Q&A Beauty Local experts offer advice on how to look your big-day best STEP INTO SPRING We’re having an outdoor wedding in the spring and I’d love to appear fresh-faced and dewy. How do I achieve this? Start taking care of your skin a few weeks prior to your wedding by following a good skincare routine. Remember, make-up will only look as good as the canvas it is applied to. On the day, start by hydrating your skin with a hyaluronic acid moisturiser followed by a primer or use an all-in-one primer moisturiser. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched is one of my client’s favourites and I always carry it in my kit. Next apply a tinted moisturiser or a water-based foundation. This creates a non-oily but dewy finish. Don’t go for full coverage; only conceal where required. Conceal under the eyes with a light coverage formula. Don’t use powder as you see on many videos. This will only enhance lines and dryness. Instead, tap on the concealer with your fingertips to make sure it’s not lying in any creases. For an extra glowy, dewy look, use a cream blush. I particularly love the Saie cream blushers. If you have oily skin, then powder the T-zone area with some translucent powder. My favourite is by Laura Mercier. To add more glow without it being too much, dab on a little cream highlighter to the cheekbones. Be careful if it’s a very sunny day, as this may look sweaty in outdoor photos. For your eyes, use soft hues such as corals, peaches and whites and if you love liner, line the top lid only. This will uplift the eye area. A touch of the same blusher on the outer cut crease to the brow bone will give your eyes a little pop. Bronzer powder can be an added touch for subtle contouring. Finally, to finish, use a spray primer. Jude Kelly www.judekellymakeup.co.uk SKIN DEEP I suffer from bad acne and want to try improving it for my big day but don’t want to have any invasive treatments. Do you have any suggestions? Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Preparing for your big day is so exciting, and it’s wonderful that you’re taking steps to feel confident in your skin. Managing acne without invasive treatments is absolutely achievable with the right approach. First, a consistent skincare routine tailored to your skin type is key: Start with a gentle cleanser to avoid over-stripping the skin. Incorporating ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help target breakouts, while niacinamide can reduce redness and inflammation. My personal favourite is the Clarifying Serum by Alumier MD. When using moisturisers, ensure they are non-comedogenic to maintain hydration without further blocking the pores. For a more personalised approach, consider a consultation with a skin specialist. Professional treatments can be non-invasive and help improve skin texture and calm active acne. These treatments are effective, have minimal downtime, and can be done safely in the months leading up to your wedding. Lifestyle habits also play a role. Stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, and aim for a balanced diet with less sugar and dairy, as these can sometimes aggravate and increase inflammatory acne. Lastly, it’s essential to avoid trying new products or treatments too close to your wedding day to prevent any unexpected reactions. I recommend starting six months prior to the wedding to give your skin time to adjust and improve gradually. Gemma Hornsby www.essencecumbria.co.uk www.unsplash.com/@kaboompics 66
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