While so-called ‘wonder products’ come and go, a handful of lotions and potions remain bridal staples season after season. Craving a splurge? Beauty expert Emily Berryman tracks down the cult-following goodies that definitely won’t let you down at the altar….
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
£26, elizabetharden.co.uk
The story goes that extravagant Ms Arden used slather this multi-tasking balm over her thoroughbred horses’ tired legs way back in the 1930s – and today a tube sells every 30 seconds (although largely to fans on two legs, not four). Boasting a glittering fan base including Kate Moss and Cara Delevigne, this tidy little tube can sort 101 bridal beauty blunders from chapped lips and wayward eyebrows to insect bites and Sahara-dry skin. Genius.
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
£14.75, lizearle.com
In the quest for clear skin, brides and beauty editors have fallen for the charms of this botanical two-step cleanser in their droves and a bottle now sells every 22 seconds somewhere in the world! A happy medley of natural complexion-boosting ingredients and a simple exfoliating muslin cloth (perfect for a daily radiance boost), this skin saviour gives a girl an angelic glow, even at minxy moments!
Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne
From £39, jomalone.com
Forget trendy notes of cupcake and kumquat – this heady floral is the romantic real deal. Like sticking your nose in your bridal bouquet, Red Roses has been hailed as a modern day masterpiece by professional ‘noses’ and brides alike thanks to its ultra-feminine notes of rose, violet leaves and lemon. Timeless and perfect for weddings, one whiff will bring back happy memories for the rest of your life.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
£80, timetospa.co.uk
The feather-light gel texture of this gorgeous goop has become a giant success with brides and skin-savvy celebs, with a pot now selling every minute somewhere in the world! Packed with complexion-perfecting seaweed and algae (without the sticky heaviness you get with standard anti-wrinkle creams), the price tag may take a chunk out of your wedding funds, but clinical tests prove this British classic reduces wrinkles and increases hydration, so it is well worth investing.
Nars Orgasm Blush
£21.50, narscosmetics.co.uk
Since its launch in 1999, this naughtily-named blush has been working brides and make-up artists up into a cooing frenzy! This pretty shade of peachy-pink really does suit everyone, no matter whether you have olive or porcelain skin. Consistently topping the charts as beauty’s best blush, two Orgasms are sold every minute. Yikes, it is surprising us girls manage to get anything done…
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
£15, philipkingsley.co.uk
Just the thing to bring your barnet back from the brink, this mane marvel from celebrity hair doctor Philip Kingsley was originally created for Audrey Hepburn and will be turning forty this year! The world’s first pre-shampoo conditioning treatment, beauty buffs now snap up a tube a minute of this much-loved mask and it continues to be the go-to solution for Hollywood’s hair ‘mares today. Cate Blanchet is a devotee – and so are we!
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
£29, clarins.com
If a toxic hen weekend has robbed you of your radiance, this is the ultimate pick-me-up. Launched in 1980, there are now millions of Flash Balm devotees across the globe, despite it being rarely advertised. While shedloads of copycat radiance boosters have since hit the market, product junkies like us keep going back to the original thanks to its amazing cheat-yourself-fabulous results. Described as ‘Cinderella in a tube’, use before makeup for a just-back-from-the-spa glow.
Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara
£22.50, lancome.co.uk
We all know that switching to tear-proof mascara is a must for your big day (apparently panda eyes only really work on pandas), and thankfully this stylista’s staple creates super-lengthy lashes without the usual flakes and clumps you get with waterproof formulations. Having just celebrated its 10th birthday, almost 60 million tubes have now been sold worldwide – which works out as approximately one every 10 seconds, maths fans.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
£19, loccitane.com
With all the ring-flashing you’ll be doing, slathering your mitts in hand cream is vital in the run-up to your nuptials, and this ultra-creamy classic will transform even the dodgiest digits! Selling one tube every three seconds (!!!), it is packed with 20% fairly traded shea butter. Keep a tube by your bed or slather liberally before slipping on your marigolds. Heat magically helps the cream work like a mini mani while you get cracking on those dishes!
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
£21.50, dhcuk.co.uk
Great for all skin types – even the most sensitive – the superhero of this Japanese skincare line has steadily grown into a cleansing classic, with a bottle now selling every 10 seconds across the globe! Great for de-junking grubby pores, this olive oil-rich must-try has transformed the cleansing regime of many a bride. Lazy cleansing wipes be gone!
Estee Lauder Beautiful Eau de Toilette
£40, esteelauder.co.uk
One of the most popular bridal fragrances of all time, romantic Ms Lauder created this scent of ‘a thousand fresh flowers’ to make every woman feel beautiful on her special day. Delicate and girly, Beautiful is an iconic scent that remains as fresh today as when it made its debut back in the 1980s. Set on tracking down your big day signature scent? This bridal favourite – bursting with orange blossom, lilies and roses – is well worth sniffing out.
Looking for more fantastic wedding beauty tips and tricks? Visit our Hair and Makeup section, or check out our Bridal Beauty Pinterest board for inspiration!
