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Hair Affair
Terence Jansen, hairstylist and owner of Terenzo Hair in Melville, studied advanced hairdressing at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London. He stresses the importance of making an appointment with the hairdresser at least six to four months prior to wedding.
"Collect pictures from magazines, keep a scrapbook and spend at least half an hour consulting with him or her. Provide a `global` picture of what you want to achieve on your wedding day in terms of mood and degree of formality. And bring along sketches of the dress, so that the hairstyle you settle on enhances the neckline rather than competing with it."
For Terence, a good rapport with the client is vital to achieving the desired effect. Also essential is the trial. In fact, if you can afford it, he recommends that you have two: The first, about three months prior to the wedding, and the second, a week before the wedding day.

"The `rehearsal` one week before allows the hairdresser to remember your hair type and get a feel for the style, making it quicker and easier to accomplish on the day." After the trial, Terence suggests that a Polaroid photograph be taken from a variety of angles. Then, when next you meet with the stylist, you can point out where adjustments need to be made by simply referring to the picture.
More important than an excellent style, however, is the condition of your hair. "Hair that is dull, dry or split can be extremely difficult to work with," he says. "Consult with your hairstylist about treatments and advice on styles best suited to your hair type. And whatever you do, do not risk having any dramatic cuts, perms or colours too close to your wedding day."

Which style is best?
For ultimate elegance an up-style with a bit of volume, texture and softness still works best, allowing emphasis to rest on the face and dress.
For a more casual look, opt for a down-style or one that is half-up, half-down. Aim for a natural look, and add texture by having volume in some areas and flatness in others.
If you have shorter hair, hair-pieces can be used to give the illusion of longer hair. Alternatively, a good cut, colour and blow-dry will smarten up the look. A fun option, which is currently trendy, is to place diamante clips or costume jewellery into the hair.
Round face: Go for volume on top, and sleek on the sides. Hair should be swept away from sides, rather than framing the face.
Oblong face: Avoid volume on top, but create a sense of fullness, with volume on the sides.
Oval face: Most styles will suit this shape. Try layering to frame the face and highlight its lovely shape.
Square/angular features: You need volume from the cheek-bone up. No hair should be left hanging down, as this can make a square jaw-line more prominent.

Hint for healthy-looking hair
Put a colour-wash in that`s similar to your natural colour. This will add shine and improve the condition, without necessarily changing your image.
Your feet are more visible than you realise - as you walk down the aisle, waltz on the dance floor, or get ready to throw the garter. The truth is that a gown worth thousands could end up looking rather tacky against an inferior shoe.

Shoes
According to Liz Russell, importer of the award-winning Rainbow Shoes, the shoe should ideally be selected at the same time as the dress. However, if this is not possible, she advises brides to take a swatch of the fabric with them when they go shoe hunting. "But be sure to buy shoes before the dress is in its final stages," she warns, "as you may need to adjust the length of the skirt."
Currently, bridal shoes are the epitome of comfort and style. They are still traditional, but based on contemporary trends, with squarish toes, block heels and ankle straps presenting a sexier feel. Any height is appropriate, but provided it offers the correct stability and comfort for hours of dancing. Also, keep in mind if you choose to wear an open shoe, ensure your toenails have been pedicured.

What`s in?

• Subtle elegance - less frills and flounce
• Natural looking make-up and hair
• Gloves (If the dress is short sleeved or sleeveless, wear long gloves; if long-sleeved, wear gloves that end at the wrist.)
• False eye-lashes and dramatic eyes
• Lace stay-up pantyhose
• Sculpted eyebrows which frame the face
• Shorter veils and trains
• Fewer embellishments in the hair, (such as flowers and tiaras) and less detracting from the style itself
• White dresses with a hint of pink or a champagne sheen

Colour and style savvy
According to Noy Pullen, wardrobe consultant and author of the book Colour Magic, there are approximately 40 different shades of white to choose from. And while a pure, snowy white has been synonymous with weddings for decades, at least 80% of brides do not actually look their best in this `non-colour`.
As a guideline, Noy suggests that the future bride places two shades of the fabric on either side of her face, in order to compare the effect that they have on her complexion under natural light. She also believes that teeth and the white of your eyes are actually the whites that nature gave you, and should therefore be used as a starting point from which to create a sense of harmony.
"If teeth are a creamy hue rather than pearly white, a white dress may end up making them look yellow. In fact, the dress could upstage the face completely, causing that sparkle in your eye to look a little dull."
As a general rule, Noy believes that the stronger the contrast between skin colour and fabric, the better. This means that fair skins should avoid snow-white, and opt rather for a softer shade, like taupe or champagne. Darker complexions may look good in a pure white, but they should use their `natural whites` as an indicator.
Cool complexions: Silvery-blue whites often look beautiful on those with a fair skin, and blue or green eyes. Blondes can wear white with a soft pink hue. If your features have a lot of drama and contrast, such as pale skin and blue-black hair, jewel colours, such as emerald and ruby, add a touch of excitement.
Warm complexions: Olive skins look lively and vibrant against flashes of gold, copper and warm, rich colours, such as plum. If you have red hair, and green or brown eyes, these can be enhanced with earthy tones such as rust or green, to create a sense of harmony.
- Go for a natural look, but create a sense of drama by emphasising either the eyes or the lips (not both).
- Have a trial run at least a month before the day.
- Take note of all the products used at the trial.
- Carry a make-up survival kit with you on the day. (Include essentials, such as powder, lipstick, concealer and mascara - and don`t forget a small bottle of your perfume.)
- Don`t be too experimental - you may not be comfortable with a totally different look on your wedding day.
- The more contrast, the more drama. However, keep in mind an understated, harmonious look is usually more flattering.

Article source: LifeWorld