174 studiobrides.com.au

Make-up artist Anni Hall shares the ultimate hair and skincare regime for exceptional wedding-day glow.

BeautyExpErt

prep

Most brides are the fittest they’ll ever be

on their wedding day. The six months

prior to slipping on that stunning dress

and walking down the aisle are packed with gym

sessions, personal trainers and optimistic,

new-wave treatments (cue Hypoxi). The same

vigor and dedication should be given to your hair

and skin to get the most out of your look on the

big day. Thankfully, loving your skin is nowhere

near as gruelling as lunges, squats or weights.

Just add some potions, subtract certain lotions

and the results will be rapid. Another bonus is

that you only need to start three months before

the day. Studio Brides discovers how some

slight dietary adjustments, a little essential

oil and simply brushing your hair at night can

all do wonders for your bridal beauty look.

Terrific TressesGetting glorious hair for the big day isn’t hard

work, all you’ve got to do is take the time to

pamper yourself. With current bridal hairstyles

inspired by ‘Princess’ Kate, the Duchess of

Cambridge, it’s no surprise that hair guru,

Paloma Rose Garcia, stylist and partner at

Oscar Oscar Salon in Sydney’s Paddington,

insists that perfect wedding-day hair is a

result of good hair maintenance. Garcia has

formulated a surprisingly simple 12-week

plan that, once you see the shiny results,

you’ll want to continue forever.

Just like any new routine, week one is the

most exciting stage. Now is the ideal time to

Versace

Haute Couture

Fall 2012.

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…use a good shampoo and conditioner, and a

mask once a week.

…the effects of make-up on near-perfect skin are unparalleled.

start thinking and talking hair. Take a few hours

out of the day, head to the salon with some

images in hand and decide on your look. Garcia

stresses that you must “really be comfortable

with who is looking after your hair colour and

cut, as they will be the one that tells you exactly

what to use and what’s right for you”.

As a general rule, for wedding hairstyles

that are out, the next 12 weeks should focus

on maintaining the length and condition of

your hair, while for up-dos, make sure the

colour and texture are spot on.

There are three key tasks to perform at

home after the initial salon visit right up until

your wedding day. The first is to brush your hair

with a paddle brush for two to three minutes

each night. “The balls at the end of the brush

massage and stimulate the scalp to increase

hair growth,” explains Garcia.

The next step is to use a good shampoo and

conditioner, and a mask once a week. Garcia

loves Kérastase’s Ciment Thermique for blondes,

and for dark, as well as coloured hair, Kérstase’s

Chroma Riche. Finally, Garcia recommends that

brides “take 15ml of silica gel every morning

supreMe skinMake-up truly is a wonderful invention. Applied

correctly, it can hide irregularities, enhance

assets, and make you look and feel beyond

beautiful. As wondrous as it is by itself, the

effects of make-up on near-perfect skin are

unparalleled. Naturopath, nutritionist and

herbalist Cassie Mendoza-Jones from Elevate

Vitality reveals what every bride can add

to and eliminate from their daily routines

to improve their skin and maximise beauty.

Many women battle with skin conditions

from mild to severe acne, eczema or rashes.

Thankfully, as Mendoza-Jones assures,

a change in diet, a few super herbs and

some topical treatments can address these

problems. She says it’s best to identify

concerns at least three months prior to the

wedding. This allows time for allergies and

intolerances to be treated, acne to clear

and lacklustre skin to shine.

Incorporating certain foods into your diet will

improve all skin types, the most troubled and

the most glowing. Good fats such as that found

in nuts (especially walnuts), seeds, oily fish

and flaxseed oil are wise additions. And foods

that are high in antioxidants such as brightly

coloured fruit and vegetables, which contain

Vitamin A, as well as Vitamin C- and Vitamin

E-rich foods all make the cut.

For those with acne, Mendoza-Jones

explains, “Lots of recent research links a high

dairy intake to acne. I’ve had cases where I’ve

taken patients off dairy completely and the

acne clears up within a couple of weeks.

So [for brides with acne] try to get rid of as

much dairy as possible.”

While the sun, pollution and stress all negatively

affect the quality of the skin, problem skin is

predominantly a result of internal imbalances.

To restore balance, Mendoza-Jones recommends

cleansing the liver. “Our liver detoxifies

everything we put in our mouth, on our skin

and breathe in through our lungs. Our skin is

the largest detoxifying organ, so if your liver

is overworked, the best way for your body

to rid [itself of] toxins is via the skin [which

results in blemishes]. If you take the load

off your liver then you’ll help your skin.”

Foods that are a part of the brassica family

(including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower

and kale), bitter foods such as chicory and

rocket, the herb burdock, dandelion root,

St Mary’s thistle and schisandra all help improve

liver function. Liquids such as chlorophyll,

mixed with juice or water. This improves the

overall condition of the hair and could even

be started six months before the wedding

for exceptional results”.

Week eight is the next important date for hair

maintenance. For brides that are opting for thicker

or longer locks, now is the time to purchase

clip-in hair wefts. “I always refer my clients to

Soho Hair [& Wigs] in Darlinghurst because

they have stunning human hair extensions.

It gives you that fullness through the lengths,

which is perfect for half-up and half-down

styles, and the ends don’t look piecey.”

Continue with the three key tasks until week

10 or 11 when your hair has its final cut and

colour. Ensure you ask the colourist to tend to

the hair extensions and then, on the big day,

have them styled the same way as your own hair.

elie saab

Haute Couture

Fall 2012.

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Haute Couture

Fall 2012.

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nettle tea, dandelion root coffee and, of course,

water are all terrific cleansers too.

Along with cleansing the liver, herbs that

detoxify the blood and lymphatic system will

also help to clear the skin. These include

yellow dock, cleavers and echinacea, which

are all best consumed in liquid form (available

from health food stores) because the body

recognises them as food so they’re exceptionally

fast acting. Calendula also benefits the skin,

however Mendoza-Jones reveals that (for those

not on the contraceptive pill) the herb chaste

DiY essenTialsMendoza-Jones recommends making your

own moisturiser with a 100ml base of almond

or rosehip oil and then adding a couple of

drops of essential oils that specifically treat

your skin type. Choose lavender, sandalwood

and chamomile for very sensitive skin,

rosewood and lemongrass for dehydrated

skin, and jojoba (which has a similar molecular

structure to the oils in skin, so it’s well

absorbed) for dry skin. For combination skin

use a few drops of geranium and ylang ylang,

use the astringent mandarin and bergamot

for oily skin types and, for skin with acne,

thyme, lavender, chamomile and clary seed

will all soothe and heal. Finally, for those

nightmarish pimples that so often appear

right before important events, apply a hint

of tea tree oil or calendula onto the spots

to quickly banish them.

Along with soothing and healing your skin,

make sure you’re also protecting it. One of the

easiest and most important steps to take for

silky smooth skin is to wear sunscreen every

day. Not only does it prevent sunburn, but

it’s the top beauty product in keeping dark

spots and irregular patches at bay.

When exercising outdoors (also essential

for great skin because you expel toxins when

Mendoza-Jones suggests using essential oils. “Oils are actually fantastic for skin, especially oilier types…”

tree is unsurpassable. “[It’s] great for hormonal

breakouts around the chin and perfect for brides

that may have a spot or two on their backs. I’ve

found that for a lot of women, after two months

of taking chaste tree all their acne clears up.”

For guaranteed results, pair topical

treatments with oral remedies. Mendoza-Jones

suggests using essential oils. “Oils are actually

fantastic for skin, especially oilier types. A lot

of essential oils are antibacterial [so they treat

acne,] and are protective and nourishing in

helping the skin to heal.”

you sweat), go without make-up, wearing a

tinted moisturiser instead. Evohe Colours Mineral

Foundation is natural, organic, contains SPF, is

great for all skin types and gives a gorgeous

glow. Remember to shower straight after any

workout so your skin doesn’t reabsorb sweat.

Finally, quite possibly the best thing you

can do for your skin is to relax and get lots

of rest. Throw in a lymphatic drainage facial

massage for additional detoxing and you’re

all set for sublime bridal skin. 2

One of the easiest and most important steps to take for silky smooth skin is to wear sunscreen every day.

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