YOU CAUGHT MY EYE

PURA ANADA NATURAL BLACK MASCARA £14.50, https://liveinthelight.co.uk “Hypoallergenic, ph balanced, paraben-free, gluten-free, mercury-free and formulated with eco-cert approved ingredients – what’s the catch? There doesn’t seem to be one! I was a touch sceptical at first, but I’m actually rather impressed with it. The formula is silky when wet and completely matte when dry. Although I didn’t put it to the test of crying and have no skin allergies, I can confirm that it’s smudge-proof, builds well without getting claggy and was very kind on my eyes.” – Beth Morton

PERRICONE MD NO MAKEUP EYESHADOW £30, www.perriconemd.co.uk “In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not get this No Makeup concept initially. But having tried it, I’m more than a convert, I’m an addict! The light-reflecting pigments provide a soft, satin finish while the serum texture formulated with acyl-glutathione means it glides on and blends like a dream. It didn’t crease and my eyes looked brighter. It also acts as a great base for a bolder eyeshadow look, but works just as well on its own for subtle everyday wear.” – Kelly Andrews

OPV LOOSE PIGMENT £8.50, www.opvbeauty.com “I’ve never tried loose pigment eyeshadows before and was sceptical when these first arrived in the office, but after just one application, I was hooked! These highly-concentrated products are easy to apply and are vegan and cruelty-free – a huge bonus. I love how you can create a soft and subtle look or build up the product for more glam.” – Olivia Gibson EYEKO LONDON LIMITLESS EYESHADOW PALETTE £25, www.lookfantastic.com “Shimmering champagne gold is the most subtle of this palette’s six-shade collection, creating a soft, glowing look that I loved. While those looking for a bold, striking look, will adore the darker brown options. The other shades are red/gold inspired and all suited my skin tone perfectly. Each hue is easily blendable and all work well as a subtle daytime or standout evening look. They’re long-lasting and after a full day, my eyes still looked fabulous.” – Melissa Barker

We put together some gorgeous weddingday eye make-up looks using the newest launches to hit the shelves

ICONIC LONDON GLAZE CRAYONS £24, www.iconiclondon.com “I’m always on the lookout for pigmented eyeshadows that are quick and easy to apply, and this dual-ended product didn’t disappoint. On one end of the stick is a creamy crayon that glides over the eyes and blends out beautifully, then flip the product over to find a non-sticky glitter liquid that stays on all day – it’s the perfect duo!” – Olivia Gibson

DECK OF SCARLET OVER-ARCHING BROW KIT £34, www.deckofscarlet.com “This fab new kit has everything you need to create the perfect brow. I won’t lie I panicked slightly when I opened it up, not knowing where to start, but the super-helpful folk at Deck of Scarlet have included a stepby-step how to on the reverse, so all was well. The final look is subtle and totally natural, the perfect complement to a bridal make-up look. The highlight for me is the sculpting wax. It held my brows in place all day without leaving them feeling greasy or crunchy – both of which I’ve experienced with other products!” – Kelly Andrews

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Q&A Fashion and beauty

Look your big-day best with top expert advice

ACCESSORISE AND SHINE

I’ve bought a dress with no embellishments, and now I’m worried it’s too plain. How can I add some wow factor? Sometimes less is more; a simple chic gown is so elegant and creates such a classic look. I love to style my brides with the perfect accessories to complement their dresses. If you feel something is missing and you need that extra bit of sparkle to finish off your look, here are my top tips.

Add a sparkly belt, which can be sewn around the waist to ensure it doesn’t move. A small delicate pearl belt or a thicker-shaped diamanté style would work well depending on your preference.

Veils are a stunning bridal accessory that can bring the whole look together. A long and sheer Italian tulle veil with pearls scattered throughout is gorgeous and very on-trend. Or you can choose an elaborate veil with lace edging down to the bottom of the dress, which is perfect if you have no details on your train.

However, if you feel accessories are still not working for you, ask your bridal stylist if adding embellishment to your dress is an option. We can order fabrics and appliqués from most of our designers. We’ve even helped one of our brides create her own design by positioning sparkly appliqués on a plain dress to bring her vision to life! Charlotte Burton | Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal www.charlotteelizabethbridal.com THE MANE EVENT

I’ve seen some gorgeous pictures of messy buns and textured up dos, but my hair is so thin and straight. Can I still achieve this look? The short answer is absolutely! This sort of style is actually perfect for people with fine and straight hair, as it gives the illusion of having thicker locks. Any texture or curls are held in place by the up do, so you wont have any fears of the curls dropping or going fuzzy.

Padding can be used to make the bun more pronounced and create an illusion of more hair. If you still need a little extra helping hand, a couple of rows of extensions can be added to the nape of the neck to provide more hair to wrap around the bun. Ensure you bring along plenty of pictures to your hair trial to show your stylist how textured or messy you would like your hair. Robyn Wood | Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing www.perfectsilhouettehairdressing.com

HOT TOPIC

Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas

SAY CHEESE!

Many photographers offer an engagement shoot, but we’re camera shy and don’t know if it’s for us. What are the benefits?

Not everyone loves being in front of the camera, but it’s not every day you get married! Engagement shoots help you get acquainted with your photographer and the camera in their hand in a more relaxed environment that’s not time-restricted. The shoot gives you the chance to see the supplier’s people skills, and provides the photographer with an opportunity to see how you react in front of a camera. Here they can learn how to best put you to ease, what type of pictures you like and more. For anyone who is camera-shy, we recommend a pre-wedding shoot more than ever. There’s nothing worse than turning up at the ceremony, at this point you’re probably most nervous, and suddenly having a photographer point a camera at you for the first time without knowing what to expect.

Your photographer is one of your few suppliers who are with you for the entire day. So a good relationship is vital, and you’ll soon enjoy having your photos taken more than you imagined. #TRENDING

My hubby-to-be wants to wear something that’s ontrend. What styles, colours and materials are popular right now?

Tweeds in all colours are proving extremely popular, either as a full three-piece suit or a waistcoat. Paired with the Peter Posh Stretton or the Westbury Royal Blue Mohair Lounge Suit, the waistcoat allows you to have that tweed look without being too warm to wear – especially in the summer months. Another trending look is the patterned three-piece suits, like this gorgeous Alveley one.

I’ve booked several weddings with tuxedos lately for couples seeking a more formal and elegant look on their wedding day.

BRIDAL BEAUTY

We’re having a country garden wedding next summer, and I’d love to have fresh-faced and dewy skin. How do I achieve this?

A great base will achieve the ‘your-skin-but-better’ dewy look. In the lead up to your wedding, be on top of your moisturising game. Make sure to drink lots of water and wear a daily SPF.

Without getting too techy, upgrade to a BHA ( beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant. Don’t let the name acid scare you, as this is much gentler then other products and helps to reduce redness over the traditional face scrub, while still removing dead skin cells.

When you get to the big day, start with a hydrating primer – my holy grail is the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. Apply lightweight foundation such as The Ordinary Serum Foundation and build-up coverage where needed with concealer – the Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape Concealer is amazing.

Keep things fresh with a cream contour and blush rather than powder versions. Then lightly set oily areas of the face with a finely-milled powder such as the cult classic Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. Finally, lock in the products with a spritz of a dewy setting spray all over the face with the Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, or try the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Spray Goldlite for extra sparkle. We’re thinking of booking our entertainment, but we’re a bit worried about hiring someone online that we’ve never met. What advice can you share with us?

I have a few suggestions to help https://chloeyoungphotography.co.uk couples find their perfect match. Firstly, recommendations from friends, family members, venues and other suppliers are always a great place to start. I also receive lots of lovely reviews and testimonials from my couples, so it’s also worth reading these of your shortlisted performers.

Lots of artists today have extensive online profiles. You can often find videos and recordings on their Instagram pages, YouTube channels and SoundCloud profiles. Here you can also see my live and recorded performances too. Explore these platforms to find a performer whose music and performance style closely matches your day.

For my couples, I love to chat over the phone, on Zoom or in person at wedding shows. This way, I can discuss their ideas on a more personal level. Ask your supplier if this is something they can provide to put your mind at ease.

Soraya Vermeulen | Soraya Vermeulen – Harpist www.sorayavermeulen.co.uk

SUMMER LOVIN’

Our summer wedding is fast approaching, and we’d love to incorporate the time of year into our décor. Do you have any ideas on how to style our venue?

Meet your florist in person at their shop or studio; this ensures https://lornanewmanweddings.com they’re legitimate and it’s easier for them to understand what you want from your flowers. Be open, honest and realistic about your budget.

If you’re on a tight budget, ask the supplier to choose the best blooms possible while sticking to your colour scheme and style rather than a particular flower choice. Ask about seasonally availability and consider reusing ceremony flowers for your reception after the “I dos”. Don’t forget that flowers are a part of the whole day, from the bouquets to dressing the aisle and reception – try to budget accordingly. Be brave with colours and flower choices; let your florist run with your ideas and create something special for you.

Consider a statement arch or an arrangement to make an amazing backdrop to photographs. Remember that less can be more, don’t hide your venue’s beauty by overdressing it.

Be careful booking a company on price alone because if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Check for couple and venue recommendations before parting with your hard-earned cash, as the number of fraudulent wedding companies are on the rise.

Most of all, enjoy the whole process. Remember if something doesn’t go to plan, the most important thing is you’re marrying the person you love!