One of the most important things for a bride to keep in mind about her hair and makeup on her big day is this: she should choose a hairstyle and makeup palette that not only complements her but also that reflects the importance of the event.

“This is what I come up against a lot of times—brides who say, ‘I don’t wear makeup,’” says Lorraine Altamura, a makeup artist in Yonkers, New York, who has more than 20 years of experience doing both bridal and celebrity makeup. “Well, the truth is you’re going to have to wear a little bit of makeup on your wedding day or you’re going to look washed out in your pictures.

“Another thing I come up against is brides who say, ‘I always wear my hair straight.’ Well, you aren’t going to the office today, and I’ll tell them that there’s no such thing as a mousy look for brides in my book. I let them know that there are ways to do a less-is-more approach with makeup, ways to use makeup to enhance your look without piling it on, and to do the same with a hairstyle.”

What Altamura says every bride should be trying to achieve with her bridal-day hair and makeup is “a classic look that stays true to your own identity. However, brides need to understand that a little more makeup or classic style of hair might be a marvelous change for their wedding day.”

To do List:

❑ Determine whether you’ll do your own makeup and hair or hir
professional
❑ Research makeup artists in your area
❑ Schedule trial runs with makeup artists
❑ Book your makeup person
❑ Consider hairstyles that complement your face