The ManicaPost
Ann Ruthenburg
Hello Mutare, I found myself giggling the other week on an issue I shouldn’t laugh about because it is serious. We turned up at the brides house the evening before her wedding to do her hair and to do a final makeup test. To our surprise we found her in tears because her face had broken out in acne.
Let me tell you, that is every brides nightmare. Of cause we were ready to help fix her issue, and by the time we returned in the morning to do the actual makeup, her skin was almost back to normal, thanks to a few tricks I had in my bag. So I thought I might share some of those tricks with you, just in case you do not have someone around who can help save your day.
Firstly do not panic, remember that unexpected beauty crisis can happen on your wedding day or worse. So I say again “Don’t panic”! Here’s what to do in case you get a giant pimple, you hate your hair and makeup, or some other catastrophe. Please take note though that these are emergency remedies and not long term remedies.
If you wake up with a pimple or minor acne
Pimples a day before your wedding or the morning of your wedding will not disappear with a facial. You will need unauthordoxed treatment which I call home remedies. First thing is to stop touching the pimple(s). Second squeeze fresh lemon juice into a bottle or bowl and dab some lemon juice where the break out is every hour. Do not wear any make-up around the breakout area at all. At night before you sleep wash your face and put pure Colgate toothpaste on the pimples, then go to sleep without washing it off. When you wake-up in the morning I promise you, there will be a difference.
Prevention pointers: If your skin is acting up months or weeks before the wedding, make an appointment with a dermatologist or a facial therapist etc. They will help you put an individualised game plan in place. Avoid doing any unfamiliar procedures or using new products the month before your wedding. You don’t know how your skin will react, and it’s not worth the risk!
If your hairstyle comes out differently on the big day than it did during your practice trial.
This should not happen if it’s the same hairdresser and the same hair you had at the trial, but strange things do happen.
Hopefully you would have taken selfies on the day of the trial hair-do. Refer to those pictures that you took on the day of your trial since you can explain much better with a visual. Always try to stay calm — the less tension between you and your stylist, the better. Explain what it is about the style that isn’t working for you, and how you envision the final look. A good stylist will be able to make adjustments and make it work.
Prevention pointer: You should always take pictures of your hairstyle from different angles during your trial, so that you can reference on the big day
If you wake up with puffy eyes because of crying or lack of sleep
The frozen spoon approach actually works. Pop two teaspoons in the freezer for 15 minutes; once they’re chilled, place them on your eyelids facing up (with the rounded part in contact with the lid) and hold there for a good while.
Prevention pointers: Starting two weeks prior to the wedding, try and get eight hours of sleep each night. Drink plenty of water — it’s important to stay hydrated.
If you wake up with Dry and chapped lips
Do not try and put lip gloss straight away. Do a sugar scrub on your chapped lips. Simply take brown sugar and honey and rub gently over your lips for about a minute, then wash off with warm water and put Vaseline temporary until it’s time for your lipstick to be put on.
Prevention pointers: Starting two weeks before your wedding, keep your lips moisturised. Petroleum Jelly is good or any oil based lip balm.
If You hate the way your makeup looks on the big day.
The most important thing is to keep calm.
Any pro artist should be happy to tweak your look to make it perfect…Freaking out will just rattle everyone and waste precious time. Don’t just say, “I don’t like it” — determine what the issue is and communicate that so that your makeup artist can solve the problem.
For example: “My eyebrows look too dark, can you lighten them?”
“I don’t care for this lip colour…can we go with a more nude shade?” or “I feel that I look pale, can we try more blush and bronzer?” Communication is always key and say it politely. Remember you make-up artist is also nervous for your big day and mistakes do happen, no one is perfect. But all makeup mistakes can be corrected or at least covered up.
Prevention pointers: Even if you trust your makeup artist 100%, it’s crucial to schedule a preview makeup trial at least one week before the wedding day, to ensure that you love your makeup for the big day. You might think that you want a smoky eye or a brighter lip, but once you see it with your dress and veil, it might not work. During the makeup trial, be sure to speak up and be very clear with your artist about what you do (and don’t) like.
If your nails chip or, in the case of gel, break off.
Crisis control: For a severe chipping situation, try trimming your nails down a bit, then buffing them with a buffing block to smooth them out. Apply regular polish to help cover for a short-term solution.
Prevention pointer: Do a manicure in a light colour, so breaks are less obvious to begin with and have your maid of honour keep a bottle of a similar colour handy in case of emergency.
That’s all I have space for in this column folks, but I do hope I have covered some of the basics. Another trick is to keep super glue with you all the time.
It is amazing what super glue can stick in emergencies lol.
Until next time God bless!
