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

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.

Meet the hair stylist behind Adele's iconic looks, Sami Knight

Adele returned to the stage recently in her hometown of London after a five-year break from live performances. Over the two nights in Hyde Park, Adele entertained crowds of 130,000 and did not disappoint. The man behind her elegant up do is Sami Knight – an LA-based hairstylist and creator of some of Adele's most iconic looks over the years. Now, Sami is working alongside REHAB - a new haircare brand making waves across the hair industry. Read on to find out more about this collab as well as well as the man himself.

RoC Skincare partners with Sarah Jessica Parker to launch the RoC Look Forward Project

RoC Skincare has announced The RoC #LookForwardProject, an initiative to celebrate the power of optimism and its scientifically-backed impact on long-term health and wellbeing. Global icon, RoC user, and optimist Sarah Jessica Parker serves as the voice of the campaign to inspire women to turn their focus from 'anxiety about ageing' to 'joy about living. The RoC Look Forward Project is anchored by the launch of an online resource hub featuring new research from the brand, along with practical insights and advice from a distinguished group of subject-matter experts and thought leaders on the proven difference optimism makes in the ageing process.

How to achieve the 'no-nicure' according to Mavala's nail expert

The no make-up make-up look has taken the beauty world by storm, but did you know there's a nail version? It's called the 'no-nicure,' a chic sophisticated and understanded look, natural nails are this summer's biggest look and perfect for all you beautiful brides. However, don't be fooled in thinking that this type of mani requires no effort, it's actually a very high maintenance look and you're going to need the tools... Don't stress though as nail expert Lynn Mason from leading Swiss nailcare brand Mavala shares her top tips on how to achieve this look. Hint: it's all in the prep and hydration!

Improve your wellbeing from the inside out

Stay hydrated in style during this July heatwave and keep your cool during your wedding preparations with the luxurious Aqua Water Bottle from PMD Beauty. Known for its skincare devices, PMD Beauty believes that beautiful skin comes from within. Optimal hydration is not only the key to glowing and radiant skin - a must for your wedding day - but it is also necessary for overall health and energy levels to keep you going during the wedding planning, on the big day itself and beyond.

How to tell if you're over-exfoliating your skin

Exfoliation is a great way to achieve smooth, plump, and glowing looking skin but beware says Faye Purcell, Product Development Chemist + Skincare Expert at Q+A, as over-exfoliation can result in a damaged skin barrier. Faye says, "Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells on the skin's surface. It helps unclog pores, prevent cell and product build up, maintain a dewy glow, and can even make our other skincare products and ingredients absorb better. But over-exfoliation can also be a common mistake people make and probably the single most significant cause of breakouts"