Look and smell as beautiful as you feel

With only 2 months to go until your wedding you should now be putting the finishing touches to your wedding fragrance, perfecting your make-up and even keeping your feet in good condition!

Something that often get's overlooked in all the preparations for the big day is the the brides fragrance. Think about it though, all day guests will be greeting you with kisses and moving in close for that well meaning hug. Here's a few tips to help you choose the right one for you.

• Match it to the theme of your wedding day.

• Timelessly traditional? Floral scents are a great choice.
• Small and intimate? Go for romantic, oriental scents.
• A raucous party? Try bold oriental or fruity scents.
• An outdoor affair? Floral or woodsy will blend well.

Layer your chosen scent. Use the bathing bubbles, then the talc and the body lotion (allow to soak in thoroughly) of all the same fragrance, and remember to walk through a mist of your chosen fragrance before you slip into your dress.

You'll look and smell as beautiful as you feel.

Wedding beauty tips - 3 months to go

So it's a step closer to your dream day, we give you advice on everything from manicures to tanning.

3 Months to go

• Plan ahead and book your treatments.

The beauty salons and beauticians often get booked up months in advance. If you use the same salon regularly then tell them your wedding date as soon as you can. If you are trying a few then now is the time to make the choice and book them before they get snapped up

• Book a course of facials.

Don't leave it until the last minute to book a facial. As with the beauticians we mentioned earlier, the best ones tend

to book up months in advance. Also, if your skin needs a specific treatment, it will need time to settle

and return to it's healthy glow.

• Test your tan.

Whether you're going for the full Saint-Tropez or a bronzing gel, choose your shade with care.

Choosing your shade

Fake tans come in different shades and choosing one that’s too dark is a big mistake. You will find that tans come in two basic types.

Golden – This is a yellow-based tan best for blondes, redheads, those with black hair, those with Asian-type or very pale skin, and anyone whose brown hair gets golden lights in summer

Bronze – This is for everyone else. Remember that your face never goes as dark as your body; keep it one to two shades lighter for a natural look.

Healthy, glowing, sun kissed skin set off by your ivory wedding gown - gorgeous!

In our next instalment we look at choosing your wedding perfume to help you smell as beautiful as you look.

Top 10 Wedding Beauty Tips

In the first of our series of wedding beauty tips we look at what all you gorgeous brides to be should be doing to make sure that you are in peak condition for the biggest day of your life.

6 months to go

• Drink water! Preferably 8 glasses a day, but don't rush to drink it all at once. Slowly sipping over an 8 hour period allows your body to absorb the excess fluid. Your skin should start to shine and take on a healthy complexion.

• Find the perfect skincare regime for your face. Many of the big department stores will offer a free consultation giving you the chance to find products that are perfect for your skin.

• Start scouting for a make-up artist. Word of mouth is best for finding one, the referral from another bride he / she has made up is the best advertisement a make-up artist can get! But make sure you're comfortable around them and that they understand what you currently wear.
• Establish a skincare routine for your body. Ex foliate at least twice a week and dry brushing in circular motions before a daily shower clears away dead skin and encourages blood flow and circulation. Also, remember that you're getting your skin ready for the honeymoon too - ex foliating helps to maintain a tan!

In our next post we'll be looking at treatments, facials and giving tanning advice.

Hen Party Inspiration

I regularly get asked by brides and bridesmaids-to-be to offer some hen party inspiration. The trend in the past has leaned towards weekends away but lately, I find brides are happier with something a little closer to home that is easier on everybody’s wallet.

La Cucina Caldesi, based in Marylebone London, offers hen’s a delicious day out with all sorts of Italian inspired cookery classes. Eleven friends and I recently trotted off to Marylebone Lane to try it for ourselves.

Met by the charming Giancarlo Caldesi we started with glasses of prosecco. With sleeves rolled up we learnt how to make fresh pasta from scratch with a number of sauces, my favourite being a zesty vodka and lemon sauce. A couple more friends joined us for dinner afterwards to enjoy the fruits of our labour which were served to us along with beautifully paired Italian wines.

Another great idea Giancarlo told us about is Hell’s Cucina at Caldesi in Campagna, Bray. There, guests get the chance to become their version of Gordon Ramsay, working behind the “pass” dishing out abuse to their fellow chefs in the kitchen! A group of 12 to 16 get to cook for their guests, up to 40, experiencing what it is really like to work in a professional kitchen.

www.caldesi.com
email julie.tooby@essentially-you.net for more information