Q&A Fashion and beauty Look and feel your big-day best with help from the professionals TRIED AND TESTED I’m really nervous about having my hair done for my wedding day as I’m normally quite fussy about my look. What can I expect from a trial? Bridal hair specialist Nicky Agnew at The Hair Lounge (www.instagram.com/nickys_bridal_lounge) says: It’s quite normal to have some brides feel a little uneasy and unsure of what to expect from a hair trial. They’re unsure of how to wear their hair or what best suits them. This is why having a trial is super-important for both you and your chosen stylist. It gives you both the time to get to know each other, which I feel is the most important part, but it also gives you the opportunity to try out a few hair styles. This way, you get to visualise your final look and see what style you feel most comfortable with. I really want my brides to leave the trial comfortable, confident and a little more relaxed. So, I like to ask plenty of important questions about your hair, how you usually wear it on a day-to-day basis, your likes and dislikes, and more. During the appointment you’ll also get the chance together to work out the timings for the big day and discuss any further important details your stylist will need to know. RING THE CHANGES With so many different materials available for our wedding bands, how do we know the difference and benefits between them all to make the right choice for our wedding day? Natasha House, marketing manager at F.Hinds (www.fhinds.co.uk) says: Since the bride’s wedding ring metal should be the same as her engagement ring metal, choosing a wedding ring can sometimes be easier than expected! However, the groom has a little bit more to choose from. The most popular wedding ring metals are: • 9ct or 18ct white gold. White gold is a modern twist on traditional yellow gold. It’s made up of lighter alloys and is plated in rhodium, which is what gives it its bright ‘white’ and chrome-like shine. It’s chosen as a cheaper alternative to platinum or palladium, but it does need plating every couple of years or so (depending on the wearer). • 9ct or 18ct gold. A shiny, bright yellow metal that symbolises the light of the sun. Also known as yellow gold, this metal is very traditional. 18ct gold costs more than 9ct because it contains double the amount of pure gold. • 9ct rose gold. Rose gold was popular for lavish jewellery pieces in the 1920s, and this blush metal is coming back in fashion. Rose gold looks beautiful on those who have olive skin because of the pink, rosy tones and it matches other rose gold and yellow gold jewellery pieces very well. • Platinum. Arguably one of the most luxurious wedding ring metals, platinum is a very sought-after, strong and precious metal. It has antitarnish properties so it keeps its beautiful bright shine without needing to be replated (unlike white gold). • Palladium. Palladium is a strong, light and durable metal and is often chosen for its hypo-allergenic properties. Part of the platinum family but a cheaper alternative, it’s more precious than gold or titanium. • Titanium. Discovered in Cornwall in the 18th century, titanium has a slight natural grey colour to it. It’s a wedding ring option if you want something that’s light, strong and hard wearing. Titanium is a lot cheaper than other metals like palladium and platinum, so works well if you’re on a budget. If you do a lot of hands-on tasks or work in a manual labour environment, then it could be the ideal wedding ring for you! Tip: When choosing your ring’s metal, keep your lifestyle in mind. If you work with your hands, then a stronger one like titanium, palladium or platinum might be best for you. Getty Images 68
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