KNOW YOUR GLOW: THE INSIDER BEAUTY TIPS EVERY BRIDE NEEDS TO KNOW
Let’s face it, the beauty industry can feel like a minefield. With so many products and regimes out there, it’s hard to know where to start, especially when it comes to getting the perfect glow for your wedding.
This week on the OWN Library we talk to London-based make-up artist and beauty expert Quelle Bester to glean her industry secrets - from skin prep to top products. When she’s not working behind the scenes at fashion week you’ll find Quelle working with brides all over the world to help them look and feel amazing on their wedding day, so if anyone knows how to master the bridal beauty regime, it’s her.
And if her trade tips weren’t enough, Quelle is offering OWN brides an amazing 10% off her bridal beauty package, just quote OWN when sending her an enquiry. But for now, read on for all you need to know about how to nail your wedding-day beauty look.
When it comes to a pre-wedding routine, how far our should you start prepping your skin?
As soon as you say yes (or three months out if you can’t quite commit.) This goes for what goes into your body as well. What you put into your body is first seen through your skin, so try to bump up the antioxidant protection with your superfoods, oily fish and plenty of water. If you don’t know where to begin with this sort of thing, give Dr Perricone’s 3-day skin diet a go. It’s a staple for award season lead ups when they only have a weekend & want immediate results. If you like how you feel after this, he then has a realistic lifestyle diet you can incorporate into your everyday life. An added benefit is a rise in labido and a slimmer waist - so you’re welcome in advance, ladies!

Dr Perricone's diet recommends lots of oily fish and low GI fruits and veg. Read more about it here
What are your go-to products?
I’m a major fan of Chantecaille’s Vital Essence Serum, which comes in a vacuum pump bottle and absorbs quickly into the skin. It’s great for hydration levels and can be used on its own or underneath further products if desired.
Another must-have need is some form of retinol (unless you’re pregnant, of course). Retinol is amazing at minimising pigmentation, fine lines, blemishes, scarring, the list goes on. Combine with the use of a dermaroller and I swear you will be thanking me for years to come. If you don’t know where to begin with Retinol, I recommend giving Beauty Pie a whirl. It’s a beauty membership which allows you try products at warehouse cost with all of the luxury you would expect from brands found in a department store. If you’d like to try it out without having to pay the membership fee, click here.
Whatever time of the year they're getting married, most brides want an amazing glow on their wedding day. What are your all-time favourite 'glow' looks?
Something a little modern day Audrey Hepburn, like Rooney Mara. Think bold, groomed brows, a little extra corner lash and radiant skin.
If you want to opt for a light change in the evening after the ceremony, you can then top up with a red lipstick which teams perfectly with this previous look.
For those wanting something with a little extra drama, I love a Natalie Portman in Dior kind of smokey eye. I think most women can wear this version of a smokey eye and it’s incredibly sexy when teamed with a drawn back lip and a little facial contouring. The key is to ask for neutral browns rather than a black when talking to your makeup artist, and keeping a picture nearby so they know what you are aiming for.
L - R Audrey Hepburn, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman
What are the best products would you recommend to combat dry or dull skin?
Hourglass do these amazing shimmer toppers which are lovely under night lights. I also love Pixi Glow Tonic as our skin gets a little dry during winter and this helps to exfoliate any patchy skin away before you use a hydrating mask.
Now on to honeymoon - what are the travel beauty essentials you tell your brides you pack?
If you’re going away to play in the sun and just want to wake up and go, but feel amazing, consider having eyelash extensions for the wedding day. This way you don’t have to worry about rinsing off the makeup and losing the look of a full lash after you say “I do”. My advice is to ask for a fuller look, rather than a lot of length so that you still feel like yourself.
After that, it’s all about sunscreen and a fragrance to remember.
Source: Folkr
What are your top pieces of advice when it comes to choosing what wedding beauty look to go for?
I personally look to the red carpet when I think of makeup for weddings, rather than what everyone thinks a wedding makeup should look like. Celebrities are real people too, and they spend A LOT of time in formal wear and need hair and makeup to match. Just remember to bear in mind that it’s better to look at women who have similar features and colouring to yourself when trying to find realistic inspirational image references.
Another recommendation is to opt for a lash lift if you really are someone who wants to look most like yourself and are afraid of false lashes.
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