Q&A and wellness Look and feel your big-day best with help from the professionals I’m naturally very pale skinned and with a white dress I don’t want to look washed out in my photos. I’ve never had a spray tan before, what can I expect, how should I prepare and is there anything I should bear in mind? Rebecca Pattenden, owner of Beauty & Hair by Rebecca (www.beautyandhairbyrebecca.com) says: A good first step before having a spray tan, is to make enquiries with various salons and ask their therapists whether they offer patch tests. When having a spray tan, the therapist must go through a consultation card and ask a variety of questions. Some will be medical such as finding out if you have any allergies to products, what medication you’re on, if you are receiving HRT/IVF treatment and more. Once you’ve answered these questions and your therapist has ascertained whether you can have a spray tan, they should then offer a patch test. If you’re very pale skinned you should opt for a low percent of spray tan, an 8% or 8.5% for example. It’s not worth going for anything higher as these are for people who tan well, have olive skin, or darker skin tones. I’d then get the product and rub it onto an area of skin not on show, usually on the stomach area and leave it to dry. I’ll then advise you of the instructions about showering after a certain amount of time. At this point, you’ll be able to see the results of the tan. If the colour is okay, then I suggest having a trial more than a month before the wedding day, and to book the final appointment two to three days before the wedding, as tans generally look better after a couple of days. You’ll also be given information about what you need to do with your skin before having a tan, as well as aftercare instructions. It shouldn’t come off onto the dress, if everything is followed correctly. Getty Images I really want to enjoy every part of the wedding planning process but sometimes it gets on top of me and I feel stress creeping in. How do you suggest I manage this? Research Psychologist, Dr Emma Palmer-Cooper (https://emmapalmercooper.co.uk) says: A colour walk is a mindful way to connect with your surroundings by focusing on specific colours while strolling outdoors. This simple practice encourages awareness of the present moment, which can enhance wellbeing. Many of us go through the day on autopilot, disconnected from where we currently are in the world. A colour walk shifts focus to the present moment, helping you feel grounded and engaged with nature. Choose one or two colours and actively seek them out as you walk. If you find your mind wandering, gently bring your attention back to your chosen colours. Paying mindful attention to nature can cultivate positive emotions and a deeper sense of connection to nature, others and life itself. Noticing details and colours in the moment can also help set aside past, present and future worries. If mindfulness is something you find challenging, a colour walk offers a simple, structured way to pay attention and stay present in your surroundings. As you walk, reflect on how your environment and the colours make you feel. Paying attention to the emotions you experience during these moments can increase the effects. Research shows that regular mindful practice, such as colour walks, builds resilience by improving psychological wellbeing and reducing stress. The key is engagement, choosing a colour you love, or walking in a space that brings you joy makes a commitment easier. Regular practice can turn this into a happy habit. Beauty 65 BEAUTY & WELLNESS
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