will suit your face shape and your dress.  A few wispy strands falling onto and around the face gives the illusion of a slimmer face, while loose curls or a relaxed up-do gives the effect of a shapely face. Falling tendrils and waves that finish at the chin will make a large forehead seem less broad.

Don't feel like you have to try a dramatically different style - if you feel happier leaving your hair in a bob rather than cascading locks over your shoulders, then wear it that way.

Don't neglect your smile

on your special day - stained

and yellowing gnashers look unattractive in photos. The newest teeth whitening treatment is Sparkling, a peroxide-free system that will leave you pearly-white within an hour. It has no ill effects and doesn't leave you with sensitive teeth - Victoria and

David Beckham get theirs done at the Ware Centre of Dental Excellence in Hertfordshire, where the treatment costs from £299. Call 01920 460 190 or see www.wcode.co.uk

your feet up after a long day with Montagne Jeunesse's feet treats.  The Dancing On Ice stars love the Morello Cherry & Iced Mint Tired Leg Gel after a day of tumbles, bumps and bruises. Chill swollen tootsies with Iced Blueberry and Mint Foot Cooler, and freshen them up with Pink Grapefruit and Balm Mint Foot Soak and Foot Lotion, or Watermelon and Balm Mint Foot Scrub. They come in handy travel-size sachets so you can take them on holidays too, and cost only 99p from Boots, Superdrug, Wilkinsons and pharmacies.

EMERGENCY

Out Damn Spot: If you wake up with a pimple on the day of your

wedding, don't panic. Apply foundation stick to the area using a

concealer brush, then gently blend the foundation with the pad of your

finger - being careful not to rub as you'll rub everything off. Then,

set the foundation with sheer loose powder and a velour puff.

Eye Spy: If the lack of sleep from the night before shows on your

complexion, a silvery white shadow brushed across the eyes makes the

whites of the eyes look even whiter. This would also look fabulous on

blondes and baby-blue eyes.

Dull and Lacklustre: Use a touch more blush than usual on the apples

of your cheeks if you're feeling washed out. Pale and frosty lip colours can also look washed out, so choose a hue that's one or two shades brighter than your normal.

Emergency Cover: Ask your mum or a bridesmaid to carry a touch-up kit with concealer, pressed powder, lipstick or gloss and lip liner, plus

tissues, mints, and a mini sewing kit (for emergency clothing fixes like

a dropped hem or popped button).