Q&A Fashion & Beauty Look the best version of you with our expert advice BRIDAL BEAUTIFUL What advice can you share to ensure I receive the best results for my wedding day? It’s essential to have clean and dry hair for your wedding day! Dirty hair will be oily, which makes your hair heavy and weighs the locks down; this makes it harder to achieve volume and hold curls. For the trial and the big day, wash your hair the night before with two good shampoos. The first removes dirt, while the second cleanses and gives volume. Blow-dry your hair, but don’t use any products and avoid styling tools. Ideally, have any hair accessories, a veil if you’re wearing one, and some inspirational photos during your trial so your hairstylist can understand the vision to bring ideas to life. For the bride and her best girls, wear tops that can be unzipped, unbuttoned or taken off the shoulder to avoid ruining your hair once it has been done – don’t opt for T-shirts or high-neck tops. If wearing robes, ensure there isn’t a huge collar like on a bathrobe. Natalie Marriott | NLM Bridal Hair www.facebook.com/BeautyNatalieNottingham RING-A-DING-DING What top tips can you share for cleaning my engagement ring? I’ve heard many old wives’ tales when it comes to cleaning jewellery and more often than not, these tactics won’t give the best sparkle and could cause damage. To clean your gold engagement rings, I’d advise soaking them in warm water for around 20 minutes, then gently brushing the setting with a soft-bristled brush. If you have a significant buildup, add a small amount of soap to the water. Once you’ve finished brushing, gently rinse the ring and dry it with a soft cloth. If you have a white gold engagement ring that starts to look discoloured over time, it might benefit from rhodium plating to regain a bright white appearance. Platinum is one of the harder-wearing metals, so these rings are very durable but will still need regular cleaning to maintain the sparkle. Wash the piece in warm water and soap for around 20 minutes, then gently brush and wipe clean. Ultrasonic machines are another great option as they vibrate away dirt, leaving the ring clean and bright without brushing. It can be common for silver jewellery to develop a dull finish over time, but rest assured, you can get a sparkly finish to your ring once more. The easiest way is to use a silver cleaning cloth, which is readily available and affordable. A few minutes of gentle swiping around the ring band will see the tarnishing come away and the shine return. Silver cleaning solutions allow you to soak your ring to break down any buildup around the setting. You can then follow the same rinsing and drying process as gold. It’s essential to choose the right solution for the metal of your ring and avoid any abrasive cleaners so you don’t cause any damage. If unsure, it’s best to stick to a cleaning cloth. If your ring has developed scratches or small dents or is looking little dull, professional jewellers can offer a more advanced clean and polish with specialist equipment, which can get your ring looking sparkling and new again. Sally Hill | Berry’s Jewellers www.berrysjewellers.co.uk www.gettyimages.co.uk 63 ASK THE EXPERTS
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