If you're going to swap your specs for contact lenses, start practising with them three months before your wedding.

Also three months before, start treating your skin to a weekly facial.

Your wedding ring hand will be a major focus of interest on your wedding day, so have a manicure.

Stay out of the sun on the big day itself.

Wedding day make-up should be heavier than your usual daytime look but less than you would wear in the evening.

Make sure your bridesmaid has all your essentials in a bag - translucent powder, concealer and lipstick.

Foundation - Just because it's your wedding day, there's no need to pile on more and more. Give your skin the coverage it actually needs, and no more.

Don't be tempted to buy a darker foundation to give yourself a healthy glow. It won't. You just won't be the same colour as your decolletage.

Don't even think about trying to colour your chest with the foundation as well. The make-up will just come off on your dress.

Blusher - Again, there's no need to pile on more just because it's your wedding day. You'll look like you've got a fever.

If you've never used a cream blusher before, today is not the day to start.

Eyes - Where you apply eye make-up can dramatically alter the look of your whole face. This is where a professional make-up artist at one of the counters can help.

Take a friend with you to watch and write down all the tips. Then practise at home until you've got it right.

Eyelash curlers are a girl's best friend. Give them a quick blast with the hair drier before clamping your eyelids for about 20 seconds.

Use waterproof mascara, even if you are convinced you won't cry.

Lips - Make sure your lips are in perfect condition by using a balm in the days before your wedding and overnight before the big day.

You want your lipstick to last. Use a lipliner, then apply, blot, reapply, blot