Your West Midlands Wedding- June/July 2020 (Issue 68)

80 SUN-KISSED beauty All images courtesy of James Rudland L ove Island ’s Olivia Buckland shot to fame alongside her now-husband, Alex Bowen, as one of the show’s best-loved success stories. The pair tied the knot at Gosfield Hall in Essex in September 2018, so the star certainly knows a thing or two about big-day beauty. Now, a huge celebrity social media influencer, her 2.2 million Instagram followers hang on her every word when it comes to beauty and fashion tips, and her TV work on shows such as Olivia & Alex: Happily Ever After and  Second Chance Dresses  has won her a fan base outside of the popular dating programme. We caught up with her to find out more about her latest project. GOLDEN GLOW Olivia’s latest venture sees her become brand ambassador for Cocoa Brown, a match made in heaven she explains: “I love being tanned all year round and this brand allows me to do that. The range is amazing, and I love being able to share such a fab and affordable product with my social media followers.”  To tan or not to tan? It’s a question many a bride has asked, especially when not feeling overly confident about the application process. Olivia suggests Perfect Fade Self-Tan, and says, “It’s amazing. It’s so easy to apply for first-time tanners and doesn’t leave a biscuit smell, which can often be a little off-putting.  “To ensure my tan lasts, I always exfoliate and moisturise before I apply and continue moisturising every day. When the glow starts to fade, and I feel I want to start again, I use Cocoa Brown Fresh Start Self-Tan Eraser to get rid of any old lingering tan. For the perfect bridal look, I’d recommend using the Miracle Mist to achieve a natural glow for your face. It doesn’t need washing off, which is a bonus. The 1 Hour Tan Mousse in the original medium shade is also great, it isn’t overpowering, and gives a lovely glow, which always looks gorgeous against a white dress.”  NATURAL BEAUTY The star is no stranger to posting stunningly fresh-faced make-up free selfies to her social media, and we were keen to know how she keeps her skin looking so flawless: “I always make sure I take my make-up off before I go to sleep. I also swear by using face masks once a week. My favourite is Skin Republic’s Prep + Glow. I use it before I put my make-up on, and it makes the application so much smoother ensuring it lasts.” With such a hectic lifestyle, you’d be forgiven for wondering how she gets the time for any skincare regime, but Olivia says: “I am a sucker for a bath at the end of the day with a candle and face mask. After a long day, it’s what I look forward to.” Our beauty editor, Kelly Andrews, chats to Olivia Buckland about all things wedding, tanning and feeling flawless