JR I think we go through these cycles of heavy, light, natural and in the last years, the whole heavy, very made-up look is definitely out. The glowing, more natural pink, sweet cheeks, with natural radiance and beautiful skin is really a trend that hasn’t gone away. So, the idea of bridal beauty is now heading more towards showing who you are rather than covering that up. KA What ingredients do you suggest brides look out for in their skincare when seeking to achieve that sought-after wedding glow? JR I’m a big fan of vitamin C. The first collection for IMAGE that I created for rosacea was the Vital C Collection, which is still our number one globally, even after 20-some years. Vitamin C is brightening and tightening, so that’s a big one. I also love hyaluronic acid for that really plump, dewy look. Niacinamide is also great as it really gives skin that pop with a boost of radiance. Of course, wearing a sunscreen every day is crucial. For use at night, I’m also a big fan of the new water soluble retinol serums that are non-irritating. They really boost collagen and can give a fantastic glow long term. We’ve been using retinols for 20 years and in the last two, we launched a new collection featuring new water-soluble forms that as well as being non-irritating, are non- peeling and non-inflammatory, so they can be used safely every day. If you’ve never looked into these new forms – the old is out and the new is in! These retinols can be used daily and are beautiful for a maintenance programme. KA We know weddings can be stressful. How does this prolonged period of stress take its toll on the skin? What signs should we look out for and what can you suggest bride-to-bes can do to manage these tell-tale signs? JR Stress can be shown on the skin immediately in the form of redness, inflammation, rashes, acne and rosacea. So, it’s back to the basics: good hydration, good sleep, try to be happy with your skin and try to treat it with gentle ingredients. As I mentioned, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide are all great choices. Cleanse well, exfoliate lightly, and take care of yourself. Realise this is such a beautiful day that you shouldn’t be stressed about. Embrace it and enjoy yourself. KA What does ‘confidence’ mean to you when it comes to beauty, especially for brides? JR I think that word ‘confidence’, even when it’s not associated with brides, is one of the words I embraced when I started IMAGE Skincare. I think when you look in the mirror and see beautiful, flawless skin, it gives you a tremendous amount of confidence. When you don’t feel the need to cover it up, you feel radiant. So, I think a confident bride is a woman with healthy skin, who doesn’t have to worry about hiding those blemishes and spots because she’s done the work before that big day. If you do that, you’re not going to have those issues as much. Stick with what works. Don’t change a lot and especially don’t get needles injected into you because something’s going to happen – it’s inevitable. And if it’s going to happen it’ll happen right before the wedding, so don’t do anything crazy! I think confidence is doing the right things in the lead-up, with an aesthetician and products you trust and not wavering from those. KA With a to-do list a mile long, many brides will be looking to avoid adding to it in favour of keeping things simple. So, how do you see skincare become part of a bride’s ongoing self-care ritual that feels like second nature, rather than just another task? JR Skincare should be like brushing your teeth, you need to do it every day, morning and evening. The skin is the largest organ in the body and it’s the one you should take care of the most. You don’t have to do a lot – two or three things a day, two or three things a night. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. And just like getting your hair cut or coloured where you need to do it every six weeks, get a 72
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