Your job? Devoted bridesmaid. Your job spec: head of moral support, there to help make sure the day goes swimmingly. You’re in charge of making sure everyone’s having a good time – after months of planning, you’re not going to let any family bickering boil over on your watch – so no pressure, no pressure at all. Here’s your bridesmaid 101 on how to be totally prepared and maintain a thoroughly together appearance while hanging out suspiciously close to the free bar.
By Danielle Petch
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1 Saving face
If you’re reading this with a few months left until the big day, then you have enough time to try collagen wave treatments; they’re a great non-surgical alternative to achieving plumper, fuller looking skin. However, if your skin has taken a backseat to discussions about the best gluten free hors 'd'oeuvres, fear not. Cue oxygen facials: the new celeb go-to which improve skin plumpness and promote brighter-looking skin, with almost immediate results. As oxygen facials tend to lose their initial glow after 4-6 days, time is of the essence, so aim to book this one a few days in advance.
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2 Get lashed
No, not that kind of lashed (at least not until after the speeches). Your best friend is getting married and, let’s be honest, it’s going to be emotional. All hail eyelash extensions. Ball as much as your like and these nifty additions still won’t streak. If Miss Piggy is the only lash look you know, stand corrected; lash extensions can now range from natural to dramatic, so think about the look and length you want to go for, and discuss this with your lash technician on the day. Just note – you’ll need a patch test at least 24-48 hours before application.
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3 Failsafe nails
A gel manicure and pedicure will keep you chip-free for around two weeks, so that’s one thing off your to-do list well in advance. Nude nails are classic, but if that’s not quite ‘you’, just throw in some colour; long gone are the days when demure was a requisite. As part of the bridal party, it’s up to you to make sure the drinks are flowing, everyone is mingling, and that even the most reserved of guests get involved in a bit of Oops Upside Your Head, so get ready to show off that mani/pedicure-ready on the dance floor, in the photobooth and when doing the final-bus-home headcount.
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4 Stress-proof do's
Be it holding up the bride’s train to get the perfect shot of her dress blowing in the wind, or the slightly less glamorous job of accompanying her to the loo (yes, really), get set to spend the majority of the day on your feet. While it might be touch and go that your feet stand up to the endurance test, you can make sure your hair does. Do your research – some styles will hold better than others. Take photos bring to your hair stylist and ask about the durability of the look. They’ll be more than happy to suggest ways of keeping your locks sweat and tear proof.
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5 Tan off, tan on
If you’re in the market for a sun-kissed glow minus the sun and want to avoid a Ross Geller tanning booth fiasco, take heed: find a salon that uses trusted brands like Cocoa Brown, Fake Bake and Sienna X; read our reviews; and on the day make sure your choose the right shade before application. Also, the saying ‘by failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail’ couldn’t be more true when it comes to the spray tan; exfoliating and shaving the day before will ensure even coverage. After tanning, you should wait a minimum of four to eight hours before your next shower, so better to get this one in a day or two before the wedding (plus your colour would have ‘settled’ by then.
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