Budget Friendly Wedding Cosmetic Tips

After months of preparation, do you think that you are finally ready for your wedding day? Think again. One of the most overlooked last minute details is your wedding day make-up. After spending countless dollars on everything else, who wants to spend hundreds on a professional make-up artist or hair stylist?

Here are some tips to help you look great on your big day, and in your wedding pictures.

1) A month before the wedding, schedule trips to your local mall. Make appointments at department store cosmetic counters for free make-over sessions. This is a good way to pick up professional tips and tricks that you may find useful on your wedding day.

2) Stick to your established skin care routine. Trying new products close to the date of your wedding may cause breakouts and reactions that can be almost impossible to cover.

3) Your hair is the icing on the cake as far as your wedding day ensemble is concerned. Never go for drastic color changes or cuts prior to your wedding. Changes in color or cut may leave you disappointed and can be costly and damaging to your hair to fix. Instead, experiment with different styles and hairpieces. Remember that if you plan on wearing a veil or headpiece, include this in your experiments.

4) Your foundation provides a smooth canvas over which all other cosmetics will be applied. If you already have a foundation that you use on a daily basis, there is no reason to change it now. If you don't typically wear cosmetics, try the Line Smoothing Makeup by Almay, it contains a sunscreen and moisturizes all day for under $20.00.

5) For a subtle glow, book a few tanning sessions. Five minutes, twice a week for a month will give your skin a healthy look without looking fake or "overcooked". Stay away from self tanners and spray tanners. These may stain your wedding gown and have a tendency to have an orange cast.

6) You don't have to spend a lot of money on eye shadow. Sally Girl, (available at Sally Beauty Supply) has colors from subtle to dramatic and are loaded with pigment to ensure all-day wear, for under $5..00.

7) After applying your foundation, use a sponge to apply a face illuminator like #341 blushing from Wet and Wild to the top of your cheekbones. Use a bronzer like Healthy Glow Bronze organics from Organic Wear on the hollows of your cheeks. This will result in a natural looking blush.

8) You know that on any wedding day, there is a chance of tearful interludes. Your eyeliner and mascara should be run proof. While a lot of waterproof mascaras can end up looking clumpy, I found a solution. Use a regular mascara like VolumeExact by Covergirl before you apply a layer of your preferred waterproof brand. Another use for that waterproof mascara is to use it as eyeliner. You can pick up an eyeliner brush at any drugstore for around five dollars.

9) Fingers and Toes. While every woman deserves the luxury of a mani/pedi, there may not be time or money for this little extra. Sally Hansen offers the 5 Minute French Manicure Pen for just this situation. The kit includes white pen, clear pink color, base & top coat, and nail guides for fingers and toes. The best part is that it retails for about $11.00.

10) Finally, you need to have perfectly kissable lips without the danger of smudging. If your lips are dry, use a wet washcloth to gently ex-foliate the dry skin. Dab a bit of facial moisturizer onto lips and blend in. Next, use a lip liner that is as close to the natural color of lips to line them. Last apply a clear tinted gloss. I like shiny.licious by Maybelline.

The best advice that I can give is to try a variety of different looks from subtle to dramatic. It is a great help to have a friend standing by with a camera to see how your look will translate into pictures.