Wedding beauty countdown

Preparation is everything when it comes to planning a wedding and most brides go into meticulous detail over venue, flowers, reception and, of course, the dress.

If you want to get into tip-top shape for the big day, your beauty regime should start early on in your schedule. From hair and nails to the right make-up and obtaining a healthy glow, we offer you expert beauty tips for the countdown to your big day, plus tips on your regime for the morning of the wedding.

Glow
If you want to have a healthy glow in your wedding pictures, use your hen night as an opportunity to get out of the country and head to sunnier climes to obtain a sun-kissed look for your big day. Make sure you wear high SPF - red and blotchy is not a good look. If this is out of the question, try applying bronzer a few days before the wedding. Book in to have it applied professionally at St. Tropez if you are not used to applying it but, if you are, Fake Bake will give you an even, all-over tan and doesn't come off on clothes. On the day itself, apply a touch of Pout's Instant Shimmer Tan on your shoulders and décolleté for an irresistible glow.

Nails
Nails will take months of preparation to get into shape for your wedding day. Bearing in mind that all eyes will be on your hands as you show off your ring, the condition of your nails is important. Considering the mistakes people make when doing their own nails, especially in thinking they can cut their own cuticles, we recommend you book in to see the specialists at Nails Inc. They will shape and paint your nails for the weeks running up to the wedding, strengthening them for your wedding day. Susan Gerrard, of the National Nail Company, recommends wiggling your fingers to increase circulation and activate nail growth. She also suggests pretending your nail polish is always wet - you will take more care of your nails this way.

Eyes
Aside from the make-up on the day itself, your eyes will need to be maintained before the event. Fenwick offers a threading service in its beauty section - a relatively pain-free way to shape brows. Book an appointment for a few days before the wedding so that any redness will go down. If you are planning to leave for your honeymoon shortly after the wedding, you may want to try tinting your lashes - try Eyelure Dyelash in black or brown, £6.99

Body
The efforts that brides go to perfect the body before a wedding is limitless - dieting, massages, de-toxingÂ… all to look that extra bit better in the photographs. And why not? These photographs will be staring back at you from your mantlepiece for years to come, so preparation is all important.

If you want to make a difference to your diet, top nutritionist Helen Bond has some tips:

- Don't put pressure on yourself - aim for small, weekly goals.
- Don't cut out key food groups; it will only make you want more.
- When you feel a sugar craving coming on, head for the fruit bowl.
- Check food labels for saturated fat content.

Once you start losing the pounds, head to a beauty salon for a lymph-draining massage. This starts the circulation in the body and removes excess water and impurities and speeds up weight loss. Try the Elemis Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap, £90 for 75 minutes.

Inside out
To look better on the outside means improving what's going on inside. Nutrition consultant Ian Marber recommends his top supplements for a gorgeous glow:

- Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) for healthy skin, hair and nails.
- Antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E0, to boost immunity and cope with stress.
- Milk thistle to protect the liver.
- B vitamins for energy.

And now for the big day itselfÂ…
Allow about four hours to get ready before the wedding. This will give you time to relax, calm down, carefully dress and have a few sips of Champagne with your bridesmaids.

- 1 hour: wash and blow-dry hair, put in rollers if necessary
- 15 mins: apply foundation, allowing it to dry properly
- 10 minute rest: have a glass of Champagne and cool down
- 1 hour: apply make-up
- 20 mins: put dress on
- 1 hour: finishing touches to hair, attach veil, tiara
- 15 mins: final touch-ups to make-up and you are ready to go!