Question: Tips for Looking Picture-Perfect?

Get Tressed up

When it comes to hair, every bride should be sure to do a trial run of her hairstyle, headpiece, and veil well before the wedding. Don’t go with a look that’s so radical your friends won’t recognize you. And forget the wisps -- in photographs, these can cast shadows on your face. Grooms should get a haircut at least a week prior (a cut the day before may look too short).

Smile

You'll need no reminder to beam on your big day. But if you’d like to have a gleaming grin in your photos, invest in whitening toothpaste and dental floss. Consider a consultation with your dentist for professional bleaching or advice on using an affordable over-the-counter whitening system. Also keep in mind that certain shades of lipstick accentuate yellow or stained teeth. Browns are a no-no, as are yellow-based colors like peaches, corals, or orange-reds. Stick with soft pink shades or, if you’re set on red, go with a blue-red.

Lay The Foundation

Steer clear of foundation that is too dark -- it will create a mask-like appearance in photos. When choosing concealer, pick one that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. Make sure you or your makeup artist blend everywhere: under your chin, behind your ears, down your neck, and on the back of your neck if you're wearing your hair up.

Take It To The Matte

Matte-finish makeup stays put longer and photographs better, since it won't interfere with the flash from cameras. Toss on some gold- or honey-toned powder to avoid shine (and remember to powder your neck and chest too).

Make Lips Stick

To prevent lipstick from running, use a lip liner to draw the natural lip line before filling it in with gloss. Apply and blot at least three times to seal in the color. If you're planning on black-and-white photography, go a few hues lighter in your lipstick, as dark shades can tend to look black in pictures. Be sure to prime your pucker in the months before the big day too: Regularly apply a moisturizing lip balm (with vitamin E) to smooth cracks and creases. You can also exfoliate lips with a warm toothbrush or a fine-grained scrub.

Lost Weight Instantly

Check out these can’t-miss tricks of the trade: You can create an elongated look by extending one foot forward or crossing it over the other. Angling one hip toward the camera can make you shed pounds visually. To make your waist appear smaller, put your hands on your hips with thumbs pointed down in front. To make a large nose appear small and perky, lift your face slightly. All that said, forget about posing when the photographer is taking candid shots -- the beauty of these pictures is the emotion of a moment.

Take Care, Feeling Good

Most importantly, take care of yourself! Part of looking good is feeling good. Six months before the big day, begin a nutrition and exercise regimen. A couple of weeks before the wedding, relax. Go to a spa. Schedule a massage, a facial, and a pedicure. There is nothing like a good pampering to put a smile on your face!

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