FASHION & BEAUTY Q&A

Q&A& beautyFashion

Our experts answer your fashion and beauty dilemmas

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I’m overwhelmed with the variations of white and ivory wedding dresses; with so many shades, how do I know which one will complement my skin tone? When you walk into a wedding boutique and are confronted by a sea of white and cream it can seem overwhelming. However, once you look closely there is quite a difference in the tone of colour used. Up close they could be crisp white, ivory, oyster, cream, antique white or soft white. Each colour will have a different effect when worn against the skin, depending on whether your underlying skin tone is warm or cool.

When selecting the colour, look closely at what happens to your eyes and your pallor. Compare a crisp white with a warm cream for instance and you might notice that one makes your eyes pop and your complexion look bright and fresh. The wrong colour against the face can make us look older and pallor — obviously, something to avoid on your special day!

It’s a good idea to think about the make-up colours that you will be using too. If your make-up and dress colour are in your best tones that are complementary to your skin tone, that’s the surest way to look radiant and glowing.

The only true way to discover your underlying skin tone is to have a colour analysis session with a reputable consultant. Colour analysis needs to be done face to face to be absolutely accurate, so please use online services or questionnaires with caution! Kelly Caira, House of Colour | kelly.caira@houseofcolour.co.uk

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

I never wear dresses in my everyday life, so I’m struggling to envisage myself in a wedding dress for the big day. It’s leaving me with anxiety as I have no idea what I’m looking for — help! You are not the only one who feels this way, lots of people do. You are feeling out of your comfort zone and this is normal for someone who doesn’t wear dresses often.

When you book an appointment, you do not know who you are going to see or what to expect, so this can make anxiety levels higher to start with. After we introduce ourselves to you and let you know how your appointment will be, this will start to put you at ease instantly. Please don’t worry, we are here to help you get rid of those feelings of anxiety and make you feel comfortable.

We let you look through the dresses first, so you can see the different style of dresses we have. This will also relax you a little to familiarise yourself with the environment you are now in.

When you find styles you like and want to try on we put these to one side, once you have a collection we will then also suggest some bridal dresses we think you may like from what you have told us. You may even want to try a trouser and top two-piece, as there are lots of alternatives to dresses out there!

We help you in and out of the gowns so no need to worry ‘how am I going to get this dress on/off’, we’re here to help and make your experience in finding your perfect outfit the best it can be. By the time you leave your appointment you will not be feeling worried at all. Carla Lynch, Dress Code Nine | www.dresscodenine.co.uk

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FASHION-FORWARD

I love my jewellery and I’m always on-trend with my accessory choices. What’s hot in 2022 when it comes to wedding and bridal jewellery? As we look ahead to the fast approaching 2022 wedding season, there are trends that we are starting to already notice in the approach.

Coloured gemstones are increasing in popularity once again. Either on their own or set alongside diamonds; blue sapphire is one of the most common gemstones we get asked for.

We are also increasingly being asked by customers to use stones from jewellery that they have inherited from family members and set them into more modern setting styles.

Going into the new wedding season we are gearing up for an increased demand for man-made diamonds. These diamonds are identical to a mined diamond and are a cost-effective alternative. They are more environmentally friendly and we can see them being a huge success in 2022. Lauren Fossett | Affinity Fine Jewellers | www.affinityjewellers.co.uk WINTER RESCUE

We’re tying the knot early in 2022 and completely forgot that the winter months wreck havoc with my skin! Help, what can I do to get picture-perfect ready for the big day? All the over-indulgence of the festive season and the cold winter weather can really take its toll on your skin. There are a few simple steps you can take to really give your skin a boost!

Start by hydrating from the inside; not drinking enough water can make your skin dehydrated, so try and up your fluid intake.

Keep your facial routine simple, cleanse and moisturise morning and evening; what’s more, a targeted day and night cream will work even better! Do not over exfoliate as this can leave the skin irritated.

Also, don’t forget the SPF. Even in winter harmful UV light can still stress your skin’s moisture barrier. Wear an SPF under your daily moisturiser, or there are lots of moisturisers on the market with SPF already in it. Emma Foley | The Halcyon Room www.instagram.com/thehalcyonroom

STYLE ICONS

My partner’s everyday look is really fashion-forward and he’s not afraid to try new styles. What’s going to be on-trend for groomswear in 2022? Trends are ok to follow to an extent, but if you really want to show your fashion credentials it’s about embracing your own style and personality. If you want to rock a pink and white striped suit down the aisle go for it!

Looking to 2022, the trends which have jumped from the fashion runways to the wedding market are: ♥ Velvet ‒ the more colourful the better! ♥ All black looks. ♥ Suit materials with a shimmer. ♥ Mirco prints. ♥ All-season tweed. ♥ Red wine/burgundy hues. ♥ Statement waistcoats. Danielle Harvey | Grooms’ editor www.county.wedding