The acne expert

Amy Saunders keeps us glowing…

How far in advance should a bride be thinking about her wedding day skin? Brides should start thinking about their wedding day skin roughly three months in advance of their big day. During these three months it’s a good idea to start incorporating some extra skin-boosting foods into your daily routine. One of the easiest ways to do this is by drinking a green juice or berry smoothie each morning. Not only will these healthy drinks give your skin an incredible glow, but all those antioxidant rich nutrients will help your body cope with any stresses that wedding planning may throw at you.

What’s the ideal cleanse, tone, moisturise routine? I would avoid messing about with your skin care regime too much. Chopping and changing products can upset the delicate balance of your skin and can potentially cause dryness, redness and pimples as your skin tries to adjust. Keep things as simple as possible with a calming cleanser, antioxidant rich serum, a facial oil and give your skin a nourishing treatment 2-3 times a week. One bridal must-have is Green People’s Beauty Boost Skin Restore. It’s an organic treatment cream that repairs, plumps and delivers intense hydration… all while you sleep!

Any top wedding day make-up tips? If you’re having your make-up done by a professional make-up artist it’s so important that you have a trial done before the big day so you both know exactly what you want. Choose a make-up artist that truly understands your needs. If you’re doing your own make-up I suggest asking your favourite brands for different samples to find the products that work best with your skin type/tone and more importantly, make you feel great! My most loved make-up tip is to scrap the concealer for blemishes, and stick to using it under your eyes. Instead, use a small brush and your foundation to build up extra coverage just in the areas that need it. Concealers often have a completely different consistency to foundations and can make blending tricky. By using the same product you can achieve a fresh, natural look with a flawless finish.

Amy specialises in the natural treatment of acne. Skyn.Therapy helps others to identify the root cause of their skin problems and achieve a beautiful, clear complexion for good. Find out more at skyntherapyblog.com

The hair stylist

Charlotte gives us luscious locks…

Are there any natural ways to get glossy, healthy hair for your wedding day? Natural glossy hair is sadly a rarity, you either have it or you don’t! However, eating well will keep hair strong and healthy, and giving your locks a final cool rinse after shampoo and conditioner will enhance a natural shine. Cool rinsing closes the cuticle of the hair down, and encourages the hair shaft to sit smoothly. This will stop hair from tangling and getting damaged when combing and brushing.

When should a bride have her last colour/ cut done? Depending on how you’re wearing your hair on your big day determines when you have it trimmed. If you’re planning an up-do, I always advise my brides to have a small maintenance trim around 6-8 weeks before, to ensure maximum length. If the bride has a short style or is wearing her hair down, I’d recommend a trim around a fortnight before. The final colouring should be done a week before, to ensure there’s no regrowth in the wedding photos!

Any top tips on keeping hair looking great throughout the day? Wedding day weather can potentially make things a little tricky. Back combing is a key component in ensuring the up-do stays in place, and I’m a true believer in hairspray. However, there’s a real trend at the moment for messy looking, loosely styled hair, which can be troublesome. A bride’s hair accessories are also an important factor when choosing a hair style. The clip, comb or veil needs to suit both the hair type and the hair style. Sometimes accessories can be too heavy, for example, so consider both before booking an initial consultation. I think every bride should have a mini can of hairspray and some argan oil on hand to tidy up any strays.

Charlotte is based at Hair at Fifteen, Tenterden. To book an appointment or for more information visit hairatfifteen.co.uk or call 01580 762118.

The nail know-all

Hannah beautifies our cuticles…

How can a bride naturally strengthen her nails in preparation for the big day? You can’t beat a good hand and nail cream or a lovely nail oil to keep your natural nails in tip-top shape. The Espa Rejuvenating Hand Cream is perfect for this. Try and keep your nails exposed to natural sunlight as much as you can, vitamin D is a key component to having the healthiest nails. A couple of treatments before the big day will have you feeling revitalised and your nails and skin looking beautiful.

Do you have any top tips for preventing cracked hands or hang nail? To keep your hands silky smooth and radiant pick your favourite hand cream and apply a thin layer and leave to soak. Do this 2-3 times a week and you’ll notice a huge difference. Hang nail is a big no-no, but by keeping your nails and cuticles conditioned, and NOT picking at them, it can be easily avoided. Before bed time, massage some lip balm into your nail beds, this will keep them moisturised and supple all night long.

What would be in your emergency wedding day kit? My kit would have to include a glass nail file, just in case of any broken nails or splits. A hydrating hand cream is a must to cure any dry and dull skin, and a nourishing cuticle oil will keep your nail beds in amazing condition and prevent any flaws or imperfections.

Hannah is based at Green Farm Kent, a beautiful farm estate deep in the Kent countryside. For more information and to book a stay visit greenfarmkent.co.uk or call 01233 733997

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