BEAUTIFUL BRIDES - Kerry, Birmingham

The very beautiful Kerry from Birmingham got married on 14th May 2011.  Here she shares with us her wedding make-up and beauty advice!

Congratulations on getting married recently! How are you enjoying married life?  Thank you! I love it! It's a massive turn on!! I feel super sexy, confident and secure :)

Talk us through how you got ready on your wedding morning...  As is tradition, I stayed at my Mum's the night before, along with one of my 'Maids who was from out of town.

We were up and in the shower queue at 6am, waiting for the other bridesmaids and hairdresser to arrive. Whilst I had my shower and first glass of champagne the hairdresser started on the first maid (who has really thick, long hair). The other maids and I started on our own make up and drank more champagne!! 

I was second to get my hair done and although it looked very nice, it wasn't exactly what I wanted and unfortunately there was no time to change it as the other bridesmaids had yet to be done and the photographer was waiting to take pictures before he went to the church. I had wanted it all down with two tiny front sections taken back and it set in rollers so it was big to match my dress, what I got was half up/down with loose curls! The plus side to that though was you could see my diamond stud earrings!

All the bridesmaids hair on the other hand was amazing! They had side buns with pearl headed pins

What make-up products/brands did you use on your big day? The majority of my make up was Dior.  I read several independent reviews for their Diorskin Forever foundation and it got rave reviews so thought I would give it a try, and I was not disappointed!  On the photos it's flawless and lasted all day without a single touch up! I also used a dusting of the Diorskin Forever compact powder (shade 020), Dior Blush in Peachy Keen and lipstick Rouge Dior 298 Beige Indecice.

I also used bareMinerals eyebrow powder, Estee Lauder quad eye shadow in Berry Quatz, Bourjois Clubbing Ultra Black mascara (I swear by it and have used it for years!!) and a Boots 17 lip liner in Buff.

Did you change your beauty routine at all in the run up to your wedding? Nope, I didn't change a thing! I always just use a face wash (I don't have a particular one) followed by anti wrinkle moisturiser, again I chop and change.

What beauty advice do you have for other brides-to-be?  Definitely splurge on your foundation and buy the best you can afford, your pictures will last a life time so you want to look flawless! Research what kind of look you want and practise, practise practise!! Also don't be afraid to ask for samples so you can try it out at home.  Just because it's a popular brand in all the wedding magazines doesn't mean you will like it on you...as I learned!!

And finally, what is the one beauty product you can't live without?

Mascara! Without a doubt!!

Thank you Kerry!  We wish you every happiness in married life.  May all your dreams come true!

xBBx

SPF Day Creams

So the days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler, but that's no excuse not to protect your skin from sun damage. Whether it's hot and sunny, or cool and cloudy, the sun's UVA and UVB rays are still damaging your skin. The sun can cause eye damage, skin cancers, and premature aging, and when it comes to each of these prevention is always better than cure.

Try to use a day cream and/or foundation with an SPF. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and will protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. An SPF 15 sunscreen screens 93 percent of the sun’s UVB rays; SPF 30 protects against 97 percent; and SPF 50, 98 percent.  I would recommend an SPF of at least 15.

Here are some days creams you can use that contain SPF 15 or more...

• Johnson's Daily Essentials 24hour Day Cream with SPF 15, for Normal Skin (50ml)
• L’Oreal Derma Genesis Day Cream with SPF 15 - 50ml
• L'Oréal Revitalift Restore +10 Multi-Active Daily Moisturiser SPF20 50ml
• Garnier Vital Restore Day Cream SPF 15 50ml
• Clinique Repairwear Lift SPF 15 Firming Day Cream Very Dry to Dry 50ml
• Nivea Visage Q10Plus Anti-Wrinkle Light Day Cream with SPF 15 50ml

To find out more, you can visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website.

Love from,

xBBx

Protect Your Skin

I've just got back home from the hospital where I had a suspicious looking mole removed.

This is why you should take care of your skin...

If you are sunbathing, please please please use sun lotion with a high SPF (at least 15.)  Day to day, you should choose a day cream with an SPF.  I'll be blogging about some day creams soon...

Love from,

xBBx

Skin Cancer... Do you know your A B C Ds?

A few weeks ago I noticed a mole on my leg was changing in both size and colour. I saw my GP and she referred me to a dermatologist.

I had my first consultation on Wednesday and it went well.  The dermatologist didn't think the mole was a melanoma (cancerous) but she has decided to remove it to be on the safe side.  Her two main reasons for this were:

1. I've had the mole since childhood and it has suddenly now begun to change. 
2. My mum has had two basal cell carcinomas removed from her back.

If you are fair and freckly (like me and my mum) then you are more at risk of skin cancer so please make sure you keep an eye on your skin and look out for changes. You don't have to be a sun worshipper to be at risk.

Use the ABCD rule to help you distinguish between a normal mole and a melanoma

Asymmetrical - melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape.

Border - unlike a normal mole, melanomas have a notched or ragged border.

Colours - melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours.

Diameter - unlike most moles, melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.

Here you can see my mole has a mix of two colours (dark in the middle and a light 'halo' around it) and it has also increased in size...

So if you want to look like a bronzed goddess on your wedding day, please opt for a spray tan or self-tan moisturiser.  Don't hit the sunbeds, it's just not worth it!

For more information on melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, you can visit the NHS website.

Love from,

xBBx