Beauty: Bride and joy

Picture / Babiche Martens

Don't experiment. That's the first rule of makeup for any bride. And avoid ridiculous trends unless you want to cringe at your photos in years to come. Don't wear loads of makeup if you've never bothered to before. And what's with that elaborate hair-up style when you always wear it down? They're the don'ts.

The dos are: keep it simple and beautiful and enlist a makeup artist if you can. Otherwise, practise your makeup ahead of time and remember to avoid too much shimmer and gloss - it doesn't photograph well.

Prepare your skin in the weeks ahead with Lancome's fabulous Resurface Peel at $220 or La Mer's brilliant the Essence - it's exorbitantly priced but what's $3800 compared with the total cost of a wedding?

1. Lancome Magie Matte
$75 for 20g

This soft matt mousse makeup gives a whopping 12 hours of wear - plenty of time to say "I do" and get yourself through the reception without a retouch. Lovely to apply and it doesn't cake, but does conceal blemishes and reflect natural light.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

2. Bobbi Brown Sand Pink Blush
$66 for 3.2g

Powder blush is a good idea as it will stay put longer than a gel or a cream-based one. On fair skins, a pretty shade of pink is classic. And for the photos it's best to use a touch more than you would for everyday wear.

From Smith & Caughey's, Queen St.

3. M.A.C Viva Glam V Lipglass
$38

This gloss can do either a high-gloss finish or a subtle sheen if you blot it down and wear it over lipstick. The shine lasts too.

From M.A.C Chancery and Smith & Caughey's Newmarket.

4. L'Oreal Volume Shocking Waterproof Mascara
$30.99 for 12ml

Waterproof mascara is compulsory for brides, not just because their eyes may get a little moist, but it is more hard-wearing than a regular formula.

From selected department stores, pharmacies and supermarkets.

5.Orly Marry the Man Nail Lacquer
$21.95 for 18ml

Orly do a fabulous range of colours for brides, with names such as Cut the Cake and Lift the Veil. But Marry the Man is a lovely sheer beige cream that would be my pick.

From beauty therapists, nail bars and pharmacies.