Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - Page number 86 - October/November 2021 (Issue 85)

Q&A Fashion and beauty Feel your big-day best with help from the professionals PRIMED AND READY My skin is suffering the effects of a stressful 18-months. How can I make sure it’s back to looking its best for my wedding day – the perfect canvas for my make-up artist? Jane says: The date is set and with the average engagement lasting 13 months, it’s time to start thinking bridal-beauty prep. Here are our top tips to make sure you look and feel like the best version of yourself when you walk down the aisle: ♥ Start a daily skincare regime. You’ll need a good cleanser and moisturiser including SPF to prevent sun damage. ♥ Look towards products that suit your skin type. I recommend Body Shop or Liz Earle. ♥ Exfoliate regularly. Dead cells will accumulate on the skin leaving it looking sullen and dull, which will affect the make-up look overall. ♥ Use a brightening serum to give you a radiant glow. ♥ Regularly use facial oils to condition and smooth the skin. I love https://wildasthewind.com ♥ Stress, anxiety and lack of sleep all cause skin breakouts, so to avoid masses of concealer take time to relax and keep planning under control. ♥ Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is key for your skin, this ensures the best canvas for your MUA. Now, you’re make-up ready! PRE-DRESS JITTERS I’m nervous about my first bridal appointment. What can I expect and what should I take with me? Sarah says: It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous about your first bridal appointment. You’re not alone; many brides feel the same way and don’t even want to try dresses on! Let’s face it, this is a very important fitting. It’s not the same as shopping on the high street, it’s the most important dress you’re ever going to wear. When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll be greeted by a consultant who will welcome you and take you into the showroom. When you walk in, it can be overwhelming to see such an array of gowns before you. There’s no need to worry though, we’ll give you time to take everything in while you take a seat and chat through your thoughts and expectations. You’ll then be set free to browse. Here at Rookery Bridal, we tend to find it works well if we let our brides take their time to look around and select the gowns that jump out at them. We’ll always be by their side, so if they need any help or suggestions, we’re on hand. When it comes to what you should bring, first and foremost we’d say: not too many people! Just remember, the bigger the entourage the more opinions you have to deal with. Go just as you are, comfortably dressed, there’s no need for any particular underwear. But please, no fake tan and ideally, no (or minimal) make-up. FASHION FORWARD I’ve got high-end taste, but not the purse to match! I don’t want to compromise my big-day look. How can I shop smart without blowing the entire big-day budget? Susie says: Why not try shopping at a preloved wedding dress boutique? For example, here at Bridal Reloved Street we specialise in high-end designer dresses, some of which are preloved and others are ex-samples. So, not all of our gowns have been worn, in fact the bigger majority are either straight from the designer or from high-end boutiques. Best of all when you choose a dress like this it has a massively positive impact on the environment by saving on water, waste and overproduction. It benefits your budget too, as ex-samples are sold at a minimum of 50 per cent off, with some gowns priced at a third of the original RRP. CONTACT THE EXPERTS Jane Dare, https://eyedomakeup.co.uk Sarah Hackett, www.rookerybridal.co.uk Susie Clark, https://bridalreloved.co.uk/shops/street 86