Wedding beauty, hair, makeup, skincare, fragrances and health & fitness

Simply Scent-sational - Chandrika Thomas chats perfume

We chat to perfumier Chandrika Thomas about finding that signature wedding-day scent to trigger memories for a lifetime. Visionary and creative force behind fragrance house Chandrika Thomas London, Chandrika herself, has a background undeniably rooted in weddings. Having received a grant from The Prince's Trust at the tender age of 18, she set out on her journey into the world of wedding couture. It was an investment in her future allowing her to transform her passion for designing bespoke wedding dresses into a
flourishing business.

GESKE offers some top tech for your wedding prep

The GESKE Sonic Warm & Cool Mask 9-in-1 (£59.95) is the ultimate solution for your wedding prep skincare. An advanced device, it uses pore-opening deep warming and full-facial hyper-infusion technologies, along with cryo deep cooling technology, to create temperature variations to open and close pores, enhancing the absorption of skincare products and boosting circulation. To top it off, it also brings you the brand's full-spectrum LED light technology in different wavelengths and colours, while its sonic vibrations will help firm and lift the skin. Pair it with GESKE Youth Boosting Mask (£12.95) filled with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to endow your skin with an enviable, youthful glow. Click play to find out how I got on from unboxing to glow. For more, head to www.geske.com

Be@One Beauty is 100 per cent certified vegan, cruelty-free and contains no parabens

Be@One 100% Vegan Makeup is the brainchild of entrepreneur and philanthropist Heather Mills, and leading makeup artist Milena Thacker. The company is part of Heather's broader mission to introduce healthier, more sustainable, plantbased product solutions to consumers across the food, nutrition and cosmetics industries without compromising on quality. That's why, along with Milena, she's developed this cosmetic range that's 100 per cent certified vegan, cruelty-free and contains no parabens. It's an affordable, high-quality make-up range that's kind to animals, kind to your skin and kind to your pocket. Check out the complete collection at www.be-at-one.com

Loving Tan has brought its newest Purest Collection to the UK

With consumer demand for natural and organic products on the rise, Loving Tan has brought its newest Purest Collection to the UK. The collection contains high concentrations of active ingredients to ensure a deep and natural-looking tan after just one application. Shades medium and dark are available and are suitable for most skin types. Proudly Australian made, all products are dermatologically tested, cruelty-free and vegan friendly. I love the Purest Face Tanning Serum (£30.95), easy to apply as you would your usual tanning moisturiser, the lightweight formula enhanced my complexion even as it developed and left me with a healthy glow once removed six hours later. Something that had been sorely lacking!

Get a gorgeous glow with Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury is a mainstay of many a bridal make-up artist's kit. So, we're always desperate to know that the brand's up to here at CWM towers! The hero products at the moment for glowing brides are the Beautiful Skin Foundation (£39) and Beauty Light Wand (£30). Charlotte Tilbury's Beautiful Skin Foundation plumps and smooths skin and helps improve the skin's appearance with every use, leaving it with a healthy glow. Formulated with brightening rose complex and hydrating hyaluronic acid, it works to leave the skin more hydrated and radiant than it started.

Check out the ultimate skincare all-rounder

Tender Care Natural Multi-purpose Balm (£3.99) is an Oriflame classic that's been loved and used by millions since its creation in 1970. This multitasker delivers multiple benefits and can be used for everything from dry hands, cuticles and chapped lips, to eyebrows, dry elbows and feet, leaving skin feeling wonderfully soft, supple and nourished. Now a 99.9 per cent natural origin formula its deep nourishment is delivered largely thanks to its blend of natural oils, beeswax and vitamin E. Find it at https://uk.oriflame.com

Lids By Design offers an eye-opening solution for hooded eyes

Those with hooded eyes can now get the lid space you never thought possible with Lids By Design by Contours Rx (£34.47 for 80). Acting as a push-up bra for your eyelids, these non-surgical lid lifters instantly open the eyes without breaking the bank. No need to cover with foundations or shadows unless you want to, as they're so transparent that lighter, matte neutrals can be applied directly to the strips for an au naturale look without the need for primer. You can even create a smoky eye by applying Transforming Shadow Base (£16) onto your Lids by Design Strips before eyeshadow. Then, add darker shadows and shimmers as you usually would for that perfect sultry look.

Fit's A Kind Of Magic

As well as the joy and excitement that comes with planning a wedding, it also means having a million-and-one things to deal with as the big day approaches; and with all eyes on you, wanting to look and feel your best can be another stress. That's why Ultimate Performance has launched a new service designed to help brides and grooms get into the shape they want for their big day. Available through a new, dedicated section of its website, the package allows you to share sessions between the two of you and you'll only need to pay one sign-up fee. You'll be able to book a consultation at one of Ultimate Performance's gyms and have a team of trainers devise a unique training plan tailored to your needs and goals. The plan will look at all aspects of your life including training, nutrition, sleep, stress mitigation and supplementation helping you to achieve the look they feel happy, comfortable and confident with. We had questions, so CWM's beauty and wellness editor, Kelly Andrews, caught up with Ultimate Performance's certified personal trainer and chief experience officer Mark Bohannon to find out more.

Magic beans

Say 'hello' to the beauty world's latest buzzing ingredient, the adzuki bean. "This tiny, but mighty bean has major skin benefits and is a seriously good do-it-all beauty ingredient," says Faye Purcell, Q+A's head of research and development. Now, Q+A is harnessing the power of this magical little bean in its new Peptide Anti-Ageing Daily Sunscreen SPF50 and is impressively the first brand in Europe to do so in a beauty product. This daily mineral hybrid sunscreen also includes vegan collagen pre-peptides to firm, boost and plump, sesame see oil to nourish, protect and calm and meadowfoam oil to leave skin soft and supple.

Just in case

We've all attempted to apply make-up on a dark morning, before racing out the door to work only to find the office's strip lighting to be less than forgiving of our efforts. This is the inspiration behind the Beautifect Box, the hero product from which the brand grew. Founder Dr Tara Lalvani yearned for a product that would make it easier for her to apply her make-up on the go and envisioned something akin to the Beautifect Box we see today. With advanced lighting technology and sophisticated design, the luxury Beautifect Box offers a way of getting ready that truly elevates beauty routines. A 21st-century dressing table with smart storage solutions, the product relies on patented design and advanced lighting technology boasting a high Colour Rendering Index that allows you to see true-to-life colours and shades for flawless make-up application, any time of the day or night. £279, www.beautifect.com

Mirror, mirror

All packed for honeymoon? Don't forget the new EKO iMira Travel LED Mirror! It incorporates smart features in a convenient travel size with eight-inch mirror display providing high-definition reflection. The handy support stand is fully adjustable allowing you to find the perfect angle and doubles as a cover while you're travelling. The full ring LED light simulates natural sunlight and boasts three brightness modes for full visibility even if your hotel room is a bit dim. Plus, rechargeable, it comes with a USB-C cable, so you no longer have to perform that annoying task of finding that perfect spot to apply your make-up when you arrive at your destination.

£34.99, https://ekohome.co.uk

Sleep on it

After three years of research and countless hours of testing and development, the clever folk at Superfacialist have unveiled their latest innovation in the brand's star-studded line up of skincare essentials. Powered by the revolutionary Resync SleepSmart Complex, these new Night Creams contain actives to optimise skin rejuvenation overnight when it's most receptive to regeneration and repair. These formulations are designed to work in sync with your skin's natural circadian rhythm, supporting it while you sleep, leaving you to wake up feeling radiant and refreshed. The range of Night Creams (£16-£20) offers a personalised solution for all skin types from dry and dehydrated to sensitive skin and signs of ageing.

Here comes the Sun

If you're heading towards sunnier climes on honeymoon this summer, a good suncreen is a must. Just in time, Germaine de Capuccini has launched its new Timexpert Sun Collection, ready to care and protect your skin. The Collection features a complete range of photoprotective filters combined with the effectiveness of the brand's anti-ageing treatments. It includes Timexpert Sun Invisible Sun Mist SPF50 (£62.15), with ultralight invisible spray-on texture; Timexpert Sun Oil Bronze SPF20 (£60.95), an extra-light oil combining tan activating technology with hydration and protection; and Timexpert Sun Blue Protective Bi-Phase Antioxidant SPF30 (£51.60), a refreshing lotion to hydrate and revitalise skin, also with tan activating technology. Check out https://germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk

Your big-day bridal fragrance

For Elie Saab's latest fragrance launch, Le Parfum Bridal, Mr Saab worked with Aurelien Guichard of Takasago House; Guichard was inspired by the iconic bridal dresses of the Couture House and based the fragrance bottle around the different layers of satin and lace used by the designer. This opulent, musky floral fragrance is composed of ylang-ylang and orange blossom notes, enveloped by Madagascan vanilla and ambroxan with ambrette for the ultimate sparkle.

Hands-on wellness

Industry newcomer, sustainable luxury skincare brand ROOAR has recently scooped the award for Best New Bodycare Product in the National and Organic Beauty Innovation Awards with its Deep Hydrating Hand Therapy Cream (£22). With a relaxing scent, the light texture quickly absorbs leaving no unwelcome greasy residue. The idea behind ROOAR is a range of products that invigorates the senses and supports wellbeing. Founder Sandra Chow has used what she's learned over the last 15 years about organic, natural skincare; ageing; and eastern remedies to produce a brand that's suitable for all skin types and won't contribute to the use of synthetic chemicals. Find out more at https://rooar.co

Welcome back

With over 100 years of beauty and heritage, Elizabeth Grant Skin Care, founded in London has been manufacturing in Toronto, Canada, for decades since. Now, the long-standing formulations have launched into the UK.The power of Torricelumn was discovered by Elizabeth back in 1948 after she sought a natural ingredient to heal wounds caused in a WWII bomb blast. The compound comes from a particular type of algae, with added vitamins, botanicals and anti-oxidants it's the basis of the formula proven and loved today. Over the years Elizabeth Grant Skin Care has perfected the formula to help beauty aficionados target and improve the five main stages of ageing: wrinkles, firmness, hyperpigmentation and dullness.

Find out more about the range, new to the UK at https://elizabethgrant.com, also available at Debenhams and Amazon.

Glow up

Ciaté London's new Brazilian Glow Eye & Face Palette is the ultimate one-stop shop for bronzed complexion perfection. It's my latest make-up bag must-have that I can't leave the house without. I love the gorgeous glow boosting bronzer and tonal matte blusher that's just my shade. There's also a shimmering highlighter that allows your contours to catch the light in all the right places. What's more, the selection of three eyeshadows allows you to effortlessly switch up your look from day to night. Best of all it's100 per cent vegan and PETA approved cruelty free.

£25, www.ciatelondon.com

Your anti-chafe champion

I'm a recent convert to the Megababe brand and a huge fan. Founded in 2017 by body acceptance advocate (and my new hero) Katie Sturino, the products address a variety of taboo body discomfort issues that many of us face but have thus far been largely ignored by the beauty industry. Now, this solution-based brand has launched a hero range at Boots. Given that I know of one bride in particular who'd have had a very different wedding day had she been able to get her hands on the Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick at the time, this is the champion I want to talk to you about. Quite simply, you can stop thigh chafe for good. The award winning formula creates a balm-like clear barrier that sits on top of the skin, allowing thighs that rub to glide smoothly against each other. Aloe, grapeseed oil and antioxidant rich vitamin E provides extra hydration for happy, healthy skin. There's also a mini stick available, perfect to keep in your clutch bag on the big day for any required top ups.

£12 (mini, £8), www.boots.com. Also check out www.cultbeauty.co.uk for even more of the range.

Romance at your finger tips

It was an exciting day when Mylee's new Unveiled collection arrived in the office! "The new range of beautiful gel polishes in an homage to the romance and elegance of wedding season," says CWM beauty editor Kelly Andrews. "It features a capsule collection of five shades, ranging from ethereal pale pinks to creamy nudes, and shimmering hues that capture the essence of celebration. Meet Bouquet Toss, Glass of Fizz, Garter and Wedding Night. "It wasn't easy to decide which one to try first, but after much deliberation I opted for Wedding Night, a soft subtle shimmering apricot. Easy to apply it cures under UV or LED lamp in 30-60 seconds. I went straight on holiday wearing it and after being in and out of the pool and sea it was just as flawless as when it went on – three weeks later and it's still going strong!"

Salon style at home

BaByliss is seeking to redefine home hair styling with its new Air Wand, an air-powered all-in-one hair system that combines the performance of a hairdryer with the smoothing power of a hair straightener and the volumising effect of a styler. From a fresh-from-the-salon blow dry to big, full, voluminous bouncy blow-outs, root lift, frizz control, sleek straightening, and even effortlessly refreshing next-day hair, the Air Wand offers the ultimate hairstyling tool that enables you to have it all. Plus, thanks to its built-in Ultra Care Mode, you can do all this damage-free.