Q&A Beauty and wellbeing Look and feel your big-day best with help from the professionals YOUR OWN OASIS OF CALM I’m finding wedding planning stressful! There are a lot of plates to spin and multiple well-intending parties keep weighing in on every single decision I make. Do you have any suggestions for calming my frayed nerves in the run up to W-day? Carol Joy London (https://caroljoylondon.com) says: It sounds like an evening of self-care is well and truly overdue. Check out our guide to planning the perfect at-home spa experience to calm those frayed nerves. One of the first things we all notice upon arriving at a spa is the wonderful, tranquil atmosphere. So, how can you create this feeling in your own space? Music is of huge importance – the right tracks set the tone, helping you to relax and providing the perfect backdrop. Check out Spotify for calming spa songs and you’re well on your way. We recommend soothing tracks such as Lost in the Clouds by Zen Gaya and Hiemal by Klaangen. Once you’ve got your playlist nailed, exaggerate the spa atmosphere and transform your space into a relaxing haven. Try placing some clean-burning beeswax candles around the room and dimming the light to cultivate that calming, soft glow found in a treatment room. An aromatherapy diffuser filled with your favourite essential oils will help to complete the effect, making your home smell like a luxury spa. Opt for scents proven to aid with relaxation, promote rest and relieve any anxiety or stress, such as lavender, ylang ylang and sandalwood. Okay, you won’t be able to enjoy a dip in a pool or relax in a sauna during an at-home spa day, but your experience can still be special. Try filling your bath with sprigs of dried lavender, calming bath salts or plenty of bubbles for a more indulgent soak instead. Why not get your spouse-to-be involved and give each other a massage using spa-standard massage oils? Begin at the lower back and move your hands slowly up both sides of the spine until you reach the shoulders. Use slow, circular movements as you work your way up the back. Then, massage your fingertips across the shoulder blades and along the tops of the shoulders. Use very gentle movements to massage the back of the neck. Finish by massaging the upper arms, using your thumbs to apply a little pressure. Again, using slow, circular movements. You’ll also want to invest in spa-standard skincare (check out https://caroljoylondon.com/collections/ skincare) that will feel incredible on your skin and deliver noticeable results. The facial is a mainstay of any spa day, so make sure you bring this experience into your home by applying your sheet mask or eye masks mindfully. You can also use a jade or rose quartz facial roller to give yourself a gentle face massage. Focusing on the jaw and temples can help to release tension and promote relaxation. Use some calming facial oil or serum to help the roller glide across the skin and enhance that premium feel of indulging in something special. WINTER-WOW FACTOR What make-up look would complement my winter wedding? Make-up artist Ellie Collins (www.instagram.com/ elliecollins_hmua) says: Winter weddings are becoming so popular and offer plenty of opportunity to experiment with your bridal makeup. The first thing to embrace at this time of year is the opportunity to delve into deeper and darker colours as well as being able to experiment with cooler tones that wouldn’t work as well for a summer wedding. Bold shimmers can be used to create a glowing, icy effect on the eyes. After all, shimmer is the way to go at the festive time of year. If darker colours aren’t your thing and you’ve opted for a more muted palette for your wedding as a whole, this doesn’t mean your makeup can’t reflect this. Muted pastels such as beige, caramel, dusky rose and burgundy work beautifully with gold shimmer to add dimension and depth to a look, complemented perfectly with a dewy, fresh base contributing to a glowy, natural finish. 80
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