At the risk of boring all the good people of Ciao I thought I'd give you all the low down on my make-up I wore for my recent wedding. Here now before you all - I make my promise this will be the last of my Wedding reviews!

•SKIN
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I started my wedding make-up preparation about 4 weeks before my wedding day! No before you think it was the amount of time for the Poly-Filler to set.... I mean skin preparation.

•DETOX

I started on a de-tox plan courtesy of Ms Vorderman, to attempt to get my skin as radiant and youthful as I possibly could. I cut out on tea coffee and milk products, and drank mostly water. I avoided foods on her lists to avoid, such as fried foods and most meats. Mainly I stuck to a vegetable diet. It did work to a certain degree. My skin felt clear and fresh.

•WITCH HAZEL

But disaster struck 5 days before the wedding. A huge carbuncle of a zit on my chin. When I say huge I mean gigantic. I was distraught. What could I do? I was in Boots looking for an answer. This was a tricky one as I have sensitive skin. I came across a twist up stick of Witch Hazel. With its healing properties I thought I'd give it a go. Within 2 days the angriness of the spot had gone and by the 3rd day the spot was flat all swelling and infection I suppose had gone. At 2.75 I had thought it a little expensive. But to save my wedding Photo's...priceless!

•FACE
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On the day I used some Boots facial wipes after my shower to ensure a clear canvas to work on. It's suprising no matter how clean you think your skin is these wipes always find some more grot from your face!

Then I applied some
•AVON VIRTUAL LIFT INSTANT RESULTS SERUM. Priced - £8.00 for 50ml. This has a tightening effect on the skin and helps to ease away some of those fine lines. Applied in upwards strokes it is a lovely base to work on it makes your skin feel tight and fresh.

•MAX FACTOR FACEFINITY was used as my foundation. Priced at £9.50 per 35 ml bottle from Boots. I used 003 Natural for a natural look with smooth skin with no shine
It leaves a flawless finish. With a natural look.

•AVON BRONZING PEARLS
I used this as a blusher and across my shoulders and chest.The overall effect is lovely, your skin really shimmers with all the different clours and pigments and catches the light. I find even with the best of foundation matches my skin looks pale when applied, but this product is an enhancement to your foundation with its highlighted shimmery look lifting your skin and making it look more contoured at the cheek bones.

•EYES
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MAYBELLINE SKY HIGH CURVES MASCARA
Formula contains a sculpting wax to hold the curl all day. It Glides on evenly and smoothly without clumping or smudging. It enhanced my otherwise non exsistant lashes. It does work very well. At £6.99 from Boots it is a long lasting good mascara.

I didn't want to over do my eye make-up so I went for BOOT"S NATURAL COLLECTION Eye pencils. I chose Sea Spray and Silver. I outlined my eyes with the Sea spray colour, which is a sparkly dark blue, and brushed over my lids with the Silver. It is a chunky pencil and is very versatile as an eye liner or a shadow. Priced at £3.00 each from Boots a real asset to your make-up collection at any time.

•LIPS
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For all day kissable lasting colour I used MAX FACTOR LIPFINITY. This really work's well. I chose number 56, which is a pinky mauve. Not my normal choice of colour but very feminine and light just right for a wedding. It did last all day. The idea is to apply the base colour layer then wait a few minutes and apply the top coat. The first layer really dries your lips out and you wonder what on earth you're putting on then the second layer lubricates them beautifully. I did have to re-apply the second coat twice. But this was only for my own comfort, the colour stayed locked on all day. Priced at £7.99 from Boots, definately another I will use again.

•HAIR
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For any bride on a bit of a budget and stuck with an idea of what to do with her hair, I have a suggestion. No not a bin bag.... or an all over number 1. If you can tie your hair into a high pony tail (It doesnt matter if you only have an inch of hair in the pony tail!) Buy yourself a hair piece! I know, I know you're thinking oh no sounds revolting. But check out my pics first before deciding you wouldn't carry it off. Mine came in the form of a Pony tail style clip in hair piece. It cost me £15.00, from a costume out fitter's. I have seen them on market stalls and in various shops. Varying in price.... the dearest I've seen is £35.00.
Tie you hair in the highest pony tail you can manage, secure with hair grips if needs be. Clip it on and hey presto ....done! i finished the look off with a tiara. Many relatives who hadn't seen me for a few years thought it was natural!

I hope these idea's will help any bride to be to plan her make-up for the big day. Mine worked a treat and lasted throughout the day. I felt confident and even shed a tear or two with no disasterous effects. I have posted a few pictures to show the overall effect. No glamour queen I know but at 39 I felt good.... which is what the day is supposed to be all about.

Thanks for reading
Sonia xxxx