Winter Wedding Beauty: What EVERY Bride Needs To Know

Choose a hairstyle that works with the elements.
While summer brides have to fight humidity, winter brides face their own hair challenges. "When there's no humidity, hair tends to get dry and dull and static-y," explains stylist Nunzio Saviano, owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City. "Especially when you remove the veil, you get all of this static in the hair. It's uncontrollable." To avoid such mishaps, Saviano recommends that brides go with an updo, which is less likely to create static-driven problems.

Prepare for the worst — just in case.
With any luck, you'll marry on a dry, sunny day. Orrrrr, your ceremony could coincide with the blizzard of the year, and it's best to be ready for that possibility. "Expect your wedding day to be the worst, weather-wise," Saviano advises. "On a snowy day, you can't predict how your hair is going to be." He adds that it's not a bad idea to do a trial run of a just-in-case style: "Be open to different styles, and don't just get set on one look. Have a plan B — you want your hair to last and to look great all the day through."

Give dry skin what it needs.
"Women with dry skin suffer even more during the winter because of the constant change in the environment — both naturally and artificially," says Lori Taylor-Davis, director of Global Pro Lead Artistry for Smashbox, adding that indoor heating tends to affect our skin's moisture levels. So, she says, brides with parched skin should bypass powder on their big day. "Liquid and crème foundations tend to work best on a drier skin, especially during the winter months," she explains. Her pick: Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation, a long-wear formula that contains gel-covered pigments to "blur" imperfections. As for touchups, Taylor-Davis recommends using blotting powders instead of chalky powders. "They will help to keep makeup light and fresh, instead of overly done or cakey," she says.

Save trends for another day.
Look, we live for runway makeup, but maybe your wedding day isn't the time to take Gucci's prune-hued eyeshadow for a spin. Taylor-Davis says to avoid overly matte skin and lips, neon or electric colors, and metallic liquid liner. ("I always recommend a classic look to brides," she says.) Want to feel "now" in a way that won't look dated? "A brighter classic lip color is a good way to update your makeup without looking overly trendy," she says.

Bring on the sparkle — with caution.
It's a winter wonderland out there, so frosted, sparkly makeup is the way to go, right? Not so fast, says Taylor-Davis. "Glitter of any type should be avoided when choosing a look that will stand the test of time," she explains. That doesn't mean you can't shine on the big day, though. Look for makeup with a subtle shimmer, or simply let your accessories sparkle. "For a winter wedding, finish your wedding-day look with a crystal-encrusted veil to pick up the glisten of snow," suggests Vatana Watters, founder and CEO of bridal collection Watters.