Somerset Life asks Rhona Gillmore for her top tips, so brides-to-be can look their very best on the day!
Each year the competition growsfor who can come up with thelatest wedding novelty – venue,entertainment, decorations – but I amstill surprised at how little thought isgiven to skin preparation, colour themeand make-up for the bride andbridesmaids. So let’s look at the planningand timings to deliver that all-important,glowing and radiant bride on the day – asthis won’t happen on its own!1 Research, in plenty of time, a reputablebeauty therapist. Just chatting on thephone can give you a good idea if theyare right for you – remember we live in avery media-led world, so looking atwebsites alone often isn’t enough, as whatis promised doesn’t always happen.2 Colour Analysis is a great way to planthe colour scheme. You need tocomplement your skin tone, finding outwhether you are a warm or cool season.This will decide what is best suited toyou – a white, ivory or cream weddingdress – which is very important as this isthe only colour you are wearing.3 Advice on your skin is vital. I see somany brides with dry, irritated skin, andthe inevitable spots that erupt due tostress, not drinking enough water andusing the wrong products. At least threemonths before the wedding, seek someexpert advice for diet and have aprofessional facial with a good home-careprogramme. Salon-based products aremore effective in general than cosmeticcounter products. Drink more water tohydrate the skin, avoid stodgy carbs andcut back on sugar.4 Eyelash tinting is brilliant as it gives agood base for mascara application,avoiding the clogged look. A skin test isrequired for this treatment. If lashextensions are your thing, try them themonth before. Don’t go for a full-onlook because, as photographers will say,you can’t actually see the eyes.5 Eyebrows should be shaped at the sametime – another very important feature, asthey frame your eyes. If you have overplucked, allow a couple of months to sortthem out.6 If you want a self tan please try it themonth before to make sure you don’tend up orange! Personally I prefer themanually applied self tan, as it won’t endup on your dress; spray tans can prove tobe disastrous.7 Remove unwanted hair by regularwaxing or investing in IPL treatments.Again this should have been startedduring the winter months, and youshould moisturise your skin twice a day.8 Arrange a pedicure and manicure, butplease avoid the tip-ex tipped shovel look!9 Book your make-up for the weddingparty on the day at home or in the venue,to have a relaxed morning.The final countdown!MONDAY – body massage and facialTUESDAY – eyelash tint or extensions;hair removal for legs, underarms etc.THURSDAY – self tan with exfoliation;pedicureFRIDAY – eyebrows shaped; manicureSATURDAY – home or venue visit byprofessional therapist and hair stylist.And remember – after all the expense,the living record of your special day willbe the photograph album, so hair, skinand make-up are the most importantthings to get right!Rhona Gillmore, 28 Park Street,Taunton, 01823 271367
Each year the competition grows for who can come up with the latest wedding novelty – venue, entertainment, decorations – but I am still surprised at how little thought is given to skin preparation, colour theme and make-up for the bride and bridesmaids. So let’s look at the planning and timings to deliver that all-important, glowing and radiant bride on the day – as this won’t happen on its own!1. Research, in plenty of time, a reputable beauty therapist. Just chatting on the phone can give you a good idea if they are right for you – remember we live in a very media-led world, so looking at websites alone often isn’t enough, as what is promised doesn’t always happen.
2. Colour Analysis is a great way to plan the colour scheme. You need to complement your skin tone, finding out whether you are a warm or cool season. This will decide what is best suited to you – a white, ivory or cream wedding dress – which is very important as this is the only colour you are wearing.3. Advice on your skin is vital. I see so many brides with dry, irritated skin, and the inevitable spots that erupt due to stress, not drinking enough water and using the wrong products. At least three months before the wedding, seek some expert advice for diet and have a professional facial with a good home-care programme. Salon-based products are more effective in general than cosmetic counter products. Drink more water to hydrate the skin, avoid stodgy carbs and cut back on sugar.4. Eyelash tinting is brilliant as it gives a good base for mascara application, avoiding the clogged look. A skin test is required for this treatment. If lash extensions are your thing, try them the month before. Don’t go for a full-on look because, as photographers will say, you can’t actually see the eyes.5. Eyebrows should be shaped at the same time – another very important feature, as they frame your eyes. If you have overplucked, allow a couple of months to sort them out.6. If you want a self tan please try it the month before to make sure you don’t end up orange! Personally I prefer the manually applied self tan, as it won’t end up on your dress; spray tans can prove to be disastrous.7. Remove unwanted hair by regular waxing or investing in IPL treatments. Again this should have been started during the winter months, and you should moisturise your skin twice a day.8. Arrange a pedicure and manicure, but please avoid the tip-ex tipped shovel look!9. Book your make-up for the wedding party on the day at home or in the venue, to have a relaxed morning. The final countdown!MONDAY – body massage and facialTUESDAY – eyelash tint or extensions; hair removal for legs, underarms etc.THURSDAY – self tan with exfoliation; pedicureFRIDAY – eyebrows shaped; manicureSATURDAY – home or venue visit by professional therapist and hair stylist.And remember – after all the expense, the living record of your special day will be the photograph album, so hair, skin and make-up are the most important things to get right!Rhona Gillmore, 28 Park Street,Taunton, 01823 271367
