Bridal Beauty

THINGS TO DO FOUR TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

Consult with a makeup artist. If you're going to do your own makeup, now is the time to seek out a professional makeup artist to get a feel for the shades that work on you, as well as how to apply them. You can find a good makeup pro in the department store; just check out the faces she has done to determine whether you like her work. From then on, it's practice, practice, practice.

Go for a facial. To make sure you have that wedding-day glow, have a skinrefining facial. Schedule weekly facials six weeks before the big day to ensure beautiful, luminous skin. This is also an opportunity to work out any special skin concerns you may have and bring them under control.

Give yourself a hand. It's never too early to begin pampering your hands. Go for an exfoliating treatment a month before the wedding. Sloughing off dead skin cells is the best way to avoid rough-locking hands in wedding photos, according to nail technician Wilma Mack of The Spa at Paul and Kay's in Philadelphia. Then, a week before the wedding, follow up with a conditioning hot-oil or paraffin treatment.

THINGS TO DO TWO WEEKS TO ONE DAY BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

Get yourself defuzzed. If you're going to remove body or facial hair, be sure to have the procedure done at least two weeks in advance so that if there is any resulting irritation, your skin will have a chance to heal and you will have time to try another hair-removal method.

Relax, cut or color your hair. If you relax your hair, go for your touch-up at least two weeks ahead of time. That way it will be straight but won't have that just-relaxed limp look on your wedding day. You should test a new haircut or color ahead of time as well.

Stock your maid of honor's bag. Before anxiety really grabs hold of you, make sure someone is carrying the following items for you: a minisize hair spray, a purse-size comb and brush, bobby pins to keep your hair together, and blotting paper or face powder to keep shine off and the glow on your face.

Keep your perspective. Mom is worrying you silly about which wedding guests responded and which didn't, and your maid of honor can't fit into her dress. Chill! No matter how well you plan, something may fall through the cracks anyway. Don't let these things get to you. Find a quiet place, sit down to enjoy a hot cup of herbal tea--and let go.