Shaadi Makeup -

A smooth, radiant complexion that's glowing with health and vitality and flawless make-up are both achievable if you embark on a beauty regime now. Whether you've got months, weeks, or merely days to go until you tie the knot, there's plenty of time to make yourself gorgeous for the big day...

One year until the wedding
The easiest and most effective way to improve your complexion is to drink lots of water. You need to have at least eight glasses a day to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins from your system. Add a slice of lemon if you find plain water too bland, but avoid sparkling water. It contains carbon dioxide, which is a toxin that stops the absorption of calcium and can eventually cause osteoporosis.
Good skincare is a must. Your make-up only looks as good as your skin, so get into the habit of cleansing, toning and moisturizing every morning and evening. Use a gentle exfoliator once a week to slough off complexion-dulling dead skin cells and follow with a moisturizing face mask.

Six months to go
Treat yourself to a facial. Skin cells renew themselves every 28 eight days, so this is a great once-a-month treat. Don't worry if you get a few spots - they're a good sign! This is your skin's way of getting rid of impurities, and better now than on the day. Get skin in peak honeymoon condition by dry brushing all over with a natural bristle brush once a week. Start at your feet and work upwards in long, firm strokes towards your heart. Follow with a moisturising body lotion. Your skin will feel smoother and will tan better too.

Three months to go
Have another facial or use a deep-cleansing face mask to rid your skin of toxins. Don't neglect your feet, especially if you're having a beach wedding or getting married in the summer and wearing strappy sandals or open-toed shoes. Smooth your feet with a scrub or foot file every few days to stop rough skin building up and get into the habit of moisturising them every night.

11 weeks to go
Your hands and nails will be on show on the wedding day. Get them ready for that ring-on-the-finger moment by rubbing sweet almond oil or cuticle cream into your cuticles every night to keep them moisturised and healthy. If your nails are brittle and prone to breaking apply a nail strengthener every couple of weeks. Get into the habit of using hand cream whenever you wash your hands and always wear rubber gloves when you do the dishes.

10 weeks to go
Treat yourself to a professional feel-good spa treatment, such as a seaweed wrap, to detox, distress and relax - you deserve it! Improve the appearance and texture of lips by brushing them with a dry toothbrush and then rubbing in lip balm. Relieve tired eyes by covering them with cooling slices of cucumber or teaspoons that have been chilled in the fridge and lie down for five minutes with your feet higher than your head.

Nine weeks to go
Once a week, smooth feet with a clay face mask, wash off and slather with a rich foot cream. Spritz your face with floral water throughout the day to soothe, refresh and revive tired skin. This is especially important if you work in an air-conditioned office, is very drying for your skin. As a special treat, run a luxurious bubble bath, lock the bathroom door, light a scented candle and enjoy some well-deserved "me" time away from the wedding preparations.

Eight weeks to go
Gloss nails and cuticles with a hot wax conditioner to stimulate blood flow to the nail bed. Get your body silky smooth by exfoliating with a scrub once a week. Massage over damp skin in small, circular motions, shower off and apply body lotion.

Seven weeks to go
After weeks - or possibly months - of traipsing around the shops looking for your wedding dress and checking out suppliers, ease tired feet with a simple massage. Use a mild oil, such as sweet almond oil, and gently squeeze and pull your toes then massage your feet with your fingers underneath while your thumbs move up and down in a gentle rotating motion. If you're really tired, get your fiancé to do it for you.

Six weeks to go
Have your eyebrows professionally shaped at a beauty salon. You'll be amazed what a difference it makes to your appearance and it's easy to keep them tidy afterwards. Soothe and tone your skin by smoothing nutrient-rich honey over your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Five weeks to go
Get rid of rough, dry skin from elbows, knees, heels and ankles with a body exfoliator or make your own by mixing a handful of oatmeal with olive oil. Rub onto wet skin and shower off.

Four weeks to go
Have a wedding make-up practice run, whether you're doing your own make-up or having a professional do it for you. Have a relaxing night in, cover your feet with a rich foot cream, slip on a pair of cotton socks to help the cream penetrate and enjoy a romantic video. Treat yourself to a nerve-calming aromatherapy facial at a beauty salon.

Three weeks to go
Turn up the heating, steam up your bathroom and cover your body with a mineral-rich refining mud mask. Warm up the mud first by dunking the tub in hot water. This will increase the mud's ability to draw out toxins from your skin. Have your eyelashes dyed so that all you'll need on honeymoon is clear mascara.

Two weeks to go
Slap on a treatment mask penetrate your skin. Ease tension and cleanse your skin all over by having a sauna.

One week to go
Relax by lighting a destressing aromatherapy candle and place an aromatherapy diffuser in the house. Get your fiancé to massage a calming potion into your shoulders and neck where you are most likely to feel tense. Get your legs and bikini line waxed for the honeymoon. Book yourself in for a manicure and pedicure.

One day to go
Tidy your eyebrows and make sure you've got everything you need for the big day. Get together a wedding day make-up bag in case you need to freshen up on the day and give it to your mum or chief bridesmaid to look after. If you can't sleep because you're too excited burn some calming lavender essential oil in your bedroom to help you relax.

On the day
Relax in a luxuriously fragrant bath. Thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturize your face. Stick to the make-up routine you've rehearsed. Spur-of-the-moment changes don't work and you won't have time to rectify any mistakes. Wear a front-opening shirt when your make-up is being done so you don't have to pull anything over your head, which could smudge it.

”Will you marry me?” “Yes!” So you have been just been proposed to.
These days young brides have so much running through their minds when they are proposed to and in some cases when they propose to their partners.

While you are still drifting on cloud nine, here are a few points to consider when you are organising your wedding.

Depending on the religious and/ or cultural background couples may choose to celebrate their wedding day with more than one type or style of wedding.

1. What type of wedding do you want? Religious, Cultural or Civil

It is very important to determine the style of wedding you want as this helps to set the framework for the entire wedding ceremony and reception.

While prospective brides and grooms may practise the same religious beliefs they may originate from the same or different regions or country. A bride originating from Southern India may marry a groom originating from Western India in a traditional hindu style wedding and may choose to incorporate unique cultural practices from the South and West in the ceremony which can be the the distinguishing feature.

An example of this is the recent marriage of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachhan in April 2007. Aishwarya was born in Mangalore, in the state of Karnataka, South India whilst Abhishek Bachhan was born in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, Western India. Although they are both Hindu and come from India the different States have different cultural practises. They celebrated with a traditional hindu wedding in Mumbai.

Couples may also not wish to have a wedding based on their religious beliefs and instead opt for the civil ceremony.

On the other hand prospective brides and grooms who practise different religious beliefs may originate from the same or different regions or country. A christian bride may marry a groom practising in the Hindu faith and and may decide to celebrate their wedding by having two distinct ceremonies.

An example of this is English actress Elizabeth Hurley who recently wed half-Indian half-German businessman Arun Nayar in March 2007. Elizabeth Hurley married Arun Nayar in a civil ceremony at Suedely Castle and on the following day said their vows at a religious service at the English castle. This was followed by a lavish traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur North India.

In addition couples of a non South Asian background may also have chosen to celebrate their wedding in Hindu or Bhuddhist style ceremonies. A famous example of this is the marriage of English rocker and lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, to American supermodel Jerry Hall. They had a spectaculor Hindu wedding in Bali in 1990 which was later anulled as the marriage was not legally recognized under English law.

2. In what location is the wedding?

Are you organising a wedding and reception locally? If you are then it will make it easier for your family and friends who live locally to attend both the wedding and the reception. You may consider a wedding and reception interstate if your partners family is interstate.

However, more and more young prospective brides and grooms are contemplating getting married in their country of origin ie. Fiji, India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka and then having a reception back home in Australia. For example a couple may travel to India to get married at the ancient Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple (Hindu temple) in Trissur, Kerala which is popular for South Indian weddings and then head back home to Australia for the reception.

In some cases couples may also consider a wedding and reception in the country of origin as well as having a reception back home. This may be time consuming and expensive but it really depends on where all the family and friends are and where the couple want to mark their special day.

Increasingly more and more couples are having weddings abroad and its not necessarily in their country of origin. Popular wedding and honeymoon destinations include Bali,Indonesia as well as Fiji, and Thailand.

3. Where is the wedding held?

If you are having a religious wedding you may decide to have the ceremony conducted at a Church (Christian), Temple (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsee) Mosque (Muslim), or Synanogue (Jewish) etc.
If you decide to have your wedding at a temple, then unless you can arrange the reception within the temple grounds, you will need to hold the reception in an alternate venue.

If you decide to to hold a religious or civil ceremony in a hall then this will be alot easier if you combine the wedding ceremony and reception under one roof.

4. How formal is the wedding and reception?

The question on how formal your wedding is will most probably be determined by your budget.
Indian Weddings in general are always described as rich and colourful and in most weddings parents of the bride and groom usually spare no expense.

However as more and more brides and grooms opt to pay for the wedding they may be limited as to how formal their wedding can be.

Most Indian weddings are formal to very formal with ladies wearing colourful saris and ghagra cholis and men dressed in suit and tie as well as traditional Indian wear such as the sherwani.
The wedding venue and reception can be held in places of worship, private homes to ballrooms of high-end hotels and rented reception halls.

 Most Indian weddings include a large number of family and friends and are usually over 150 depending on the size of the wedding. Smaller weddings may exist but will more often than not retain an air of elegance and formality. The famous wedding of Lakshi Mittal’s (the Indian born, London based steel tycoon) daughter, Vanisha Mittal to Amit Bhatia, a Delhi born investment banker in the grand 17th century Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte in France in June 2004 included 1000 guests.

During the reception guests can be catered to in a buffet style or can be served with a multi-course meal.
How much can you spend per head on your wedding and reception? At an average cost of $75-$100 per head you may only have the capacity to invite 150 guests to the wedding & reception. So you will need to calculate how many guests you can cater to with your budget.

5. Is there a theme for the wedding?

Some couples indulge in a theme for their wedding day.

Whether it is having an outdoor beach theme as depicted in the Bollywood movie ‘Salaam Namaste’ featuring actors Saif Khan and Preitty Zeinta or a castle wedding in Italy like the wedding of American actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who had their wedding in Odescalchi Castle by Lake Bracciano, Italy in November 2006.

A Royal Palace wedding theme in India is becoming more popular with not only with foreigners but also with South Asians looking for a unique setting to celebrate their wedding day. The theme for your wedding can also include colours as there really is nothing stopping you from choosing your own theme.

6. When would you like to get married?

You may wish to set your wedding day based on the season. Autumn weddings are beautiful when set in outdoor locations and set in sprawling parks with the backdrop of leaves on trees changing colour. Spring and Summer weddings are always popular year after year.

7. How far away is this from now?

Once you have determined which season and which year you would like to have your wedding determine how much longer you have from now to organise the wedding ceremony and reception.

On average young prospective brides and grooms can take about a year to organise everything from the venue right down to design of the wedding cake.

Photo: Indian Actress Aishwarya Rai in ‘Umrao Jaan’

Makeup today has evolved so far from even 20 years ago, where a slick and oily foundation dominated the main market and therefore, by lack of option, determined what women wore. Today, we have a wide range of products at our disposal, from oil-free, non-transferable, medicated, and even makeup that touts claims to make skin look younger. When it comes to a big event, be it photo, wedding, or just plain fun, the claims makeup lines can make to prove their product worthy of your hard earned dollar can be somewhat contradicting. Here’s the real scoop on the three main stream and most requested types of makeup.

Airbrush:
What it is: A light-weight makeup applied through an air gun machine that produces a thin, even layer of makeup and creates a very matte finish.

How it’s used: A small amount of a very thin makeup designed for air brush use is put into a chamber of a gun. When the machine is turned on and the gun trigger pulled, a light spray of makeup comes out of the gun in a fine mist.

Airbrush makeup has become extremely popular in the past few years. This is largely due to perfect complexion models that are “airbrushed” to give every part of their body a flawless finish. Most women confuse “airbrush” with makeup, when it is actually a technique used in PhotoShop, a picture alteration program, to make the models look flawless. Airbrush makeup is non-transferable, meaning that slight rubbing or brushing against something or someone will not cause the makeup to come off of the face.  Black clothes will remain black after hugging someone wearing airbrush makeup.

Airbrush makeup, like any other makeup, has it’s ups and downs. On the upside, once it’s on, dry rubbing won’t make it transfer, and unless it gets wet, it won’t go anywhere until you wash it off. On the other hand, if it does become wet thru crying or sweating, you run the risk of it streaking. Imagine a dusty table, if you ran your finger across it, you could clearly see a line from the surface underneath, even if the colors are the same. And like a dusty table, once that line is there, you can do nothing to blend it back. The table must be wiped entirely clean. Same thing with airbrush makeup, if the makeup for any reason gets wet and leaves a streak, there is nothing than can be done to blend it. Even airbrushing over the area will not blend the streak. The solution to this problem is to constantly be aware of any wetness and to maintain it throughout the day by dabbing your tear ducts and remaining cool so you don’t sweat heavily. If your attending an event where you’re positive you will stay and remain dry, airbrush makeup can offer that red-carpet finish you have always wanted.  Plus colour matiching can always be a problem for darker skin tones (South Asian Brides...try a trial with and without).

Mineral:
What it is: Several minerals are treated through various oxidizing processes to create different shades, and then crushed together to form fine powders that can be applied to the face and used as makeup.
How it’s used: Mineral makeup is usually applied with a brush, although it can be used with a sponge for thicker and more precise applications. Some lines offer different steps to wearing their mineral makeup, including primers that are applied to the face before the foundation to provide holding power, create an even porosity on the skins surface, and a smoother, more matte finish all around.

Mineral makeup is another makeup that has taken the nation by storm over the past few years. With science and research looking into the effect we have had on our planet over the past hundreds of thousands of years, we are starting to become more aware of our environment, and therefore, more aware of our own health and well being. The organic industry has soared to new heights, as we search to become a healthier nation filled with natural living options as opposed to chemically enhanced lifestyles. Makeup is no exception. When the chemicals that were used to manufacture makeup were exploited in a whirlwind of propaganda, mineral makeup became popular and the chemicals in our every day makeup caught some flack for why our skin is too dry, too oily, too acne, too wrinkled, so on and so forth. Using mineral makeup creates a feeling of good health, both on the inside and out.

As wonderful as mineral makeup is, it’s not suitable for everyone in every situation. Women suffering from acne, or getting at any time facial treatments that compromise the integrity of their skin, will greatly benefit from the use of mineral makeup as their daily main stay. Its minimal ingredients assure that no unnecessary chemicals are being added to their already sensitive skin, and creates a minimal reaction to any treatments they may be under going. It is not appropriate, though, to use mineral makeup in any situation where photographs are an important part of the event. Its natural composition includes minerals with reflective properties, creating an almost pearly finish. When worn while taking a picture, the light from the camera and any surrounding light will reflect off those minerals, creating a bright and distinctly lighter face than any other body part. This makeup, while a great choice for daily wear, is simply not camera ready.

Traditional:
What it is: Pancake, liquid, cream, or pressed powder that is usually applied with a sponge or finger tips. Traditional makeup comes in the widest variety of any other makeup, with every shade available. It’s also the most versatile of all the makeup; it can be as basic as a sheer tint of coverage, or combined with other properties to create a makeup that targets specific problems.

How it’s used: This particular makeup is the only makeup that, given the appropriate formula is chosen, can be used in any situation at any given time. It can be applied many different ways, from brush methods used with thicker foundations, to finger tips used for light and well blended applications.

Ah, the days as kids when we would sneak into our mother’s vanity to smear that thick, gooey substance across our faces and prance around as if we were going to a party. This is probably the makeup that is sitting in your case right now. It can be liquid, it can be pressed, and it may even come in a stick form that you have to twist up. Whatever form it takes, the right formula can do wonders for your look. Women with dry or mature skin benefit from the thicker of the traditional foundations. As their skin typically needs large amounts of hydration, the oils that compose of a cream based foundation lend kindly to their skin, creating a smoother finish. Young adult women tend to prefer a more liquid, oil free foundation or a pressed powder with good coverage. The formula that suites you best would be based on your skin type, and with many more options to be listed than could possible fit into this article. Nothing but good research and trial error can lead you to the formula that’s right for you. Then the teenagers have their makeup too. Usually a cheap, watery substance to make them “look” and “feel” like they are wearing makeup and to cover the occasional pimple, investing large amounts of money is not usually needed. However, if the teen as severe acne or other skin problems, you will want to talk to a dermatologist and find the best solution for their skin, as their makeup may be part of the problem. If you or your teen is fair and the skin in good condition, the best bet is a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF or sunscreen underneath.

Traditional makeup, put simply, can be amazing or disastrous depending on what the formula is and how it’s applied. This is the one makeup that it totally dependent on the person applying it- even a good, high quality product can look awful if applied in a sloppy fashion. And a low quality, inappropriate formula can some times be adjusted with an experienced hand to create the right look. And although, like its main competitor airbrush, it typically does rub off slightly or fade a little over the course of the day, it is highly bendable therefore anything can be fixed within seconds. It’s my personal belief, off the record, that this is the most versatile, therefore the best option, for wedding makeup.

Every makeup has its own virtues, and its own sins. Ultimately, your personal preferences will be the biggest factor in choosing what you wear on what occasions. However, if you take nothing else from this, understand: The best kind of makeup you can wear is the makeup that is customized to fit YOU. Don’t buy into the propaganda about how this versus that is oh so much better. In reality, that foundation may be great for their skin, but your skin has different properties, different assets, and different problems of its own. A great makeup artist won’t have a set way of doing makeup; she’ll have a variety of styles to choose from so she can create the best look for you and your event. So what if your beautiful sister-in-law had her makeup done with the fancy airbrush machine? So what if your organic-yet-so-cool co-worker ONLY wears mineral makeup? And if your rich Grandma swears by that $400 bottle of liquid foundation? Who cares? Trust me when I say this, no one is going to look at your makeup and know if it’s one of those three, or how much you spent on it. They are only going to see how beautiful you are.

No doubt nose rings are a rage this wedding season but they have always been around in form of nose piercings and nose studs for quite some time. But here we are talking about the nose ring that a bride wears on her wedding day. It is also known as ‘Nath’ in India and is called by different names in different regions.
This piece of jewel is traditionally worn in the right nose and is connected with a golden chain that links it to the earrings or ends up being linked in the side hair, clipped with the help of a hook. Diamond studded nose rings look gorgeous and irradiate a brilliant and heavenly shine. The myth says that the nose is representative of a bride’s sexual prowess. In olden times, it was also considered a mark of virginity and that is why it was customary for a groom to remove a bride’s ring on the wedding night. Sounds amusing, eh?

 In diverse states of India this jewel is made differently. The mukhuttis of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have ornate, traditional lotus and swan designs and are mostly studded with diamonds, or the poor man’s diamond, the topaz. Rajasthani women wear the nathuri and the bhauriya. While the first is a small gold or silver ring with precious stones, the bhauriya has a slightly different design. The conventional clove-shaped nose stud is called the laung, while the small pendant suspended between the nostrils is the latkan, because of its pendulous character.

In UP the nath is adorned with two pearls and a pendulous bead to augur prosperity. The Punjabi damsel has a gold ring strung with as many as 20 to 25 motifs. It is the shikarpuri nath. In Bihar the nose stud is the chhuchhi or the laung. In Maharashtra it is the guchhedar nath, which is known for its radiant beauty with pearl decorations. Pullakku nose ring in South India (bulaag in the North) is the pendant suspended from the partition of the nostrils.

Sometimes the septum rings in rural areas and tribal society are so large that they cover a portion of the mouth and often come in the way while eating.

The Ayurveda (ancient Indian system of medicine) has it that piercing the nose makes it easy for a woman to bear the pain during child birth as the veins in the nose are directly connected with a female’s reproductive system. There is virtually no end to these theories and the bottom line remains the same: it is customary for an Indian bride to wear a nose ring.