Your Kent Wedding - May/June 2020 (Issue 90)

Catch up on all the latest from around the county Nearlywed NEWS LOCAL LOVELY I visited award-winning luxury salon 27 Two 6 Beauty in Welling (pre-lockdown I hasten to add), to put a bespoke facial and massage treatment to the test… The salon offers each bride a bespoke solution to their big-day beauty needs. Owner Kristina Shepherd says, “Every appointment starts with a consultation. We need to find out what their concerns are, and to understand the skincare journey they’ve been on so far.” I was to try the perfect pre-wedding facial, intended to give my skin that sought-after glow and smoothness. After settling down in the calming oasis of the treatment room the first step was a melting gel-to-milk cleanser, which soaks in to even out skin tone by stabilising pigment-producing cells. The next step was the enzyme peel, gloriously fragranced with pineapple and papaya. This eats away at dead skin, but doesn’t affect any live layers, so it’s beautifully gentle. I could feel it turning from a thick, smooth cream into, what I thought was an exfoliator, but actually turned out to be my dead skin! The peel was removed and next came the oxygen mask that I’d been looking forward to. You can actually feel the foamburst technology making it bubble and fizz away on your face, which I loved. Millions of tiny bubbles work away at the dry areas first as they absorb the oxygen and nutrients. This is a great solution for breakouts, which don’t occur in oxygen-rich environments. The Vital C serum goes on next, full of vitamins A, C and E, followed by a broad- spectrum SPF. These heroes protect against environmental and sun damage respectively. And finally, a lip cream containing broken collagen. This tricks your lips into thinking they’re being damaged, causing the skin to go into overdrive and produce more collagen. The benefit ladies, is that with regular application, it can help you gain a plumper pout. My treatment was finished with a deep, relaxing hot stones massage, aiding lymphatic drainage and blood flow, as well as relaxing the facial muscles where we hold a lot of tension. Then, the coolness of the rose quartz roller directly afterwards shocks the face, firming and tightening, making pores smaller. I left 27 Two 6 Beauty with a glow on my face and a spring in my step. To find out more and book your consultation call 020 8301 2726 and check out www.2726beauty.co.uk ON YOUR MARKS Victoria Walton, owner of Victoria Elaine Bridal, located in Maidstone’s Royal Star Arcade, is very much looking forward to reopening the boutique’s doors, post-lockdown. In fact, she’s already planning to celebrate in style with a very special offer for all of her lovely brides. For a period of four weeks after the boutique reopens, when you go in and order your gown, you’ll be treated with up to £100 off your accessories (terms and conditions apply). Sadly, the Coronavirus outbreak has temporarily scuppered plans for springtime Ellis Bridal and Hayley Paige trunk shows. However, new dates are already in the pipeline for later in the year, so do check the website regularly, as you won’t want to miss these: www.victoriaelainebridal.co.uk Every cloud We caught up with Zdena Clark of White Rabbit Cakes in Hawkinge for her take on wedding planning during the current Coronavirus crisis. She told us: “Although this is a challenging time of unprecedented proportions and deeply disappointing if you’ve been forced to postpone your big day, remember that those hopes and expectations are still very much alive, just deferred to a later than imagined date. Thankfully, most venues and suppliers are doing their utmost to accommodate new dates for their couples, helping to minimise further disruption to your plans.  “I do believe in silver linings though, and whilst this cloud hangs over our heads, many couples may even benefit from the extra time to tweak their wedding plans to perfection. Maybe it allows all of us time to hit the pause button, take stock and reflect; a luxury that many of us do not usually have in our fast-paced society. Above all, take care of yourselves, body and mind, and stay safe and well. We are certainly all in this together.” Check out www.facebook.com/WhiteRabbitCakeStudio YOUR ESSENTIALS 9