8 Wedding Tips That Are Low-Key Brilliant

Whether you've been dreaming of saying "I do" since you were in kindergarten or just last week, you undoubtedly want to look your best on your wedding day. And while that outward glow will naturally be lit from within thanks to the sheer joy you'll feel, don't discount the power of having a few genius tricks up your sleeve. "It's about finding subtle ways to accentuate your features and elevate your signature style so you feel the most confident on your wedding day," says New York-based makeup artist Amy Palmer. Read on for more small but mighty tips that can make a major impact in photos, on film, and of course, IRL.

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There's getting your beauty rest, and then there's getting your beauty rest on a dreamy silk pillowcase. All those pre-wedding jitters can cause more than a few restless nights—particularly on the one night you need sleep most. Tossing and turning tends to leave some unwanted creases in your skin, but a silky surface (aka a silk pillowcase) can help prevent lines and red marks the next day. Bonus: It can help tame frizzy strands, too.

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Should you wake up on your wedding day with (gasp!) puffs under your eyes rivaling mini marshmallows, don't hit up your derm on speed dial. Instead, Palmer recommends using a stainless steel ice roller. "Not only does it wake you up, but the metal roller allows for some lymphatic drainage while also depuffing. It's also more reusable than cucumbers or ice cubes," she says. Keep this cool tool in the freezer and spray a little alcohol or an anti-bacterial solution on the applicator after use.

Speaking of looking bright-eyed, there's one little secret in makeup artists' bags that you need to know about: LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops. If you wake up with eyes looking red, just one drop reduces redness so your eyes look whiter and brighter, and it lasts for up to 8 hours. (Truth: This writer used them on her wedding day and has never seen her eyes look so amazing.) Plus, the contrast helps bring out your natural eye color, so your gaze will truly wow in all your photos.

Price: $12.99 for 2.5mL

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If your brows take their cue from skinny jeans and you'd rather them be full-bodied, take a beat before you tweeze. Your technique alone could be killing your brows. That's because each little hair follicle is connected to a blood vessel, which keeps it healthy. But if you rupture it, chances are, the hair won't grow back. Save those teeny strands by plucking with a plan. Pull the skin by your brows tight towards your temple and tweeze in the direction the hair grows—usually outward rather than straight on. If your brows are still a no-grow, see your dermatologist for an intervention. There are prescriptions that can be very effective for eyebrow regrowth.

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A flawless finish on your wedding day starts with some serious skin care well ahead of schedule. While you may be tempted to test out treatments like lasers or microdermabrasion, Palmer recommends trying anything new at least four to six months out from the wedding in case of any reactions. Her best advice for complexion perfection: Incorporate an acid into your process, which exfoliates and refines skin, and helps it maintain more moisture. If your skin is sensitive, go for a product with lactic acid (which is gentler). If your skin can handle something a little stronger, try a product with glycolic acid.

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Your wedding day makeup has a big job to do. After all, lasting from morning 'til well into the wee hours is no easy feat. The best way to prevent it from migrating during the night, without messing up your makeup, is by dabbing powder just along your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), which tends to accumulate the most oil, Palmer says. "A finely milled powder will keep you looking pore-free and matte, while still natural," she says. Ask your makeup artist to help you shade match and keep that compact in your purse for touchups.

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Even if you aren't getting married in the tropics or during the dog days of summer, all that twirling with your new spouse and loved ones can work up a sweat—and frizzy strands. The easiest way to tame errant tresses is by using a dryer sheet. Yup, the same one you'd use to freshen up your laundry. Simply run it down the length of your hair and your follicles will fall in line. That's because there's a little science in play: Dryer sheets are positively charged and hair is negatively charged, so they help slay static. And they're small enough to stash in the tiniest of clutches for handy swiping.

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You may have your daily beauty regime down to a science, but if your brushes are clogged with product, they won't work effectively and worse, can cause breakouts leading up to your wedding day, Palmer says. Brushes not only collect makeup residue, but they can also become a repository for dirt and oil—the perfect home for bacteria to grow. Cleaning your brushes once in a blue moon won't cut it. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing, rinsing, and repeating every seven to 10 days using warm water and a bit of shampoo.