Q&A Fashion and beauty Local experts offer advice on how to look your big-day best Unsplash in collaboration with Getty Images ALL ABOUT THAT BASE What are the best ways to prepare my skin for our big day and the biggest pitfalls to avoid? BEAUTY PIE partnered with Kate Kerr, award-winning clinical facialist and skincare expert, to share five expert tips. Kate comments: For skin that’s not quite at its peak condition and may be dull, displaying small breakouts or slight rosacea, the top priority is to calm, strengthen and stabilise your skin before focusing on resurfacing and revitalisation. Generally, skin prep can start as early as six months in advance for more compromised skin, as it needs plenty of time for chronic inflammation to heal and repair. For those with healthy skin, six to eight weeks before the event will suffice. I strongly discourage trying new active skincare ingredients or different products right before the big day. Active skincare ingredients can be stimulating, which may initially cause initial irritation and redness. The aim is to awaken and invigorate the skin slowly, gradually introducing more active ingredients as it repairs itself. Introduce active ingredients no less than four months before the wedding. This means you will have at least three (if not four) skin cycles for your skin to adjust to the active ingredients and allow them to restore radiance, boost overall health and address any targeted concerns. To further stimulate, repair and rejuvenate, introduce regular bespoke clinical facials tailored to your skin concerns – once every four weeks. If professional facials aren’t an option, try giving yourself an at-home version. Cleanse the skin and apply your daily serums before performing a lymphatic drainage massage. Make sure the products you use are the same ones you’ve been using for the past few months, as now is not the time to experiment and add anything new to your skin. Check out: www.beautypie.com/shop/skincare and www.katekerrlondon.co.uk JEWEL OF THE AISLE What advice can you share when it comes to finding showstopping wedding jewellery? There are so many wedding decisions shared with family and friends, but when it comes to jewellery, it’s your chance to shine and make it all about you! Jewellery is the finishing touch to any outfit; it brings everything together. On your wedding day especially, your look reflects your personal taste and yours alone. Which jewellery should you choose? Think about the styles you love and have been drawn to in the past. Perhaps your big day isn’t a time to be too adventurous. If you’re not one for statement earrings, then you might regret that choice later on or feel uncomfortable on your special day. If you love celestial themes, you could look for a more elegant version, such as a pair of dangly earrings or a style with a sparkly stone. If you like softer themes such as flowers, you could incorporate your birth flower into your jewellery choices or a bloom that holds sentiment within your family. Birth flower jewellery also makes for gorgeously personalised bridesmaid gifts. The jewellery you choose should complement your dress style. A highneck dress lends itself to a more prominent earring choice, whereas a V-neck dress perfectly suits a pendant necklace. Similarly, a round-neck gown would suit a simple chain or pearl choker that’s around 14 to 16 inches in length. Staying true to your personal taste is the key to choosing the perfect wedding jewellery. It will ensure that you love your choices forever and wear them long into the future! Fran Gregory | Lezzeri Jewellery | www.lezzeri.com 66
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