GREAT HAIR DAYS

Michael Van Clarke 3 More Inches Volumising Mousse £12.50, www.vanclake.com

“I’m a bit of a mousse novice, so I’m surprised that the first one I tried I love! It definitely gave my normally fine hair volume. I could feel the difference straight away, from the first use and blowdry. It left my hair soft and silky with no residue left behind – you wouldn’t even know I’d used any product! This is perfect for those brides wanting a naturally voluminous look and feel.” –

Danielle Harvey R+Co Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion £25, www.beautyrebel.store/rco

“The amount of styling product I go through is staggering. Not because I use a lot, but because I can’t find anything that does what it says on the tin, without making my fine hair greasy, and weighing it down. So, ‘here we go again,’ I thought as I tried this, the next on my quest. But, as soon as I squeezed Waterfall from the tube, I knew it would be different, feeling somehow light in texture. Plus, the fragrance was divine! Designed for fine to medium locks, my hair drank the lotion in, and by the time I blow-dried it, it was super-shiny, light and manageable, with no oily residue to be found. For me, it’s the holy grail of styling products!” – Kelly Andrews

Philip Kingsley Elasti-Styler 5-in-1 Treatment, £34, www.philipkingsley.co.uk

“This new product from Philip Kingsley promises to strengthen, tame and add shine, even to hair that’s hard to manage. My short locks tend to stick out in every direction, but with a small amount of the treatment, I found it very easy to style. I tend to use when my hair’s wet, but it’s also great for styling and taming frizz on dry tresses. My hair smelled great, and I even received a few compliments. I’d highly recommend it.” – Melissa Barker

GREAT

HAIR DAYS We put the latest hair-styling products to the test

SheaMoisture Sugarcane Extract & Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Miracle Styler £14.99, www.boots.com

“Call me a cynic but I’m always a bit dubious of anything billed as a miracle product. However, this leave-in conditioning treatment does exactly what it claims to. Made with a blend of natural botanicals it does it all – detangles, nourishes, softens, adds shine and the list goes on. I put it to the test when I was in dire need of a trim and it worked like magic taming my unruly hair, making it easy to style, frizz-free and fragrant. I didn’t even have to use my heated tongs to tweak it into shape – hallelujah!” – Sarah Reeve Fudge Professional Salt Spray £11.50, www.beautybay.com

“There’s nothing better than achieving natural beach waves from the salt, sun and wind from a day spent at the seaside. However, since we can’t just pop to the ocean every day to achieve this desired look, Fudge Professional Salt Spray does the same job. My hair is on the fine side, and I love adding texture and waves to add volume and movement. The lightweight texture offered me medium hold, without turning crunchy and drying out my locks. It’s so easy to use, simply spray onto towel-dried hair, give a slight scrunch with your hands and leave to air dry. My top tip would be to plait your hair after use to create more defined waves.” – Olivia Gibson

Fashion & beautyQ&A

Our experts give their advice to help you look your big-day best

www.redpeacockphotography.co.uk

BRIDAL BEAUTY

What’s the difference between bronzer and contour, what products are the best to use? It’s easy to get confused, but bronzer is for adding warmth and a glow to the skin. Dust it anywhere you naturally catch the sun like your forehead, nose and cheekbones. I find matte powder bronzers are best at giving the most natural finish. I love the new Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer and Bobbi Brown products are always a must in my kit!

Contouring is used to create depth and give shape to the face, generally making certain areas look slimmer, such as the nose, jawline and forehead. Creambased products are best for dry skin or those skilled in blending, I love the Younique and Bobbi Brown foundation sticks for this as they come in so many shades!

If you’re a novice, use a powder palette like the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, it’s easy to apply so you can’t really go wrong – the key is to blend lots and not apply too much product at once! Kayleigh Rowett Makeup By Kayleigh www.makeupbykayleigh.com

ACCESSORISE AND SHINE

I’m trying to find the perfect pieces to finish off my wedding look, what style jewellery is currently on trend? The key trends in bridal jewellery at the moment are princess-style, maximalist pieces and stacking jewellery. The contemporary bride seems to be enjoying a return to sparkle and layering up their accessories for a luxe look.

When it comes to colour, natural tones are very popular and this includes peach, pale pink, watery blues and greens that draw inspiration from nature, are ideal for any style of ceremony. Green in particular is having a real moment in the spotlight with emerald, jade, tourmaline and green sapphires making stunning coloured bridal jewellery particularly when paired with white diamonds.

Stacking jewellery is a key look for bridal jewellery at the moment be it stacking rings, bracelets or pendants. The key is to the get the balance right between the embellishments on your dress and your jewels. There are numerous tutorials on YouTube that can guide you on how to artistically stack up jewellery for a beautiful bridal look.

My top tips for bridal jewellery are: ❤ Match the tone of the metal to the colours in your dress. White fabrics look stunning with silver and platinum. Warm ivory looks stunning with yellow gold or natural white gold. Champagne-coloured dresses work beautifully with rose gold. ❤ Choose one statement piece as the focus for your jewellery on your big day be it a necklace, statement earrings or bracelet. ❤ If you find the assortment of jewellery on offer bewildering, you can’t go wrong with timeless, elegant, classical designs such as a pearl necklace or diamond earrings. Go for quality as this jewellery can make wonderful heirloom pieces to hand down the family. Jodie Gearing | Jodie Gearing Bespoke Jewellery Design | www.jodiegearing.com 77

THE CROWN AND THE gownDavid Emanuel shares his top tips to help you say “yes” to the dress

Fashion designer and broadcaster David Emanuel is a much-loved household name, regarded as the don of bridal fashion since creating that iconic wedding dress for Lady Diana Spencer 40 years ago. CWM’s Kelly Andrews caught up with him at the launch of Bromley Brides’ new Wonder Room to find out about his plans for celebrating this career milestone.

What advice would you give to a bride-to-be setting foot inside a bridal boutique for the very first time? Try to keep an open mind and be objective. Think about what you’ve got at home. You might have an evening dress and you love the shape. So, why don’t you think about that same shape for your wedding dress? A lot of brides get completely wound up, particularly the ones who’ve over-shopped. When they tell me they’ve tried on 200 dresses, there’s clearly something wrong there. Equally, they might come in with a set idea – “I want skin tight, I want sexy.” It’s interesting, as it changes. I’ll say to them, “Put it on and look in the mirror. On your wedding day, are you going to be comfortable?” Then of course, you’ve got to take the time of year into account, where it’s happening, where the party’s going to be and all of that.

What do you need to consider before you start shopping? It’s all to do with the personality and character of the bride. If she’s a showy girl, that’s lovely, put her in a showy frock, but if she’s quiet, put her in something more modest.

I go back mostly to Say Yes To The Dress, when the first question I ask is: “Do you have a budget?” She might say £3,000 and we can stretch to various styles with that. Then she’ll say, “I want more,” at which point the mother pipes up saying she’ll throw in another thousand. If they’d just said that in the beginning it would have been an

easier task. I tell you, that show kept me on my toes!

What are the common pitfalls that brides should avoid when dress shopping? Invariably, brides will go on the internet and they’ll see these very glamourous models wearing these fabulous dresses, and they’ll rip pages out of magazines, but are they being realistic? Look in the mirror and be honest with yourself, try to be objective. I know it’s difficult, but look at yourself and think: what do I really want?

You’ll go through various stages; you’re not going to get the first dress. I’ll suggest something, and the bride might say she couldn’t possibly, but I’ll insist she slip into it. Once she realises how great she looks, we go down a different path. So, keep an open mind, and let the girls at the boutique do their job, which is to make you look wonderful. You’ve got to trust them. Don’t forget: they’ve dressed hundreds of brides.

Based on your experience on Say Yes To The Dress UK, what’s your take on the ever expanding bridal entourage? Too much! You might have six people, with six points of view, six different tastes. No, we’re concerned with the bride. Sometimes, even the bride’s mum can’t get it, so you’ve got to rely on the very good stylists at your boutique, who are there to help you.

What are your tips for creating the ultimate timeless look? You want to keep it relatively simple, but dramatic. You see, an iconic wedding gown has to have something about it – Diana’s was a 25ft train. Well, it needed drama, this was St Pauls, it was enormous, you couldn’t do a simple, quiet little dress. Or like Meghan’s gown – the story on that dress was the embroidered flowers from the Commonwealth. Big veil, but that was her message, and that was a simple dress. It doesn’t have to be fantasy; you need simplicity for longevity.

Do you think the Covid-19 pandemic has had an effect on the way brides think? I think, if anything, it’s got to completely focus the brides, because they’re under pressure. They might have booked, then have to unbook, and they’ve got to replan. It’s changing by the day – guest numbers are limited, but you know what? That’s not a bad thing actually. Let’s think about it: you don’t have to worry about auntie Flossie and uncle Albert who you only see once every two years! All that pressure is gone. You really should want just the people who love you to be there. Then, if you want to have a bigger party next year, or whenever, the heat is taken off. It should be a joyous time, enjoy it.

Tell us about your involvement with Bromley Brides. When I found out (owner) Becky Griggs had been planning to expand and was still going ahead, I thought that was really courageous. I was blown away by the store the first time I came here, it looks great. I like people who take risks, good for her! The Wonder Room is camp and mad, great for a party. Get the dress, then celebrate it!

It’s the 40th anniversary of Princess Diana’s iconic wedding dress next year. Do you have any plans to mark the occasion? I never thought I’d be sitting here talking about 40 years! I don’t know where the time’s gone, it’s like a dream. A lot has happened in my life, and this is a very exciting time. We’ve been bombarded by people wanting to do interviews and documentaries, so we’ve got to sit down, let the dust settle and go through everything. When I travel the world, designing Diana’s wardrobe is my calling card – everyone knows who I am because of it. Everywhere I go, people talk very highly of her, and it’s exciting that people still want to do something for her.

What was it like to work with Princess Diana? She was the sweetest girl, as divine as you saw her, no different. It wasn’t all done for the TV and press, she really was lovely. One time we were doing a fitting at Buckingham Palace and we didn’t have our van with us that day, so she asked us how we were getting back. We were planning to call a black cab, but she insisted on taking us herself. She had this little Ford, so we climbed in - Diana driving, me in the front and Elizabeth in the back. It was hysterical, when we stopped at traffic lights, people were aghast. There she was, giggling, it was so much fun. That’s what I remember about her, the fun.

I was very fortunate, very honoured and lucky to design several foreign tours for her, and there were a lot of clothes to be done. She’d ring on a Monday and say, “Hi, it’s me.” She’d go on to say that she’d got something special and had nothing to wear, so I quickly had to think. We’d turn up the next day with sketches and some fabrics, and by Friday it was all wrapped and sent for her to wear that evening. We had to turn it around fast, and do you know, without fail she’d always say, “Thank you so much, I know you worked so hard.” It was touching. If you’re lucky along this road, you’ll meet one or two special people and she was one of them.

You’ve dressed plenty of famous bodies over the years, who was your most memorable? I was in Paris, as Elizabeth Taylor couldn’t come to London for a fitting. She was at the George V Hotel in a huge suite, and I put her in a chocolate brown Chantilly lace cocktail dress. She looked fabulous and I didn’t have to put one pin in it. She threw open the double doors, and burst through them crying, “Franco, Franco, what do you think?” There he was, Franco Zeffirelli, the film director! All I could think was: “OK David, keep calm.” He loved the dress, but, she said, there was just one little problem. She would be wearing it to the White House and might have to dance with the President, but wasn’t sure she could. With that I grabbed her and spun her around the whole suite. “I think I can dance in this dress,” she said when we stopped waltzing.

Listen, when those eyes fixed on you it was all over. She was special, she was real. It’s magic, private moments like that, which make your career, they’re precious. As I’m saying it, I could be back there, it seems like yesterday. Yet, I can’t believe… 40 years!

HOT TOPIC

Top advice for the perfect wedding

BRIDAL BEAUTY

What’s the best way to cover my spots without my make-up looking cakey? It’s all about prep when it comes to concealing blemishes. Even though we want to conceal and hide spots it’s important to not draw attention to the area, which can happen if the skin around the blemishes is dehydrated or flaky.

Firstly, make sure your skin has been exfoliated with a gentle exfoliator. I highly recommend Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant all over the skin. It’s super soft on the skin whilst also providing anti-inflammatory benefits to help reduce the size of breakouts.

Secondly, moisture the area with a light gel-based cream. My personal favourite is Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator.. This will leave the skin smooth and hydrated, but without leaving a greasy residue on the surface.

Then using a technique of layering, I build up layers of medium to full coverage with foundation, I recommend Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation, dabbing gently over the blemishes with a buffing brush. This will then create a smooth finish, whilst also neutralising any pink or red angry tones of the skin.

Once you have built up your desired coverage, set your make-up to stop it from moving or being sticky with a smooth finishing powder and then spray with a spritz of setting spray. Chloé-Eleanor Russell | Chloe-Eleanor MUA www.chloe-eleanor.com What points in the day are ideal for live music? If I had my way, all music at a wedding would be live! But bias aside, there are some moments during a wedding where live music is just irreplaceable. When the bride makes her entrance at the ceremony and the groom sees her for the first time, a live performance of a romantic and poignant song that means something to the couple transforms that moment into something so special. Equally, live music for the first dance is a must-have! Every couple has ‘their’ song, and having a one-off live version can makes it truly theirs! Scarlett Neville Scarlett Neville Music www.scarlettneville.com

SHOW OF AFFECTION

www.bentomlinphotography.co.uk

FLOWER POWER

How can we incorporate flowers into our wedding? Your wedding flowers should never be seen as a finishing touch or left to the last minute to organise. They can create the foundations to the overall look and feel of your wedding day, transforming any venue by adding drama, fragrance, texture and injecting colour.

Florals can be incorporated in every aspect of your wedding day, starting with delicate hair accessories to one of the biggest highlights – your bouquet. Not forgetting the bridal party buttonholes, corsages and bridesmaid bouquets. Then it’s onto the ceremony area where you can have wedding signs incorporating flowers welcoming your guests, fresh flowers down the aisle and add that wow factor with a floral backdrop. Get guests talking over your flower centrepieces and add a dramatic touch by dancing to your first song as a married couple under a floral chandelier.

Above are just a few suggestions of how to include flowers into your wedding day, but know there are endless options. However you decide to use flowers on your day, be sure to keep the overall look and feel of the wedding in mind to ensure everything flows seamlessly throughout. Becky Langrish | The Flower Bee www.facebook.com/BeckyTheFlowerBee

FLORAL FANTASY

We’re having a winter wedding, what florals are perfect for this time of year? Winter weddings were all about warm reds, burgundies and creams and it has become very popular to have a hand-tied bouquet either with satinbound stems or with a trailing ribbon. Ivory avalanche roses, lisianthus and hydrangeas work well with Naomi red roses and trailing amaranthus. Often, we would design table arrangements to complement them using the same flowers and overall style to guide us, whether it be fishbowls, martini glasses or a rustic wood slice. Going with a cooler colour scheme and working with whites, frosty silvers and hues of blue are perfect. Snowflake spray roses and Christmas rose Helleborus contrast nicely with the spiky texture of the blue thistlelike Eryngium. This would lend itself well to a wild hand-tied bouquet or a traditional shower bouquet. Looking at those of us who like a winter pink, add some blush to your bouquet to complement the whites and silvers. Emma Tuohy | Adrienne’s Flowers www.adriennesflowers.co.uk

www.nickisheaphotography.co.uk

ALL IN THE DETAIL

We’re having a rustic wedding and would love to add some fun touches to our wedding venue. What would you suggest? We love rustic weddings here at Samsa May’s; it’s your one-stop rustic wedding shop. I would recommend our handmade reclaimed signage package which includes a welcome and aisle sign with your personalised quotes, our favourite ceremony love box to hold precious memories of your day, our trendy doughnut wall and new wedding arbour. Samantha Burke Samsa May’s www.samsamays.co.uk

One of the largest wedding shows to be held in the South of England

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A date for your diary... Sunday 7th February 2021, 11.00AM - 4PM

Hosted at Wembley Stadium London