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Like all the other details related to your wedding, planning and sticking to a beauty time line and schedule will help to make you as beautiful and radiant as you can be on your wedding day. Beauty regimens, in large measure, amount to a bride's allowing herself a little extra pampering in the months before, and right up to, her special day. That beauty regimen also provides a bonus, because such routines are great stress-busters and everyone knows that anything that relieves anxiety and calms the nerves is a real gift for every prospective bride.

SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
1. Set your beauty budget. Know how much you can spend and allocate expenditures in order of priority. Watch local newspapers and flyers to see where you can make the best of your spending by making purchases at sales. Local salons, fitness centers and spas may offer specials to prospective brides. Don't be shy. Ask.

2. Once you know your wedding timetable, make all your beauty-related appointments well in advance. Many a bride has found herself seeing s "strange" hairdresser, because hers was out-of-town, or booked solid.

3. Make an appointment to have a talk with your hairstylist. Take advice from a professional. Ask about and discuss the hair style, cut, and color that she or he feels would best compliment your face shape and your type of hair. Talk about several styling options and which your stylist feels would work best for you. Such a discussion will be especially helpful when you begin searching for your headpiece.

4. If you are considering a chemical process like a permanent or coloring, have it done early enough so that you are sure you're satisfied with the look. Plan and schedule your appointments, so that the coloring, permanent and cutting will work out well, considering hair growth, color growing in, and permanent growing out!

5. Start pampering and preparing your nails. This is a good time to start using a nail strengthener and cuticle builder. If you bite your nails, stop now!

6. If you are planning to have a professional do your makeup on your wedding day, ask around and find someone who comes recommended to you. If you'll be doing your own makeup, take enough time to experiment with different products and different looks. Your wedding photographer may give you some ideas of what makeup will photograph the best. Make certain to keep in mind that the extra stress of the day and/or the weather and/or your moving around a great deal may influence how well your makeup wears. A professional makeup artist can provide helpful advice and possible solutions.

7. Put yourself on a skin-care program, and stick to it! If you have problems with your skin, consider consulting a dermatologist or aesthetician to help you clear up any persistent problems and get a recommended program suited to your skin type.

8. Consider hair removal. If you shave, continue to do so, but make certain to use a pre-shave and aftershave product. If you'll be waxing your legs, start early because repeated waxing thins hair growth.

9. Start a fitness program. Whether you join a gym or fitness center, get a personal trainer, or do-it-yourself, stick to it and, not only will you look and feel good, but you'll be giving yourself energy-boosters. Try to stay on an eating program that emphasizes low-fat food. Get plenty of exercise. This is not the time to go on an extreme diet. Major weight changes take their toll on your body and have an adverse effect on how you look and feel. Slow, steady, and sensible is the routine to follow.

10. Evaluate your deodorant/antiperspirant. Does it work well and does it keep you dry? If you have an odor problem, try several products until you find one that works well for you. If wetness is a problem, consider having shields sewn into your gown. A little extra protection, even if it isn't really necessary, will be a source of comfort and reassurance to you.

THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
1. Treat yourself, if you can, to a professional manicure every week or every other.

2. Experiment with new nail looks. See what you like. Keep nails simple and subtle for your wedding, and you can't go wrong.

3. Make an appointment for a manicure for the day before your wedding.

4. Treat yourself, if you can, to monthly pedicures. You toenails may not show on your wedding day, but then there's also your wedding night . . .

5. Buy some aromatherapy products and bath oil or beads. Candles, sprays, loofahs, mitts, and the like can be a part of a luxurious routine of at-home pampering.
6. Make an appointment with a professional makeup artist.

FOUR TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
1. Make an appointment with your hair stylist. Bring along your headpiece and any other hair adornments you'll be wearing at your wedding. Do a full trial run. Walk around (run and jump too, if possible) to check the comfort-level of your headpiece. Nothing is more unnerving than a headpiece that feels like it's going to fall off.

2. Check with your photographer and, if you are having a pre-wedding portrait, book an appointment.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
1. Check with your special guy to make sure he's booked an appointment for a haircut, shave, and a manicure. Ideally, a professional shave should be booked for several hours before the wedding.

2. Get your "final" hair trim, color, and/or color touch-up.

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING
1. Buy and put together a beauty kit for your wedding day. Include doubles of all the hair, nail, and skin-care products you'll need for your special day and on into your honeymoon.

2. Treat yourself, if you're so inclined, to a leg and bikini wax.

3. Get a pedicure.

4. Treat yourself to a "last-minute" facial.

5. Get a professional deep-conditioning hair treatment or do-it-yourself at home.

A DAY BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
1. Have a manicure, conditioning hand treatment, and hand massage.

2. If you can, treat yourself and your groom to a spa visit for massages and other pampering goodies. They'll do wonders to relax you for the big day.

3. Go to bed on-time. Get as good a night's sleep as possible. Lack of sleep is your worst beauty enemy.

ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
1. Have a light, but healthy breakfast. You'll need the energy boost, even if eating seems the last thing from your mind. Stay away from caffeinated drinks and salty foods. Both act as unattractive skin "buffers."

2. Practice some deep-breathing exercises. Light some aromatherapy candles, or incense. Think relaxed. You have prepared well and you look absolutely lovely.

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