Mothers of The Bride Unite!

Here's an interesting thought; according to a recent article I read in a Sunday Supplement, Mothers of The Bride, or MoBs, are a species to be feared, and perhaps even loathed!

At this point it's worth pointing out that the author putting this idea forward is in fact male!

The article examines the rise in MoBs and MoGs (Mothers of Grooms) having pre-wedding tweaks and even surgery in an attempt to 'roll back the years' and look their best on the wedding photo's. Nothing wrong with wanting to look your best, you might think, and, as a prospective MoB myself in about 2 month's time, I  have been taking full advantage of all the treatments available in my practice, without resorting to surgery.

However, the writer goes on to suggest that we are in fact in competition with our daughters, and could even be a let-down on the big day, spoiling the wedding photographs by looking less than perfect. I almost choked on my coffee, dear reader, as I read this drivel!

But wait! It gets better (or worse) - no pun intended here! The author 'blames' the Carole Middleton effect as one of the driving factors for MoBs rushing to get themselves tweaked, hoisted up, and otherwise primped for their daughter's big day. Now, I don't know Mrs Middleton, and therefore cannot comment on whether she indulged in any pre-wedding tweaking at the hands of her local friendly Botox clinic, but if she did, so what? She certainly isn't my role model, and everything I do towards looking good on my daughter's big day is designed to enhance, rather than steal the show.

I am certainly not in competition with my daughter, or my ex-husband's wife, as our intrepid author suggests, and although I intend to look as good as I can, it's her day, and my role, as her Mother, is one of support, love, and freshening up her make up if needed.

MoBs are an important part of their daughter's wedding day, and any bride at the altar would feel reassured when glancing behind them that their Mother was there, smiling, happy, and not the least bit worried about whether their Botox tweaks will make them look like a Chinese relative rather than the Mother they know and love!

To all MoBs and MoGs everywhere, I say, look your best on your child's big day, enhance your appearance if you want to, and don't feel you have to resort to surgery to achieve it; good make up and a few revitalising facials work wonders, just don't leave it until the last minute - 6-8 weeks before should do the trick nicely, leaving you looking fresh and glowing - and no scars!

To find out more about getting your skin looking great for the big day, visit our website.

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

More Skin Questions Answered

Just before we tackle some more skin questions and answers, we would like to thank everyone who stopped to talk to us about their wedding photography and styling requirements at yesterday's Wedding Fayre. It was great to meet everyone, and we look forward to helping you achieve your perfect wedding look!


It was interesting to speak to Brides-To-Be about their ideas for their wedding styling, and in particular, their skin and make-up concerns.


When planning a wedding, people think nothing of booking their venue months (or even years!) ahead of their Big Day, but it's also worth thinking some months ahead about getting your skin into peak condition, particularly if you have concerns such as acne, scarring, oily-prone skin or uneven pigmentation.


At Waters Edge Clinic we understand skin, and we know that, whilst we use the most advanced products and treatments available, skin needs to be treated correctly and carefully to achieve excellent results, and this takes months rather than weeks. Your wedding dress, accessories and flowers all make up your total look on the day, and you will have spent a lot of time and effort in choosing exactly the right combination of these things to achieve that perfect look. It makes sense then to take things one step further, and spend some time thinking about your skin and make-up.


Strangely, the styling can be more difficult to decide on than the dress, as you try to find the correct make-up to match your skin tones; and, if you don't normally wear much make-up, your wedding day is not the day to experiment with a radical new look! You want your groom and guests to be bowled over by your overall look; you definately don't want people to be gasping with surprise (or worse) because your make-up has gone into overkill!


You can get a wedding make-up trial at most good beauty salons or stylists, and it's worth planning well ahead and trying several different looks until you find the one that you are most comfortable with, that will also complement your photography.


We offer a service that includes a wedding make-up trial and photography together, so that you can see how your chosen look photographs. Just ask us for more details, or go to our website.


Q: What is the difference between a moisturiser and a serum?


A: Serums have become hugely popular in the fight against visible signs of ageing. 
A serum generally has a higher water content and provides an accelerated treatment that targets specific problem areas, as is the case with Environ Ionzyme Frown Focus Serum.


Serums such as Ionzyme C-Quence 1 deposit intensive nutrients and form a moisture-loss barrier. Moisturisers by contrast are daily treatments - serums can be used as a seasonal boost or to add radiance to the complexion. Ionzyme Focus Hydrating Serum has higher levels of essential ingredients, so it can deliver impressive results faster. That doesn't mean you can ditch your usual moisturiser though - the idea is to use the two products together for the greatest benefits.


Serums should always be applied first, and you should allow it to be fully absorbed before applying the moisturiser over the top of it.

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk
www.davidparrphotography.co.uk

Most Asked Skin Questions

Q. I apply eye cream at night but I always wake up with puffy eyes. Why?


A. Your eye cream might be too rich. Switch to a gentler formulation such as Ionzyme C Quence Eye Gel from Environ. You could also be allergic to your eye makeup remover; Environ's removers are gentle and don't irritate the delicate skin around the eyes.


Alcohol can contribute to swelling under the eyes, so drink water before, during and after a night out. Cut down on salt and processed foods too, as fluid retention is a big factor. Sleep with an extra pillow - the higher elevation will help prevent fluid build-up. Also try sleeping on your back to prevent 'scrunching' up the eye area.


Q. I have oily, acne-prone skin. Do I need to use a toner?


A. An acidic toner will be beneficial for oily skin - it will pick up any residue left over after cleansing and assist in maintaining the pH balance of the skin, which in turn will will reduce the risk of infection.. Environ's B-Active Sebutone is great for extremely oily or acne-prone skin, helping to degrease with lactic acid, and disinfect with tea-tree oil.


If you're having problems with oily skin, acne, congestion (such as blackheads, or little white spots known as milia) then an Environ skin clearing facial will be beneficial. It uses mild lactic acid peel solutions to effectively 'melt' the congestion and the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which are not shedding due to the excessive oil. The Skin Clearing treatment helps to bring this situation under control, and leaves the skin looking smoother and more radiant.


Have a free consultation with us to discuss your skin concerns


www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Most Asked Skin Questions

More Q and A's on skin concerns


Q. Is exfoliation an important part of my beauty routine?


A. Yes and No! Pre-cleansing helps you to double-clean skin but if it still looks dull and tired, exfoliation with a clay-based mask will help to revitalise it. However, exfoliation should be as gentle as possible - you don't want to damage the skin's surface by removing the the outer protective layer.
If you have rough skin, use a gentle exfoliating mask such as Environ's  Ionzyme C-Quence Energising Masque. It helps to stimulate blood flow, giving skin a radiant glow. Be careful not to over-exfoliate even if you have a problem skin - this can strip away skin's natural oils. Moderation is the key!


Q. I have sensitive skin - do I still need to exfoliate?


A. Exfoliation is not recommended for sensitive skins. Sensitive skin needs to maintain a healthy layer of dead skin cells (known as the horny layer) in order to prevent excessive water loss. Exfoliation strips this layer and can aggravate skin's sensitivity.
It's better to clean your skin with a pre-cleanser, then rinse off with water. If your skin is super-sensitive, use a high-grade mineral oil as a pre-cleanser. Take vitamin A capsules or supplements to try to build up your skin's protective horny layer, and use a vitamin-enriched face cream.

 Find out more at www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Some Useful Tips.....

We're adding a few useful 'question and answer' tips for the most asked questions concerning skin problems over the next few days.

Your skin is the the first thing people notice after your eyes so it's important to be aware of the right way to care for it. Here we're covering all the bases with answers and solutions to the most common questions asked about skin and how to tackle problems.

Without doubt, sun, pollution and stress are the three main causes of dull, damaged skin. Once one or all of these baddies start to attack your skin, it can lead to premature ageing - and it's staring you in the face every time you look in the mirror! Who wants that?

You can be armed and ready to take care of your skin thanks to great products combined with technology, targeted to your specific needs.

Environ's proven cutting-edge technology and sound skin -science principles offer you the perfect skincare formulations with extensive benefits. They contain vitamins A, C and E and powerful anti-oxidants to treat and protect your skin, and keep it healthy and youthful.

Here are the expert solutions to your everyday beauty dilemmas, brought to you by Environ.


Q. Why shouldn't I use soap to cleanse my face?


A. Regardless of your age, soap is a no-no.
It's too harsh, as are soapy cleansers. Some people believe that their skin should feel tight and tingly after cleansing, but that would indicate that you are actually harming and drying out your skin. Soaps are alkaline, which means they can strip the skin's essential acid mantle and also impair it's waterproof properties, potentially leaving it dry and flaky. 
That's why Environ skincare has a suitable cleanser in each of it's ranges to cater for every skin type.


Q. Are toners really useful?


A. Toners are often undervalued, but they do perform a very useful task in any beauty routine. They help to complete the cleansing process, especially if you wear makeup, removing any stray residue or excess oil that can clog your pores.
Mild toners such as Ionzyme C Quence Toner also help to restore the pH balance on the surface of the skin and prepare it to accept skincare products. The best formulas are alcohol-free, won't strip your skin of it's vital oils, and will leave it feeling energised and fresh.


Once you have got your cleansing and toning routine together, you have the basis for a better skin. The next step is to apply the right products to achieve your skin goals, whether that be anti-ageing, correcting problems such as acne, or simply improving your skin tone.

We'll answer some more questions about these issues soon.

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

In The Frame

Choose the right photographer with these top tips:


* Ask for an informal meeting with the photographer and any assistants. You need to feel at ease with them, and they need to make you feel like an important client.


* Find a photographer that offers a sample photo shoot before you commit to a booking. A photographer who is confident in their abilities won't have any problem in providing this for you.


* Ask about post-production; are they out-sourcing to a cheaper service provider? A photographer who edits the images individually will take the time and trouble to produce a high quality finished set of pictures.


* Research online photo galleries. They will give you a good feel for style and quality of pictures.


* A good photographer will always provide references for you to follow up.


* Ask to see examples of albums that they have produced for other clients.


* Look for a photographer who will style your shots to suit your personalities, rather than shooting every wedding in the same format.


* Ask whether your photographer will have alternative arrangements for weather conditions. Are they geared up to take good quality indoor shots if you can't be outside?


* Be realistic about price. The cheapest option won't always be the best option. Choose a photographer as carefully as you would choose your wedding dress, and you'll have some wonderful memories of your day forever.


David Parr Photography www.davidparrphotography.co.uk

Winter Wedding Tips

A winter wedding is fun.....there may even be snow on the ground or a sparkling frost to add to the atmosphere of the day, bringing a nice theme to your photographs.
However, there are a few things that need to be considered when getting married during the winter months.
We recently styled and photographed a wedding in mid January. We were very fortunate to have a crisp, sunny day, and we managed to get some lovely and atmospheric outdoor shots (the Happy Couple are still on honeymoon and haven't seen their previews yet, but we will post some pictures once they have taken a look!)
Things to consider about your winter wedding would include your styling and look; for instance, your skin tone will be different at this time of year than in the summer months, so your makeup will need to be adjusted to reflect this.
We can all fall into the trap of using the same base colour on our faces winter and summer, and perhaps we can just about get away with it if we are not being photographed!
The story is different though once you are in front of a camera, especially during winter, as it may be necessary to add extra lights to your shots, as we did for our recent wedding party. Lighting completely changes your skin tone, and this needs to be considered when choosing your wedding day makeup look.
You need a look that will work both indoors and outdoors in varying light, without having to worry about your photographs.
We offer a great service at David Parr Photography which allows you to try your makeup look and be photographed with lights, and outdoors in natural light. This will allow you and our makeup artist to get the styling just right, so that your makeup is perfect on your wedding day, and complements your dress, colour theme and, most importantly, the time of year.
For more details on our styling service, or to book a free consultation, visit our websites for contact details.


www.davidparrphotography.co.uk     www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Welcome!

Welcome to the first blog for Wedding Pics and Beauty Tips!


Here you'll find examples of wedding photography from David Parr Photography, and help and advice on preparing for your special day from Waters Edge Aesthetic Clinic.


Planning a wedding can be exciting, challenging and sometimes downright frustrating, but we're confident that we can make your day really special.


Not only can we offer you a highly-skilled professional Wedding Photography service, but we can also help you get picture-perfect looks for your close-up shots too.


Our services range from offering a manicure, right through to tackling and eliminating skin problems. With our help, you can achieve a radiant complexion that looks immaculate on your Big Day.


To complete your look, we can also offer a unique wedding makeup service.


We work exclusively with Environ Skincare products, which not only enhance and improve skin tone, but also help to correct problems such as acne, acne scarring, pigmented skin (brown spots) dry and oily skin. These are all problems that can make you feel less than confident when being photographed, and can spoil your perfect day.


Our facials are prescribed by our skin analyst, who will work with you to design the perfect pre-wedding treatments to get your skin looking fresh and radiant.


Our make up expert can advise you on how to achieve your perfect wedding day look, and guide you through the choice of shades and colours for your particular skintone.


We work with Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup, which is a pure mineral. It's the only mineral makeup recommended for use immediately after any type of medical procedure on the face. We can use Jane Iredale to help camouflage birthmarks and other skin conditions which might be worrying you, without making you look excessively made-up.


You can come along to us for a trial wedding make up and photography session before deciding whether we are right for you. This service gives you the opportunity to get to know us better, and for us to get to know you, so that on your wedding day you feel comfortable with how we work, and what we can do to make your wedding extra special.


On your wedding day, our photographer, David Parr, has the assistance of our make up expert, who will be on hand to both prepare you before your ceremony, and also attend afterwards to keep your makeup looking fresh for your close-up shots.


Contact us for more information on 01798 875315. We're here to help!
www.davidparrphotography.co.uk   www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk