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

How to treat pigmentation safely before your wedding: expert advice on retinol and pre-bridal skincare

Pigmentation can feel especially frustrating in the months leading up to your wedding, particularly when you're aiming for a smooth, even complexion. We spoke to Giselle Curcio, Chief Brand & Innovation Officer at AlumierMD, to understand how brides can address uneven tone safely and effectively before the big day. While retinol is known for refining texture and regulating excess pigment, timing, formulation and professional guidance are essential to avoid irritation. From gradual introduction to daily SPF and next-generation formulas like IntelliRET 0.3+, she explains how to brighten and smooth skin confidently — without compromising comfort or your wedding-day glow.

How to improve hair thickness before your wedding: expert advice for perimenopausal hair changes

Hair thinning and increased shedding can feel especially worrying in the lead-up to your wedding, particularly during perimenopause. We spoke to Lucy Palmer, founder of Hair Gain, an award-winning vegan range scientifically formulated to support healthy hair growth, to understand what can be done to improve thickness and overall condition before the big day. From targeted supplements containing AnaGain, zinc and biotin to scalp-focused treatments and strengthening masks, she explains how a consistent, holistic routine can help restore fullness, resilience and shine. With the right support from within and at the surface, visible improvements are possible in the months leading up to "I do."

How to get glowing skin before your wedding: nutrition tips and supplements

With wedding season fast approaching, many brides are looking beyond topical skincare in the pursuit of a healthy, radiant glow. We spoke to Maria Ribeiro (ANutr), Nutritionist at Innermost, to discover how diet and targeted supplementation can support skin health ahead of the big day. From omega-3 rich foods and vitamin C for collagen production to zinc, biotin and hydration, she explains how simple nutritional changes can improve tone and texture in the months before "I do." She also highlights The Glow Blend, a supplement combining collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, designed to complement a balanced diet and consistent skincare routine.

Loving Tan Bronze Shimmer Luminous Cream: The bridal glow essential for flawless wedding photos

Jessie Dean, marketing director at Loving Tan, reveals her expert advice for brides seeking a radiant yet natural-looking wedding day glow. The brand's Bronze Shimmer Luminous Cream delivers instant luminosity with a lightweight, quick-drying and transfer-resistant formula, ideal for long celebrations and flash photography. Loved by brides and seen on celebrities including Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae, it creates a soft, airbrushed finish that enhances skin without feeling heavy. Jessie recommends applying to clean, dry skin on the morning of the wedding using the Flawless Body Brush, focusing on the shoulders, collarbones and décolletage for maximum impact. Bronze Shimmer Luminous Cream is available at Cult Beauty, priced £30.95, and via uk.lovingtan.com.

How to Achieve Frizz-Free Wavy Hair for Your Summer Wedding with the Merwave Wavy Hair Kit

Abi Reid, founder and creator of Merwave hair care, shares her expert advice on achieving soft, defined and frizz-free waves for your wedding day. Designed specifically for wavy hair textures, the Merwave Wavy Hair Kit helps hydrate, strengthen and smooth the cuticle to prevent puffiness in warm or humid conditions. With ingredients such as Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Glycerin and flaxseed extract, the range enhances natural wave patterns while creating a flexible cast for long-lasting hold without crunchiness. Perfect for summer celebrations where heat and humidity can challenge styling, the routine supports healthier, more manageable waves from ceremony to last dance. The Merwave Wavy Hair Starter Kit costs £50 (worth £85) and is available at selected outlets and via merwave.co.uk.

Wedding Hair Removal Tips: Is IPL Right for Fair or Blonde Hair Brides?

If you've ever looked into laser hair removal, you may already know it can be less effective on blonde or fair hair. Trish Coulton, founder of hair removal specialist brand Bondi Body, shares her expert advice for brides navigating hair removal ahead of the big day. From understanding how IPL works and who it's best suited for, to realistic timelines and when to start treatments, Trish breaks down what to expect — and what to avoid — in the run-up to your wedding. She also explains why waxing or sugaring may still be the safest option close to the date, and how combining methods can help keep things stress-free. When it comes to bridal beauty prep, planning ahead makes all the difference.

Wedding wellness tips with skin care and wellness expert Gudiya Patel

In the lead-up to your wedding day, taking a mindful approach to diet, fitness and overall wellbeing can make a noticeable difference to how you look and feel. Rather than resorting to restrictive panic diets, this is the ideal time to focus on nourishing your body, boosting energy levels and managing stress. Skin care and wellness expert Gudiya Patel, founder of the PHI Clinic, explains how a balanced nutrition plan, healthy lifestyle habits and targeted treatments can support glowing skin and sustained vitality. From bespoke wellness consultations to at-home self-care, her expert advice helps brides-to-be feel calm, confident and at their very best as the big day approaches.

Gustav Fouche on tackling delicate scalp woes

For anyone with sensitive skin, regular hair colouring — whether full colour, highlights or lowlights — can quickly turn a beauty ritual into an itchy, uncomfortable experience. A reactive scalp doesn't mean you have to give up the look you love, though. With the right techniques, formulas and preparation, colouring can be far kinder to delicate skin. Celebrity hairdresser Gustav Fouche shares his expert advice on how to avoid irritation, choose gentler colour options and protect the scalp before, during and after your appointment. From smarter application methods to simple pre-colour care and nourishing treatments, these practical tips prove that healthy, comfortable hair colouring is entirely possible — even for the most sensitive scalps.

Tried & Tested: Home Care Dermaroller Set

Microneedling has become a go-to treatment for those seeking smoother, clearer, more refined skin at home, so we were eager to see whether the Home Care Dermaroller Set lived up to its reputation. Promising to boost radiance, minimise pore appearance and enhance product absorption, this compact device offers a professional-style experience without the salon visit. To put it to the test, we handed it over to CWM editor Olivia Gibson, who has long dealt with enlarged pores and recurring blemishes. After incorporating the Dermaroller HC902 into her weekly routine and tracking the changes in her skin, she shares her honest experience—from ease of use and sensations to visible results and essential hygiene tips.

Wedding Hair Tips for Mature Brides: The Best Ways to Soften Greys and Boost Shine

If pesky greys are dimming your confidence ahead of the big day, you're not alone — and the solution may be simpler than you think. Celebrity hairstylist Jason Collier, founder of Studio 23 and key opinion leader for Jerome Russell Bblonde, shares how brides can embrace their greys while still achieving a luminous, wedding-ready finish. Instead of masking silver strands completely, Jason recommends working with their natural tone to create soft, multidimensional colour that blends seamlessly and boosts shine. From warm, golden highlights to subtle balayage and micro-blended pieces, his expert approach enhances brightness without overprocessing. With the right maintenance routine, you can enjoy glossy, radiant hair that feels effortlessly elegant on your special day.

Tried & tested: ZO Skin Health Retinol + Blemish Complex

When it comes to achieving clearer, smoother, and more radiant skin—especially in the run-up to a wedding—retinol is often hailed as a game-changer. So when ZO Skin Health launched its Retinol + Blemish Complex, we were eager to see whether it lived up to the hype. Designed to target texture irregularities, breakouts, and stubborn pigmentation, this advanced formula promises visible results with consistent use. To put it to the test, we enlisted CWM editor Olivia Gibson, who has first-hand experience managing combination skin, dark spots, and uneven tone. After incorporating the product into her routine and monitoring its effects over several weeks, she shares her honest thoughts, practical tips, and the results she experienced.

Tried & Tested: Sensilis Retinol Body Treatment

The Sensilis Sensitive Skin Lab Retinol Body Treatment is a body lotion with a fluid texture that's easy to apply and absorbs fast. Its firming and moisturising action unifies tone, lightens any spots and visibly reduces wrinkles due to its cellular renewing action. We had the opportunity to put it to the test. Here, CWM editor Rachel Westall shares her thoughts: "Looking for a wedding-day bod that's smooth, toned, and honeymoon-ready? This luxurious retinol body treatment from Sensilis is fabulous. The silky formula gently refines texture, enhances firmness, and evens tone, making arms, décolleté, and back look flawless in photos. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it fits effortlessly into even the busiest pre-wedding routine.

Help! My skin is a mess!

Preparing for a wedding can be stressful, and for many, that stress shows up first in their skin. If your big day is nearing and your complexion isn't cooperating, you're not alone—and there are professional solutions that can help. From irritation caused by anxiety to congestion from product buildup, it's easy for skin to lose its glow when you need it most. Senior Guinot therapist Meghan Livingstone explains how hormonal changes and a lack of exfoliation can dull your radiance, and why targeted treatments like Guinot's Hydra Peeling Facial offer an effective reset. With deep exfoliation and noticeable brightening, it's a powerful option for restoring smoothness and clarity before a special occasion.

Korean beauty clean skin hacks from Anua

Korean skincare has taken social media by storm, captivating beauty enthusiasts worldwide with its innovative routines and radiant results. So, what's behind the hype? Tori Kim, global representative for ANUA—one of the fastest-growing Asian beauty brands—shares her top Korean beauty hacks for achieving clean, glowing skin. Whether you're prepping for a wedding or simply looking to refresh your complexion after a long summer, Kim emphasizes gentle, consistent care over overwhelming the skin with too many active ingredients. From soothing cleansers to hydrating serums and essential SPF, her approach focuses on restoring radiance, boosting hydration, and leaving the skin soft, luminous, and perfectly prepped for makeup.

Mad Beauty X Harry Potter: the exciting new beauty collab

British gifting brand Mad Beauty has launched an enchanting new collaboration — a Harry Potter-inspired beauty collection, created in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, released this autumn. The 19-piece collection combines intricate designs and nostalgic references to the iconic films, delivering products that are as functional as they are magical. Perfect for bridal parties, bachelorette gifts, or wedding day touch-ups, this collection brings a sprinkle of wizarding wonder to any celebration. Potterheads and beauty lovers alike will be captivated by the whimsical packaging and luxurious formulas, making it a must-have for collectors and wedding gift lists this season. Collect them all!

Boost Your Energy Before the Big Day: Nutritionist-Approved Tips and Supplements for Brides

In the final months before your wedding, it's normal to feel drained — especially after a busy summer of planning, events, and excitement. Low energy and rising anxiety can make those last preparations feel overwhelming, but with the right nutrition and support, you can restore your vitality and feel like your best self again. A balanced diet filled with wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins provides the foundation for sustained energy, while supplements such as B vitamins, iron, or iodine can help reduce fatigue. For an extra boost, try a superfood powder packed with vitamins A, C, and E to support your immune system and natural glow — helping you feel calm, energised, and wedding-ready.

Countdown to ‘I Do’: Achieve Your Dream Wedding Smile with Invisalign

Your wedding day is one of the most photographed moments of your life — so it's only natural to want a confident, radiant smile. If slightly crooked teeth have started to bother you as the big day approaches, there's still plenty of time to make a beautiful change. Invisalign treatment offers a discreet, comfortable way to gently straighten your teeth using clear, removable aligners. Many brides and grooms see results within 6–12 months, meaning you can start now and smile proudly when you say "I do." Plus, you can even whiten your teeth during treatment for a brighter finish — the perfect way to complete your dream wedding-day look.

Naturally Beautiful Eyes for Your Wedding Day

Your wedding day is all about feeling radiant, confident, and effortlessly beautiful — right down to your lashes. A lash lift and tint is the perfect choice for brides who want to enhance their natural beauty without relying on extensions. This gentle treatment lifts and darkens your lashes, creating an open, defined look that lasts four to eight weeks — long enough to see you through the ceremony, honeymoon, and beyond. With minimal maintenance and the freedom to still use your favourite mascara, it's an ideal pre-wedding beauty ritual. For peace of mind, always schedule a patch test and, where possible, a trial appointment eight weeks before your big day to ensure flawless, lasting results.

The LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Vault has landed!

Back by popular demand for a limited time only — and worth over £708 — this year's LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Vault is the most luxurious curation to date. Showcasing 15 full-size icons from some of the world's most coveted brands, including Sol de Janeiro, Fenty Beauty, Grande Cosmetics, Color Wow, Medik8, and Anastasia Beverly Hills, it's the ultimate indulgence for beauty lovers. Retailing at £150 RRP, the Beauty Vault is overflowing with premium skincare, haircare, body care, and makeup must-haves, offering exceptional value and a lineup stacked high with bestsellers. Bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever — don't miss it.

Delilah Coral Edit: Golden Hour Inspired Makeup with Radiant Peachy Shades

Inspired by the soft magical light of Golden Hour, The Coral Edit from Delilah features perfectly peachy shades for sun-kissed days. Warm, radiant and undeniably elegant, these flattering coral hues are designed to enhance every complexion. I love the Bloom Liquid Blush (£24) in new shade Tiger Lily, which blends in seamlessly for a gorgeous natural glow. Enriched with botanical extracts for added skin benefits, this ultra-hydrating formula doubles as a sheer lip tint. I love to top this with the Illuminating Blusher – Lustre (£30) for a lit-from-within radiance. It diffuses and reflects light with microfine pigments, subtly colour correcting dullness. The collection is available at delilahcosmetics.com