Ballet Beauty

I'm in love with these new limited edition polishes by Nails Inc.  They bring together two of my favourite things... ballet and beauty!

They're delicate, feminine, and beautiful for a Spring or Summer wedding.  You can view the full range here.


xBBx

Invisalign - How to Perfect Your Wedding Day Smile

We all know that preparing for your wedding can be less than relaxing. With little time to pamper and preen, many brides can be left lacking in confidence. Behavioural expert Judi James and celebrity dental practitioner Dr.Graham Tinkler share their tips on how to prepare for the big day...

 

 

Invisalign ambassador and behavioural expert Judi James gives her top tips to prepare for the big day:

When you think of the perfect bride you will always think of a woman who is smiling. Smiling will not only reflect your levels of undiluted adoration for your groom, you’ll also be performing bouts of social smiling throughout the day in your role of host, greeter and thanker.

A smile should be a simple demand on what is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, but unfortunately it can be harder than you might think. Firstly there’s the problem of habit. The build-up to a wedding can be stressful as you deal with problems in the event planning, packing for honeymoon, and any workplace hand-overs.

 

Then there’s the challenge of performed smiling when there are cameras around. Some professional wedding photographers are very good at making their brides smile for the camera but more and more brides are opting for the natural, less formal style of wedding photography, not realising that being caught ‘unaware’ can mean your day is marked with what can look like expressions of exhaustion, bossiness, irritation or champagne-fuelled gurning!

 

It’s your smile that will be remembered by your guests, your groom and by you when you look at your wedding photos. For the photos it’s safest to do what the celebrities do and work up a camera smile that you’ve honed first. On the run up to your big day practice smiling in front of the mirror so you get used to what feels comfortable and looks natural. This may feel vain but it’s important to know how it feels and to make sure your smile gets maximum effect. The perfect smile you’re looking to achieve is when the eyes create a half-moon shape crinkling at the corners, the top teeth are displayed with a slight showing of bottom teeth and the smile is symmetrical across the face.

If you do feel your photo smile is getting rigid or stretched then re-boot quickly. Look down or look behind you, pull your lips together tightly and stretch your mouth horizontally as you do so you flex and relax the mouth-muscles. Run your tongue over your front teeth, breathe out, then turn back and re-apply the (now more relaxed-looking) smile. With this practiced smile you can appear confident and relaxed, even if you feel like a nervous wreck!

 

Dr Graham Tinkler shares his top tips to prepare for your special day:

I would always recommend visiting the dentist every 6 months to prevent any dramatic dental work. I tell my patients to try and avoid food and drink that will stain your teeth, especially red wine and orange juice. But if you can’t cut these out altogether, then teeth whitening is a great way to get dazzling results for your wedding day.

Feeling self-conscious about your teeth can have a dramatic effect on your confidence. I have seen many patients who would hide their teeth when they smile or drop their head to cover their mouths. Teeth straightening is a great way to enhance your natural smile so you can be more confident on your big day; an ideal treatment for brides-to-be is Invisalign.

Invisalign involves a set of clear, removable aligners which are custom-made to fit snugly over teeth to direct tooth movement. Each aligner is individually designed for your teeth, with a different set worn every 2 weeks to gradually move the teeth into the desired position. The Invisalign treatment fits simply and easily into your daily routine, without any fuss or embarrassment to your appearance. With no metal wires or brackets, there’s no need to worry about mouth irritations, as the aligners are comfortable to wear and can be easily removed, meaning if you haven’t finished your treatment before your wedding, you can just remove them for the day! Straight teeth are actually much easier to keep clean as well and more aesthetically pleasing, so you’re more likely to make effort to keep them clean.

You can find out more about Dr Tinkler's work with Invisalign here

 

Invisalign - Perfect Your Smile For Your Wedding Day!

I'm very happy to have been working with Invisalign recently and want to present one of their beautiful brides to you...
 
When Nicola’s partner proposed, she was over the moon.  However, a big concern weighing heavily on her mind wasn’t how she was going to cope with her busy full time job as a travel consultant and organising a wedding, but how she was going to smile with confidence on the big day.

 

“I was always conscious that my teeth were crooked, but didn’t do anything about it as a child or into my teens.  I was embarrassed to smile and would cover my mouth when I talked– people automatically assumed I was miserable as I rarely smiled.  Straightening my teeth was something I had considered in the past so my wedding coming up, it seemed like there was no time like the present to improve my smile.”

 

“When my partner proposed to me, I started to seriously consider having my teeth corrected as I wanted to relax and enjoy my big day, without having to worry about how my smile would look in pictures. Your wedding album is memory to cherish; the last thing I wanted was to be constantly reminded of my crooked teeth!
 
Having finally made the decision, I visited my dentist to see what options were available.  We discussed fixed braces but my job as a travel consultant involves a great deal of face-to-face liaison with customers and I really didn’t like the thought of having train tracks at my age.

Before Invisalign

Before Invisalign

I was referred to an orthodontist, but wasn’t satisfied with the recommended treatment plan. The orthodontist suggested that I had some of my teeth extracted and veneers put in – not only did this sound incredibly painful but it seemed a little over the top.  I wanted a second opinion and conducted some of my own research on the Internet.  That’s when I came across Invisalign which sounded great!
 
I’ve been in treatment for almost 12 months and the changes to my teeth have been truly amazing. I noticed movement within three months of starting treatment and I’m delighted with the results.  I’m so much more confident now and I don’t have to cover my mouth with my hand when talking to people. 

After Invisalign



After Invisalign

 

I got married on 23^rd May 2009 and it was the most exciting and memorable day of my life.  I was just so happy and couldn’t stop smiling all day – my face ached by the end of it!  I’ve always shied away from the camera so it was quite an odd experience to feel so confident and beautiful.  Looking back at the photographs, I’m so glad I had my teeth straightened, I’m proud to show off my wedding pictures and we have a wealth of them framed and displayed for everyone to see in our new home.

 

The greatest benefit of the treatment was being able to remove the aligners to eat and drink.  I didn’t have to worry about food getting stuck in my teeth and almost none of my friends knew I was straightening my teeth. Invisalign was the perfect option for me and I have since recommended a friend who was so impressed with my results, she’s now in treatment herself!

Nicola Hall is a 31 year old travel consultant from Cambridgeshire.

 

About Align Technology

Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998. Today, the Invisalign product family includes Invisalign Full, Invisalign Anterior, Invisalign Lite, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign i7 and Vivera Retainers.

Align Technology is a leader in the category with over 1.8m people worldwide treated with Invisalign to date. Align Technology are revolutionising the industry as the pioneer of clear aligner teeth straightening and currently hold several pieces of intellectual property including process and design patents. 

Availability

For more information and to find a practitioner near you, visit http://www.facebook.com/invisalign / http://www.invisalign.co.uk or call 0845 644 5462.

Tasty Treats - Muller Breakfast Corner

For the past couple of weeks I've been enjoying these yogurts for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack.




They are made up of tasty bio yoghurt with fruit granola. You can choose from strawberry, tropical, or raspberry and cranberry.
With around 150 calories per pot and all natural ingredients, they are great if you are trying to eat healthy :)
For full nutritional information, visit the Muller website
Enjoy!

 

Sleep in a Bottle

Well I wish I'd used this the night before my wedding! I remember finally crawling into bed at 2am and then laying awake with excitement and nerves. I could have done with some 'sleep in a bottle' to help compensate :)




Guerlain's Midnight Secret is a 'late night recovery treatment' designed for nights that are too short and should be applied to a cleansed face before going to bed.  Its special formula (named Hydronoctine) contains ingredients that increase the level of oxygen in the skin to help it recuperate rapidly.  The result is that your face looks refreshed and bright in the morning.
I tried it for the first time last week and was very impressed.  I didn't expect the results to be visible but my skin did look smooth and bright in the morning.
It is an expensive product but worth it for your big day!  Take care not to over use it though.  It's powerful stuff and not recommended for use more than three times a week!
Available from Debenhams Beauty

 

balance Me - Radiance Face Mask

Well I'm seriously loving this triple action face mask that polishes, hydrates and smoothes. 

To use it, smooth over a cleansed face in circular massage movements.  Leave for up to five minutes and then remove with warm water.

It contains kaolin clay to deeply cleanse, ground walnut shells to exfoliate, and a fruit acid complex to brighten the skin.

I love the smell and texture of this product.  The microscopic walnut shell did a great job of exfoliating and my skin looked brighter and smoother after leaving the mask on for five minutes. 

By combining an exfoliator and mask into one product it's also a great time saver for busy brides who want to achieve bright, polished skin from home.  Highly recommend you give it a try!

Love,

 

balance Me - Moisture-Rich Face Cream

Well they weren't lying when they called this day cream 'moisture rich!'  It does exactly what it says on the label...

"Treat your skin to our concentrated, deeply hydrating moisturiser that is bursting with skin smoothing ingredients including anti-oxidant rich Artic cloudberry, rose otto, camellia and kukui nut oils to protect your precious skin from daily wear and tear."

This face cream glides on and you don't need much of it to really re-hydrate your skin.  It cleared up some dry patches I had with just a couple of applications. 
You can use it as both a day and night cream but if using in the mornings I would recommend waiting about 15 minutes before applying make-up to allow the skin time to absorb the cream and all its goodness.

I would recommend this to brides to help keep your skin looking fresh and bright all day.  It also helps keep your make-up in place.

Love,

 

Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - They're Back!

Do you remember Biore's iconic Pore Strips?!  Well, they're back!

Bioré®Pore Strips are back with a great new look , 2 different types will help banish blackheads and diminish the appearance of pores. They are clinically proven to instantly remove pore-clogging dirt, oil and blackheads. Effectively deep cleans pores by instantly locking onto and removing deep down dirt, oil and blackheads from the problem nose area.

For further information on Biore's Deep Cleansing Pore Strips visit http://www.biore.co.uk/deep-cleansing-product-family/pore-strips#ultra

Love,

balance Me - Wedding Day Essentials

I received this fabulous little package in the post so over the next few weeks I will be trying and reviewing products from the balance Me Wedding Day Essentials Range...

Look out for my reviews of:

• Radiance Face Mask
• Congested Skin Serum
• Moisture Rich Face Cream

To view the full range you can visit www.balanceme.co.uk :)

Love,

Dior Addict Lipstick - Shade 249 Diorissime

I'm a big fan of the Dior Addict lipsticks so I was very excited to find one in my stocking this Christmas!

I love these lipsticks because they are intensely moisturising and very glossy.  I suffer with chapped lips, particularly at this time of year, so it's great to find a lipstick that keeps my lips hydrated.

Shade 249 is a gorgeous coral colour with a slight shimmer.  It is one of the sheerer shades of the Dior Addict lipstick line so it's a good option if you're looking for a subtle lip colour.

Lots of love & happy new year!

11/11/11

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

Just a quick one to remind you lovely ladies to wash your make-up brushes regularly.  Make-up and dirt will build up on them over time and keeping them clean will help prevent blemishes.  I try to wash mine out once every couple of weeks. 

To wask your brushes, wet the bristles in warm water and pour a small amount of mild shampoo into the palm of your hand.  Move the brush in circular motions in the shampoo to build up a lather and then rinse.  Repeat, and then leave to air dry.

It's best to use baby shampoo to clean your make-up brushes as it won't contain an harsh chemicals that could damage them.  Also don't rub your brushes dry, just lay them flat on a towel in free flowing air.

Maybelline One by One Volum' Express Mascara

At the moment I'm using Maybelline One by One Volum' Express mascara and I think it's fab!

This is why Maybelline think you'll love it...

• Patented Lash Catcher™ brush has 3 bristles per lash to make every lash count
• Catches, coats and de-clumps each lash to make them all fatter and flirtier
• Instant clump-free volume
• Contact lens safe and ophthalmologist-tested
• Washable, also available in Waterproof formula

I couldn't agree more!  The brush is easy to work with, my lashes don't clump, and it gives great length and volume.

No mascara

With two coats of One by One

The only down side is that the brush is quite large so it's more difficult to do the lower lashes.
Definitely worth a try!

Love,

Tasty Treats - Cadbury Little Bars

It's been a while since I shared a tasty treat with you all so here is my new favourite... Cadbury Dairy Milk Little Bars!

Now these are probably designed for those of primary school age but I've not let that stop me! At only 110 calories each, they are the perfect little treat when nothing other than scrummy Dairy Milk will fix your chocolate craving!

Enjoy!

Neutrogena - Pink Grapefruit

Recently I've been using Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Face Wash and Daily Scrub.

I use the face wash morning and night and use the scrub about twice a week, although the scrub is designed for daily use so you could use every day if you wanted.

I really like these products as they leave my skin feeling very clean and the natural pink grapefruit extract is very uplifting and helps wake me up in the mornings! The Visibly Clear range is designed for spot prone skin so the products are packed with vitamin C and spot fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells and unblock pores. They deep cleanse and remove oil without over drying the skin.

These products cost around £4-£5 each in the UK but they are long lasting so I think this is good value. A little bit does go a long way.

In the UK, you can buy them from Boots or in the US you can buy from Neutrogena.com

Jessica GELeration Nails - The Holiday Test

As promised, I had GELeration put on my nails before going on holiday to see how it would hold up against sun, sea and sand.

Here are my nails at the end of week one...

Perfect!

and at the end of week two...

Gel has started to lift slightly.

The gels stayed on very well and none of them chipped.  During the second week the gel did start to lift slightly from around the nail bed, although it was only noticeable if you looked very closely at the nails.

I will definitely have GELeration put on my nails for my next holiday.  It saves taking nail varnish abroad with you and is one less thing to have to think about... allowing you extra sunbathing time! ; )

Love,

xBBx

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