Bridal world not only operates in a completely different time zone and economy (everything takes ten times longer and costs ten times more as soon as you mention the word wedding), but it can also induce bridal brain – a hysteria that renders the bride unable to function as a normal citizen of society, and makes everyone around her want to run for cover.
Over the next three months, Confessions of a Beauty Queen will be featuring a bridal beauty special to help brides get ready for their big day with grace and poise, so that they walk down the aisle radiating beauty inside and out.
It will follow our beautiful Editor, Miss Sandi, in her lead up to becoming a Mrs. We’ll sneak into her bathroom to see what she’s using on her skin, follow her into day spas whilst she gets facials, trail in hot pursuit whilst she tames her tresses at the hairdresser, peer into her cabinets to see what perfumes and fragrances she fancies, and mask our envy whilst she gets massaged to within an inch of her life.
PART 1: ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP?
On a personal level, I’ve never been happy with anyone who has professionally done my make-up, especially when it has come to being a bridesmaid. It seems when Makeup Artists hear the word wedding, it’s cue to bring out the pan stick and pack it on as thick as they can, leaving you unrecognisable to yourself, and your family and friends.
However, Katie Bennett, Makeup Artist from Melbourne, believes bridal makeup should enhance the natural beauty of the bride. So, she met with bride-to-be Sandi and one of her bridesmaids Zoe last week and created a natural, but gorgeous, look for them.
MISS SANDI’S HIGH TEA
Makeup Artist | Katie Bennett
Katie Bennett is a Melbourne based Freelance Makeup Artist, who has trained with top global Makeup Artists and worked for luxury cosmetic brands in London, Sydney and Melbourne. Additionally, Katie is studying advanced runway and bridal techniques with Elite Hair & Makeup Academy, who have done makeup for Princess Mary and other Australian celebrities.
If you would like to have your make-up done by Katie, please contact her on 0400 180 392 or email katie.bennett@live.com
Makeup | Kit Cosmetics
Katie recommends using natural shades of make up for weddings that match each persons individual skin tone. She contoured Sandi’s eyes with cool brown tones and accentuated her lips and cheeks in cool pinks. Zoe has a warm complexion, so her eyes were done using warm and golden browns and complemented with a neutral glossy lip. Recreate these beautiful bridal looks using Kit Cosmetics.
Cupcakes | Sugadeaux
Why not turn your kitchen tea into a high tea garden party with a tiered stand of cupcakes from Sugadeaux? All cupcakes are lovingly “baked from scratch and use the finest quality ingredients.” There are many unique cupcake designs to choose from and they can be ordered up to three months in advance for your wedding or special event.
Flowers | MGL
Melbourne Floral Designer, Megan White from Managaing Good Looks, created the stunning flowers in this photo shoot. Megan’s designs are contemporary and draw inspiration from an extensive knowledge of modern and traditional art. Visit her website below to view the gallery of stylish and unique floral designs she has created for weddings, events and corporate spaces.
Candles | Jaye Niemi
Jaye Niemi’s fragrance collection is synonymous with style and elegance. The collection includes fragrant candles made from 100% botanical wax, which can be combined to create signature moods that personalise your special occasion and create lasting memories for you and your guests.
Tea | Be Genki
The Japanese word “genki” means to be happy, healthy, and in harmony with oneself. It suggests wellbeing is achieved by balancing physical, emotional and spiritual elements equally to create an integrated and tranquil self. Find out more about Be Genki here.
Photography | Garth Ernstzen
Garth Ernstzen is a Melbourne based freelance photographer. His work can vary from candid personal portraits to high fashion and editorial work. After completing a Bachelor Degree in Media and Communication with Honours, he went straight into freelancing and making his mark on the Melbourne photography scene. Find out more about Garth here.
MISS SANDI VISITS THE LYALL FOR A SODASHI FACIAL
When Miss Sandi normally hears the word facial, she thinks of someone poking and prodding her skin until it’s blotchy and red. Au contraire, her Sodashi facial at the Lyall was gentle, rejuvenating, relaxing and benefited her skin, as opposed to making it break out.
Her 90 minutes of pure bliss began with a deep cleanse, followed by a powerful and intensive boost of nature’s vitamins and minerals applied to her skin. This was followed by a warm infusing facial mask, which was left on her skin for half an hour to maximise and penetrate the essential vitamins deep into her skin. Massage is incorporated into the facial and the whole experience purified and deeply cleansed her skin, whilst leaving it deeply hydrated.
Miss Sandi has some Sodashi products at home, so she can continue to care for her skin and maintain the benefits of the facial.
INSIDE MISS SANDI’S BATHROOM
Che Skincare’s mission is to provide “clinically qualified, medically accredited and quality non-surgical aesthetic products and procedures.” Their range of ‘Clinic Aesthetic’ medical skin care products is 100% natural.”
Miss Sandi likes the Che Deep Cleanser, and says that a little bit goes a long way. It’s deeply cleansing and removes all traces of grime, to leave her skin feeling squeaky clean without feeling too dry afterwards.
The Che Vitamin C Serum is deeply hydrating and chock full of antioxidants. It feels great on the skin at night, and delivers good results – clear, hydrated skin. She also loves the anti-aging aspect of this serum.
Miss Sandi thinks the Alpha H Micro Cleanse is an excellent product. It is quite strong, but delivers good results, leaving her skin super smooth.
She is using the Alpha-H Age Delay Oil every second night for extra hydration, by putting a couple of drops into her night moisturiser. It has softened her skin, and her face is definitely more hydrated after using it.
Miss Sandi has always been afraid of cream cleansers, and the ones she has used in the past have made her dislike them. They never seem to clean the skin as well as foaming cleansers. However, she is happy to announce that the Pelactiv Hydrating Cream Cleanser is different.
Miss Sandi will also be using Sodashi’s beautiful holistic range of products to nurture her skin, in the coming months. Sodashi’s products stand out because of their commitment to sourcing quality ingredients and the wisdom they draw from ancient philosophies and natural healing.
Elly B believes taking care of your skin is the key to healthy and radiant skin, which is why they use 100% certified organic, botanical & naturally active ingredients. “It’s like an organic multi vitamin, just for your skin.”
Miss Sandi will tell you more about her experiences with these products in her post wedding column.
MISS SANDI READS ABOUT NUTRITION AND SKINCARE
Karen Fischer, ex Model and TV Presenter turned Nutritionist, has written a book that educates women on how to turn around their skin with eight guiding principles in only eight weeks.
1. Think green and friendly
Miss Sandi has embraced this guideline as she finds it fits so easily into her routine and lifestyle, and has really improved her skin. It involves eating at least two handfuls of dark leafy vegetables every day, eating alkalising foods and incorporating green water (liquid chlorophyll mixed into water) into your day.
By far, the green water has made the biggest, most immediate difference. A couple of teaspoons into her water bottle every day has put a sparkle in her eye and a glow in her skin.
2. Eat moisturising foods
Healthy fats are where it’s at, according to Miss Sandi. She’s incorporated more into her diet including flaxseed oil, omega-3 and linseeds.
3. Eat less
This guideline isn’t about starving yourself – but rather eating smaller portions of the bad stuff and more of the good stuff. Think vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein.
4. Be a sleeping beauty
Sleep is not only important to help maintain your energy levels as you plan for your wedding, but also for your skin. There is an entire chapter within this book dedicated to establishing a good sleeping routine, as well as having a solid sleep eight hours a night. Miss Sandi reports that it really does make a difference. She is a good sleeper, but she is going to aim for eight hours a night at least six nights per week.
5. Sweat for fifteen minutes each day
Exercise not only makes you feel fit, toned and terrific, but it makes your skin glow – long after the sweat beads have been washed off. Miss Sandi learnt a lot from this chapter – she had little idea about the purpose of sweat and the benefits of it for the skin.
6. Have a good skin-care routine
This chapter debunks myths and encourages you to read your product labels so you can learn about what you are really rubbing into your skin.
7. Become a hat person
Miss Sandi hasn’t been much of a hat person, but she certainly picked up a few important lessons and tips from this chapter.
8. Relax and make peace with your body
Miss Sandi just loves The Healthy Skin Diet – no matter how good you think your skin is, there are always ways to improve it. What she loves about the book is the how it also improves your lifestyle, as if by default. It’s full of delicious recipes, as well as specialised programs for acne, cellulite, dandruff, eczema and more.
Follow Here Comes The Bride next fortnight, as Sandi and another bridesmaid visit Nylon Hair Salon in Ripponlea, Melbourne.
