NEW YORK, NY—April  8, 2008—Today’s beauty-savvy bride thinks a lot and spends even more when it comes to how she looks. In fact, today’s brides-to-be spend an average of $938 on hair and makeup to say “I do.” BRIDES has combed the beauty aisles and tested hundreds of lotions, creams and cosmetics to find the products that make the engagement period and wedding day even more picture perfect. The May/June issue –which hits stands on April 12th— identifies BRIDES Beauty Award winners in the categories of makeup products, skin savers, body treatments and hair serums. Among the winners: “Best Mascara,” “Best Self-Tanner,” “Best Hairspray,” and “Best Sunscreen.” BRIDES has been published since 1934 and is the leading bridal publication in the country.

BRIDES Editor-in-chief Milie Martini Bratten, says, “Whether you’re a romantic, natural or trendy bride-to-be, there are products out there that can enhance your best features on your wedding day. The entire staff weighed in to compile the most useful and best performing cosmetics and hair care items and assembled them in one easy resource for our readers.”

BRIDES lists almost 50 beauty and hair products ranging from everyday, inexpensive items to top-of-the-line, luxury splurges; as part of the BRIDES Beauty Awards, readers can log on to Brides.com/Beauty Awards for the chance to win one or more of the 2,000 prizes being offered. Among the winners, are:

Makeup: “Best Eyeliner:” Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner; “Best Nail polish:” Sally Hansen Color Quick; “Best Lip Gloss:” Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss.

Face: “Best Lip Balm:”No7 Deeply Moisturizing Lipcare; “Best Exfoliant:” Kate Somerville ExfolioKate; “Best Eye Cream:” Dr. Brandt r3p Eye.

Body: “Best Body Wash:” Boscia Jujube Rejuvenist Amino Body Wash; “Best Bubble Bath:” Origins Shedonism Intensely Bubbling Bath Syrup; “Best Scrub:” Bliss Hot Salt Scrub.

Hair: “Best Deep Conditioner:” Kiehl’s Intensive Repairateur Deep Conditioning Pak; “Best Hair Spray:” Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer Micro-Fine Finishing Spray.

Also in the May/June issue of BRIDES:

v     The Guest List (Let’s Discuss): Five twenty-something BRIDES staffers who’ve gone through the not-so-fun process of whittling down the guest list discuss how to make progress, and how to handle guest list drama.

v     High-Tech Inspired Wedding Gowns: edgy hemlines, streamlined details, and silhouettes that push the boundaries abound in a fashion spread of the latest gowns in unique styles.

v     As Always: the bridal 411, the latest tips and trends, new color combos, 11 ways to cut your floral bill, 16 unique decorations that anyone can make and a must-have cheat sheet on choosing a party space.