Charlotte O'Mahony is one of the most experienced Make Up Artists in the wedding industry, with over 10 years experience. She ensures that each of her brides and their bridal parties look and feel their best on that all important day. Here, she gives us tips on how to have the freshest looking skin and also, what beauty routine we should be following leading up to our big day.

Sometimes we are lead to believe that a complicated skin routine, using lots of products, will have a more desired outcome for our skin. In my experience, the less is more approach is the most effective, and one that is also most achievable. As I always say to my brides-to-be, if you don't have a skin problem then don't go looking for one . On the flip side, if you do have any skin issues there are various products and procedures which can help.

Skin Routine

1. My number one top tip for your skin is wait for it to drink water . Don't underestimate the power of water, it clears the skin of toxins and keeps it plump and hydrated. I would recommend that you drink 1-2 litres a day and I promise you will see a significant improvement to your skin.

2. Cleanse, Tone, Serum and Moisturise . It is so important to clean the skin both in the morning and evening. You should never sleep with your make up on it really can lead to break outs and dull skin. I also like to use a serum to lock in my moisturiser which in my case has an SPF 50. I recommend Ultrasun as it is also a great base for make up as dries complI use this all year round as protecting your skin from UVA/UVB rays will really contribute to slowing down the appearance of the dreaded skin ageing process.

3. Finally, I recommend to my brides to exfoliate . Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells which will help with improving any dry patches that you suffer from. To prep the skin like this you are guaranteed that your foundation will not flake or look cakey. Exfoliation also helps soften the skin and brighten your complexion. A tip for chosing the correct one is generally physical exfoliants work well on most skin types except if you have problematic skin like acne then chemical exfoliants are better. I use No 7 Total Renewal Microdermabrasion Face Exfoliator which is a physical exfoliation with aluminium oxide crystals. I would recommend that if you have dry skin once a week is sufficient otherwise use twice a week. For those that are prone to breakouts then a chemical exfoliation with either glycolic or salicylic will help with shedding the outer layer of dead skin cells. Don't forget to include your lips when exfoliating. Use a soft toothbrush with tepid water no product required.

There you have it, three simple, affordable steps for your skin that really work and remember don't panic if you wake up the morning of your wedding with a spot, redness or dryness as with the correct application of make up and highlighting you can achieve that glowy, flawless perfect look.

Beauty Routine leading up to the wedding

1. Eyebrows. Your eyebrows are so important for framing your face and also bringing attention to your eyes. Go for a shape that suits your face and get them done professionally. I would recommend that you get them done about one week before your wedding as make up can be difficult to adhere to freshly waxed skin. Make sure that you have got your eyebrows waxed before as you don't want any nasty reactions to the wax. The option of threading seems to be less abrasive on the skin but again do trial this too.

2. Lashes. Lashes have become so popular now. My advice is again if you are going to have semi-permanent lashes which can be very effective when applied naturally go for a trial. If you do decide to go for them then get them either two weeks before the wedding and then get them refilled the week of the weeding or just go for the week of the wedding. The advantage of these are that they eliminate the need for mascara and last longer. A tip if you do decide to wear just mascara is that you apply a non waterproof mascara first which I feel can look more dramatic and then apply a waterproof over it. You also have the option of applying individuals to the outer corners which really does help open up the eye.

3. Fake Tan . Another popular beauty treatment with brides is getting their tan done, I would recommend that you get it done two days before your wedding that way if you need to adjust it you still have time to do so. Not everyone likes to wear tan and I like to use a highlighter on the de-colletage and the tips of the shoulders which can be very effective in lifting the skin without the need for fake tan. There are so many various tans on the market at the moment it really is about trialing them.

I really feel that between the three skin routines and the three beauty dos that you will be ready for your make up artist to wor their magic the day of the wedding.