On April 1, 2011, beauty expert Beatrice Aidin spoke at differentwedding.com about the beauty countdown to your wedding. Beatrice is the beauty editor of Prima and has also written for the Financial Times and the Daily Mail – so she’s full of expert beauty tips!

Allow yourself to look your best – this is your day, and here’s your countdown:

three months to go
Find and audition your make-up artist or start practising if you’re doing your own make-up. Wear a similar colour to your bridal gown during your trial and keep it simple – your wedding day is not the day for a dramatic look!

Exercise makes you look better and healthier and helps you to breathe – which you may be forgetting to do as your stress levels begin to increase!

Detox now if you’re planning to as detoxing gives you spots (thanks to all those toxins).

Apply sun block daily – covering up burnt skin is a nightmare for any make-up artist.

Eat healthily – too much dieting can make you look gaunt in your wedding photos but a healthy eating regime will help you look your best. Eat lots of dark vegetables; if you want to follow a plan, try the Perricone diet which will make your skin look amazing.

Beauty experiments should be carried out now – if you want to try Botox, lip enlargements or a chemical peel do it now in case something goes wrong!

Heavy sweating can also be treated with Botox – alternatively buy and experiment with Driclor, which can keep you sweat-free for the day.

Exfoliation can brighten up your skin – Prescriptives Dermapolish System is a very good product.

Beauty routines should start now. Regular facials are a great way to pamper yourself and prepare your skin for the big day.

Teeth whitening can be expensive but it is effective – a home whitening kit can be a good alternative to professional treatment – try the Rapid White system or Beverly Hills whitening toothpaste.

Hair extensions and colours should be experimented with now so you’ve got time to change something if you don’t like it!

two months to go
To fake tan or not to fake tan? It can make you look healthy but equally fake tan can make you look awful – orange in your white dress! Try Patsy Palmer’s new It Is fake tan range, which is formulated for pale skin. If you must go on a sun bed, use SPF30 on your face!

Exfoliate your body once a week – try body scrubs by Elemis or Green People or make your own salt scrub.

Protect yourself from cold sores with Blisteze.

one month to go
Check the weather! Your make-up may have looked good a few months ago but not now so try out your look once more.

Don’t drink too much if you’re starting to feel nervous as alcohol is terrible for your skin.

two weeks to go
Eyebrows should be tidied up – threading is a great way to do this.

Have your last facial.

Eyelash tinting is a great alternative to mascara – after all, you are going to cry!

Have a pedicure – some salons offer a long-lasting pedicure created with gels which will last all the way through your honeymoon.

one week to go
Try on your dress with your make-up and take Polaroids so you can replicate the look.

Have a make-up, hair and dress rehearsal.

Decide on the bridesmaids’ make-up – now’s the time to have that ‘chat’ with your goth cousin!
the day before.

Have a massage and ask your masseur to focus on your face. Don’t use any aromatherapy oils though as they may cause spots.

Manicures should be done now or, if possible, on the day of the wedding.

Apply some Tend Skin to your underarms to stop ingrown hairs.

Check your eyebrows – do you need any last minute plucking?

Don’t wear any make-up so that you can let your skin breathe.

the big day
Breathe!

Prepare your skin with Prescriptives Never Let them See You Shine.

Have your hair done before your make-up.

Ask your maid of honour to carry the following in her bag for you: make-up, tissues, water spritz and mascara.

Hang a sign outside your room saying ‘do not disturb’ whist you get ready! Similarly turn your phone off – it can be very distracting for your hairdresser and make-up artist.

Charles Fox Make-up Sealant Spray (£9) will help your make-up stay put – so it won’t end up on your dress! Call 0207 240 3111 to order.

after the knot has been tied…
Remove your make-up! You don’t want to look like a panda in the morning! Cleansing wipes are a quick and easy way to do this.

If you’re nervous about your husband seeing you in bed without your make-up, then try Night Radiance which is make-up you can wear in bed! Visit www.nightradiance.com.

emergency!
If you get a last minute-spot, ask your beautician to squeeze it and use tea tree oil to help shrink it.

Lavender oil on your pillow will help you sleep if you’re restless at night.

Splash cold water on your face for an instant complexion brightener – if you want to use Clarins Beauty Flash instead don’t apply it under your foundation as it can make it peel.

Cucumber slices or DuWop eye pads can calm down puffy eyes.

Use Elegant Touch glue on nails from Boots (£5-ish) if your Frenchie goes wrong on the day.

try these products
Foundation: Max Factor Colour Adapt and Helena Rubenstein Colour Clone are designed to match your skin tone.

Primer: Elizabeth Arden make a good primer which acts as a base for your make-up.

Mascara: Apply Clarins Eye Fix to your normal mascara – it makes it waterproof!