Q&AFashion & Beauty

Local experts offer advice on how to look your big-day best

The Eyes Have It

Q: I’d love to have a full-lash look for my wedding day but have never had any form of faux lashes applied before. What do you advise in terms of style, timings and upkeep for a newbie like me?

I always recommend having a trial of any new beauty treatment, whether it be a tan, facial or lashes — and nothing new the week before!

With lashes, if you’re having a make-up artist for the big day then this is a great starting point to get them to try the lashes out for you. Most make-up artists should offer false lashes, I personally use little cluster lashes which look very natural and have a similar effect to the semi-permanent ones. Also, what’s great about them is if you don’t like them, they come off quickly and easily with make-up remover.

If you love the look of these then book in for your first lash appointment. I recommend having a full set done six weeks prior to the wedding day. You can then book an infill for three weeks before and your final infill the week before the wedding. This way you have two practice attempts to decide on your perfect lash length, curl and fullness. There are so many different options with lashes, you want to find the perfect set for you. Plus, this gives you the time to get used to how they feel. Lashes need an infill every two to three weeks, so if you’re going off on your honeymoon straight after the wedding, they should last perfectly for this.

Becca Gray, professional make-up artist www.beccagray.co.uk

Thoroughly Modern

Q: I’m looking for a modern wedding dress, what styles, fabrics and design features should I opt for.

When looking for a modern wedding dress design, I believe the key features to look out for in your dress search are elements of architectural design. This can be in the style of the gown such as one-shoulder gowns, those with puffy sleeves, offthe-shoulder designs, square necklines, or beaded detailing.

When looking for a modern fabric, these can range from silk, satin, and Mikado, to taffeta and lace.

However, never forget even a modern style should reflect you, your personality, and your own personal style.

Jean Bristow, bridal boutique owner

https://alwaysandforeverbridal.co.uk

Boost Your Skin From Within

Raising the bar, St.Tropez’s new Self Tan Luxe Body Serum infused with a unique collagen-enhancing complex, responds to consumer demand for a hydrating, longer-lasting natural glow with skincare benefits. It works to firm, smooth, soothe, reduce redness and even skin tone while instantly hydrating skin in the most easy-to-use format yet. What’s more, it’s infused with the iconic St.Tropez Luxe scent, a fine fragrance with Tritech Olfactory Fragrance Technology, which equals no biscuity smell.

Having learned of its zero transfer attribute I asked Michaella Bolder, St.Tropez tanning and skincare expert, whether she’d recommend this particular product to brides, and if so when would be the best time to apply. She told me, “Yes, it’s a beautiful tan for brides. However, I’d always recommend to apply tan the day before. This way, you can be prepped and make sure you apply evenly without any worries or concerns on the morning of your wedding. It is zero transfer but as the tan starts to take, you want to make sure you’re super-confident, as it comes through over four to eight hours. So, always apply the day, evening or 24 hours before your big day. It leaves you with a beautiful rich, medium glow and with the skin being so hydrated it just beams.”

£35, available at Boots, Superdrug, Look Fantastic, ASOS, Amazon and all leading online retailers.

DAWN ‘TIL DUSK

Left with a hole in my life when my previous primer ran out I was bereft. Until Milk’s Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer landed on my desk that is. This lightweight water cream makeup primer with skincare benefits claims to blur pores and control shine for a long-lasting soft matte finish, and I can confirm it does just that. It feels fantastic to apply and leaves skin feeling satin smooth. After a long day visiting London recently my foundation looked as good when I arrived home as it did when I left. What’s more, it’s 90 per cent natural, clean, vegan, cruelty-free, noncomedogenic, paraben-free, and silicone-free. I’ve found a new favourite! £31, www.cultbeauty.co.uk

Golden Goddess

Leading Irish make-up giant BPerfect Cosmetics is a celebrity and influencer-loved brand with a difference. Expanding into stores across the UK later this year, BPerfect has partnered with Love Island 2022 winner, Ekin Su Cülcüloğlu to launch a range of innovative new products.

Ekin Su wore BPerfect in the Love Island villa and has now shared her secret weapons in recreating her iconic golden goddess look. Launching with four luxurious products – the Fearless Face & Eye Palette (£29.95), the Radiant Glow Luxurious Skin Enhancer (£16.95), the Luxury Half Lash Set (£16.95) and the Mini Empress Base & Body Brush (£9.95), they’re set to become make-up bag staples. Check out www.bperfectcosmetics.com