1. Dilemma: You’re having an outdoor wedding in August and you don’t want your makeup to melt!
Solution: To beat the heat at your summer soirée, be selective with your makeup and opt for sweat and waterproof products to ensure long-lasting coverage that won’t streak or smear. Some musts for your summer bridal beauty kit: liquid liner; a skin primer to apply before foundation; a mattifying powder to set your makeup and control shine; and blotting papers to keep excess oil and sweat in check.
Beauty Must: Cargo Cosmetics Melt-Proof Make Up Collection ($39, at Sephora) which uses a mix of emollients and waxes to create a water resistant barrier for long-lasting wear. The collection includes mascara, bronzer and a three-in-one eye, cheek and lip palette.
2. Dilemma: You’re wearing a short dress and need silky smooth legs.
Solution: To get your legs looking gorgeous for your walk down the aisle, get waxing. Book your first date with an esthetician six weeks before the wedding; this gives you ample time to see how your skin reacts to the wax. The bonus? Besides smooth legs for up to four weeks, your hair grows in finer. If you prefer to take matters into your own hands, there are plenty of at-home wax kits available, with easy steps to guide you through the process.
Beauty Must: Nair’s Soothing Wax Kit ($12, at Shoppers Drug Mart) is a home kit infused with a menthol fragrance to create a calming waxing experience.
3. Dilemma: You want to wear peep toes, but your tootsies are far from perfect.
Solution: To ensure your feet are peep toe pretty, daily maintenance is key. Give your feet regular TLC at home by gently buffing away any rough, callused skin in the shower with a pumice stone; then smooth skin with a rich foot cream. When it comes to your toenails, they absolutely must be groomed to perfection if you’re going to show them off. We recommend letting a professional do the job—book your final wedding pedi for a day or two before your party.
Beauty Must: For a perfect at-home pedi try Tweezerman’s Pedicure Kit ($29, at The Bay). This kit comes packed with all the tools you need to keep your feet looking fab.
4. Dilemma: You’re afraid the sweltering summer heat will cause you to sweat through your silk dress.
Solution: Don’t bead up over your perspiration problem, because with a little pre-planning you can literally throw your arms up and not sweat a thing. Try substituting your regular deodorant for one that’s a little more heavy duty. Look for products that contain sweat fighting agents like Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex Gly. But avoid Aluminum Chloride, which can cause skin irritation. Give yourself plenty of time before your day to try out different products to find one suitable for your body chemistry.
Beauty Must: Secret’s Clinical Strength Advanced Solid Anti-Perspirant ($12, at Shoppers Drug Mart). It’s prescription-strength wetness protection without a prescription, and will leave you stain-free and smelling sweet from dawn ’til dusk.
5. Dilemma: You are naturally pale but want a bit of a golden glow for your wedding day.
Solution: There are many safe and fabulous options for getting the perfect faux glow without subjecting yourself to harmful UV rays. Kick-start your glow at home by using products that build a natural and subtle golden colour day by day. If you would rather leave your glow to the pros, book an appointment for a spray tan. A full body spray tan takes a couple of minutes to complete and has instant results. Be warned, however; spray tans are best avoided on the day of the big event—the last thing you need is tan marks on your pristine white gown.
Beauty Must: Guerlain’s Smoothing Self Tanning Emulsion (from $55, Guerlain boutiques and department stores). Applied daily, this quick-drying face and body tanner delivers a rich, natural-looking glow.
