Wedding day jitters can bring havoc to the skin and complexion of a would-be bride, that much is true. On the countdown to the Big Day, it is important – more than ever – to visit the spa or consult one’s skin specialist, either for treatment or consultation on how to look your glowing best on the most important day of your life.

If a visit to a dermatologist seems expensive or out of the way, one need not look far. There’s a Clinique counter at a Rustan’s branch (and Essences) near you.

Even though the market is already saturated with lots of skin care and make up products, I trust Clinique because it has been existing for as long as I can remember. In the finicky matter of skin care, reliability and credibility is best. Let’s just say our family loyalty to the brand spans generations, starting with my grandma, mom and aunts. Thanks to them, me and my sisters would always get loads of Clinique goodies from the US.

Luckily, the brand is easily available in the Philippines too. I reacquainted myself with it by availing of their free skin care consultation in Rustan’s Makati recently. A free skin care check-up is a given in any Clinique counter, but since this also doubled as a media event, there was a table full of healthy afternoon snacks, a schwag bag of miniature samples and free touch-ups (the best part!).

The worst part? I was late, but that’s another story, hehe.

My consultant immediately sat me down for a skin typing session.She asked me about my pore size, which part of my face am oily in, my skin coloring and other factors. From these questions, she was able to figure out that am Skin Type 2. Description: “Skin is dry in the cheeks, comfortable-to-oily in the T-Zone.”

By determining my skin type, she was able to recommend the kind of products she can recommend from their line which is allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free.

Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care really is a classic. Three-Step basically means Cleanse, Exfoliate and Moisturize. It’s something they pioneered to take the fuss out of beautifying oneself. Amid the plethora of beauty products these days, the basic 3-Step Skin Care is our first step to healthy, glowing skin.

Of course they have other products too, like the Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream, the Turnaround Instant Facial Masque and the Derma White line for sun protection. The average price of the products are P1,000 and up.

Going back to the subject of weddings, adopting the Clinique skin care philosophy shouldn’t just be focused on special occasions. Cleanse, Exfoliate and Moisturize should be our mantra for a lifetime of keeping our skin beautiful.

Good news to brides and would-be brides:

Join Clinique Coffee, a twice-weekly gathering where coffee, pastries and the gospel of beautiful skin is served. Happening every Monday and Tuesday at Heaven on the 5th of Rustan’s Makati. This is the best time to avail of free skin care consultation and be treated to the Three-Step Skincare demo. Please call Tel. No. 894-3521 to make an appointment.

If even celebrities are cutting down on cost, there’s no reason why ordinary mortals like you and I can’t. The times simply call for it. Am sure budget brides will reason out that all the moolah spent on a one-day affair is better allotted for big-ticket priorities after the wedding, such as a house or car downpayment and saving up for when the baby comes.

It’s all a matter of spending creatively. Here are some ways to do this before the Big day:

1. Comparison shop between suppliers. Do not be afraid to engage in some dirty leg work or conduct serious research which may be via the internet or plainly asking your friends for referrals. I assure you this makes a difference, rather than relying on what you hear on TV or read in magazines.

2. Do-It-Yourself. DIY, the magic word in wedding preparations. There are a lot of aspects of the wedding preps which you can designate for DIY such as the invites and giveaways. Pool together the talents of your friends and families. This can save you as much as 40 per cent.

3. Tap volunteers among your circle. If you have talented friends, kindly request them to do the singing and emceeing jobs or do the styling for your wedding venue.

4. Haggle hard with your suppliers. If business is bad because of the crisis, they should be able to compromise on a few things. Even a 10 per cent discount goes a long way, or at least ask for more freebies to throw in with your package. The people in charge of the lights and sounds during our wedding gave us free use of their bubble machine which added a fun element to our reception entrance.

5. Attend wedding fairs and related events. This is where suppliers give discounts and irresistible offers like make-up trials, food tastings and free rooms for your honeymoon if you book them on the day.

There are of course countless other tips and pointers. Knowledge is power. This is so far the most important lesson in wedding planning. Write down all your negotiables and non-negotiables when it comes to cost and see how it gets you a long way, in a significant way.:D

I tried eyelash extensions four years ago, when it wasn’t yet so common in today’s salons. I actually wanted them during my wedding day but the crazy schedule prevented me from having it done. So I had to content myself with curls of mascara from the make-up artist.

Given the time though, I would opt for extensions on such a special day as a wedding because they really have a way of enhancing and opening up your eyes. No need to put on a mascara too.

The only thing is you would have to endure close to two hours lying down as the salon attendant painstakingly glues each lash, which resembles human hair (some claim it’s the real one.) When they’re fully attached, they serve to lengthen and thicken your lashes like never before.

Note that putting on these faux eyelashes are high-maintenance. You cannot rub your eyes or wash it in the usual way. If you want it to last beyond your honeymoon, you also cannot engage in so much action with your sweetheart as this could misalign the lashes.

Extensions normally last from two to eight weeks, and price ranges from P500 to P2000 ($10 to $40). If you want a retouch or would like to go back to you normal lashes, you’d have to visit your stylist again so they can be professionally removed. Ask your favorite salon for more details.

I got a chance to peek at the bright & colorful Dashing Diva salon at the Beauty Bar of Robinsons Midtown, Manila. I promised to myself that I will drop by one of these days, if only because of the free martinis during Happy Hour. That rocks!

I think that their manicure rates, from P250 to P300, are way higher than the regular neighborhood parlor rates, but no harm in trying if they make me feel like a diva, LOL.

What’s interesting is that they have parties fit for bridal showers and such. Useful if you want to destress and bond with your bridesmaids.

One of the precious lessons I learned before the wedding was to have my nails done. So busy was I that I did it a few hours before the wedding ceremony took place! Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I made as a bride. Having great-looking nails was simply a must for all those photographs, and for shaking the hands of our guests.

On with the story, Dashing Diva has packages to suit the all-female party you have in mind. And the best thing is, they come with complimentary drinks! Just a little pricey at P875 to P1425 per person.

Inquire at the following branches:

Rockwell
Telephone No. 898-2042 to 43

Trinoma
901-5560

Robinsons Midtown, Manila
567-2326

(Open from Mondday to Sunday)