Recorded Books Inc. - Radiant bride: the beauty, diet, fitness, and fashion plan for your big day

2015 by Alexis Wolfer

Illustrations 2015 by Tracy Turnbull except where noted

Published by Running Press,

A Member of the Perseus Books Group

All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions

Printed in China

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher.

Books published by Running Press are available at special discounts for bulk purchases in the United States by corporations, institutions, and other organizations. For more information, please contact the Special Markets Department at the Perseus Books Group, 2300 Chestnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or call (800) 810-4145, ext. 5000, or e-mail .

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015935931

E-book ISBN 978-0-7624-5809-7

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Digit on the right indicates the number of this printing

Edited by Cindy De La Hoz

Designed by Susan Van Horn

Illustrations by Tracy Turnbull

Illustrations on pages 52-57, 87, and 91 by Susan Van Horn

Typography: Great Vibes, Neutra, and Port Ornaments

Running Press Book Publishers

2300 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-4371

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www.runningpress.com

For the most radiant bride and groom I know: my mom and dad.

You make fifty-plus years of wedded bliss seem like a piece of cake.

CONTENTS

Before you embark on your Radiant Bride journey, here are some mostly common sense guidelines to keep in mind.

1 ) You know your body best. Listen to it. If something doesnt feel right (whether its a new fitness move, skincare tip, or anything else), skip it.

2 ) Your health and wellness are always my number-one priority. Pretty please, talk with a doctor before starting any type of new fitness routine or diet.

3 ) Dont eat anything or use anything topically that contains any ingredients youre allergic to.

4 ) If anything new you use topically (a new DIY facial, for example) irritates your skin in any way, rinse it off immediately and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

5 ) As with anything, you get what you give. Give your best and I promise you will look and feel your best when your wedding day arrives.

6 ) Stand up straight and smile! Okay, so those arent guidelines for using this book, per se, but they are my two absolute best tips for looking radiant, so we may as well get started with them now!

HI THERE, BEAUTIFUL BRIDES-TO-BE!

If I know one thing, its that every woman wants to look and feel amazing on her wedding day. They want skin that glows, hair that shines, and a body that rocks. But far too many women are going about it all wrongand its backfiring. From crash-dieting and crazy fitness fads that leave brides hair falling out, skin dull and drab, and energy levels in the gutter; to poor beauty choices, like scheduling a last-minute facial, rocking red nail polish, or getting a spray tan (more on all these later!), its no wonder that, come wedding day, so many brides look and feel far from their radiant selves. And, well, Im here to fix all that!

The most common question I get from readers of TheBeautyBean.com, is related to their upcoming nuptials. From what diet they should follow and when they should get their hair colored to tips on how to pick the most flattering dress and pose perfectly in pictures, brides want to know it all. You want to know it all! (Its why you picked up this book, isnt it?)

As I started receiving more and more e-mails, tweets, and Facebook messages, I knew I needed to find a solution. At first, I tried tracking down the best wedding bloggers, with the hopes of directing all the desperate brides-to-be there, but came up short. Too many of them were merely telling other brides what they had done, what makeup they wore, how they styled their hair, but it failed to take into account the fact that not all of their readers have the same taste, budget, skin tone, hair texture or length, or any number of other factors in common. So, I hit up my local bookstore. I scoured the shelves thinking I would be able to find the ultimate guide for the soon-to-be-Mrs. but instead I found shelves lined with books designed to help you plan the perfect party (some with mention of your hair, makeup, and dress), but none designed just for you, the bride.

So, I did what Ive always done when confronted with the realization that something necessary doesnt exist and that Im uniquely qualified to create it: I DIYd itand now, beautiful ladies, its in your hands.

As a longtime beauty editor, the creator of the popular online womens magazine TheBeautyBean.com, and a beauty expert (as seen on Today, E! News, The Doctors, and more), I know (almost!) all there is to know about makeup, skincare, and hair. As a certified holistic health coach, I know (almost!) everything you need to know about dieting for your big day and eating for beauty. And, with a do-it-yourself (or DIY) focus (it is, after all, why Access Hollywood named me the Female Beauty MacGyver), my goal is to always give you the tools so you can do it all yourself!

Here you have it: the only bridal book designed just for you, the bride.

In Radiant Bride, youll find everything you need to know to radiate on your wedding day. In this book, you have access to me: your own customizable and personal nutritionist, trainer, fashion stylist, beauty expert, life coach, and more.