There are different types of mehndi designs that are doing its round as bridal mehndi today. Though westernized concepts and Arabic patterns were once used most for bridal mehndi, today traditional mehndi designs which require lots of fine work are well in demand.

Other famous mehndi designs doing its rounds in bridal mehndi are floral designs with paisleys and intricate details and practically anything that is funky. The latest trend seems to be green mehndi with color stones. In some weddings, people like wearing mehndi with designs that match the color of their outfits.

The Name Game

This bridal mehndi is usually applied on the bride a day before the wedding. This is organized as a part of the wedding function where professional mehndi designers will be invited to apply mehndi to the bride’s hands, arms, feet and legs. In addition to this, the guests and relatives can have their hands or legs filled with mehndi to become a part of the wedding celebrations.

Part of the wedding ritual for bridal mehndi is the ‘name game’ where the groom has to find his name that is written, and hidden on the bride’s palm. According to custom, it is said that if the groom does not find his name within the complicated outlines of the bridal mehndi, the bride will be the one ending up leading in their marital life. In fact sometimes, the wedding night is not allowed to start till the groom finds his name!

Though instant and chemical mehndi gives instant color to the mehndi design, it is not that healthy as the chemicals found in it can cause skin allergies and other skin reactions. It is always better to use traditional mehndi than instant mehndi using cones as cones give better control while drawing out the mehndi designs.

How to Apply Mehndi

When applying mehndi, it is important that the areas have to be first washed with soap and water. Avoid using oily soaps as this will only prevent the color of the mehndi from setting properly on the area. Then the bridal mehndi has to be kept on the area for 2-3 hours till it dries. After this, the mehndi has to be scraped off and not washed off.

Do not apply water to the area for a minimum of 24 hours to get the best color from the bridal mehndi. Make it a point to apply a mixture of sugar and lemon at least twice on the dry area and once the mehndi designs are completely dried, have some steam pass through cloves over the gas. You could also apply Vicks on the area for better color.

Once the mehndi starts to fade and tends to become patchy, you can remove the mehndi design completely using cosmetic body bleach. After applying mehndi on your hands or feet, avoid standing close to the air conditioner as it only dries up the mehndi.

It’s the season for blushing brides. Whether you hire a professional makeup artist or plan to do it yourself, the cardinal rule for applying makeup on your wedding day is simple: be true to your personal style! Whether your everyday look is earthy and natural or glam girl diva, don’t stray too far off from the norm. If you do, you may end up looking back at photos from one of the most memorable days of your life wondering, “Who is that girl?” Here are some easy guidelines to follow.

Natural Beauty: Keep it Simple

If you rarely wear makeup then go for a subtle enhancement by playing up your best feature. If your eye and lip palettes are usually neutral color tones, try adding a slightly brighter or more intense shadow or eye liner to your base shade to make your eyes “pop”. Or use a different technique than usual. For example, if you normally apply a lighter shade on your lids and a deeper tone in the crease, try the deeper tone on the lid instead with the lighter shade just under the brow bone.

Glamour Girl

If your daily makeup style is full of glitz and glamour, then choose one feature and play it up! If vibrant lip color is your signature, then pair it with a subtle eye. Or play up your eyes-false lashes and all-with a toned down lip. Don’t overdo it with blush or foundation either.

Trend Setter

Don’t get too caught up in makeup trends. Royal blue or lime green eye shadow might be all the rage for the season, but you don’t want that to overwhelm your look for this occasion. Choose colors that are timeless and classic that will compliment an enhance your skintone. Remember, great skin is always in!

Basic Rules For Any Style

1.Always do a “trial up” in advance of the big day. You don’t want any surprises.

2.Avoid foundation or powder containing titanium dioxide. This can cause your face to  photograph slightly pale or ghost-like.

3.Consider your hairstyle. Up-do’s often require more shading and highlighting on the face and more color on the cheeks.

4.Don’t forget to groom your eyebrows! Waxing or tweezing should be done and least a week in advance.

5.When in doubt, consult a professional. Most makeup artists will do a bridal preview or makeup lesson to give you some ideas. If you don’t think you can duplicate it, you can always hire them for your wedding day!

The first approach to make-up for brides is one of corrective, subtle make-up that enhances the bride’s best features and makes her look naturally radiant and beautiful on her big day. The first thing people notice when they look at a bride – is how stunning and radiant she looks, not her makeup itself. In fact make – up that is too obvious can look overdone and artificial so understated and sophisticated elegance is the name of the game!

When it comes to applying bridal makeup, there is a correct sequence and technique to follow as well as a preparatory stage to ensure that you will be looking your absolute best. Selection and advice on the best and most appropriate products, colours and styles is also imperative. What works for you in your day to day use or for other special occasions will not necessarily make you look your best on your big day! This kind of in depth knowledge can only come from a beautician experienced in the nuances of bridal makeup.

Skin & Eyebrows
The first thing to get right is your skin and eyebrowsI would recommend a series of facials in the run up to your wedding (that is if you don’t already have regular facials) Start a few months before the wedding as it is common for your skin to break out and get worse before it gets better after a facial if you haven’t had one for a long time. (Something to do with getting all the impurities out) Treat yourself to one a month for four months before the big dayyour last one should be at least a few days before your wedding, to give your skin time to settle down. Eyebrows should be kept in shape regularly and shaped the day before the d-day if possible.

On the morning of your wedding, make sure your skin is well moisturised about ten minutes before applying your make-up. I always recommend that you have your hair done after your Make-up. The next stage is to have your foundation applies. Remember that for the photographs you must take extra care when using light reflective foundation and concealer.

A lot of brides pile on layers of foundation underneath the eye, in the misunderstanding that it is a concealer, when actually, it’s job is to “put light” in to dark areasDon’t do it! You may look good to the naked eye, but it will show up too white in your photos and you could look like you have puffy eye bags!

I’m not saying to steer clear of subtle light reflecting foundations; in fact they are great for giving the appearance of dewy, youthful skin. Steer very clear of shimmery bronzers and blushers though…If you want to use a bronzer, use a matt one and use it very subtly, softly over your cheeks, bridge of your nose, top on your forehead, where you would naturally catch the sun…bear in mind that your neck should not be too different in colour to your face. (Don’t be tempted to try putting bronzer all over your neck…you’ll just end up staining your lengha!)

Eyes
For your eyes, you can’t go wrong with matt makeup with slight shimmering shadows. I usually use a combination of colours to compliment the Brides outfit. A soft black eyeliner, (No browns) use black mascara for your wedding day, even if you’re very fair and usually go for brown – it’ll show up better in your photographs, smudged close to the base of you lashes on your upper lid will make your eyelashes appear thicker and, in conjunction with a little grey or dark brown eye-shadow applied with a thin brush at the base of your lower lashes, will subtly define your eyes perfectly for the photos. I use black WATERPROOF mascara on just about every bride that comes to me, and make sure I curl the lashes before applying it. On some occasions I even consider using false eyelashes as this gives more definition over the eyes and looks quite stunning in photographs.

Lips
For the bride’s lips, I like to use a colour that will not clash with the bride’s eyes and dress and of course her BouquetBearing in mind you have already primed your lips when you applied your foundation and powder by putting a suitable balm or moisturiser on them after you have done your base. By the time you are ready for lipstick to be applied, your lips will be in perfect condition-Always leave this to the very last.

I use a “Nude” lip pencil over the entire lip before applying the lip colour as it gives extra staying power, apply lip-colour then blot with a tissue and reapply lipstick with a touch of gloss or a more shimmering colour to enhance the shadow of your bottom lip and a slight touch over the top lip.

And Finally…
The most important tip is to allow yourself a good three hours to get ready as this gives your beautician plenty of time to work her magic and make you look stunning. More importantly it will give you some all-important chill out time away from your interfering aunties. Before you make an entrance, a quick check and powder before you leave for the ceremony, and your Dulha will be totally bowled over PLUS you will look fantastic in the photos of your dream shaadi!