5 top beauty tips for your wedding day

1. I don't usually wear makeup, but friends are saying I'll look bad next to my glamourpuss bridesmaids. What should I do?

Camera flash is unforgiving, so maybe light makeup would be a happy compromise. If you've already booked a makeup artist, go for a trial. Tell him or her what you're comfortable with in terms of coverage (sheer or medium), colours (preferably neutral shades) and makeup style (no dramatic eyeliner or heavy eyeshadow).

Most times, concentrating colour on one feature (eyes or lips) is enough to look makde-up. A rosy-pink blusher will also do the trick if you'd prefer to keep everything else light. The aim is to look like a natural - but slightly polished - version of yourself.

Experiment - and have fun.

2. My hairstylist is trying to talk me into a new hairdo for my wedidng. Should I?

Take the usual precautions: For new haircuts and colour, make sure there are at least four months between the tryout and the big day. If it's just hairstyle, get your hair-dresser to show you pictures of how it looks, and ask questions when you don't understand. Then give it a try - you never know!

Experimenting is fine; just do the playing around way before the big day. Once you have narrowed down the choices, take some pictures and show them to people whose taste you trust, and get their opinions.

Whichever style you end up with, you'd need to feel comfortable and confident on your wedding day, and your hairstyle should look like you.

3. I get dragon breath at certain times during the day. How do I save my guests from it when they greet me at the reception?

Staying away from onions, garlic, and curry is a no-brainer; they contain sulphur compounds that emit an unpleasant odour. So do cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

But sometimes, bad breath can also be caused by hunger or lack of water. You may be excited on your big day and tend not to eat. Don't. Even if you've got butterflies in your tummy, eat an apple at least. It will freshen you up, and clean out your mouth too. Drink as much water as you can, and have a pack of mints handy.

4. Help! I have lots of facial hair. How can I be newborn smooth on my wedidng day?

Tweezing, blaching, shaving, waxing and depilatory creams all work, temporarily.

If you want more permanent ways of removing facial hair, you'll need to speak to a dermatologist. He may be able to suggest options such as laser epilation or electrolysis.

Electrolysis uses electric currents to kill hair follicles. Lasers use light to heat up the pigment in hair, causing it to self-destruct. Both options will take time and a series of treatments to take effect.

Seek the help of a dermatologist (try the National Skin Centre) for your best option.

5. I'm looking forward to my June wedding but I'm worried about my skin, which gets greasy in the heat.

Suppress shine by switching to a slightly stronger cleanser that takes off oil but doesn't dry out skin, say skin experts. Something like Lactacyd (from pharmacies), which contains lactic acid, will do the trick. A clay-based mask once a week helps control oil too.

Use oil-free makeup and for quick touch-ups, spritz on a misting spray, or SK-II's Mid-Day miracle essence, or blot gently with a tissue paper to soak up excess oil.

This article was first published in Her World Brides June - August 2004, with updates.