Celebrity Interviews

SCENT APPEAL - Tom Hardy talks cologne

Tom Hardy talks about being an ambassador for Jo Malone London's Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense. Actor Tom Hardy has recently taken on the role of ambassador for Jo Malone London's Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense. Here he talks about the collaboration. Tell us why you decided to work with Jo Malone London. I don't usually get involved in commercials and adverts because I prefer acting and playing different characters. However, Jo Malone London initially reached out about a collaboration due to my affiliation with a charity that I am a trustee of called REORG, which uses Brazilian Jiujitsu and CrossFit to support mental health and physical well-being for veterans, serving military and first responders.

A Cut Above The Rest - Jim Shaw shares his advice

Jim Shaw is an award-winning men's hairdresser who has years of experience helping clients create the perfect look. We asked Jim to share his comments on the latest cuts and styling trends for grooms-to-be. For men looking for a cleanerlooking haircut for the new season, the tight fade is a great option. This haircut looks best when worn shaved or super short on the sides with more length on top but kept relatively short for a lower maintenance look. This look takes inspiration from the military and is super trendy, but it will require regular visits to the salon to ensure the cut is kept fresh and looking its best.

All In The Planning - Ultimate Wedding Planner's Raj Somaiya

Raj Somaiya is an esteemed events architect and CEO of Silverfox Events, a business that's dominated the global events industry and led him to manage events in Dubai, Bali and Paris. Raj specialises in high profile weddings for people of all faiths and is famous for his ground-breaking design ideas and bespoke creations as well as for his role as a judge on BBC2's The Ultimate Wedding Planner. Having crafted himself as a spokesperson for the industry, he's also featured on The Apprentice: You're Fired, hosted by Tim Allen, showing off not only his expertise, but also his brilliant sense of humour and immaculate dress sense! Raj also owns a restaurant called GupShup in Hale, which translated from Hindi, means chit-cat or gossip. It's one of the best known and most popular Indian restaurants in the North West, being one of Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury's favourites. Raj runs both businesses with Sheetal, his wife of 30 years, and they live happily with Raj's father and their three children in Hale, Cheshire. County Wedding Magazines' Kelly Andrews caught up with Raj recently to find out more about his life and career so far, as well as seeking some top tips just for you

Feeling fabulous - we caught up with hair stylist and innovator Gustav Fouche

Originally hailing from South Africa, Gustav Fouche has become one of London's premier hair stylists and salon owners during the course of the last two decades. Known for his innovative 3D Dry Cut, flawless up-dos and blow-outs, he's also created many a jaw-dropping red-carpet look for the likes of Kate Hudson, Gal Gadot and Leanne Rimes. He's a master collaborator when it comes to editorial shoots and TV commercials, but crucially to us, he's a veteran of hundreds of weddings. His TikTok and Instagram tutorials have amassed a huge following too and he's most recently launched his own haircare line, GF Fabulosity. CWM beauty editor Kelly Andrews, caught up with the charming Gustav at Claridge's earlier this year, to learn more about his newest salon opening and product launches, while seeking out his top tips for our beautiful brides.

Just breathe - meditation with Maude Hirst

Actor turned meditation facilitator Maude Hirst, tell us how to handle the stresses of wedding planning. Once a successful actor best known for her role as Helga in the hit TV show Vikings, Maude Hirst is now a meditation facilitator, wellness expert and founder of bespoke meditation company EnergyRise. Discovering meditation, yoga and energy healing changed her life for the better and she believes it can do the same for everyone.

Luscious locks - we chat to TikTok star Matt Newman

Our grooms' editor, Melissa Cullen, chatted with TikTok star Matt Newman, also known as Matt Loves Hair, about his haircare tips for grooms-to-be and how he gained two million followers. The famed hairdresser has cemented himself as one of TikTok's go-to hair tutorial content creators over the past two years, using his own long, glossy locks in each tutorial. Before TikTok, Matt worked in the hair industry in New York for over 10 years, with a career that took him behind the scenes at editorial shoots and fashion shows around the world.

Skin deep - with Strictly's Neil Jones

Strictly Come Dancing star and Shakeup ambassador, Neil Jones reveals his skincare tips for grooms-to-be... Research potential products and test them on a small part of your skin a few weeks before the wedding. If everything is good, work out a simple routine of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising, and try to add in a weekly mask to help get your skin in shape for the big day. Keep to a routine that works for you, and drink plenty of water, as it will help massively. On the big day, use a face spray to refresh the skin in case you get a bit hot and nervous.

Mane Attraction - Eyal Booker's new brand

Influencer Eyal Booker and his brother Ariel reveal their top hair care tips for grooms-to-be... Model, TV personality, and influencer Eyal Booker and his brother Ariel Booker have launched Wavy, the Everyday Curl Creme for men. Designed to maintain and enhance curls for all hair types, the everyday cream uses high-quality ingredients and lasts for up to 30 days when used daily. Our grooms' editor, Melissa Cullen, chatted with Eyal and Ariel to discuss male hair care and the next era of men's grooming.

Beauty Queen - Hannah Martin

We chat to Hannah Martin about her new book, Makeup, and all things bridal beauty... Hannah Martin is a world-class make-up artist to the stars and one of the most respected professionals in the industry. With 15 years experience, she works her magic everywhere from catwalks to master classes, as well as creating looks for industry giants such as L'Oréal Paris, Clé de Peau Beauté and SpaceNK. In February 2020, she joined Channel 5's revamped 10 Years Younger in 10 Days as its resident beauty expert, where her life-changing makeovers were an instant hit with audiences. A YouTube sensation with more than four million views,Vogue hailed her the queen of radiant skin and smoky eye tutorials while her social channels are a treasure trove of easy make-up tips and tutorials for novices and seasoned professionals alike.Now, Hannah shares her expertise in a new must-have book: Makeup. CWM beauty editor Kelly Andrews caught up with her at the time of its launch to tap into her wealth of knowledge on bridal beauty and skin prep know-how.

Being Sophie - Sophie Stonehouse on body positivity, self-love and flawless skin

Social media sensation Sophie Stonehouse, is perhaps best known for her appearance on the fourth series of Netflix's reality dating show, Too Hot To Handle. Hailing from Brighton, she was the only British cast member and made her mark as the group of risqué singletons were put to the test of abstinence in order to keep their prize money high and stay in with a chance of winning it. Since leaving the villa, she has dedicated her time to producing fashion and style content for her social media followers, now numbering in their hundreds of thousands. Lesser known however are her struggles with body dysmorphia and her fight to achieve body positivity. Being the centre of attention on their wedding day, isn't every couple's dream with issues such as Sophie's becoming more prevalent, and importantly more commonly discussed.

Lady of the dance - Luba Mushtuk

L uba Mushtuk has been a pro dancer on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing since 2016. On a break between tours, she took some time out to chat to our beauty and wellness editor, Kelly Andrews. Here, she shares her top health and wellbeing tips for soon-to-be weds, as well as giving us the lowdown on how she keeps fit and healthy when she's not performing on the show or touring. How did you discover your passion for dance and decide to make it a career? It all started when I fell in love with a skirt that my mum made for me when I was around three years old. I was a very naughty child, but once I had music and a skirt I was just off dancing by myself, rather than making a mess around the house!

Brighten up your life with Michael Douglas

When I met with celebrity hairstylist and OGX ambassador, Michael Douglas to mark the launch of OGX's new Colour Retention range, I can say with confidence that I was definitely having colour retention problems. I'd recently taken the plunge with my dream pastel violet hair colour, but my beloved shade was quickly running away from me. Michael very kindly offered to top my colour up, and while he mixed together a stunning new violet for me, I asked him about OGX's new range.

The hair necessities

Multi-award winner Vicki Lord is no stranger to the wonderful world of bridal hair; indeed, with more than 30 years of experience, weddings are her passion. The current brand ambassador for Colour Wow, this work has most recently taken her to Australia. She can list among her latest celebrity clients Jack Whitehall, Roxy Horner, Kara Tointon, and Shona Mcgarty. Vicki took a break from the whirlwind of the session hair world to speak to beauty editor Kelly Andrews about how best to prepare hair for the big day and shares her top bridal trend predictions for 2023.

Party dressing with Vogue Williams

We chat to model, television presenter and radio DJ Vogue Williams about her latest venture, Vogue x ROCO, a recently launched collaboration with online children's formalwear brand ROCO which is her first collection. Vogue is best known for her presenting roles across mainstream broadcast platforms such as Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch and Global Player podcast Spencer & Vogue as well as the newly released My Therapist Ghosted Me.

From the inside out - Simone Thomas Wellness

The impact stress and anxiety can have on our bodies should never be underestimated. So, the pandemic has a lot to answer for, even outside of Covid itself. If you're finding that months of lockdown and wedding-related stress have taken their toll, you're certainly not alone. Sadly, anxiety-induced skin concerns and even hair loss can quickly leave you feeling pretty far from your big-day best. Enter award-winning authority on hair health and wellness Simone Thomas, who's spent her career sharing her expertise in nutrition, hairloss and bio-energetics. Alongside hair salons and hair-loss clinics, which boast an elite global clientele that includes royalty, celebrities and CEOs; she's also the founder of Simone Thomas Wellness. We asked Simone for her help in guiding you back onto the path of wedding wellness.

Be beautiful, Be you

Born in Uganda and raised in Denmark Emolyne Ramlov discovered a passion for make-up upon entering her teenage years. Until the age of 13 when she moved to Europe she hadn't been permitted to wear make-up, which in Africa was seen as a distraction from studying and an unwelcome beginning to a flirtation with the opposite sex. So, it was a complete culture shock for her as she sat alongside her new classmates to find them in full beat and looking glam. "I went home and said to my mum: 'We need to talk!' She took me shopping and I filled my basket with as much make-up as I could. I needed to catch up and I haven't stopped since," she tells us. County Wedding Magazines' beauty editor, Kelly Andrews, met up with Emolyne to discover more about her journey from passionate teenager to creating her very own make-up brand.

The healthy hair guide

Anabel Kingsley, daughter of renowned trichologist Philip Kingsley, is a consultant trichologist and president of global brand Philip Kingsley with clinics in London and New York. Inspired by her father from an early age, she has an immense passion for hair and scalp health. The depth of her knowledge in the field is practically endless, so who better to turn to for advice on getting your locks wedding-ready? Here, Anabel gives us the benefit of her wisdom on everything from achieving the right length for that perfect up do, to nutrition and the impact of stress.

Making Waves - Heather Dapaah

Award-winning hair stylist Heather Dapaah opened her London-based salon, Her Definition at 23 and since then doors have continued to open on her career, working on TV sets, music videos, and getting celebs event-ready. To name drop a few, Heather's clients have included reality stars Kaz Crossley and Priscilla Anyabu, athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton, and British RnB artists Ray BLK, Miraa May and Dolapo. She's known for her signature Hollywood waves and says, "I love to help women understand their true hair type and learn how they can achieve their hair goals." Heather is highly sought after for her wide range of hair knowledge, having worked with all hair types and textures, so CWM beauty editor Kelly Andrews was delighted that she was able to take some time out to chat to her about their mutual passion – bridal hair.

Absolutely Flawless

Famed for her flawless skin, popular TV personality Jess Wright is a busy, go-getting woman. Whether she's on a shoot, busy filming, hosting her podcast – Girls #NoFilter, planning next year's wedding to William Lee-Kemp, or hard at work in her role as Crystal Clear's first celebrity ambassador, her perfect skin is the envy of all. Keen to know her secret, CWM beauty editor Kelly Andrews sat down for a chat with the reality star to get the lowdown, just for you! Jess, thanks for making time in your hectic schedule to talk to us and huge congratulations on your forthcoming wedding. How do you imagine your big day? Thank you! I imagine it to be beautiful, full of love and hopefully classy. As long as I'm surrounded by my family and loved ones, that's the most important thing.

The haute couture of beauty

L'Oreal Paris and Elie Saab have announced an exclusive super-exciting new collaboration with one shared passion: to offer beauty at its best and boost women's confidence. The universal make-up collection, perfect for brides, draws on L'Oreal Paris' unrivalled scientific excellence and colour expertise combined with Elie Saab's signature artistry. Here, arbiter of exquisite taste and craftsmanship Elie Saab, and L'Oreal Paris Global Makeup Artist and Glow Up judge Val Garland tell us all about this exciting new collaboration.