How to achieve perfect wedding hair

Joe Carol's head colourist Nicola shares her tips on colour and care for your pre-wedding hair.

The Best Wedding Day Gift for Your Guy is You

With your wedding day just around the corner, many times it is difficult to find the most meaningful and personal gift for your significant other. Flowers, candy and stuffed animals are stereotypical and other gifts can be costly, so why not give the one thing that brought you together in the first place: You!

Weddings are a great reason to get a makeover and unveil the new you. Not only will you feel great, your new husband will adore the dreamy new look of the woman he fell in love with. A hot new you doesn’t need to come from expensive doctors or spa treatments. Try these ideas for a ravishing appearance that is bound to surprise and delight him:

Hair

So many of us fall into hair ruts each day as our mornings are short and styling time is sacrificed. For your special day, do something out of the ordinary. If you wear your hair down, try an updo; if you often wear a ponytail, leave locks to flow down your back. Wispy curls can add romance to any hairdo. If you are really ambitious, try a new shade or add some highlights.

Smile

A study of 600 men conducted by Kelton Research determined the high importance of a kiss-worthy mouth. A beautiful, white smile is one of the first things partners find attractive in one another and nearly half of the men surveyed stressed that white teeth are a deciding factor for a second date. Try brightening your smile with a product like the number one dentist recommended Crest Whitestrips Premium that is only a seven day commitment. Recent clinical studies show it has two times more whitening per strip versus the leading dissolving strips. They’re perfect for men and women alike who don’t want to spend a lot of money on whitening. So pucker-up and give your sweetie a whiter, more kissable smile on your big day.

Accessories

The finishing touches to your bridal look are in the details. For example, jewelry with a little sparkle can add glamour to your look and dangle earrings draw more attention to your face. Maybe there’s something special he’s given you that you can wear. Make sure you smell delicious by lightly spraying on his favorite perfume. Polish with a bit of makeup. Try dark smoky eyes for an exotic, mysterious look. A glossy lipstick will add to your already beautiful smile.

On your wedding day, don’t fret over what gift to give your special guy. Give him what he loves above anything else ... you! He will be surprised at your new romantic look and impressed that you went through all the effort just for him (we won’t tell him that you didn’t mind all the work). For more information on getting a gorgeous white smile, visit www.whitestrips.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Bridal beauty dos and don'ts

Joe Carol's beauty expert Marina Osinski shares her tips for how to make brides glow on their wedding day.

Spotlight Brides: Look Red Carpet Worthy While Walking Down the Aisle

This spring, it will be difficult to tell if a bride is walking down the aisle or making her way down the red carpet. After a year-long love affair with the boxy trapeze dress, designers are emphasizing the waist and adding elegant details.

“This focus on the feminine calls for glamorous bridal jewelry fit for a queen,” says Shawn Diddy, Jewelry Television’s trend tracker. Here are some of the looks she’s expecting to be hot in 2008:

*Brides will make a “ready for your close-up” impact in an off-the-shoulder dress. The look from the runways calls for minimal accents -- a single, “statement” piece of jewelry such as a pair of dangle earrings that sparkle or a thick, signature bracelet. Wear hair up to really show off your shoulders in that gorgeous dress.

*Pleats, ruffles and tulip tiers abound in light and frothy fabrics. Because of the unusual silhouettes of these trendy dresses, keep hair and jewelry simple. A loose chignon softens your face while a classic pair of diamond stud earrings adds elegance and light to the ensemble.

*A white dress and Grandma’s pearls is what everyone else is wearing, so why not go with this season’s hot pastels? Diaphanous dresses in shades of peach, blush and baby blue are fresh and stylish. Pull your hair back into a soft ponytail to show off sparkling crystal earrings or a necklace in a complementary color.

*Lace is always in, but this season’s unique lace details work especially well with long, flowing hair. Rich, jewel-toned, vintage-look jewelry adds texture to the ensemble.

*Whether the dress is short or long, designers have put the emphasis back on the waist. Nipped-in lines and wide belts or sashes showed all over New York’s runways. Because of the symmetry of the dress, wear your hair parted to the side and add drama with strong platinum jewelry pieces.

“Few brides can spend a fortune on a couture gown and estate diamonds so we recommend Jewelry Television’s Bella Luce Collection,” says Diddy. “Most pieces are platinum plated sterling silver for elegant, affordable, designer-inspired wearability.” For more information on the latest trends in bridal jewelry, visit http://www.jtv.com/ or check your local listings for Jewelry Television.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Buff Brides: The Complete Guide to Getting in Shape and Looking Great for Your Wedding Day

Whether you have six months or just six weeks until your wedding day, Buff Brides is an invaluable must-have for every bride-to-be.

Buff Brides is a comprehensive, fully illustrated fitness book by a New York City personal trainer who has helped hundreds of brides get into shape over the past decade. Providing clear, concise instructions and photographs for each exercise, Sue Fleming knows what brides want the most. From toned triceps for sleeveless dresses to flat abs for the honeymoon bikini, Buff Brides provides results.

Why Buff Brides? Well, are you:

• Running out of time? Buff Brides features a 12-week crash course as well as the 24-week optimal program that works for any body type!

•Short on space? No need to panic—all of these exercises can be done right in your own home, with minimal equipment.

•Stressing out? Helpful stress-relieving stretches will calm your pre-wedding jitters!

•Having sleeveless-dress anxiety? Easy-to-follow exercises will show you how to tone
your arms and make your back look fabulous!

•Concerned about a specific target area? From thighs to abs to triceps, Buff Brides has the exercise for every bride-to-be’s problem area!

•About to settle for the first dress you see? Buff Brides offers helpful hints for choosing a wedding dress that best suits your body type.

Incorporating fitness tips, motivational secrets, and wedding-planning reminders, Buff Brides will help you look great and make it to the altar on time.

Available at Amazon.com.

Classic Bridal Updo

Learn how to create a classic bridal updo for that perfect look on your wedding.