The day has finally come and you want everything to be perfect. So when a spot suddenly appears on that gown that cost a fortune, or if your vision of the perfect sun-kissed tan has now turned into an oompa-loompa nightmare, the first rule to remember is ‘Don’t freak out’! Despite your best efforts, accidents happen, but they don’t have to ruin your day. With a little pre-planning and resourcefulness, no one will be the wiser. And remember, nothing is perfect, but keeping these tips and tricks in mind will help you get as close to perfection as possible.
So Long, Stains
Once the vino starts flowing, spills happen, but not everyone has to know about it. Grab a clean white cloth and gently begin to dab the spot. (Rubbing may push the stain further into the garment.) Pour water or club soda onto the cloth and continue to dab. Keep dabbing with the clean parts of the cloth until most of the stain has come out. Use chalk or talcum powder to disguise anything that remains and head back to the party!
Your makeup belongs on your face, not on your dress. If you do find a smudge on your gown, press a little club soda onto the spot, then sprinkle salt on top to soak up the moisture and let dry. To remove a water mark, begin by blotting the wet spot with a clean, white towel to soak up excess moisture. You can run a hand steamer over the fabric to lift out the mark but be sure to ask your bridal salon about using steamers and irons on your gown when you make the purchase. Don’t attack wet spots with a hair dryer as it may spread the mark even further. If an ink spot tries to ruin your gown, apply hairspray to a cotton swab and rub lightly over the stain.
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Fresh face
For touch-ups throughout the day, concealer is a must. This slim wand will do wonders for dark eye circles, pesky pimples and those makeup runs that tell others you’ve shed a few tears. Dab a few dots
under the bottom lid to brighten the eye area; a dab on a pimple will mask redness. Your concealer should be one shade lighter than your foundation, and keep in mind that if you are tanning for the day, you will need to go darker. For lasting coverage, the concealer will work best with a setting powder.
If you do discover a pimple the night before, acne spot treatments are made for fast-acting removal. There are options depending on your skin type, with many brands sold at your local drug store. Dab a small amount on the spot the night before and get a good night’s sleep to avoid any new stress spots in the morning!
To achieve the bronzed beauty outcome, fake tans may seem like the perfect solution without the harmful rays of the sun, but if not done properly, sprays and creams can leave you looking too dark, unnatural, or with a streaky or blotchy finish. To remove a shoddy outcome, mix lemon juice and sugar to make a consistency similar to toothpaste and use your fingers to rub the paste into the skin. The lemon juice acts as a skin lightener, while the sugar works as a scrub to remove the skin cells that have been coloured. A loofa can also help in the exfoliation process, but don’t scrub for too long or too hard, as you may damage the skin and bring out redness.
It’s always a good idea to have a small emergency kit on hand that can be retrieved easily if needed. Sometimes wedding planners will already have a 911 kit to deal with day-of incidents. If not, have a bridesmaid or someone who you are close to make sure the kit is nearby at all times.
Here are a few other helpful tools that may come in handy:
- Mini sewing kit: thread, needle, extra buttons, small scissors
- Double-sided tape: to make sure those dresses stay up
- Static guard or dryer sheets: to eliminate static cling
- Bobby pins: great for fly-aways
- Safety pins: for broken bustles or attachés
- Clear nail polish: to stop sheer stocking runs (always a good idea to bring extra pairs of stockings)
- Emery board
- Nail polish: make sure to purchase the colour you’ve chosen for quick touch-ups
Article By Lindsay Ruck
Sources: theknot.com; www.whathappensnow.com.
