Every bride wants to look like a million bucks when it’s time to say “I do,” and with approximately two million weddings taking place every year in the United States, you can bet that the beauty ante is always being upped. Brides who hail from Texas, though, take wedding day glamour to a whole new level. From braving sweltering heat to sporting engagement rings bigger than their home state, Texas brides have their own ways of looking gorgeous while getting hitched.
Keep Your Cool
When it comes to the most popular months to tie the knot, June, July, and August win by a landslide. In Austin, for example, the average temperature during those months is 92°, 96°, and 97°, respectively. This presents some problems if you prefer to blush rather than broil on your big day. Before you even think about what type of makeup will stand up to the heat (we’ll get to that in a second), tackle any perspiration problems you may have from the inside out. Even if you don’t sweat much, fainting at the altar from heat stroke simply won’t do.
To help avoid this sort of (potentially) sticky situation, get in the habit of taking cold or cool showers a week or two before your wedding. Chilly showers not only help your body temperature stay nice and stable, but have also been found to act as an effective mood booster and immune system activator. In other words, giving your water heater a break can result in your being happier, healthier, and blissfully unfazed by rising temperatures.
The day of and before your wedding, make sure that no drop of coffee or slice of jalapeño gets anywhere near your mouth. Caffeine and spicy foods have been proven to increase sweat production—the former by stimulating the nervous system, the latter by triggering heat-sensitive nerve receptors, thereby tricking the body into thinking it’s hot. So, if you have an addiction to coffee, soda, or all things picante, start detoxing early.
You already know you should stay hydrated—the health benefits of waterinclude body temperature regulation, moisturizing skin and lips, and improved cell oxygenation. However, You may not know that sugary or alcoholic beverages can rob your body of fluids. You don’t have to steer completely clear of champagne at your reception, just be sure to stick to H2O in the hours leading up to your wedding.
Melt-Proof Makeup
If you’ve ever experienced mascara running down your cheeks without crying, then you know what it’s like to have a summer-induced beauty disaster. Assuming that some actual tears will fall on your wedding day, you might want to up your hot weather glamour game even more than usual. Using the right products will ensure that you’ll look cool and gorgeous all day. The great thing is, you don’t have to be a cosmetology school graduate to create a great look.
Lay the foundation for a flawless face by starting with a primer. Although primers come in all manner of exotic formulas, you can always count on one that lists either silicone, silica, cyclomethicone, or dimethicone as a main ingredient. All four are derivatives of silicon, and will settle onto (not into) your skin for a smooth, silky surface that will act as a natural barrier between your skin and the heat. Your foundation will go on ultra-smoothly without seeping into your pores, becoming runny, or sliding around. For extra staying power, use a foundation and concealer that includes silicon derivatives as well.
For eyes, brows, and cheeks, the creamier your products are, the better. Dry, powdery products will result in an uneven, chalky finish; creamy eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and bronzer will result in a natural-looking, glowing finish. Limit all your makeup choices to those labeled “waterproof,” “long-lasting,” or “long-wearing.” You’ll end up with a complexion that’s youthful, dewy, and impenetrable to the forces of nature.
When it comes to the game-changer of an all-day face, mascara, you’ll want to be armed with not just one, but two tubes. Waterproof mascara can be harsh on your lashes, causing them to dry out, break off, and be pulled out upon cleansing. To reach a compromise that will make both you and your tortured lashes happy, apply one layer of regular mascara first, followed by a coat (or two) of waterproof.
Finish with a light dusting of translucent powder. Also known as setting powder, translucent powder is colorless and invisible. Its sole purpose is to “set” your makeup in place and increase its longevity. To apply, swirl a large, super-soft makeup brush in the powder, tap off any excess, and gently brush it evenly all over your face.
High and Mighty Hair
From poised Miss Texas contestants to peppy Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, big, bouncy hair is more than abundant in Texas. While you don’t have to go full-out Dolly Parton (she is from Tennessee, after all), you can still pay homage to your home state by cranking up the hair volume on your wedding day. Tell your hairstylist exactly what type of look you have in mind and watch as your locks are taken to new heights.
One of the most foolproof ‘dos is one that incorporates voluminous, Old Hollywood-style curls. They’ll bounce and shine all the way down the aisle, making you look like a modern-day Rita Hayworth.
If a more precise look is what you’re after, well-defined ringlets may just be for you. Piled on top of your head and adorned with glittering, decorative hair pins, this look will evoke a high-society, Audrey-Hepburn-in-Breakfast at Tiffany’s sort of vibe.
Finally, for that extra bit of lift, consider coaxing your tresses into a 60s-inspired sky-high bouffant. Worn half-up and half-down, you’ll ooze Brigitte Bardot-esque sultriness.
Lone Star Spirit: All In the Details
You’ll be glad to know that you don’t have to order your cake in the shape of a horseshoe in order to add quintessential Southern flair to your big day. Whether you want to show Texas pride or simply add a little charm and whimsy to your wedding, plenty of creative, fun, and tasteful ways to do so are within your grasp.
For example, consider the beauty of the official state flower of Texas, the bluebonnet. Paired with white roses, they make for an absolutely stunning bouquet, and can be woven into your hair for a beautiful, fairy-like effect.
If you’re not afraid of flaunting your country girl roots, toss those uncomfortable heels aside and slip into a pair of gorgeous, rodeo-ready cowboy boots. Celebrities like Miranda Lambert and DeAnna Pappas have gotten in on the down-home nuptial trend, and you can too. Whether you display your boots with pride or conceal them under a floor-length gown, don’t be afraid to indulge your Southern roots.
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and you don’t need to sacrifice comfort, fun, or style on your big day. Whether you simply slap on some heat-proof makeup or host a true Southern Belle over-the-top ceremony, you have plenty of options when it comes to merging all the Texan glamour, beauty, and no-nonsense know-how into your big day.
Take a look at our Texas Style Bridal infographic below
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