Looks to enhance, rather than mask, your natural beauty.

Trial Time

Find a make-up artist at least three months before the big day. Your initial consultation and make-up trial will probably take longer than on the day. The make-up artist will make an assessment of your skin tone and select the most flattering colours for you (make sure you speak up if you're not happy with the choices!) Now is also the time to find out if you are allergic to any brands they use.

If you don't feel comfortable with the first make-up artist you trial, shop around until you find the right person.

A good bridal make-up artist should be someone you can trust to create the look that you want.

On your wedding morning, be the first in the make-up chair - not the last, after the bridal party have had their make-up applied. You don't want the make-up artist feeling tired and rushed. If you plan to apply your own bridal make-up, invest in some good quality brushes for a professional finish and practise, practise, practise!

Make-up Hints

• Visit a make-up counter with your girlfriends a month before the wedding and have a bridal make-up test done. Take a range of products home and spend the evening trying them on, snapping digital photos and offering each other honest opinions.
• Styles come and go. Avoid make-up trends on your wedding day and aim for a timeless, classic face.
• It's crucial that your foundation perfectly matches your skin tone. Australian girls often have white faces and brown bodies! Match your foundation to your decolletage rather than your face.
• Always moisturise before applying foundation, and make sure it is a light colour. If you are blessed with flawless skin, don't apply too much as it will change your natural skin texture in the photos.
• Girls with big eyes should minimise their eyeliner; smaller eyes need eyeliner to help open out.
• Highlight your brow bone or inner corners of the eyes using a soft, shimmery white, silver, cream or gold - according to whether your skin tone is cool or warm.
• False eyelashes, properly applied, look sensational.
• A wedding is not the time to go high-art or edgy with fancy shading and contouring of cheekbones! Use blusher to create big round cheeks for a realistic glow.
• Take two lipsticks on your wedding day: a fresh, neutral colour for the ceremony and something a little more glossy for the reception.

Sheer Seduction

Remember that heavy make-up will look unattractive if your wedding is outdoors. To prevent a 'caked on' look, apply your make-up near a window or in natural lighting outdoors. Look for liquid foundation with light-reflecting particles for a fresh, light finish.

Beauty Timeline

Six months - Increase your intake of vitamin A by eating lots of fruit and vegetables. Drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.

Four to six months - Visit a beauty therapist and arrange a series of facials to start working on any existing skin conditions.

Three months - Have some trials with a make-up artist; book someone for the big day. Try applying and wearing various products, so you won't feel odd or uncomfortable on the big day. Don't risk sunburn and peeling red skin - moisturise daily with an product containing sunscreen.

One month - If you go a little overboard on your hen's night, detox by loading up on fruit and water. Have a final make-up trial and discuss your ideal look.

One week - Make it a priority to eat properly, sleep properly, relax and drink those eight daily glasses of water everyone has been telling you about. Don't even think about smoking, drinking or dehydrating!

24 Hours - Get an early night and have a good night's sleep.