Every bride wants to look her most beautiful on her wedding day, and most get professional help to make it happen. Here are the top beauty not-so-secrets for brides.
Back Facials
Facials with steam treatments and multilayer masks are a deliciously decadent way to get your skin in shape. But why stop with your face? The dominance of strapless gowns is putting the spotlight on your upper body, and luxe salons are stepping up to the challenge by offering the complete facial treatment -- for your back. Combining blemish control with soothing massage and masks, back facials ensure you look your silky best when you dare to go bare. As with regular facials, you should schedule your back facials for at least a week before the wedding.
Gloss Hair Treatment
Sheen. Shine. Luster. A gloss treatment is the best way to get gorgeous, gleaming hair for the wedding day. You start with a shampoo and head massage, and then a nutrient-packed cool gel is applied to your hair to enhance its natural sheen. The result? Glossy, manageable hair that will look great down or twisted into an intricate updo. For maximum impact, get your gloss treatment five days before the wedding.
Massage Pedicure
Looking your best from the top of your head to the tips of your toes is easy with the new pedicure/reflexology combinations offered by salons. Your feet are treated to a warm spa bath with salts, followed by a pressure-point foot massage. This technique, which matches sensitive points on your feet to sections of your body, is ideal for combating prewedding stress. After the reflexology session, your nails are carefully polished and painted until they resemble 10 tiny jewels. Pedicures from reputable salons tend to last, so you can schedule your tootsie treatment as far as four days before the wedding.
Manicure
All your guests will want a peek at that glittering engagement ring, so make sure your hands and nails are up for the attention. In addition to your manicure, ask for a paraffin wax treatment. Your manicurist will dip your hands into clear, warm wax and then place them into heated gloves. The gentle heat and wax work together to smooth your skin and seal in moisture, so your hands feel as good as they look. For gorgeous, chip-free nails, it's best to get your manicure the day before or the morning of your wedding.
Massage
Last-minute details can result in last-minute stress, and a massage is the perfect prescription for relaxation. Indulge with the traditional Swedish or Shiatsu styles, or try something new. Brides swear by stone treatments, where smooth, heated rocks are placed on massaged muscles to soothe away tension. The popularity of Thai massage, which combines stretching with traditional massage, is also on the rise. Whatever style you choose, don't forget your groom. A couple's massage the day before the wedding is a guarantee of honeymoon harmony.
Body Scrub
If all-over glow is what you're looking for, body wraps and scrubs deliver. Scrubs rely on natural exfoliants, such as brown sugar, sea salt, and oatmeal, to gently polish away old layers and reveal the radiant skin beneath. With your skin so soft, he won't be able to take his hands off you. Also try a wrap, where technicians cocoon you in steamy layers of linen and ointment, for total-body relaxation and optimal pampering of your skin. Just don't forget to drink plenty of water; all that steam can be dehydrating.