Your West Midlands Wedding - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 66)

84 The eyes have it Q I’ve been experimenting with false eyelashes leading up to the wedding and I’m just not getting on with them. What could I do in the run-up to the day, and is there on-the-day make-up tricks that can help give a full-lash look?  A I totally understand, this is an issue for many of my brides who struggle to achieve a perfect application. Your make-up artist will no doubt have an array of mascaras, (all waterproof I’m sure), alongside oodles of standard lashes including corner and clusters to fill gaps and elongate the eye, but there are several options pre-wedding I recommend you explore, the last of which can be used even if you have very few or no natural lashes.  The lash market has some innovative new designs which I’m a huge fan of ! Let’s start with the basics. The aim is to add definition and accentuate your natural lashes, you may be looking for an understated or more dramatic effect, either way remember practice makes perfect!  ❤ Lash curlers. The original �eye opener� non-permanent, the curlers are best used before mascara and slightly warmed, (your hairdryer is good for this). If used often they can help train the lashes into your desired shape.  ❤ Lash lift . A salon-based treatment comprising of a tint and curl system which separates, colours and curls your lashes upwards for a natural but gently enhanced look which lasts several weeks. Mascara can be used to add further definition. ❤ Traditional false lashes . These rely on a glue to adhere strip lashes to the upper eyelid. They can be quite fiddly, messy and difficult to apply but once mastered give a fuller lash look that is totally adaptable depending on your choice of lash, the options are endless. ❤ Magnetic lashes . This system consists of two magnetic lashes which clamp together over your natural lash giving a glue-free, three layer lash finish. The lashes are easy to use, reusable, and again the styles available are seemingly limitless.  ❤ Magnetic liner and lash system (my favourite). With this method the eyeliner itself is magnetic, so again no glue required. Applied like a regular liner, this waterproof game changer allows the lash to simply slip into place creating a super strong bond. Your lashes and liner are complete in one process, and as I said, this technique works with little or no lash-incredible! Maria Knight MUA | Sprinkle Magic | sprinklemagicmua.co.uk FEELINGCONFIDENT? Q We obviously want our wedding day documented and know we want a professional photographer, however neither my partner or I are confident in front of the camera – we’ve never taken a selfie or have loads of pictures of ourselves! We don’t want our lack of confidence to standout in the pictures, what do you suggest? A You’re not alone! Most couples are a little nervous about having their picture taken, but there are things that you can do to help this. The first, and probably most important, is to choose a photographer who you get along with, not just someone who fits a particular budget, but try to find a photographer whose work you love but who can also put you at ease and make you feel comfortable. Your photographer is likely to be the supplier you spend the most time with so it’s crucial that you like each other! You could also look into booking a pre-wedding photo shoot, sometimes called an engagement session, this is a great way to have a practice run before the wedding and can really help to calm any nerves. Most wedding photographers offer these kind of shoots and they are a great way to have some relaxed portraits of the two of you ahead of the wedding day. When you’ve found the right photographer for you and your wedding, trust them. They will do their best to make you feel comfortable and give you the best experience possible. Nicola Gough | Nicola Gough Photography | weddingphotographyinshropshire.co.uk GROOMED TO PERFECTION Q The groom can often get overlooked on a wedding day so I would love to give my hubby-to-be a special memento of the day − what do you suggest? A Give your groom something personalised to complete his outfit, a set of bespoke cufflinks is the perfect gift! You can have them engraved with your wedding date or venue coordinates. Did you know that we can etch your own handwriting onto cufflinks? The handwriting looks fantastic on tie pins too! Stick to a classic timeless design so that he can wear these sentimental pieces again on special occasions, reviving fond memories from your special day. Elizabeth Terzza | Designer – Jeweller – Goldsmith | elizabethterzza.com Fresh is best? Q We’re tying the knot in December and I would love fresh flowers, will I be limited in variety compared to a spring or summer wedding?  A Winter weddings in terms of flowers are certainly not limited, there is so much choice and we love the richness of deep burgandy winter flowers such as anenomes, berries, burgandy wine rannnunculas and the classic rose. Or, choose the winter greys and whites of eucalyptus, olive, astilbe, asparagus fern, ivy – a real luxury winter wedding feel! We often use an abundance of foliage in winter which really adds texture and layers to wedding flowers. Zara Smith | Crumps Florist | facebook.com/crumpsflorist