Applique – various fabrics sewn onto netting or other transparent fabric – creates a lovely, romantic appearance for your bridal look. It allows you to show some skin and yet still look classy and tasteful. It suits brides with a feminine style and a love for detail. Applique designs can feature anywhere, like the back, sleeves, neckline or veil. Here are some of our favourites.
Picture: Unsplash
Anyone with curly hair knows it can be temperamental. If you’ve decided to rock your natural texture on your big day, fear not. The joy of curly hair is that is it can be anything it wants to be.
There are a wide variety of creative curly hairstyles to choose from. Whether you’r rocking locks, braids, a ‘fro or your wash ‘n go, we’ve got styles to suit everyone.
Shining star:
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Relaxed updo:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B12U4W1FKdM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Romantic faux-hawk:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4U9RwIFUeo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sleek simplicity:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3YQ2OaJsaj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Locked and loaded:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsO94pHGjX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Chic chignon:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XA0qvnj3i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Fantastic ‘fro:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4k7_gxJvbZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Textured twists:
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Brilliant braids:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TPSsWHs7Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Crowning glory:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BylAFGjhZAj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Image: Pexels
Your make up will determine your whole look, and it’s important that it suits your personality, dress and overall theme. Here are five looks that have always been popular to give you some inspiration.
Metallic
This style is perfect for the rockstar-bride. Go for shades of purple, bronze and silver for a dramatic look.
Classic
Over the years, the classic neutral eyes with bold red lips have always been a favourite. It speaks of timeless class and sophistication.
Smokey
The smokey eye is a good option if you are looking to make a lasting impression. Pair it with nude lips to make your eyes pop!
Fresh
Depending on your skin tone, the natural, spring-inspired look will have you looking radiant.
Contoured
Keep up with the Kardashians who practically invented (and perfected) this edgy style.
Picture:Pixabay
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a new perfume, only to find the scent will last a whole of five seconds before it fades into the wind. We give you a few simple ways to help make your fragrance last longer and stronger, especially for your big day.
A clean slate
Timing is everything, so spraying on your perfume after a hot shower and a layer of moisturiser is the best way to lock in that scent. After a shower, your pores are clean and skin is moist, making it more susceptible to hold onto the fragrance.
Layered levels
To achieve the maximum scent profile of your favourite perfume, try layering the same scent with its matching body wash and body cream. The products work in harmony to last as long as possible and also reach areas you wouldn’t normally spray your perfume on. For that added punch, lightly mist your hair at the nape of your neck with the scent as well.
Pulse points
These points on our bodies are where blood flows closest to the surface, i.e. behind the ears, along your neck, your inner wrists and behind the elbows and knees. It is always preferred to target these areas with the scent as the skin is thinnest here and they emit natural heat from your body. This heat helps the perfume scent to evolve as the day progresses and works with your natural body scent.
Dab, don’t rub
When spraying perfume onto your skin, always dab instead of rubbing it into your skin, or better yet, just leave it. While the pulse points release heat, rubbing those points together (like your wrists) has the potential to break the perfume’s molecular structure.
The perfect distance
As obvious as it sounds to spray more perfume if you want a stronger scent pay-off, try to not overspray your perfume in one particular area. However, in that same breath, don’t spray into the air and completely miss it landing where it should. The ideal should be the perfume bottle at an angle, half an arm’s length away from your body so that it can settle evenly onto your skin.
Store away from light & heat
Lastly, always keep your perfumes away from direct sunlight and intense heat or humidity. The light and heat break down the perfume itself which causes it to fade faster than usual. One would hate to spend thousands of rands on a beautiful perfume that won’t even last you the month if it’s already broken down.
By Yashna Balwanth
Feature image: Unsplash
One of the most important aspects of a wedding is the bride’s dress. The marriage too, but let’s be honest, all eyes will be on the woman of the moment when she makes her triumphant walk down the aisle. With all this attention, you’ll definitely want your look to be picture perfect.
Wedding dress shopping is an experience. Making a dress or even just having one altered takes time. To make sure you stay on schedule, follow our wedding dress timeline.
12 months before the wedding:
– Research: Before you begin wedding dress shopping, you have to know what you want. Having a general idea of how you want to look will make the shopping experience that much easier. Scour Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. It also helps to make a Pinterest board so that your bridal party and shopping assistants at bridal stores can greater understand your vision.
– Budget: Before you enter a store, you need to have a budget. If you don’t have a budget, you risk spending way beyond your means. When setting up your budget, make sure to include all the extra expenses such as alterations, shipping and accessories so that you have a ballpark figure that you cannot go over.
10 months before the wedding:
– Start wedding dress shopping: If you thought finding the One was tough, you haven’t gone wedding dress shopping yet. With so many silhouettes and styles available, it is easy to become overwhelmed.
Take your time and visit a few wedding dress stores to see what they have to offer. During this time, you can also start to get a feel of the the styles that look best on you, which will make your final decision much easier.
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8 months before the wedding:
– Say yes to the dress: After months of visiting bridal stores, now is the time to make your choice. By 8 months, you should have your wedding dress locked down and ordered. It may seem early, but choosing your dress this early leaves enough time for alterations and fittings which can often take months to complete.
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5 months before the wedding:
– Accessorise: remember the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”? Now is the time to incorporate it into your wedding attire.
Whether it be an extravagant veil or a bridal hair piece, there are so many ways to top off your bridal look. The 5-month mark is the perfect time to go shopping for shoes, jewellery and other other accessories to compliment your dress.
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3 months before the wedding:
– First fitting: Chances are, you’ll have two to three fittings to make sure your dress is the perfect. At your first fitting, you will cover all the alterations that need to be made, whether it be a shorter hemline or extra beading.
It is crucial to have this fitting months ahead of the wedding to allow your seamstress enough time to make all the necessary changes. Make sure to bring your shoes and accessories along so that you can see the final look a little more clearly and make the necessary adjustments.
6-8 weeks before the wedding:
– Second fitting: The second dress fitting is for minor revisions. You will be fitting on your dress to see how the alterations at your first fitting came out and if any other changes need to be made. Once again, make sure to bring along your shoes and accessories. If possible, have your hair styled and your bridal makeup done so that you can see every component of your look together.
2-3 weeks before the wedding:
– Final fitting: All the alterations should be complete at this point, so the final fitting is simply to ensure that everything is perfect. This is the time when your entire look will come together. It is advised that you come prepared with your shoes and accessories, and have your hair and makeup done to get the big picture of your bridal attire.
the week before the wedding:
– pick up your wedding dress: it’s finally done! Your next task is to pick up your wedding dress and leave it somewhere safe. If you are following tradition, you’ll want to keep your dress out of your partner’s sight, so you will need to be strategic about where you will store it.
the day of:
Enjoy your wedding day: this one is pretty self-explanatory. The day has finally arrived, and now is the time to bask in your happiness while wearing your dream dress.
Image: Unsplash
Yes, Bieber fever is still a thing, and the wedding of Hailey & Justin Bieber hasn’t made it go down whatsoever. To say Hailey looked perfect on her wedding day is an absolute understatement. Her glam team pulled out all the stops and we are totally here for it. We break down how to achieve the Hailey Bieber bridal beauty look with a few simple steps.
Overall, Hailey had a make-up look that just added to her features instead of overpowering one another, and we are obsessed. Make-up artist to the stars, Denika Bedrossian, opted for subtle and natural glam to bring out her best features.
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Natural glowing skin
Before you can start with foundation and all the added extras, your skin needs to be well cleansed and moisturised. This means cleansing with a gentle cleanser and following it up with a moisturiser with an added hit of hydration. Also, try to go for monthly facials leading up to the wedding to deeply cleanse and promote blood circulation for a healthy, believable glow.
We recommend: Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk R260
Nude glossy lip
The glossy nude lip is a staple classic and totally tied the whole make-up look together, making it extremely wearable.
We recommend: MAC Cremesheen Glass in Deelight R295
Fluffy brows
Precisely defined brows are no longer top of the list as natural and fluffy are now the way to go. Hailey’s well-groomed brows were full, yet still subtly defined. Try using a brow setting gel with just a hint of colour to hold the hairs in place.
We recommend: Benefit 3D Browtones R375
Fluttery lashes
Lengthy, fluttery lashes are enviably romantic and utterly flirtatious. Make-up artist Denika used a defining and lengthening mascara to achieve this. Make sure it’s waterproof to ensure those inevitable waterworks don’t ruin your make-up.
We recommend: Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara R360
Subtle eyes
Neutral was the name of the game with this entire make-up look and using subtle pink shades with brown and warmer undertones most certainly created a softness to the eye and added that romantic glam. There was also no dramatic cat eye, with Denika opting for a non-winged eyeliner to just define the eye less harshly.
We recommend: Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette R860
By Yashna Balwanth
Feature image: Instagram / Denika Bedrossian
The modern wedding is one of fun, and unique-ness. Couples of today are eschewing tradition to create a personal story for their big day, one that will stay with them forever. As such, we have seen a number of new and different trends flare up in the wedding industry over the years. From neon signs and dried botanicals, to bridal jackets and artful cakes, couples are making statements with their wedding elements.
While there is no one-size-fits-all for weddings, wedding trends often help to guide couples when planning their Big Day. These are the biggest wedding trends predicted for 2020.
Individuality:
The main trend of the 2020 wedding season is individuality. People are embracing what makes them unique and incorporating that into their weddings. With so many options, engaged couples are no longer pigeon-holed into particular styles that may not suit them. It truly has become a free-for-all for the upcoming 2020 wedding season.
Bridal Fashion:
Bridal designers of today has moved away from the traditional bridal look. Bridal fashion has become less of a focus on the ‘bridal’, but more on the ‘fashion’. The millennial bride is ready to take risks and be bold, and designers are loving it. With more brides opting for separate ceremony and reception looks, there is more opportunity to have fun.
Vera Wang, Victor and Rolf and Monique Lhullier all featured puffy sleeves in their Bridal 2020 lines.
Victorian romance was featured in shows of Mira Zwillinger and Costarellos.
Reem Acra and Galia Lahav are putting the leg on display with side split wedding dresses.
The bridal jumpsuit is having a huge moment, and featured in collections by Cushnie, Pronovias and Viktor & Rolf.
Statement veils are having a moment in 2019, and will extend to 2020. We most recently saw Hailey Bieber feature this accessory in her wedding to Justin Bieber.
Veils are traditional and timeless, but with small finishes, they can be given a modernised look.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VLmXjlfQH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Unique Engagement Rings:
Unique, vintage inspired rings will be the big trend for 2020. Mia Moross, founder of The One I Love NYC, says she has seen a rise in cushion-cut, hand-mined diamond rings being purchased, and predicts that there will be a rise in yellow-gold rather than platinum bands, as well as Art Deco pieces. She believes that modern couples want their rings to tell a story, and are looking for pieces that reflect history and soul.
She also notes that couples are choosing the rings together, rather than the one proposing doing it themselves.
Informal Venues:
Informal and relaxed venues have been trending for years, and do not seem to be going anywhere. Forests, barns, backyards and beaches have been popular wedding venues for a good reason. It’s less stuffy, more inviting and often times more affordable than renting out halls and wine farms.
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Sustainability:
Today’s couples are much more environmentally conscious, and are actively looking for eco-friendly alternatives to many wedding staples. Many venues and suppliers are starting to incorporate sustainability into their services. One such South African venue, Cederkloof Botanical Retreat, provides various elements of sustainability in their wedding offerings, covering aspects of social, environmental and financial health.
Seasonal Flowers:
Dried botanicals have been featuring in many bridal bouquets, and are as popular as ever. Engaged couples are also leaning towards local, seasonal and sustainable flowers to feature in their weddings.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zftFpDBmm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Statement decor:
2020 wedding decor will focus on statement pieces. Think balloons, neon signs, elaborate wedding arches and massive floral centerpieces. Over sized decor makes for a wonderful talking point, and gives weddings a personal, unique touch.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B3jq2EknGRR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Exposed lighting:
Mood lighting is still all the rage. Exposed bulbs dangling from the ceiling, floating candles and twinkling fairy lights create a beautifully romantic setting perfect for weddings.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rGm9Npb2t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3hM9MkJRbT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Picture: Unsplash
Bridal beauty is undeniably one of the most important aspects of your wedding day, no matter who you are.
We recently had the pleasure of chatting to the National Make-up Artist for Bobbi Brown, Anna Weinbeck. She has been with the brand for over 9 years and shares her insights and tips into looking picture perfect on your wedding day.
Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What is your best advice for all brides?
A: Every bride deserves to look flawless on their big day, whether you’re getting a make-up artist or doing it yourself. Make sure you’re completely happy with your make-up, if you’re not, then change it. That’s why you need to do a trial first. Be comfortable in your own skin and be proud of who you are!
At Bobbi Brown, we offer free How To lessons, so you can learn anything you want to know, from finding your perfect foundation to getting the perfect lip shade for your skin type. Pop past a counter any time and just book and enjoy.
Q: What is a trial and why is it so important?
A: A trial is where you and your make-up artist will discuss the look you want on your wedding day and apply the make-up. This is important as you might want a certain look but as soon as you see how it looks on you, you aren’t as happy as you thought you’d be. It will also give you an idea of how long the make-up lasts. After the trial is your opportunity to change anything that needs to be changed. I always recommend to my brides that they take a look at their make-up in as many different lighting situations as possible, and also take as many photos with flash and without to see if the colour of the foundation blends in seamlessly with the rest of their body.
Q: How do I look after my skin before the wedding?
A: Taking care of your skin before your wedding is of utmost importance. You want to make sure that you have fresh, healthy, glowing skin on the day of your wedding. The best time to start changing your skin regime is 6 months before your big day, as this will allow you to see if you have any reactions to facials/peels or any new skincare products you want to try out. The last facial you can go for should be a week before your wedding, but that’s only if you’ve done it before and you know your skin won’t react or flare-up. Make sure that you use a lot of hydrating products; I love our Hydrating Skincare range as it just balances the water levels of your skin and it’s also anti-bacterial so it will prevent any spots from forming on the skin.
Q: What is the best foundation to use on your wedding day?
A: I always prefer to use a foundation that doesn’t have an SPF as this is usually the ingredient in foundations that causes flash back. Flashback is where your face looks a lot lighter in photographs. My go-to foundation for all brides is our Skin Foundation Stick as it suits all skin types and skin shades with no SPF and buildable coverage. I love to use it with our Vitamin Enriched Face Base as a primer as this creates a smooth canvas and the foundation applies seamlessly.
Q: What is the most popular look brides go for?
A: I found that the most requested looks for brides are a smokey eye, very glam or natural beauty. A smokey eye is a very dark and dramatic eye perfectly balanced with a soft nude lip and bronzer. At Bobbi Brown, we have a Smokey Eye Mascara and beautiful eye palettes to help create this look perfectly.
A very glam look is more of a winged out liner, bold lips and lots of highlighter. Luxe Lip is a great option here as the colour pigment is beautiful and lasts all day.
Natural beauty is just a better version of yourself; soft eye makeup, pretty pink blush and a soft lip.
Q: What are the most important products to have on your big day?
A: An amazing primer; this will set the tone for how the foundation applies and lasts during the day.
No Smudge Mascara; it won’t budge the whole day or night.
Luxe Matte Lip Color; in your perfect shade, this lipstick will stay on for hours
Q: Is there anything you should avoid on your wedding day?
A: Please do not go for any tints the day before, be it your hair, brows or lashes. If you need to fill in your brows, go for our Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil to fill in any gaps. If you do change your products or go for a facial a bit before your big day and you see your skin is reacting, apply some Skin Relief Remedy – it will immediately reduce redness and help calm the skin. Try to go for a facial wax a week before your wedding, if you go later and your skin is a bit red, apply a little bit of Instant Full Cover Concealer over your foundation to neutralise any discolouration.
Feature image: Supplied
From traditional neutral make-up looks to the outstanding bright lip, here are our top 5 wedding beauty looks we deem as utterly iconic:
1. Priyanka Chopra
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The wedding that took, like, 20 celebrations and had us all in absolute awe! Even though Priyanka Chopra had so many wedding looks, our all-time fave was definitely her all red traditional look complete with classic make-up that complimented the outfit and did not overpower it.
2. Kim Kardashian West
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When we think of the perfect nude make-up look, our minds instantly go to Kim Kardashian West. She most certainly made the look quite iconic and trend-worthy since her wedding to Kanye West in 2014 and has been perfecting the nude look ever since. Lashes for days, contoured cheekbones and that perfect nude lip shade all pull the look together.
3. Meghan Markle
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In our opinion, wedding make-up should just enhance your already natural, beautiful self. This is why Meghan Markle makes our top list of most iconic beauty looks. With her gorgeous freckles still peeping through, she radiated class and elegance with minimal make-up, yet still being true to herself.
4. Solange Knowles
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Bold red lips and a natural ‘do are why Solange Knowles makes it to our top beauty looks. Her unique choice of wedding attire makes her truly one in a million, and we are totally here for it. Even though Solange’s wedding was in 2014, this look has a modern edge that will still serve it well today.
5. Princess Diana
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We cannot use the word ‘iconic’ without making mention of Princess Diana. Her perfectly flushed and rosy cheeks, doe eyes and lightly tinted lips make this beauty look one we will never forget.
By Yashna Balwanth
Feature image: Instagram
We’ve seen them just about everywhere, but the last thing you want is a standard, non-significant flower crown on your special day. But don’t stress – we’ve gathered 6 very significant flower crowns for you to incorporate into your wedding day beauty look. You don’t even have to stop and smell the roses – just wear them!
Mother nature
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Keep things subtle and simple with a greenery-inspired flower crown that adds just the right amount of green to your look, without looking too boho. Ideal for a forest or garden wedding and, in addition, quite complimentary to redheads!
OTT florals
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Big blooms are never a bad idea, especially ones with burgundy tones to contrast your wedding dress. This flower crown demands attention, and this one definitely has ours.
Cascading pinks
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Who said flower crowns need to only go around your head? Why not try this alternative which consists of cascading peonies, orchids and hydrangeas giving brides that boho-chic look.
A crown of note
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The highest flower crown you’ve ever seen? Yes please! Ivory colours to match your wedding dress, incorporating a bit of flowers and the very trendy pampas grass as well – this is definitely an eye-catching flower crown fit for a queen.
Halo of roses
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Pink roses never disappoint when it comes to adding that something extra to your wedding look. Flowers out of season? Try silk flower crowns that will last long after the wedding day is over and you can use it again in the future!
Floral hat
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Really want to make a statement with your flower crown? Try this completely covered floral hat in soft tones of purple and lavender which can fit over your hair perfectly. With such an extravagant floral headpiece, keep jewellery simple to keep the attention focused on the crown.
By Yashna Balwanth
Image: Unsplash