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

The role water plays in skin health

For many of us, the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated is often associated with the need to quench a thirst. In reality, however, drinking water is a necessary part of staying healthy - carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells, aiding digestion and weight loss, and even improving the appearance of the skin. Research from the National Library of Medicine explains that during the colder months, we have fewer lipids in our skin barrier, subjecting us to dryness, itchiness and a lack of essential moistures. Now, however, new research from innovative water bottle, air up has found that almost half of the nation (45%), admit to only drinking one glass of water a day, with water consumption halving for millions during the winter months.

Particularly during the colder months, with the combination of exposure to cold outdoor air, dry indoor heat, decreased humidity levels, and a harsher winter wind it is likely that the nations' skin has been zapped of essential moistures. Water helps to maintain skin health, with the International Journal of Cosmetic Science unveiling that long-term water intake can have a significant impact on its elasticity, helping the skin to become plumper, have fewer irritations and blemishes, and maintain a good pH balance.

Help little girls with dreams to become women with vision with L'Occitane

L'OCCITANE's history and devotion to becoming cultivators of change reads like a poem; one where infinite passion, ground breaking ideas and a desire to make lasting change come together to create positive change and shape a better future for people and the planet. A commitment to empowering women lies at the very heart of the brand, driven by a simple wish to empower women and girls to dream big, and help to provide them with resources to turn their visions into reality, both for the brand's employees and for those they have the pleasure of meeting and supporting through their work.

L Curl Lashes are the perfect pairing for hooded eyes and monolids

Another day, another BeautyTok trend. The latest obsession? L Curl Eyelashes with 3.6 million TikTok video views. These lashes have a straight base that transitions and lies flat on the natural lash boasting a great curl. This makes them perfect for those with hooded eyes, monolids, or very straight natural lashes that point downwards, as they lift and open the eye. Jennifer Johnson, Senior Brand Manager at Ardell explains: "Short, doll-shaped lashes, like the L curl shape, are ideal for lifting and defining the eyes. They are especially effective for those with monolids or hooded eyes. L curl eyelashes emphasise the eyes the perfect way if used correctly, as they are designed specifically to create an open eye look."

Burts Bees and Wild Fawn collaboration

To celebrate the new look of Burt's Bees iconic Beeswax Lip Balm Tin, the brand has teamed with sustainable jewellery brand Wild Fawn to create a limited-edition charm necklace (£96). Inspired by traditional beehives known as skeps, each necklace is hand-crafted in London from recycled sterling silver and the charm opens to reveal a nestling honey bee. Available exclusively from wildfawnjewellery.com, 10% of sales will be donated to the Bee Friendly Trust. In addition to the percentage of sales from Wild Fawn, Burt's Bees have made a charitable donation to the trust to help them continue their vital work.

Fragrance hacks to make your scent last longer

As we all start clutching our pennies a little bit tighter, we're asking the experts for some tricks to make a beauty product last for longer. No more splashing on our perfume with 1,000 spritz a day, Fragrance Expert and Head of Marketing at The Fragrance Shop, Iember Gordon reveals how we can make a couple spritzes last all day, and our perfumes have a longer lifespan. 1. Apply perfume right after your shower "The best time to spray perfume on your skin is right after your shower. This is because moisture gives your scent something to hold on to, so spraying your signature scent on after your skin has been freshly washed boosts its staying power."

Sisley has you covered with its new concealer

Continuing the no-filter beauty revolution, Sisley has revealed a new concealer. Hailed as a one-of-a-kind product it offers a new way to enhance natural beauty. The texture offers lightweight full coverage that blends in so well it's virtually undetectable, and the smart doubleended format features a fine tip for precise application with a foam tip for blending. Its soft-focus effect and immediate radiance leave the skin looking more even and disguise any pigmentation flaws. So you can say "so long" to dilated pores, spots, fine lines, roughness, dark spots and redness.

Limited-edition Amy Winehouse Camden Collection

High-performance make-up brand Illamasqua has launched the limited-edition Amy Winehouse Camden Collection as part of its ongoing partnership with The Amy Winehouse Foundation. The new collection features exciting products inspired by Amy's iconic looks and individuality, while celebrating the spirit of Camden, the borough she so loved. It boasts seven new and exclusive Illamasqua products including Nail Tint, Amy Black (£14); Matte Nail Varnish, Amy Red (£14); Lip Tint, Amy Black (£20); Brow Pencil, Soundcheck (£15); and Face Duo, Double Trouble (£32). I love the Wet Liquid Liner, No, No, No (£21), which allows you to create that perfect cat-eye fl ick for a vintage bridal vibe, then fi nish the look with a pop of red lippy, Ultramatter Lipstick in Amy Red (£17).

An eye for romance with new palette

Founded by MUA Karla Powell, Karla Cosmetics creates handmade, on trend, colour-shifting eyeshadows and has recently launched its Romance Quad Palette – get ready to fall in love! Two years in the making, this innovative palette combines velvety-soft matte eyeshadows with the brand's best-selling multichrome opal shades seen in pressed formula for the first time. Inspired by all things romance and love, these shadows evoke passion with complementary warm pinks, cherry-hues and deep burgundies taking you all the way from fun and flirty to sultry siren.

Waste not want not - make it sustainable

After agriculture the beauty industry uses the most water. On average a bottle of shampoo contains 70 per cent water with around 90 per cent in conditioner. So, pioneering new beauty brand We Are Concentrate is on a mission to create sustainable and essential products using as little water and plastic as possible. No water is added to the production process and with only a marble-sized amount needed per hair wash, these concentrated pastes contain all the actives and benefits of traditional haircare products, without any of the added water.

A restorative sleep - yes please!

It's a well-know fact when it comes to skin that sleep is a great beauty ally, but did you know this also applies to our hair? During the night, the release of the hormone melatonin allows our tresses, as well as our skin, to regenerate. Consequently, its in ideal condition to receive a stronger dose of nutrition than during the day and so your night-time routine is essential.

Olverum’s hero products

Our skin is the largest organ in the body and the first line of defence from environmental threats and lifestyle stress, but its barrier is a delicate balance of natural lipids, which without care, can become compromised. Olverum's diligently-crafted solution to effective, gentle cleansing is a combination of botanical mastery and scientific know-how. The new Body Cleanser contains an innovative formula that's been five years in development. Created for dry or dehydrated skin, it's soap and sulphate-free and features a complex of five mild surfactants, derived from sugar, amino acids and responsibly-sourced coconut and palm.

Peel Power from Dr. Craft

Dr. Craft launched its sustainable mandarin skincare range recently and what makes this a world first is the use of mandarin peel. There's currently no commercial use for it meaning 10 million tonnes are incinerated and wasted annually. However, the range's creator, Professor Richard Blackburn, an expert in green chemistry, has been able to harvest the peel's extract and produce this exciting range of products including the Soothing Cream Cleanser (£18), Gentle Brightening Exfoliator (£20), Purifying Toning Mist (£18), and Antioxidant Rescue Serum (£26).

Time to unclog your face

Is your face in need of a skin detox due to the adverse affectd of winter weather and heating? Check out Unplug, a new stick face mask from Skin Proud. Formulated with sebum-absorbing white clay, moisturising amino acid and a free-radical fighting active, this powerful mask detoxes the skin, while hydrating sesame oil balances and provides a hit of hydration. £12.95, www.iamproud.com

Bridal tanning tips and advice from luxury tanning brand That'So

Tanning can be a scary prospect for running up to your big day, and you might be feeling unsure what tan to apply and how to apply it so that it looks flawless and is in no way patchy. You might well be off wearing fake tan in the fear that it'll rub of onto your wedding dress, however, when prepped and applied correctly, a self-tan can look incredible, giving you a gorgeous sun-kissed glow for your big day. So, Nadia- Rafi Kenny from That'so Skincare and Tanning has put together her top tips and advice to help you prep and apply your tan for your special day with the help of some products in the brand's tanning range that will provide the skin with a seamless, healthy and long-lasting glow.

Stranger Things bath bomb collaboration

Fans will remember the launch date of 6th November as the date that Will Byers went missing in Hawkins, Indiana in the show. Long after the town gave up the search, his friends kept looking... and discovered a mysterious girl known only by a number: Eleven. She was alone, hunted, and extremely powerful. Eleven would stop at nothing to help them find their friend. Today Stranger Things fans everywhere celebrate 6th November as 'Stranger Things Day,' a special day to share their love for the series. Exclusively available on the UK and NA Lush websites, The Hellfire Club Bathing Duo, £15, will give fans the chance to get their hands on two limited edition handmade bath bombs based on some of the latest season's most popular motifs, as well as two collectible playing cards compatible with the Dungeons and Dragons game played in the show.

Introducing The Beauty Beat

Debuting in the UK this winter is The Beauty Beat, a cool and cleverly curated beauty festival dedicated to meeting the beauty needs of Women of Colour. Powered by Instagram and supported by The British Beauty Council, this groundbreaking, unmissable festival will be the first of its kind in the UK. Set across the first weekend of December in Central London, The Beauty Beat brings together some of the world's biggest and best loved beauty brands – including NARS, Laura Mercier, bareMinerals and retail giant Boots – under one roof to celebrate Women of Colour.

Get your feet wedding ready with the Exclusive Medical Pedicure by Margaret Dabbs London

CWM editor Rachel Westall went along to Margaret Dabbs London to discover the benefits of The Exclusive Medical Pedicure... What a treat for the feet! As a working mum my feet work hard. Often wearing heels or sandals, exposing my feet to the elements I suffer with dry heels and skin build up on the balls of my feet. So, when the opportunity came to try out a medical pedicure at Margaret Dabbs London, I jumped at the chance. It's a giant leap further than your standard pedi. To explain a bit further, think hygienist for the feet and foot facialist all in one. The famous medical pedicure or medi-pedi, as I like to call it, is a thorough overhaul performed on the feet, by a qualified HCPC registered Podiatrist.

The Bridal Beauty Festival

The Bridal Beauty Festival takes place twice yearly in the heart of London and features many of the beauty and wellness world's biggest brands, all there to talk to you about you and your wedding. With live workshops, expert talks, guest appearances and even incredible live music, it's the place to be if you're thinking about your big-day look. I visited the event in September at the luxurious Rosewood London and it was packed with plenty of my favourite brands. On the beauty and cosmetics side there were such titans as Charlotte Tilbury, Pixi, Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown, while Penhaligons and The Wedding Scent Edit were on hand to talk big-day fragrances. The latter showcased an impressive array of highend perfumes from brands such as Juliette has a gun Parfums, Parle Moi De Parfum, Atelier Materi, Maison Crivelli and Mizensir. They were arranged in an inspired edit according to your wedding day vibe, be it elegant, beach, boho and more. I took home a sample of Une Tonne De Roses by Parle Moi De Parfum and have been receiving complements every time I wear it – highly recommended. In fact, I'm a huge fan of floral fragrances and also fell in love with Penhaligons' Elisabethan Rose.

Lush Dragon’s Egg bath bomb is going gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness month

Lush's cult favourite Dragon's Egg bath bomb is going gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness month launching online from 23rd September and in all Lush UK&I stores from 24th September 2022. This September, it's with heavy hearts that Lush UK&I is going gold for childhood cancer awareness month. This year the Constantine family (the co-founders of Lush) lost seven-year-old Dexter Constantine-Tatchell, their Master of Dragons. He fought fiercely against Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer that lacks awareness as well as a lack of funding for research and treatment.

Skin care tips from Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt wasn't just pharaohs and slaves – there were many occupations ranging from bakers to soldiers, from fishermen to scribes. They were obsessed with health and beauty, and they did know a thing or two about skin care – especially where exposure to the sun was concerned. If you want to look your best on your big day (especially if that day falls in the middle of summer) there is much to be gleaned from the knowledge of ancient Egypt.gypt.