Here comes the bride

Stylists emphasise the importance of moisturising, skin treatments, exercise and a healthy diet plan for brides.

“I want to look beautiful” is a phrase almost every girl says while looking for a make-up artist to do her make-up on her wedding day. Stylist Bina Khan says that the modern bride want to look natural and today’s fashion calls for classic make-up with a soft touch. Gone are the days when brides would try to lighten their skin tone and Raana Khan of Raana Khan’s Studio says, “Very natural and glowing bridal make-up is in these days. The hair and make-up is not exaggerated and the foundation used is very similar to the bride’s skin tone.”

However, on the actual day itself brides are generally given a more striking look with both Bina Khan and Raana Khan emphasising the importance of dark, dramatic eyes. Raana Khan says that make-up depends on the individual and if a bride has beautiful skin and is very pretty then it can be kept to a minimum but if her features need to be enhanced then the make-up used will be heavier.

Stylist Humaa Taher of Humaa and Zara’s Salon says that bridal make-up is supposed to be glamorous - all the cameras and attention is focused on the bride, after all. All three stylists agree that brides have their own style and do not try to replicate famous celebrities or models that they have seen on television or in magazines.

While brides would once tend to match their make-up to their clothes -even those wearing bright blue or turquoise - Raana Khan says this trend has changed and it is more important for a bride to look good rather than have her wear colours that don’t suit her.

However, Khan says, “I always want to see the bride’s clothes and jewellery before taking any decision and make sure that the bride’s opinion is also taken into account.”

However, one thing many brides don’t realise is that it is important to take care of one’s skin on an everyday basis in preparation for the big day. The stress of wedding preparations can cause havoc on even those who have never broken out in their lives; let alone women who are prone to acne.

The three stylists emphasise the importance of moisturising, regular skin treatments, following a proper exercise routine and a healthy diet plan suited to their individual body type and drinking enough water to keep one’s skin hydrated and glowing.

One key element is self-grooming. Bina Khan, who has been teaching self-grooming for 10 years now says, “I would like to teach it at the school level as I think that it is a professional requirement in the modern world.” Raana Khan says, “Self-grooming classes are the best way to learn more about how to look good. Self-grooming classes are not just about make-up; it’s about your overall personality and is according to each and every individual.”

Taher adds that today information is easily accessible through the internet so no one has an excuse to not take care of their appearance.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2010.