When it comes to weddings, many brides forego hiring a professional makeup and hair artist for their big day. They see it as an added expense – and, anyway, their sister/friend is pretty good at applying makeup.

My advice, of course, is biased because I am a makeup artist and I totally believe that if a bride hires a makeup/hair team to help her look her best for the most important day of her life, then that is a very fine investment. Also, if a bride is riddled with nerves, hiring a professional to apply wedding day makeup will not only create an amazing look, but help the bride to totally relax before the big event.

I am part of the elite bridal team for The Powder Room Girls. This nationwide agency was set up in 2007 by award-winning makeup artist Rhona Cullinan and one of Ireland’s leading bridal hair stylists, Susan Peggs. The elite bridal team specialise in all aspects of bridal hair and makeup. They are all professionals – experienced, fully trained and insured and available to travel direct to your house or venue on the morning of the wedding and stay with you until you are ready to leave. We pride ourselves on making sure that the wedding morning is run with military precision to alleviate any stress and make sure all parties have their hair and makeup finished and final checks done about one hour before leaving for the ceremony so that photographs can be taken – and a glass of bubbles quaffed.

We do advise our brides to come into the PRG Salon in Kingswood, Dublin, for trials. Bring along pictures of the dress and any makeup/hair ideas you may have so we can create your very own unique wedding look. We also have the most unique and value-for-money bridal accessories available to all our brides, which can be found on www.purebliss.ie, including tiaras, veils, jewel-encrusted pins and brooches.

You can find further information at www.prg.ie, but I thought I would share a few tips to make sure you look and feel your absolute best on your wedding day:

  • 1 Start your beauty regime six months ahead of the big day. Regular exercise, healthy eating and facials will ensure your skin and body feel and look great.
  • 2 Book your beauty hair and makeup appointments in good time to avoid disappointment.
  • 3 Always try out fake tan in advance. Less is definitely more when it comes to fake tan. If possible, go to a salon to get your tan professionally applied. Home tans can end up blotchy, especially around ankles, elbows and hands. The tangoed look photographs really badly.
  • 4 Don’t pick up your wedding dress too early – allow time for a final fitting close to the wedding date. Brides often lose a few pounds coming up to the day and I have actually had to sew brides into their dresses because they did not have a final fitting a few days before and the dress was hanging off them.
  • 5 Mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom should make sure they liaise with each other on the colour and style of theirdress. There is nothing worse than wearing the same – I have seen it happen at a wedding in Wexford.

  • 6 If your’re having a summer wedding, try not to get tan marks or sunburn. White strap marks across your arms and back or sunburn-peeled patches are not a great look. Fake tan will cover some marks but you want an even tan if possible.
  • 7 Drinking plenty of water throughout the week before the wedding hydrates and rejuvenates the skin and makes your eyes sparkle. Two litres of still water a day is preferable. In addition, a few early nights are good for the mind and soul.
  • 8 Wear in your wedding shoes and make sure that the soles are scored to stop you slip-sliding down the aisle. Also, take off all labels on the bottom of your shoes.
  • 9 Apply your jewellery and perfume before putting on the dress. Perfume can mark a dress and jewellery can snag a veil.

  • 10 If you are wearing fake nails, have a reserve pack with glue just in case. A bride last summer was going out the door to the wedding car and her ring fingernail caught on the bouquet. I replaced the nail within moments and the bride left happy.
  • 11 I have been asked many times to cover tattoos. Small ones are easy to cover with a waterproof concealer but big ones are much harder and the camera always picks out the camouflage makeup. My advice is to add a pretty lace sleeve or bolero jacket.
  • Take 3

    Dolly’s Favourite bridal Beauty Treats

  • Estée Lauder double wear light is a wonderful natural foundation that will last amazingly well all day. Super colour range, even for the whitest of white skin tone. RRP €34.50.
  • Jo Malone London white jasmine and mint cologne is a fresh floral scent with a modern twist. You will smell irresistible all day long! RRP €109 for 100ml.
  • Chanel Le Vernis nail colour in organdi is perfect for any bride. RRP €25.
  • For my next column, I’m going to write about my new must-have beauty and skincare treats. If you have any queries, please email me at dollybuckley1@gmail.com