Getting married this year? Now is the time to get your skincare and beauty routines in place

6 months to go: drink plenty of water

We all know that drinking water is the key to clear skin, but now’s the time to really follow through. To ensure your skin is glowing and your eyes sparkle on your big day, fill up your water bottle right now!

Six months to go: perfect your skincare regime

There’s still plenty of time to start a new beauty regime to clear up any skin problems and find the right products for you.

If you’re unsure of what suits your skin, why not book a complimentary skin analysis with your local beauty salon. Your professional therapist is trained to identify skin behaviour and to give you solutions, and you’ll also get to sample a variety of brands such as Guinot, Decleor or Elemis.

Six months to go: introduce a body skincare routine

Remember that all eyes will be on you for the big day, so ensuring the flesh on display is silky smooth is essential.

Invest in a bristle body brush and gentle body scrub, exfoliate from top-to-toe twice a week. After your shower or bath, be meticulous about slathering body moisturiser all over – it may add extra minutes to your morning routine, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

6 months to go: find a make-up artist

It’s not essential that you hire a make-up artist but most brides find that their nerves take over on the day and not having to do your make-up is one less thing to worry about. Plus, a shaky hand might make up application a challenge.

Talk to friends who have married recently as personal recommendations are best or search local beauty salons with positive reviews.

3 months to go: plan ahead

Do book well in advance for your hair and beauty treatments prior to the wedding. Nobody wants to be caught out with no appointments available for hair colour, hair conditioning treatments and manicures, so to ensure you get your preferred time and day, book your treatments for the week of your wedding now.

3 months to go: book a course of facials

If you aren’t regular on the facial front, then book a course leading up to your wedding day. Given enough time, facials will keep skin deeply cleansed so that breakouts are less likely nearer the time.

2 months to go: Test your tan

If you are planning to have a fake tan done for a healthy glow in your wedding dress, then go for a test run to check you are happy with the colour. If the tan is the right shade and streak free, the book your final tan with the same therapist, two days before your wedding.

2 months to go: choose your wedding perfume

It may not be the first thing you think when ticking off the beauty check points, but remember everyone will want to congratulate you on the day, so you need to make sure your scent fits the occasion. Spend time finding the right perfume and think about how it will combine with any scent from your bouquet. See below.

1 month to go: perfect your hair and make up

Have your hair and make-up rehearsal with your chosen hair stylist and make-up artist. Take along any accessories with you such as a tiara and wear a pale-coloured top to give an idea of the colour you will be wearing on the day. Take photographs of the finished you, to make sure you are happy with the overall look. See also page xx.

1 month to go: keep your feet neat

Have a pedicure or visit chiropodist if there are any foot problems you are worried about. Make sure you use a pumice stone on feet regularly and apply foot cream every night before bed to guarantee your feet are looking perfect on the day.

All the above treatments are available at: www.mcqueenhairandbeauty.com

A radiant glow

However good your beauty routine is in the run up to your wedding, brides to be of all ages can benefit from a helping hand. These three products well worth trying out before your big day

By Sara Niven Smith

1 Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base, £26.50, available at larger Boots stores and House of Fraser or visit www.clarins.co.uk.

This comes in three shades to suit all skin tones (choose Champagne if you want to calm down a ruddy complexion) and can be worn under foundation or powder (or even alone after the big day). It is fab for providing instant luminosity and radiance and blends easily over moisturiser to avoid a heavily made up effect.

That Gal Brightening Face Primer by Benefit Cosmetics, £22.50, www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk.

A pretty, pink primer that helps brighten and lighten skin that’s stressed out with pre wedding worries to give the impression of brighter, smoother appearance. Suitable for all skin tones; apply sparingly under a good quality foundation then lightly powder.

Crème de la Mer’s Radiant Concealer, SPF 25, £48, available at Fenwick, Canterbury or visit www.cremedelamer.co.uk. This is one of the best under-eye and general redness concealers this beauty journalist has come across and well worth the investment; a light touch is advised and a little goes a long way. It also doubles up as a great eye shadow base applied before a touch of powder to hide any discoloration around the eyelid.

Launching this month, Jo Malone London’s Bridal Lace Bottles would make a perfect gift for your bridesmaids or a treat for yourself. Ten of the most popular scents have been redesigned in a bespoke lace bottle and not only smell wonderful, they make an elegant keepsake that will forever remind you of that meaningful moment. Kent Life is addicted to Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, thought to be good luck for marriage. Available at Fenwick Tunbridge Wells, 01892 516716, 100ml £86.