Help me become a bit more 'radiant' for my wedding!

[ClarissaTheTeenageWitch]

I've got a while: 13 months to be exact. Obviously make up is going to help me a lot on the actual day, but there are a few things I'd like to try and improve long term.

Firstly, teeth. Definitely need them to be whiter. I'm going to cut out red wine and substitute for double measures of white but don't know whether I can kick the tea habit. Is it worth getting them properly whitened at the dentist's or are there any at home solutions that won't damage my teeth?

Next: dark circles and under eye wrinkles. All I see in photos are my hideous eyes. I know I can't prevent or cure wrinkles as such, but is there anything that will help? I'm going to try to drink loads of water which may help with the dark circles, although a night nanny would prob help more.

Eyelashes: thicker and longer please (would also like thicker eyebrows but been attempting to grow them back for months without success).

Finally, just would like to look a bit brighter and shinier in general. Not aski g for much am I?! Any advice for skin care regimes etc you used in the run up to your wedding much appreciated.

I made an effort to exfoliate my upper arms regularly before my wedding and it made a difference

Got my teeth whitened last year for me it was worth it, so I'd go for it

Most importantly but also quite boring...I always look healthier when drinking lots of water eating well and not drinking alcohol.

Congratulations

My friend who was getting married bought some I think they was crest or Colgate teeth whitening strips from America and her teeth went really White, she said they was about £18. I think you have to get them from America because of the percentage of the whitening ingredient, which is higher than what is allowed to be sold in the uk.

For your eyes, another one of my friends has just started selling some kind of eye cream that you apply and it tightens up all your wrinkles. (Not permanently, just until you wash it off) I haven't used it but she put some on her husband and she said it was amazing.
This is her Facebook page (business page)
www.facebook.com/tl3dlashes?ref=hl
(There's a couple of videos on there)

I'd advise going to speak to someone about your skin to determine what kind of skincare routine would suit you best depending on if you are dry/normal/oily.

Do you get your eyebrows threaded? I get mine done by a genius, she takes some away but somehow they look thicker? And once a general shape has been made its easier to grow along with it.

You could also try using a gradual fake tan, if you use a tiny bit and and build it up you have time to experiment how long to start applying before the wedding to get the optimum colour.

For the make on the day have a look at Hourglass Ambient lightning powder, they are supposed to give you a beautiful glow.
(I've just ordered the palette so can let you know how it goes on me, I have dry dull skin)

Agree with all of the pp but also ensure beauty from within.

Eat healthily, drink loads of water, get loads of sleep, take vitamins - stating the obvious but all will ensure you look and feel your best on your big day.

Congratulations :)

Congrats!

I'd advise implementing a double cleansing routine asap. Start by removing make up with a cleansing balm like Emma Hardie's (M&S do it - www.marksandspencer.com/moringa-balm-set/p/p22379270). Rub the balm in to 'lift off' your make up and then use a flannel that's been wrung out in warm water to buff it off. Then apply a second cleanser (I use REN's EverCalm cleansing milk, again M&S do it) and remove with a warm flannel as per the first step. Then apply serum and moisturiser as normal. I've been doing this for about three weeks now and can really see the difference.

For lashes you could try Rapidlash - it really does work (but you need to keep it up, if you stop the long lashes eventually fall out). I was initially sceptical but I've had people ask if I'm wearing false lashes because it's made such a difference. It's much cheaper on Amazon than in Boots.

Congratulations!
I started ashtanga yoga about 6 months after my wedding it made my upper arms look amazing, and I totally wish I had thought of it before... so I would go with improved exercise regime as well as all the above!

Botox Obv. For the eyes.

Snort at advert for "younique ". Made up brand?

Aha. All fallen angel posts is younique

Well ElizabethHoover, I am on a Style and beauty forum and people ask for recommendations. I use Younique, not all Younique so I have commented on Younique where I use it.

I use Rimmel Foundation, it's ok but not fantastic so if someone wants any recommendations about foundation then I won't be shouting it from the rooftops and will leave that thread alone. I use Nivea moisturiser, I love it...it is cheap and does what it needs to so will recommend it where asked. I use Younique's mascara and I love it so when someone wants a recommendation about a mascara then yes, I will make a song and dance about it.

Agree with yoga, I've been doing it 1-3 times a week at gym for the last 6 months and my tummy is flatter than it ever has been and im post baby as well.. radiance wise get loads of samples of glowy stuff and see what works for you - I love mac strobe cream, Dior glow maximiser, nars alabaster powder all give an amazing glow
If you are doing your own makeup check out youtube videos for highlighter placement etc

Start having regular facials - I have one every 3 months.
Use good quality facial products (I mix dermalogica and decleor) and moisturise daily with an SPF based product.
Drink plenty of water and eat well.

That's balls. ALL you do is post that. Complete with links for commission.

if you are in the UK, no over-the-counter tooth whitening stuff does anything. It is dentist only as it damages teeth.

you can buy strong stuff over the internet but it WILL damage your teeth even more. Those ludicrous Hollywood smiles are nothing to aspire to.

nothing can change your eyelashes and if you've plucked your brows too much, they may also not grow back.

so your groom is marrying someone with 'hideous eyes', is he? I doubt he sees it that way!

eat properly, get fresh air and exercise, wear real sunscreen and get comfortable in your skin.

and it is only one day, so smile and enjoy. Oh, and pick a dress that flatters too!

Rapidlash absolutely works. I had no eyelashes. None (I'd overdone it on the extensions). Used Rapidlash and now have long, thick lashes (they'd been short and sparse prior to the extensions). It's bloody brilliant stuff but you do - as pp noted - need to use it daily.

Specialsubject you are wrong about eyelashes and brows

I regularly brush with Colgate or Macleans whitening toothpaste (whichever is cheaper in the supermarket) and my dentist is impressed with my healthy white (but not too white) teeth. And I avoid red wine and black tea and coffee.

Agree with recommendations for general health to get you glowy: exercise, sunblock, lots of colourful fruit and veg and healthy fats (my skin shows when I've had too much salt and sugar, but looks better when I've been at the avocados or nuts).

The American Dental Association has not issued warnings about anything you can buy otc in the US except to say follow the directions and do not overuse as that can lead to problems. The brighter than white smiles are a bit ludicrous, I agree with that, but I suspect in the case of Hollywood's finest they are dazzling white veneers and not the result of Colgate whitening strips.

Fwiw, if your teeth are yellow they will respond better to strips than grey or brown stained teeth will.

You can get whitening toothpaste from the US too if you don't want to have your teeth sitting in a whitening solution. Or just buy it in the UK.

Nothing beats regular brushing though (twice a day) and you could even try brushing after a cup of tea if you think tea is a culprit.

I would get a facial every few months -- it's nice if you have a baby or small children to have someone pamper you in a salon for an hour or so even if you're not getting ready for a wedding.

A Vitamin B6 supplement will help your skin and hair.

A little exercise, wear sunscreen, moisturise your skin (I use cheapo Aldi day and night creams) and pay attention to salt and sugar intake, eat veggies, fruits and lean protein, avoid processed junk...

Congratulations!!! Firstly drink plenty of water if you don't already. You'll be amazed at the changes. Also check out Caroline Hirons blog she has great advice and cheat sheets.

elizabeth so what does change eyelashes apart from mascara? If you've got something that increases hair growth selectively you'll make a fortune.

ditto overplucked brows. Do tell.

no i mean the rapidlash thing DOES work - and believe you me i was a cynic

Didn't leah hardy write something about the use of prostglandin in those eyelash enhancing treatments - put me off rather.

although perhaps rapidlash didn't contain the scary stuff that changes eye colour and makes your cheeks go all lovely and furry like a kitten