Holistic Bridal Beauty Prep: Hack For Happiness & Radiance

Don't we all want to be the best version of ourselves on our wedding day?

Besides getting fit, looking after your skin, getting healthy shiny hair and beautiful nails there is one more element to my bridal beauty prep. And this is possibly the most important for me: MEDITATION and self care. I want to feel happy and relaxed on the day, I want to be patient with my family and my partner. I want to feel comfortable in my skin, I want to be healthy and filled with energy. Marriage is a new exciting chapter in life and I want to feel ready for it.

In my job I have seen many brides that have burnt themselves out in the lead up to the wedding. Which so upsetting to see. Brides with severe breakouts, flu, colds, anxiety, stomach issues or anger and emotion overload, deprived of sleep and feeling anything but beautiful.

Just as important as our beauty routines are our thoughts and beliefs. We all know that stress can cause breakouts and other problematic skin conditions, therefore it is super important to take time out for little self love rituals along the way. Take a deep breath and take my advice: You can not afford NOT to do this. Meditation will change your life for the better. Taking only a few minutes a day it's the quick fix you have been waiting for. The benefits are even scientifically proven,just in case you are skeptic.

Benefits for the physical body:

Lowers high blood pressure Lowers the levels of blood lactate, reducing anxiety attacks Decreases any tension-related pain, such as, tension headaches, ulcers, insomnia, muscle and joint problems Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves the immune system Increases the energy level, as you gain an inner source of energy

Meditation is probably the easiest and most amazing way to prevent stress from manifesting in your body. If you have trouble quieting your mind it can be a good idea to exercise prior to meditation. This is a great way to release tension first so that you can really relax during your quiet time. Another perfect time is first thing in the morning when you get out of bed. Meditation truly improves your stress related skin issues and overall helps to find your true and positive self image.

Mental Benefits of Meditation

Anxiety decreases Emotional stability improves Creativity increases Happiness increases Intuition develops Gain clarity and peace of mind Problems become smaller Meditation sharpens the mind by gaining focus and expands through relaxation A sharp mind without expansion causes tension, anger and frustration An expanded consciousness without sharpness can lead to lack of action/progress The balance of a sharp mind and an expanded consciousness brings perfection

In my freelance schedule it can be tough to take time out for myself, so believe me, I know it is a big commitment when you are busy, but it will serve you and save time in the long term. I found out that I just simply can't sign up for any regular classes, as my schedule changes often with very little notice. I signed up for an online yoga channel, which is genius. I can practice whenever I want, right here in my living room, which works extremely well for me. They also have great meditations and overall info on their website. I am sure there are many great similar sites, this is the one we are using: Gaia. Yes, my man uses it too. :)

If you are happier to join a live class, do a little search in your local area and ask around for recommendations. There are also some great guided meditations online for free or you can buy some audios by teachers that speak to you. You can also simply sit in stillness by yourself without any guidance, but most beginners find that a little tricky to start of with. Have you tried meditation yet? Feel free to share your experience.

The Six Week Bridal Beauty Prep: Get your Beauty Sleep

Photo by Simon Everiss, Makeup & Hair by Liv Lundelius Model: Annalise Mclachlan Styling: Rosemarie Pantling Interior: The Society Inc

I am thrilled to have beauty sleep expert and designer Natalija over at the blog today! She is the creative mind behind the stunning sleepwear label NATALIJA the label. The latest collection is awesome and I was lucky to see the designs prior to the launch, when I was working closely with founder Natalija to create the hair & makeup looks for the latest campaign. She is sharing some tips and info about Beauty Sleep with us and we also had a little chat about her collection.

Why is sleep so important for our skin and overall wellbeing?

Sleeping Beauty was onto something! I recently read a study that showed for the first time that poor quality sleep can accelerate signs of skin ageing

like wrinkles, age spots and inflammation. Lack of sleep can also weaken the skin’s ability to

repair itself at night from a variety of environmental stresses such as sun exposure. And it

may prevent adequate secretion of melatonin levels, which is a natural antioxidant that is

important in helping regulate the internal body clock’s cycle of sleep.

What can women do to improve their sleep? Are any rituals that you would like to share?

It is important to continue a well-balanced routine into the night to ensure you have a great

sleep and wake up feeling revitalised for the day ahead. Here are 3 simple solutions that

take minimal effort but will help prepare your body and mind for a restful night’s sleep (and

stay asleep!).

1. Stick to routine – set a reasonable bedtime for yourself and make sleep a priority.

Try to be in bed at the same time every night, this will reinforce your body’s sleep-

wake cycle and can help you fall asleep better.

2. Wind down before bed – spend about an hour unwinding with some relaxing

activities at the end of your day. This could include reading a book, listening to

soothing music, soaking in a warm bath or taking a shower.

3. Sip a cup of Sleep Tea - Chamomile is a small white petal flower, reminiscent of a

daisy. Commonly known as the sleep tea, it is usually dried and steeped into tea to

help soothe and relax the body, and help to promote a healthy sleep cycle and

overall wellbeing.

Your sleepwear labels designs are truly inspiring, I saw they are all made from natural fibre

like pure silk or cotton, can you tell us more about this? Choosing what to wear to bed can directly affect the quality of your sleep. My focus when

designing is on luxury and comfort, so I carefully selected fabrics that make women feel

beautiful, ensuring they have a great sleep and wake up feeling revitalised for the day

ahead!

Silk is considered to be one of best fabrics to sleep in. It is comfortable, soft to touch,

naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and makes you feel AMAZING. Silk is also capable of

keeping you warm during winter, and cool in the hot summer months.

What inspired you to create a sleepwear line?

I first found inspiration in 2012. Newly engaged, I went in search for feminine and affordable

nightwear options to purchase for my bridesmaids and myself, to wear while getting ready

on the wedding morning. I felt my choices were limited as the options were either femme

fatale, dowdy or slightly immature. It was during this time I noticed a gap in the sleep and

loungewear market for elegant and affordable options; so it was out of frustration and my

love of health and wellness, that my entrepreneurial spirit launched NATALIJA.

The brand celebrates and embraces women's femininity. It is an invitation for women to be

inspired, choose colours and prints that speak to them, and combine pieces to form their

own unique individual style.

Do you have a personal favourite that you wear to bed?

My favourite piece from my new collection ‘Azulejos’ is the Thira silk pant for its fantastic

paisley print and beautiful blues (but again, it changes every week!).

Tell us about the idea and trend of Pj's All Day.

I have detached all furry animals, hearts and grey marl to recreate the traditional sleep and

loungewear; carefully creating garments so beautiful and comfortable that women will feel

inspired to wear them all the time.

Channeling the ‘pyjamas all day’ look, the silky garments have the power to transcend from

the home to the outdoors, fusing together comfort and style. The luxe designs would look as

at home relaxed on a Sunday afternoon with a book and tea, as they would at night paired

with heels ordering your favourite drink. My most recent campaign Sleep to Street brings

to life this idea, inspiring women to have fun, be playful and feel beautiful!

As entrepreneur and business women, how do you make sure you get enough sleep?

The evening time is my time and I have a ritual to ensure I am relaxed, rested and ready to

have the best sleep so that I can wake up lively. My favourite is to use an oil burner and fill

my home with a soothing fragrance like lavender. I find it’s a great way to balance my inner

self before bed! I also get so excited when its bedtime as I get to slide into one my garments.

They feel amazing, and I feel beautiful wearing them. That’s the only way women should be

feeling when they go to sleep at night.

What is your biggest dream for the future?

To inspire women to have fun with fashion, be confident to express themselves and feel

beautiful. Create loungewear pieces that empower women to take their garments from

sleep to street, day to night. Evolving NATALIJA into a lifestyle brand, introducing more

versatile pieces, and then also linen, cushions and candles, all with the same sophisticated

and fashion forward approach.

How to hydrate and replenish sensitive dry Winter Skin

Different Season - Different Skin CareAs the seasons change our skin has develops different needs as well and most of us have to adjust our skin care. My own skin has become dry in areas as the temperatures dropped recently and I also had some redness and sensitivity. I have just received an email from one of my lovely clients asking me about a good skin care routine, product tips and facial recommendations for her dry/sensitive and dehydrated skin that also shows redness on the cheeks. She works in an air conditioned office and prefers natural skincare. In the lead up to her wedding day she wants her skin to be best. Don't we all? I got a little carried away with my response, spending about one hour to write recommendations and tips for her, so I thought I might as well share this with all of you, as we can all do with a little TLC for our Winter skins.

The Gentle Cleanse If you are still using a foaming cleanser now is the time to ditch it, it most likely will strip the skin of it's moisture and natural oils that it needs to stay healthy and hydrated. Go for a super gentle cream-, balm-, or milk cleanser and use it to double cleanse. You can use these with your Clearisonic as well. The Calming Cream Cleanser by Z'kin is excellent for sensitive Skin. La Mav Hydra Calm Cleansing Crème formulated with Bio-Flavonoids, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to moisturize and cleanse the skin which will reveal a clear, bright, smooth feeling skin. I also love the SMOOTH Cleanser from Miskinorganics and another current favourite is Bloom Glow&Polish a unique cleansing paste that you freshly mix prior to application all these are replenishing the skin while removing makeup and cleansing away impurities.

The Key: Moisturize! Find a nourishing moisturizer that protects the skin from further moisture loss. Use 2x a day or use a different day and night cream if you prefer. If my skin is red, reactive and very sensitive it's in need for instant calming action my go to products are Zk'in Relief Moisturizer and Triology Very Gentle Calming Serum, the names say it all! For dry skin I recommend a very rich balmy moisturizer at night, and even apply it as mask in a thick layer when watching a movie or reading at home. Air conditioning and dry air from heaters is really bad for already dry skin, so please make sure you apply a lovely rich moisturizer and/or foundation as barrier to protect the skin. Trilogy Rosapene™ Night Cream works a treat as replenishing mask. Loaded with Antioxidants in a unique oil blend, manuka honey and Goji this will restore your skin quickly. You can also try incooperate pure organic Oils like Rosehip oil into your routine: Try nutrient rich oils like Rosehip. The trick to using oils effectively is to mix them with water. They absorb so much better this way. Mix equal parts oil and water in your hands, and rub together vigorously before massaging the mixture onto your face. I like to spritz my face with a hydtrating spray before applying oils. Use alone, or layered under your usual moisturizer. Everyone is talking about Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, believe the hype! It's pure skincare at it's best.

Hydration: The Spritz! Hydrating sprays can be very beneficial to have handy on your desk, together with some handcream & lipbalm, especially if you are working in an air conditioned office. Jane Iredale makes my favourite ones, certified organic filled with lovely armomatherapy oils they are the ultimate luxury and the bottles are super pretty too.

Keep Young! To target and prevent fine lines it's a good idea to have a powerful anti ageing eyecream as part of your regime. My favourites are; Tata Harper Restorative Eye Cream, Z'kin Line Smoothing Serum, La Mav Bio A7 Firming Eye Lotion

Shake it off! Keep exfoliating. You can find my guide on exfoliation here. Incoporate healthy fats in your diet like avocado and flaxseed oil, coconut oil and nuts and of course make sure you drink enough water. If you are feeling less thirsty in the colder season try herbal teas and spicy chais (without black tea) which will warm you up, increase circulation and help you to stay hydrated. I hope this helps! Feel free to post any questions or your personal tips and experience in the comments below. :)