SEARCHING FOR THE ONE I’m going dress shopping for the first time and feel overwhelmed. How can I find my dream outfit? Start your search approximately 10 months before your wedding date, with the view of ordering seven to eight months before the big day. You also need to allow two to three months for alterations. Most boutiques will stock a selection of sample gowns that you can take home straight away if you’re pressed for time. Have a look through the website of your chosen boutique and pick out a few styles that excite you. This is a great way for the stylist to get to know a little about your taste. Be open to suggestions, and remember that your consultant knows the gowns inside out and is there to help you find your dream dress. Visit one to three boutiques, anymore and you will start to get very confused. Select the boutiques wisely and call in advance to discuss your ideas and budget. There is a lot of pressure from recent TV programmes that make you think you must cry or have a eureka moment when you try on a dress. We are all different so you are not going to react the same as your best friend or your sister may have when they found their dress. We say that you want to feel special in the dress, to look in the mirror and to be excited by the gown. Above all else, do not second guess yourself, trust your instincts and the feelings in your tummy! The team at May & Grace www.mayandgracebridal.com SKIN DEEP I have patches of dry skin along my jawline and forehead, and the rest is quite oily. Nothing I’ve tried works, and I’m getting worried about my big day make-up. Can you help? Sounds like a case of classic combination skin and as someone with similar concerns, I know it can be particularly tricky to manage. Find a good facialist to help prep, balance and nourish your skin. Keep in mind that environmental, hormonal, diet and hydration can play a massive role in your skin’s health. Use Drunk Elephant’s Wonderwild Miracle Butter anywhere that requires some extra TLC, from cheeks and chapped lips to dry elbows and cuticles. It’s formulated with a rich blend of plant butter, including marula, mango and cupuaçu to help shield the skin from environmental stressors. Alternatively, try REN’s Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream. It’s super gentle, making it ideal for more sensitive skin. It’s nourishing without being heavy, and it’s packed with skin-softening sea buckthorn oil, which helps regulate the skin’s moisture levels, along with replenishing camellia oil. You can manage your make-up concerns on your wedding day with a primer such as Nars Pore & Shine Control Primer. This oil-free primer is ideal for oily skin, helping it stay matte all day, as well as ensuring your make-up lasts through the night. Blotting powders are also fantastic! Amy Lacey www.amylacey.co.uk Q&A Fashion & Beauty Local experts offer advice on how to look your big-day best Leonor by Rosa Clará 88
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