BEAUTY Beauty On-Call

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 14 May 2008

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Every now and again we hear about something that is so brilliant, we just have to share it with you.

HQhair.com has come to the rescue of brides and honeymooners everywhere… Forget weighing down your Anya Hindmarch luggage with must-have hair and beauty products. And no more queuing at the airport with your sandwich bag full of holiday essentials. With HQhair.com’s new Holiday Service, you can pre-order your beauty essentials online and have them shipped to your honeymoon or wedding destination - anywhere in the world. When you arrive, your box of goodies will be there waiting.

There are thousands of got-to-have products from brands including Dermalogica, Philip Kingsley, Philosophy and Benefit, as well as cult brands Comptoir Sud Pacifique, South Beach Rocks and celeb fave Kevin.Murphy. And there's a huge range of mini beauty products that will see you to the end of your honeymoon. After all, you will want the luggage space for souvenirs!

But if you can squeeze anything else into your suitcase before you set off, we love the Hei Poa Eau De Toilette Frangipanier, £25. Its tropical scent is just right for exotic honeymoon hideaways. And for après-beach, keep your tresses smooth and frizz free with this raspberry pink Slikit Pro Styler, £59.95, which doubles as a curling iron too.

It couldn’t be easier to get the products you want where you want! Simply shop, enter your delivery destination and HQhair.com will do the rest. Delivery costs from £3.50 to a European destination and £6 worldwide and takes between four and seven days. You’ll never have to worry about leaking shampoo bottles again…

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BEAUTY Tricks Of The Trade

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 07 May 2008

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Normandie is the great new range of beauty products from You magazine’s beauty editor, Normandie Keith. An expert in all things fabulous, Normandie is bringing her knowledge of luxury pampering products to a Tescos near you.

And what’s more, her range of gorgeous beauty treats are all less than £10, so you can afford to splash out on some much-needed pre-wedding pampering and get your skin glowing in time for the big day.

The Amazing Day Cream, £5.97 for 50ml, is a moisture-packed potion to help protect and smooth your skin’s natural structure. Suitable for all skin types, this lovely-smelling cream helps soften, enrich and nurture your skin. Massage daily into face and décolletage to give you super-silky photo-perfect skin.

The Bare Faced Cheek facial wipes, £3.47 for 30, gently remove all make-up and impurities leaving your skin beautifully clean and fresh. Simply wipe over face, eyes and neck to cleanse the day away. These handy wipes are also the perfect space-saving solution for taking on honeymoon as you won’t need to pack that bottle of make-up remover.

Our favourite though has to be the zingy Salt Scrub, £7.97, with rich oils of Sicilian lemon and dandelion, which uses natural salts to detox the skin of excess dirt and cells. Massage your body with this zesty scrub, allowing the natural salts to buff away impurities, leaving your skin smooth and smelling sweet.

The Normandie range is available in Tescos nationwide so head down to your local supermarket for some superstar-style pampering.

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Win Champneys Spa Kit!

Amanda Hinton - Mon 05 May 2008

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Getting to a spa for a pampering session is a great way to unwind before the big day. If you can't get away for weekend break, Champneys (08703 300 300) have opened gorgeous high street spas around the country - perfect for a lunchbreak visit or an afternoon off work. Next best, is to hang a 'do not disturb' sign on the bathroom door, light some scented candles and run a deep bath!

This week you have the chance to win all the essential kit for a pampering bath time session with Champneys Body Care Collection (£25). Gift wrapped in a beautiful box, it is the perfect self-indulgence for me-time! Inside the box you'll find 300ml Skin Comforting Gentle Bath Milk, 200ml Citrus Glow Energising Shower Gel, 75ml Vitamiracle Hand & Nail Cream, 100ml Skin Comforting Creamy Body Butter and 100g Citrus Glow Sugar Scrub.

WIN! WIN! WIN!

All you need to do is email your name, address, the date and place of your wedding with the answers to the following:

1) What is your favourite beauty brand?

2) What is your WeddingPath address?

3) What do you like/dislike about weddingpath.co.uk?

We will pull the lucky winner out of the hat on Friday afternoon, so make sure you send your entries by lunchtime on the 9th May. Look out for the winning entry on Monday's Your Week. Good luck!

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BEAUTY The Moo You

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 30 Apr 2008

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For gorgeous pampering products, that’ll get you blissed out and ready for your big day, look no further than the brilliant beauty range from Cowshed.

Made from totally natural ingredients, these 100% vegetarian bath and body products were originally developed for the spa at Babington House in Somerset, and actually contain a delicate infusion of herbs and flowers hand-picked from the country retreat’s walled garden.

The range includes products such as Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream, £15, with grapefruit and cinnamon essential oils, and Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath Foam, £16, with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. And to help you get away in style on honeymoon, the Pocket Cow Travel Set, £18.50, contains 30ml travel sizes of Knackered Cow Relaxing Foam Bath, Wild Cow Evening Body Wash, Frisky Cow Invigorating Foam Bath, Grumpy Cow Morning Body Wash and Cheeky Cow Nourishing Body Cream.

For a limited time, Cowshed is offering a FREE Wild Cow Candle (worth £25) with any purchase made on www.cowshedonline.com over £25*. Simply enter offer code wild8 at the checkout – so what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

Cowshed products are available to buy in Cowshed spas, Cowshed shops in London and selected department stores around the country – or at the click of a mouse at Cowshed.
*Offer expires 15 May 2008. If demand exceeds supply a substitute will be available.

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BEAUTY Queen For A Day

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 23 Apr 2008

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If you can’t feel like real-life royalty on your wedding day, when can you? Kings & Queens, the fabulous new bodycare range available from gorgeous online boutique Powderrooms.com, is the perfect way to add a touch of princessy decadence to your big day.

Supposedly based on the herbs and spices used by nobility in medieval times, all Kings & Queens products are paraben and mineral oil free, and are a completely natural treat for your skin. The range includes divine shower gels, dreamy body milks, shimmering body milks and body butters, all enriched with pomegranate, blue Egyptian lotus and malachite extracts to maximise the indulgence.

From Nefertiti Honey Body Butter, inspired by Queen Nefertiti of Egypt who used honey as a beauty treatment, to Tsar Peter Tobacco Body Milk, from the Great Tsar's fixation with aromatic tobacco, the Kings & Queens range is everything you need to make you feel like royalty on your big day.

And the Caspar Myrrh Travel Set, £6.50, which includes a heavenly shower gel and shimmering body milk, is perfect to pack for your honeymoon to ensure silky sexy holiday skin. Or, for something more zesty, the Sultan of Granada Lemon Flower Travel Set, including a fresh citrus lemon shower gel and body butter, will put a zing into your honeymoon.

Photo © Melodi T

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BEAUTY Make-up Secrets Revealed

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 16 Apr 2008

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BEAUTY TIPS
Want to know the secret to perfect wedding make-up? We sent our resident bride-to-be, Cheryl, to meet celebrity make-up artist Kirsty Birnstiel and take a peek behind the scenes…

Kirsty Birnstiel knows a thing or two about make-up. Having worked with the likes of Richard Gere and Donna Air, and on the set of TV dramas Silent Witness and Hollyoaks, what she doesn’t know about make-up really isn’t worth knowing. Which is why I was looking forward to meeting the bridal beauty guru in person and finding out her expert tips for getting that perfect wedding-day look.
Kirsty’s new boutique, themakeupshop, in Chiswick, west London, is a serene and girly palace with wall-to-wall make-up pots, brushes and cute cosmetic bags. As I sit down for my one-to-one consultation with Kirsty, she explains her top make-up dos and don’ts…
DO get in the professionals
Unless you’re a florist by trade, you wouldn’t dream of arranging the flowers at your own wedding and the same should apply to your make-up. “A professional make-up artist will know how to emphasise your best features and transform you into a better-looking version of yourself,” says Kirsty. “Make-up applied by a professional make-up artist also lasts longer, and should see you right through until your wedding night.”

DON’T follow fashion
“You’ll be admiring your wedding photos for years to come so it’s important to go with timeless, classic make-up such as elegant neutrals or softer shades,” says Kirsty. “Avoid directional fashion trends – your wedding’s a time to be classic, not hip.”

DO give in to your inner princess
“Sequins, metallics and bright orange might be 2008’s latest trends but your wedding day is the one occasion when every woman can give in to her inner princess with romantic, floaty wedding dresses,” says Kirsty. “Your make-up should be soft peaches and cream colours, which will give a natural but glowing appearance. Electric, bright colours or black eye liner are a definite no-no!”

If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to your own make-up artist, here are Kirsty’s Top Tips for doing it yourself:

• Use a primer under make-up – this will help ‘set’ your make-up and keep it looking matte all day. Kirsty recommends Bare Escentuals Prime Time, £19.99
• Use waterproof mascara on the day – the chances of tears on the day are high, but a waterproof mascara should keep your eyes looking fresh and flawless without the streaky marks. Avoid wearing it on the day before your wedding though as it can smudge slightly the following day.
• Always blot lipstick – this will help keep your lipstick in place all day. And after you’ve applied your lippy, Kirsty recommends dabbing a small amount of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream to give a soft sheen without the full-on gloss effect.

During my one-to-one consultation, Kirsty talked me through the colours she had chosen that would suit my skintone and make the most of my features, while giving me a natural looking glow. Her friendly, helpful approach made it a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Kirsty offers two packages for brides – the first includes a one-hour make-up trial and wedding-day make-up at themakeupshop in Chiswick, £100; the second includes a make-up trial at themakeupshop and wedding day make-up at your chosen venue, £190.
For more information about themakeupshop and packages available to brides visit www.themakeupshop.co.uk or call 0208 995 8290 to make an appointment.

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Magical Minerals

Pearly Whites

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BEAUTY Mineral Magic

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 09 Apr 2008

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MINERAL MAKE-UP

What’s all the fuss?

Based on naturally-occurring zinc oxide and titanium, free from harmful chemicals and fragrance, 100% hypoallergenic with an SPF factor of 15 and totally budge-proof, mineral cosmetics sound like the miracle do-all make-up we’ve been waiting for.

Mineral make-up is oil and fragrance free and claims not to block pores or cause spots because of its anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin and for those of us who occasionally forget to take our make-up off at night. What’s more, the long-lasting coverage hides blemishes and promises to keep you looking flawless throughout the day. Celebrity make-up artist Kirsty Birnstiel, who runs a make-up boutique, themakeupshop, in west London, offering wedding make-up sessions says, "Mineral make-up is definitely the best choice for brides - it's natural so it won't clog pores or cause spots, and it's long lasting too so it'll see you right through the day."

So with a huge cult following in the States, you’d be forgiven for thinking these kinds of wonder-cosmetics are reserved for the celebs, but mineral make-up is thankfully available to us mortals online or at a beauty counter near you. Here are some of the best…

The range Bellapierre
What is it? A range of mineral cosmetics including Shimmer Powders (£12.99, for 3.6g) available in 98 colours, which promise not to crease, clump, fade or smear and are made from 100% natural pigments; Mineral Foundation (£34.99 for 6g), which is free from talc, oils, additives, preservatives and fillers; Mineral Blush (£29.99, 6g), a creamy, super sheer product that gives a natural-looking colour; and the Mineral Bronzer (£29.99 for 6g), which help give skin a healthy, sun kissed glow.
Where to get it Bellapierre or shopping centres nationwide including Bluewater in Kent, Thurrock Lakeside in Essex & County Mall in Crawley.

The range glominerals
What is it? The mineral bases from glominerals are like five products in one: foundation, concealer, powder, UV protection and anti-oxidant and are available in loose power, pressed or liquid formulations. Prices range from £12 for lip, eye and brow pencils, to £32 for the pressed powder base.
Where to get it glominerals is available from John Bell & Croyden in Wigmore Street, London and selected salons across the UK or you can order by calling 0800 121 8116.

The range Lily Lolo
What is it? Non-clogging mineral make-up, great for sensitive skins. Best of all, it’s super-affordable. The foundations cost just £12 and eyeshadows are £5, plus you can afford to experiment with different products and shades as they offer sample sizes for just 99p.
Where to get it Nationwide in beauty salons or from Lily Lolo . For stockists, to order or for tips on applying mineral make up call 01482 638 670.

The range Bare Escentuals
What is it? bareMinerals SPF15 foundation (from £17.50) gives fantastic light day-long coverage. It looks like powder, but feels and applies like cream. bareMinerals Foundation suits all complexions from fair to dark skin tones. Follow with a dusting of Warmth Face Colour (£22) to give your skin tone a soft glow. Finish with Mineral Veil, a translucent finishing touch that keeps make-up in place for up to 12 hours.
Where to get it
BareEscentuals is now available in Selfridges. For stockists details, call 0870 850 6655 or visit Bare Escentuals

Your Verdict

Julieanddavid on the WP forums says, “I invested in some Bare Escentuals Soft Focus powder. You sweep it over your face and it looks as though you’ve been photographed with a soft focus lens, hence the name. I use it over my usual make-up as a highlighter/blusher. I wouldn’t go back to normal blushers/bronzers now. It is a bit pricey but I did get a free brush with it and it lasts forever because you don’t need to use much. Will definitely use it on my wedding day.”

NEXT WEDNESDAY... Expert wedding day make-up secrets revealed

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BEAUTY Competition

Amanda Hinton - Wed 02 Apr 2008

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Available in the UK from uber-cool Cubic, Loop's Vain Jane cosmetic bag (£14.95) is the perfect place to stow away your big day make up essentials. It's a great honeymoon travel accessory too with its detachable interior cases and a nylon pocket for your wet flannel!

WIN WIN WIN!
Cubic have offered one lucky WeddingPath bride, the chance to win this fab cosmetic bag by answering just three little questions...

1. Which celebrities have been spotted with Loop bags?

2. Name your favourite honeymoon article on WeddingPath.

3. Where are you getting married?

For your chance to win the Loop Vain Jane bag,
email your name, address and date of your wedding along with the answers by Friday 4th April 2008.

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BEAUTY Pearly Whites

Cheryl I'Anson - Wed 02 Apr 2008

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With so many products promising to give you a gleaming Hollywood smile for your big day, it’s not easy working out which is the right option for you. So in honour of National Smile Month in May, we’ve rounded up some of the best products and treatments to find out which ones really promise to make you proud of your pearly whites…

What Are The Options?

There are three levels of teeth whitening treatment available, depending on your purse strings.

Budget Bride

There is a huge range of teeth whitening products available for less than the price of a tall skinny latte (and with considerable less discolouration damage to your teeth).

While none can necessarily guarantee a whiter smile as it does depend heavily on your diet – the more tea, coffee and red wine you consume, for example, the darker your teeth will be – they can offer a cheaper alternative if you want to brighten your smile while avoiding the dentist. Recommended brands include the Colgate Plax Whitening Mouthwash (£3.49 for 500ml) and Pearl Drops Instant White (£6.99) a new simple brush-on tooth veneer that dries in seconds to leave you with whiter-looking teeth.

Miss Middle Ground

If you’ve got a bit more cash to splash, you might consider going down the professional route.

For the price of a pair of Emmy shoes, your dentist will provide you with clear plastic trays made from a mould of your teeth, which you fill with a hydroxide peroxide (bleach) gel every night before you go to bed. The treatment takes two to three weeks and you’re advised to avoid dark coloured food and drink during this time. You can compare the colour of your teeth on the before and after photos. This is a good solution if you’re prepared to spend between £150 and £300 as the results can last for up to two years.

If it’s only days till your wedding and you want a quick whitening fix, book an appointment at Toothplace in London. It’s the UK’s first walk-in dental hygiene bar and offers a Special Occasion High Gloss Diamond Polish for around £150, which is designed to remove tough stains and debris, while leaving you with a brilliant white smile.

All Or Nothing

If you long for a truly stellar smile to rival the likes of Gwyneth and Angelina, for the price of a Vera Wang gown, you could consider having porcelain veneers fitted to your teeth. From anything between £350 to £800 per tooth depending on where you go, your dentist will apply wafer thin laminates that are “cemented” to the front surface of your teeth to improve their cosmetic appearance. Veneers last for anything up to 20 years, although they can chip and break like normal teeth.

Important Bit:

Bleaching tends to make gums and teeth more sensitive but this is not usually permanent. Over-the-counter whitening kits tend not to be as safe as dentist-approved ones. Always consult your dentist before starting on any tooth whitening treatment and visit the British Dental Health Foundation for more information and advice on the best treatment for you.

Your Verdict

0oHeleno0 on the WP chatroom says, “I hated my teeth so much I had porcelain veneers and a gum lift, but I still had to bleach my bottom teeth. I used a treatment called Brite Smile from my dentist – it cost about £500 but worth every penny. I don’t know if I would trust an over-the-counter remedy as I’ve heard some real horror stories.”

© iStock

NEXT WEDNESDAY... Minerals in makeup!

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BEAUTY Competition

Amanda Hinton - Fri 28 Mar 2008

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Colorlab Custom Cosmetics (020 7318 3538), exclusive to Selfridges, is perfect for the b2b. Make up is custom blended to suit you, whether you want foundation, lipstick or eye shadow. Infused with botanicals and made with mineral-based ingredients, the make up is totally desirable and luxurious to use. And prices range from £12 to £40.

We know Easter has been a temptation. Resisting chocolate to drop a dress size is never easy! So Colorlab and WeddingPath have got together. We have five Chocolate Chic Lip Glosses to give away. Each handcrafted lip gloss has a delicious chocolate flavour, certain to leave you feeling ultra chic and totally kissable.

WIN WIN WIN!
For your chance to win a Chocolate Chic Lip Gloss, email your name, address and date of your wedding along with the answers to the following questions by Friday 28th March 2008 to amanda@weddingpath.com.

Name your favourite dress in each of these fashion articles. Click on the link or go to the fashion section:
1. Dare to Bare
2. Red Carpet Glam
3. Modern Maids
4. Fairytale Bride

NEXT WEEK... WIN A VAIN JANE BAG

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