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

Your anti-chafe champion

I'm a recent convert to the Megababe brand and a huge fan. Founded in 2017 by body acceptance advocate (and my new hero) Katie Sturino, the products address a variety of taboo body discomfort issues that many of us face but have thus far been largely ignored by the beauty industry. Now, this solution-based brand has launched a hero range at Boots. Given that I know of one bride in particular who'd have had a very different wedding day had she been able to get her hands on the Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick at the time, this is the champion I want to talk to you about. Quite simply, you can stop thigh chafe for good. The award winning formula creates a balm-like clear barrier that sits on top of the skin, allowing thighs that rub to glide smoothly against each other. Aloe, grapeseed oil and antioxidant rich vitamin E provides extra hydration for happy, healthy skin. There's also a mini stick available, perfect to keep in your clutch bag on the big day for any required top ups.

£12 (mini, £8), www.boots.com. Also check out www.cultbeauty.co.uk for even more of the range.

Romance at your finger tips

It was an exciting day when Mylee's new Unveiled collection arrived in the office! "The new range of beautiful gel polishes in an homage to the romance and elegance of wedding season," says CWM beauty editor Kelly Andrews. "It features a capsule collection of five shades, ranging from ethereal pale pinks to creamy nudes, and shimmering hues that capture the essence of celebration. Meet Bouquet Toss, Glass of Fizz, Garter and Wedding Night. "It wasn't easy to decide which one to try first, but after much deliberation I opted for Wedding Night, a soft subtle shimmering apricot. Easy to apply it cures under UV or LED lamp in 30-60 seconds. I went straight on holiday wearing it and after being in and out of the pool and sea it was just as flawless as when it went on – three weeks later and it's still going strong!"

Salon style at home

BaByliss is seeking to redefine home hair styling with its new Air Wand, an air-powered all-in-one hair system that combines the performance of a hairdryer with the smoothing power of a hair straightener and the volumising effect of a styler. From a fresh-from-the-salon blow dry to big, full, voluminous bouncy blow-outs, root lift, frizz control, sleek straightening, and even effortlessly refreshing next-day hair, the Air Wand offers the ultimate hairstyling tool that enables you to have it all. Plus, thanks to its built-in Ultra Care Mode, you can do all this damage-free.

Sun Safe for the Summer

For convenient on-the-go protection, whether you're staying in the UK this summer or heading overseas on honeymoon, Thank You Farmer Sun Project Silky Calming Sun Stick offers strong, SPF50+ protection against harmful UV rays. Soft and silky, this SPF glides onto your face and body, leaving no white cast as it soothes the skin. So when you're packing for your honeymoon, be sure to grab and go and take it with you! Here, at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're advocates for protecting your skin all year round, not just in the summer, and not just when you're on holiday - be safe !

Bring on the Summer

Vegan, halal, strengthening and all-around clean nail paint brand Palette London's beautiful Watercolour Palette offers the perfect pastel hues to add a seasonal pop of playfulness to your manicure. As you can see, the editorial team here at County Wedding Magazines, certainly had some fun with them. The collection includes a gentle pink, Candy Floss; dreamy Blue Macaron; joyful Sherbert Lemon; and chic Parma Violet. Pair them with Palette's Base Coat and one of the Gloss, Matte, Pearl or Holographic Top Coat for a gel-effect home manicure that'll perk up your spirits as we head towards sunnier days.

Well-oiled

Having accumulated more than two billion views on TikTok rosemary oil isn't going anywhere. It's an ingredient that's become a staple in hair and beauty routines, but why? A potent stimulant, rosemary essential oil is known for its beneficial properties for our complexion and hair, protecting the skin and scalp, while reinforcing capillaries to improve circulation. With its expertise in natural pure essential oils and holistic approach to wellbeing, Tisserand Aromatherapy has launched its new Rosemary Hair Oil to support scalp health and promote hair growth. Essential oils expert Jo Kellet says, "We've made achieving healthier hair simple using our knowledge of essential oils to create a unique blend, which nourishes the hair using nature's finest ingredients."

Imperfections be gone!

Parisian beauty brand, Les Filles En Rouje, has released its first concealer, Le Correcteur. Available in four palettes, each containing two tones to blend your own unique buildable shade, the formula is lightweight and creamy, perfect for covering imperfections. It's designed to harmonise with your natural skin tone without obscuring it, leaving you with the most natural finish. Not to mention the fact that I'm obsessed with the oh-so chic tortoiseshell-effect case – ooh la la!

Bloom and glow

Make-up doesn't have to be complicated and cluttered. Rumi Cosmetiques new InstantGlow+ Multipurpose Highlighter and BloomBlush+ Multipurpose Colour sticks allow you to streamline your beauty routine while achieving an effortless dewy complexion. These handy, fuss-free sticks are designed to illuminate and colour your cheeks, nose, lips, lids and more. Plus, their blendable and buildable formula ensures quick and easy application, whether applied directly with an applicator or with fingertips. Crafted with natural ingredients, they're suitable for sensitive skin.

A little love

TikTok just can't stop talking about Lottie London, and one of beauty editor Kelly Andrews' top viral favourites is the Twisted Heart Duo Lip Tint and Gloss. "Small enough to pop into your bridal clutch bag, this is the ultimate lip-loving duo of gloss and colour leaving your lips glossy with a hint of pink. The innovative twist applicator with one side a deep rose lip tint, can even be used on cheeks too. The other side, a clear gloss, is infused with hyaluronic acid and argan oil to boost hydration." A new must-have for the bride and her bridal squad

Tame the shine with RMS Beauty

Loose powders are key to controlling shine and keeping your makeup staying put. There's no company that understands this more than RMS Beauty, their new launch of Hydra Setting Powders (£40) promising to provide lasting makeup protection. The diverse shade range provides the skin with radiance and a flawless finish, an airbrushed illusion that simultaneously hydrates with its added Buriti and Jojoba oil. The Hydra Powder promises a non-cakey base, perfect for the big day and those all-important photo shoots. The RMS Beauty Hydra setting powders provide the perfect helping hand for that sometimes untameable shine, leaving you to party on care-free! Shop more RMS beauty exclusively at Cult Beauty

The science of Ayurveda

Spa Ceylon has launched in the UK, bringing wellbeing rituals deeply rooted in the island's rich culture, derived from royal relaxation, rejuvenation and healing rituals of ayurveda. The brand's diverse product range includes all-natural wellness formulae for body, skin, hair and home. This trio of comforting and harmonising natural formulas is infused with ayurveda wonder herbs and potent essential oils to bring a sense of calm, even in the midst of wedding planning. So, immerse yourself in a holistic experience as the soothing blend of frankincense, sandalwood, tangerine and key lime work to alleviate stress and restore balance.

Get the Set

Back with a new launch, Ciaté London has announced the extension of its cult Extraordinary range with these fab tinted loose setting powders. Yes, the Extraordinary Setting Powder has arrived in two new shades – pink and honey. These new make up hybrid powders are formulated with vitamin C, liquorice extract and niacinamide for flawless results and nourished skin – a double win! The pink tone effectively counteracts any dull, blue tones, often present in the under eye area, creating the perfect touch of brightness. Meanwhile, the honey version smooths over make-up for a crease-free, soft focus finish with no flashback.

As fresh as a daisy!

Wanting to smell sweet this summer? The upcoming fragrance launch of Narciso Rodriguez will undoubtedly do just that. The "All of Me" intense Eau de Parfum (£132) is a bold expression of individuality and self-love, proving a perfect gift idea for your loved one. With strong notes of black iris, jasmine, rose and geranium, this scent will leave you smelling as fresh as a daisy! The floral top notes are undercut by the unmistakable scents of vanilla-infused musk and sandalwood, making this multifaceted fragrance utterly addictive. Available from September 1st this year, Rodriguez provides a deal that's worth the splurge.

Here comes the sun

Clarins Research has combined the best of science with the power of plants to develop the Solar Protect Complex, which protects skin from sun-induced ageing. It includes a combination of organic UV filters to protect the skin and prevent the appearance of dark spots, alongside Organic Cocoa Extract for firmer and intensely hydrated skin, and vitamin E derivative to protect against free radicals and prevent the appearance of wrinkles.The brand's new Youth-protecting Sunscreen Face comes in an SPF30 and SPF50, which are priced at £26. Their fine, melting texture has a comfortable dry feel and a matte finish. The Glowing Sun Body Oil in SPF 30 and Sun Spray Body Lotion in SPF50, priced at £28, offer high protection with a lightweight, quickly absorbed texture and an invisible finish.

C the difference

It's important that we know our skincare ABCs when looking for ingredients to add to our routines. For example, vitamin C is enjoying its moment in the sun, and for good reason as it works to revitalise, boost and brighten dull skin, working its magic to accelerate the production of both collagen and elastin, protect against sun damage and signs of ageing, treat uneven skin tone and repair and rejuvenate to keep the skin hydrated, plump and firm. Skin Proud has your vitamin C skincare saviour at the ready in the shape of its Glow Dust Exfoliating Powder Cleanser. A gentle water activated micro exfoliating cleansing powder, it contains the skin-loving dream team of vitamin C, E and ferulic acid.

Power Play

Meet your new hero product! From the Germaine de Capuccini Timexpert Rides range comes XCEL Retinage Filler (£120.25, 50ml). Its retinol bio RDS complex safely delivers a slow release of retinol info the dermis and epidermis, allowing it to work for hours after application, renewing the cells and stimulating natural collagen production – no need for ghastly needles! Find it at https://germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk

Bright-eyed and bushy tailed

If you're on the lookout for products to make you look more bright-eyed than you're feeling, ZO Skin Health Eye Brightening Crème (£130) has you covered. Retinol and hydrolyzed sericin, stimulate the production of collagen, reducing the signs of ageing; kojic dipalmitate lightens dark circles; and caffeine gets to work on to reducing puffiness; while shea butter and squalane replenish hydration. Available at clinics nationwide.

In The Red

Beauty editor Kelly Andrews is always excited to hear of a new Jo Malone London fragrance hitting the shelves and early 2024 brought news of Red Hibiscus. Described as, "An exotic solar floral inspired by a chance encounter with a rare and vivid flower in a tropical forest," it has notes of red hibiscus complemented by jasmine sambac and vanilla. Yes please! Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense (£106, 50ml or £150, 100ml) is available at www.jomalone.co.uk

Narciso Rodriguez releases new summer scent

Trinny London's new SPF duo

We all know sun damage causes premature ageing, so why not prevent the process with Trinny London's sun barrier duo. The 'See The Light' moisturiser (£45) provides an SPF50+ protection, whilst simultaneously replenishing your skin's moisture with its added raspberry leaf extract. Its innovative UVA filter attacks fine lines and pigmentation, a jam-packed product that is sure to become your essential of the summer.