Get glowing
By Jennifer Lata Rung | posted on September 19, 2011 at 12:07pm
Beauty and body treatments to look wedding-day gorgeous
Beauty trends come and go (just look at your mom’s senior year portrait for proof) – so what’s the latest in bridal beauty? Here’s a quick list of what Buffalo brides should know—before they make their primping plans:
Beauty treatments
Weddings are often the catalyst for women who have been contemplating treatments for skin problems, wrinkles, unwanted hair or other body issues. And local medi spas and plastic surgery centers cater to brides who want to make changes.
“Most brides come to me seeking the same thing – flawless skin,” said Kat Pollack, beauty consultant at Aesthetic Associates Centre. She said that six months is usually enough time to improve most skin conditions, and she offers a unique package of monthly treatments that combine medical grade microdermabrasion, chemical peels and photofacials to get brides’ skin healthy and glowing.
She can also suggest if Botox and fillers may help. “Using a combination of both can achieve a youthful, natural look that smooths most lines and plumps your skin in all the right places,” said Pollack.
Teeth
From drugstore products to dentist-office solutions like veneers, Zoom and customized bleaching trays, you can get whiter teeth at every price point. Maria Miecyjak of Westermeier Martin Dental in East Aurora suggests Zoom for brides who want faster results. Referring to the level of whiteness of your teeth, she said: “If you walk in a 3, you’ll walk out a 6 or 7 – and the next day you’ll be at an 8 or 9.” Customized trays costs about $200 less, but you need to wear them for a couple weeks, whereby Zoom only takes an hour or two in the dentist’s chair.
Hair
Katie Ambrose, celebrity hairstylist and make-up artist whose home base is Buffalo, thinks accessories for hair are right on trend.
“Finding the perfect one can really make your whole look extra spectacular,” said Ambrose. “Look in boutiques or on etsy.com for accessories like hats with a bit of tulle, or a headband with feathers.”
On the flip side, Ambrose said, “The more dressed up you are in clothes, the less ‘done’ your hair should be.”
Make-up
Ambrose acknowledges wedding day make-up should be special – but not over the top.
“My wedding day make-up philosophy is classic, pretty, feminine and fresh,” said Ambrose. “You want to look the best you possibly can, without being overdone or looking like someone your fiancé doesn’t recognize. But there should also be a touch of glamour – a classic red lip, luminizer on the cheek bones, a romantic smoky eye, or natural looking lash extensions.”
Fitness
Perhaps inspired by shows like “The Biggest Loser” that get major results, fast, boot-camp style fitness regimens for brides have become very popular. Whether it’s a program designed by a local gym (Gold’s and Fitness 360 both have Bridal Boot Camps) or you’re working with a personal trainer, it is possible to make major changes in a relatively short period of time. Have extra time and money? Spend a week (or more) at the new Fitness Camp at Beaver Hollow in Java for an intense immersion into pursuing fitness and nutrition goals.
Jennifer Lata Rung oversees content for Buffalo Brides Magazine.
