Petite Bride Woes

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are getting married next May. We're young for marriage, but not dramatically - I'll be 22 and he'll be nearly 24. The problem is...I look really young - even younger than I am!

I'm 5'2", have a round face and a short torso, and I'm not all that good with makeup. Additionally, I have wavy, frizzy hair, so it's not always willing to be styled. I look like I'm about sixteen. I'm sure it'll be a blessing one day, but in the meantime, it's a bit frustrating!

Does anybody have any tips to make myself look my age?

climbingsingle

It will be a blessing. Most people are shocked when they find out I'll be 35 this year. I'm blessed with good genes.

When I got married the first time, I was 24. People at my nail salon thought I was going to my prom. Did I let it bother me? Nope. Embrace your looks. Who cares if people think you're younger than you are? It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

lovesclimbing

I would recommend a hair and makeup stylist if you can swing it. They will be able to help out with doing your hair and makeup in a mature way. I think updos look very classy and elegant.

There was a lady posting this exact question regarding dress styles over on the attire and accessories board. Here's the link.

http://forums.theknot.com/discussion/1052423/best-wedding-dress-styles-for-younger-brides

charlottesmom0626

I think you should just focus on feeling your best and the rest will fall into place. All of your family and friends know your legally able to marry, so I don't think it should matter if some random person sees you and thinks you're too young.

Make sure you love your dress, try out some hair styles and makeup looks, I think when it all comes together you'll love the result. 

artbyallie

I still get asked what high school I go to/graduated from. And I'm 27. So then I get wide-eyed stares when I patiently explain that I finished college six years ago. Whatever.

With the hair, you need the right person to style it. Do some trial runs. Go to your stylist if you have one or ask friends for recommendations. Different stylists have different strengths. My mom is fantastic at color and curls, but doesn't do well with adding volume. The owner of the salon she worked at is great at that because he has all the little old lady clients that want their hair teased into beehives. Find someone who 'gets' your hair and how it behaves.

Dreamergirl8812

I swear by the Organix 30 day smoothing treatment: http://www.amazon.com/OGX-Smoothing-Treatment-Straight-Brazilian/dp/B004ISU5V4 .

Try it now, and if you like it you can do it a week before your wedding. It makes my frizzy hair smooth and soft.

thisismynickname2

Another petite, young-looking person over here... Don't worry. You'll find a dress that works for your body type. There are tons out there! Personally, I went with a sheath because I thought a bigger skirt would "wear me" but that's not the case for everyone. I also agree with going for an elegant up-do. Are there department stores near you that do makeup tutorials?  You can have a professional show you how to do your own, and you can buy just a few key quality things to use on your wedding day. For example, I had my makeup done at one of those counters, and bought the eye-shadow kit and blush and did my own on my wedding day. 

And, don't worry what other people think about your actual age or the age you appear. Happy planning! 

levioosa

I also would recommend a makeup/hair stylist if you can afford it.  Do you usually experiment with makeup?  If you choose to do it on your own, practice and take pictures so you can reflect on what you've done.  Don't go overboard with the makeup or it might look like you're trying too hard to look older.  

  

Couggal12

I also agree with learning to embrace it. I get carded everywhere I go and I'm always referred to as "Miss". 

YouTube has a ton of makeup and hair tutorials. Maybe watch some of those before your big day so you can practice and figure out what kind of look you want. 

Cookie Pusher

I'm 4'10". Even though I'm in my mid-30s, I'm easily mistaken for under 21. Yes, it can be annoying sometimes, but the best thing to do is own it. Find a dress you feel fabulous in and no one is going to be thinking about how young you look - they'll only notice how beautiful you are.

lc07

I've gained about 30 lbs over the past year but before that I was 5'7" and about 110 lbs and had the body of a 12 year old boy pretty much. And I looked young face/skin-wise. I promise you as you get older you are so grateful for looking younger than you are!

Anyway, in the mean time try on lots of styles of dresses. Try on things you might not like on the hanger. There were a lot of dresses I liked on the hanger but when I tried them on I didn't like and vice versa. The style of dress I thought I'd get wasn't what I got after all. 

 As for hair and makeup, my personal preference is classic. I like to think of makeup as an accessory, adding to the way my face looks naturally instead of making me be something I'm not.

princessgracekelly

Oh my goodness, I was just about to start a similar discussion. I'm 23 and 5'2" and store clerks often accuse me of giving them a fake license when I buy alcohol . . . which just makes me want to buy more alcohol.

When I went wedding dress shopping, I found that empire waists and cap sleeves made me look really young. The dress I ended up going with was a lace A-line. My cousin, 25 and also 5'2", got married last year in a satin fit-and-flare and looked hawt. But those are just our experiences, yours may be different. I have also hired a hair and makeup artist like other posters have suggested.

ETA: Oh, I just re-read that you have wavy hair. Me too! (Well, curly ringlet hair.) Are we twins? (I also just re-read that your question wasn't about wedding dresses . . . oops.) I usually just wear my hair up if I want to look older, but if my updo is too severe, that brings attention to my baby face. Topknots make me look like a teenager. Try French twists or side buns, those hairstyles tend to make me look mature.

climbingsingle

Definitely be open to trying on lots of styles of dresses. And I agree with finding a great MUA and hairstylists. Do some trials. Yes, certain updos may make you look older. But you should find a style that you like and feel the best in. 

princessgracekelly

climbingwife said:

Definitely be open to trying on lots of styles of dresses. And I agree with finding a great MUA and hairstylists. Do some trials. Yes, certain updos may make you look older. But you should find a style that you like and feel the best in. 

The bolded is the biggest thing you should take away from this discussion. Throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks.

NowIamMrsKlein

Another baby faced one here! I'm 28 and lived in a province where the drinking age was 18. If I go to buy liquor without FI i get Id'd every time. I'm not even 5 ft tall.

To be honest, I've pretty much accepted the fact that that is the way it is

There are hairstyles that you can do to make you look older, as well as makeup, but do you really want to look like a completely different person on your wedding day? I say rock your tinyness!! It's who you are, if you are comfortable with that you will radiate on your wedding day and no one will be saying that you look underage.

teddygirl9

You hate it now, but it's better than looking OLDER than your age. I think I look about my age, but if I'm not wearing makeup, I always get ID'd. Like, 100% of the time. Wearing makeup, almost never. Very weird.

 

Anyways, have you had your hair professionally done before? I'm sure they've worked with more difficult hair than yours, and it is possible to have it styled nicely. I assume when you say next may you mean 2016, which gives you over a year. You can work on making your hair healthier (if it is unmangeable because of that), growing out or finding the perfect cut for you. Lots of options!

Wegl13

There are dresses that come in petite sizes, so ask about that when you go dress shopping (you will still need it hemmed but the waist will fit way better and not hit you at some weird ass place on your body).
I got really lucky with my bridal gown shop: it was owned by two older gentlemen and if I came out wearing a dress that was too much dress for me (I'm 5'3") they sent me back to the dressing room immediately. My biggest takeaway from that was that I am too small to wear gobs of lace and bling; it looked like the dress was wearing me.
At the end of the day, you will always look your best if you stay classic on all fronts, especially with young looking features. Too much make up and elaborate updos are going to give you a Toddlers and Tiaras vibe. And like PPs said, own that shit.
Regards from the recently believed to be a 12 year old bride