BEAUTY BUZZ

SHEER MAGNETISM

Discover your longest-looking lashes yet with benefit’s They’re Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening and Power Lifting Mascara. Providing flutter-worthy length for up to 36 hours, the mascara is powered by a magnetic force that draws out lashes to extremes, making them look up to 40 per cent longer. Oh the drama!

Priced at £24.50 and available at www.lookfantastic.com

Kiss the bride

NO SCRUBS!

Made from a soft, plush micro-fibre the new reusable cleansing pads from Raw Beauty Lab gently lift away makeup while helping to stimulate collagen production. No more scrubbing. They don’t even need a make-up remover to eliminate the most stubborn of waterproof mascaras, just add water. With an average lifespan of two to three months, you’ll be saving the planet from hundreds of cleansing wipes, and you can even repurpose as a duster or buff your jewellery back to bling!

Priced at £11.99, you’ll find them at https://rawbeautylab.com

Cult beauty favourite P.Louise has launched its popular lip bases in a range of 11 beautiful shades. Containing vitamin E, shea butter and hyaluronic acid, the super-hydrating and creamy formula makes the perfect pout achievable in seconds. The thick consistency ensures a smooth application and gives an insane colour tint with a velvety matte finish. Plus, a little goes a long way, which means they’ll be in your make-up bag to stay. Priced at £10, they’re available at www.plouise.co.uk Beauty Beauty editor Kelly Andrews shares her latest beauty must-haves BUZZ for the bride to be The gift of pampering

If you’re looking for a perfect way to say “thank you” to your bride tribe, it’s never been easier to create a bespoke Lush gift box. Simply choose the products you wish to include, design your box using an array of different colourways and designs, and add your personalised message. Why not design your box and contents to complement your wedding theme? Or simply pick the products each of your best gals will love. The choice is yours, so get ready, set, personalise!

Head over to https://customisation.lush.com

EDITOR LOVES SILKY SMOOTH

I’d heard about the wonderous effects of silk on hair, but was slightly sceptical until I discovered British brand, This Is Silk. I can tell you I haven’t looked back since. If, like me, you’re growing concerned about the increasing knot of hair wrapped around your hair band, check out the silk skinnies. Made from 22 momme mulberry silk, they protect your hair from friction, kinks and damage, offering strong hold without the unwanted effects of a standard elastic hair band. No longer do I pull a clump of hair out of my head whenever I take my hair down and it already looks in much better condition overall. The bunny skinnies are my supercute personal favourites, worth every penny.

Head over to https://thisissilk.com, you won’t regret it!

W7 Makeup has launched its newest product, Brow King, in collaboration with celebrity brow stylist, Salih Cikikcioglu. Model turned YouTuber Sal grew his profile online and now counts Perrie Edwards, Molly Mae Hague, Jesy Nelson and Sam Faiers among his clients.

W7’s Brow King allows you to create your perfect colour match using the various powders, which can be combined using the mixing tray. There’s a brush included to provide shape, definition and fullness, plus a clear eyebrow gel and wax formula for a longlasting finish. It also comes with a double-ended highlighting pencil so you can achieve that sought-after Insta-brow!

Available from www.w7makeup.co.uk, priced at £11.95.

GENTLY DOES IT

Intelligent haircare brand Grow Gorgeous has announced a new sensitive range, which has been expertly formulated with skincare-grade ingredients to help soothe, moisturise and comfort sensitive scalps. Fragrance free and dermatologically tested, the routine includes a gentle Micellar Shampoo (£14) to softly cleanse and calm, a Replenishing Conditioner (£16) to deeply moisturise strands, and a Ceremide Rich Overnight Scalp Mask (£25) targeting red and flaky scalps.

Of those who tried the products, 94 per cent claimed the range helped to reduce the appearance of flakes, and having put it to the test myself, I can testify to the fact that it leaves hair silky smooth from root to tip.

Discover more at www.growgorgeous.co.uk

Beauty with a conscience

Introducing Smart Skin, the new skincare collection by blogger, vlogger and internet personality, Niomi Smart. The range is made up of five carefully curated products that combine environmental considerations with a passion for quality skincare. Everything is made in England and each product is 100 per cent cruelty free and vegan, containing at least 95 per cent natural ingredients. What’s more, use of eco-friendly packaging is a core value for the brand with all boxes made from FCS certified card and the tubes from aluminium, one of the most sustainable materials on the planet.

Check out the collection, available online at www.mysmartskin.co.uk

Coming up roses

When it comes to your hair hydration equals health. So, it’s easy to see why Michael Van Clarke’s 3 More Inches Angelica Rose Shampoo and Conditioner, both £19, rate so highly with customers. With Strengthening properties of provitamin B5, cashmere amino acids, plant extracts, minerals and essential oils they work in harmony to give you fresh, clean vibrant hair with a divine lasting scent of rose. Now, this much-loved siliconefree formula has been updated to make it even more luxurious and hydrating. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time!

Check out www.vanclarke.com

BALANCING ACT

If oily skin is the source of your weddingday beauty worries, this could be what you’ve been looking for. Bioderma’s Sébium Lotion deeply rebalances combination to oily skin, even the sensitive ones.

Zinc combined with vitamin B6 purify and regulate sebum production, agaric and ingredient-of-the-moment salicylic acid refine the skin texture and tighten pores, while glycerin moisturises skin for eight hours. What’s more, the brand’s patented Fluidactiv restores sebum quality and prevents clogged pores.

Priced at £11, it’s well worth a try. Check out www.bioderma.co.uk

Ultimate luxury

Looking to up your skincare game? Check out Truffle De-light from TEMPLESPA. This advanced hydra-gel moisturiser quickly sinks into your skin leaving it feeling refreshed and hydrated. With a semi-matte finish, it’s perfect for oily skin or for those who prefer a lighter layer of skincare.

The breakthrough formula contains champagne extract, which gently exfoliates, black truffle to brighten the skin, rose quartz for radiance, and botanical caviar to improve hydration and elasticity. Now, if that’s not a list of luxury ingredients befitting a bride’s beauty prep, I don’t know what is!

Priced at £90, it’s available at www.templespa.com

Bridal beauty Q&A

SUMMER SIZZLERS

Local experts on latest looks for the season ahead

We had to cancel our summer wedding last year due to the pandemic and I haven’t been keeping up with all the emerging trends. What’s the latest on bridal hair and make-up to get me up to speed? Emma says: By next year hopefully we might be seeing some signs of normality returning to weddings but in the short term, summer ’21 wedding trends may be a bit different to what you might expect. Let’s start with the colour schemes as these influence make-up trends. The prediction is that primary hues such as red, yellow and cobalt blue, also fushia pink and teal blue will be in favour. These bold palettes throw a fresh light not only on the wedding décor, flowers and bridesmaid dresses, but can also work with bridal make-up too.

❤ The block lip

Give your bridal make-up a contemporary look by going for a bold colour to match your palette; pillarbox red, fuschia pink and flame orange are perfect for this. To keep it on point go for a lip stain for a semi-matte effect which in turn intensifies the colour on camera. Lip stains have the added bonus of being kiss-proof and mask-proof. There are so many hydrating options now they don’t have to be drying for the lips either. ❤ Bold eyes and fluffy lashes

Since the need to wear face masks was introduced, women have started boldly emphasising their eyes again, which has also caught on for bridal make-up. Break from traditional black or brown eyeliner and opt for navy or teal instead. These are especially

great for brown and hazel eyes but will work for most eye colours and skin tones. Smoky effects created with blush, gold and bronze shades will be a popular choice for summer brides due to their neutral tones. Even glitter eyes will make an appearance to truly show the pandemic you can still party like it’s 2019. Pair all of these looks with fluffy lashes or a lash lift and you’ll look the epitome of a post-lockdown bride. ❤ Low buns and ponytails

In keeping with the relaxed party theme for weddings to come this summer, hairstyles will be less formal and more understated.

Ponytails are going to be popular, but not just any old gym class style. We’re talking cascading curls, sweeping fringes with subtle height at the crown. Out with chignons and in with buns, low and textured, not smooth or sleek. ❤ Dainty hair accessories and subtle veils

Relaxed hairstyles call for less formal accessories including veils worn at the back of the head, more for decoration only, and not getting in the way of the shoulders or face. Hair flowers and accessories will be dainty like vines or daisy chains starting from behind the ear and intertwined in soft curls. ❤ Most importantly, have fun with your hair and make-up and let your personality shine through.

READY, STEADY, MARRY!

We’re hoping to get married this year but I’ve not been sticking to my usual healthy routine and my eating habits have gone haywire! I need to get my mojo back to look and feel my best for the big day, but I’m not sure where to start. What would you suggest? Natasha says: Firstly, get your partner involved! It’s a fantastic way to spend time together, support each other and, if you’re competitive, push each other to work that little bit harder. Exercising is always better with someone else, so who better than the love of your life to share it with.

❤ KISS! Keep It Simple Sweetheart

It’s tempting to try and do everything all at once, particularly if you’ve only got a short amount of time to reach your goals. But the most effective thing you can do is pick one achievable target, break it down into little steps and work towards each one. ❤ Don’t focus on the numbers

Staring at your scales every morning will not make you happy!

If you want to track your progress, try only weighing in once a

month and take photos at the same time. For the rest of the month, think about how your clothes are fitting and how you’re feeling in yourself. You may find you’ll fit into your pre-lockdown jeans before you see any movement on the scales. ❤ Find exercise you actually enjoy

With the world going online, there’s never been a better time to try a class you wouldn’t normally have access to and many of them are still at incredibly low prices or even free. No pain, no gain is old school; enjoying what your body can do and having fun while you exercise is absolutely in! ❤ Be kind to yourself

Trying to get fit and plan a wedding are demanding tasks under normal circumstances! So if you didn’t manage to hit your goal for today, it’s ok. Plan your day tomorrow, allow time to reach whatever goal you have in mind and get back to it. Celebrate the days when you hit your goal and look at the other days as opportunities to learn and reassess your plan.

Natasha Bligh | Personal trainer | www.forthehealthofit.co.uk

HOT TOPIC

Local experts on what’s hot for summer weddings

ALL IN THE DETAIL

We want to make the most of our country venue for our summer wedding including the outdoor areas, weather permitting. What would you suggest? Clare and Matt say: ❤ Lighting is often overlooked but can be one of the most cost-effective ways to transform a venue. You can create a lasting magical impression indoors and out with everything from twinkling fairylights to a starlit LED dancefloor to add to the party atmosphere. Get really creative with decorative and different colour bulbs and with the summer months ahead, take the party outside with festoon lighting and exterior uplighting. ❤ Don’t forget details like the seating to complement the look and

feel of your day. Chiavari chairs are a popular option, they provide an elegant alternative to chair covers and can be dressed to match your theme. ❤ Drapery is great for a multitude of tasks; it can enhance a host of different spaces, create a focal point, frame the top table or even disguise any unwanted features. Our bespoke ceiling drapery and starlight backdrops are ideal for extra wow factor while adding elegance and finesse to your big day. ❤ Extra touches like a ceremony arch, white carpet aisle runner, decorative lanterns, blossom and bay trees can make all the difference too.

Clare and Matt | Venue stylists | www.luminiqueevents.co.uk

TOP TRENDS

We’ve had to postpone our big day twice now and haven’t been keeping up with the current trends as we didn’t want to get too excited! Now we have a date for this summer (woo-hoo) so now I need to get back on track with what’s happening in the world of weddings and bridal beauty. Melinda say: Micro and intimate weddings look set to remain popular for a while yet. I can even see first anniversary parties catching on giving brides the opportunity to wear their wedding dress again and show it off to all their friends and family. In general I think the overall feel will be more natural and less lavish, with more sentimental touches and meaningful accessories. Make-up will be more natural and subtle too, as many brides-to-be have come to realise over the past year, that they don’t need to wear loads to look beautiful. As a specialist in natural make-up, I love that many are feeling happier in their own skin. Hair styles are also set to be softer, less fussy and detailed with flower accessories as we’ve all come to appreciate nature much more over the past year.

www.lydiastampsphotography.com

SEASONAL BLOOMS

We love flowers but have no idea about all the different varieties. What will look great and be in season for our summer wedding? Karen says: There’s an amazing array to choose from and one of my go-to summer picks is the delphinium; a wonderful tall flower available in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. One of the few naturally blue flowers, it’s perfect for large statement arrangements, great to fill space if your venue has a high ceiling or a large blank backdrop. Extremely versatile, they can be used not only to create contemporary designs, but also a wild country look, mix with whimsical flowers such as nigella, scabiosa and Ammi majus. A true wow-factor bloom, they can be added to hand-tied bouquets to add height and texture and look divine in a shower bouquet. There’s also an abundance of colour to celebrate the season, beautiful pink, purple, white and of course yellow. Summer arrangements using all these can be very uplifting, especially if your venue is a little dark or the décor is quite neutral. Your wedding is about you though, so don’t feel pressured into using an array of colours if it’s just ‘not you’. If a timeless classic look is more to your taste then go for white, lime green and a mix of different shades of greenery, or add a hint of colour, like the blue delphinium!

Karen Fisher | Florist | www.thevillageblooms.co.uk

GET YOUR GLOW ON

We’re getting married in August and are hoping the weather will be gloriously sunny for the photos. I want to look my best but I’m worried as I’ve been neglecting my usual beauty regime during lockdown. What can I do to make sure my bridal makeover is on point? Caroline says: Good skin is the essence of great make-up and it needs to be in tip-top condition to get the best results. Here are a few pointers to help and remember, it’s never too late to start looking after your complexion . ❤ The most important parts of any skincare routine are exfoliation and moisturising. Used regularly these two things will make a difference to everything, from absorption of your chosen products to the texture, tone and overall radiance of your skin. (Try Pixie Glow Tonic for great results!) ❤ Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, makes pores look smaller and thetexture of your skin feel smoother, taking it from dull to bright in seconds! ❤ Moisturiser boosts the oil and water levels to prevent flaky, dry, dull patches and provides protection from the elements, it can also help regulate different skin types. ❤ Choose a daytime cream with sunscreen but not a really high factor one or your face may look paler than you’d want in the photographs. (I love Estée Lauder Wake Up Balm.) ❤ Remember to take an emergency repair kit with you on the day including blotting paper, a big-day essential to keep the dreaded shine at bay. Take some bronzer as well to minimise any shine and for topups, pack a lipstick with a matte texture to give staying power and waterproof eyeliner.