Thanks to our very generous sponsor Time Of Life, we are able to offer you an exclusive discount for this week only!

If you shop at Time of Life, you will be used to the great prices! With the 20% discount you already receive as standard, you will now get a total of 25% OFF!!!!

Just make your order & enter promotional CODE; ELECTRIC5

As simple as that to have incredible skin.

Look great on your weeding day & order now!

If you need a little direction… here are two recommendations…

1. Dermalogica C12 Concentrate

Serum for hyperpigmentation C-12 Concentrate
(Recently voted Best Newskincare luxury
product by the UK Beauty Awards!)

A silky-rich, high-potency
treatment that brightens,
helps treat cellular
discoloration and improves
skin clarity.

Velvety silicones absorb
quickly to condition skin
and help reiniforce the
barrier lipid layer

2. Daily Microfoliant

Skincare exfoliator, Daily Microfoliant,
is for all skin conditions, except users of
medically-prescribed exfoliants

This unique, rice-based enzyme powder
microfoliates dulling debris and instantly
leaves skin noticeably smoother
and brighter.

Unique Skin Brightening Complex helps to
balance uneven pigmentation, while the
active agents derived from Rice Bran and
Rice extracts help to regulate melanin
production and microfoliate dead cells

I’m in skincare-heaven!

Charlotte xx

Get Dermalogica skincare for less at Time Of Life.
Free samples, great service, and free delivery when you spend over £75.

Morning all,

Hope you are enjoying your week so far & getting on with wedding plans?!
That reminds me, I really must crack on with my own…

Today I have for you a Bridal dream pampering package. If you live in, around or have easy access to East London, you are in for a super treat!

Virginia Williams is a Beauty Care Studio based in South Woodford (E18). I have frequented the studio myself on many occasions, not to mention I have treated my fiance to an amazing Holistic Massage! If I needed browie points I’d be minted.
He LOVED it.
And I love this haven!

Tracey, now one of our sponsors, who also runs Time Of Life, has an incredible range of Bridal Packages.
She also got married last year so knows exactly how you feel & can completely empathise! Not only did she get married, she married in Suzanne Neville, In Italy….
I will let her tell you more in good time!

Today I bring you two of the Bridal Services the Virginia Williams Skin Studio offers…

“To get a bespoke beauty package at Virginia Williams was one of the best decisions I took whilst planning my wedding. Not only I looked great on my wedding day but also I got these very necessary moments of ‘me time’ during the hectic preparations. It was a relieve to stop for a few hours to have a body wrap, manicure or prescriptive facial. The treatment is so caring and personal I keep coming again and again even though I live over 10 miles away!” Gemma

The Bridal Consaultation & Plan
30 mins, £30

This is your initial consaultation before you start the Finale & Finishes Package.

Your 30 minute consultation is split into four parts:
• Comprehensive consultation;
• Facial Skin Scanning;
• Facial Skin Analysis; and
• Full Body Analysis
“The consultation is supported by a pre consultation questionnaire which can be downloaded from the website, completed and emailed back to me before your visit. The cost of this consultation is £30.00 and is deducted from your final bill. Following the consultation, I work on the best possible treatment plan, regime and timetable to meet your requirements, needs and timescale. I then e-mail or send this out by post and follow up some days later with a telephone call.
The beauty treatment plan sets out a month by month carefully constructed timetable of customised face and body treatments. To make life, planning and beauty management easier I suggests dates and times. I believe in building a close professional relationship with all my brides. I also believe in the importance of working closely with all brides to achieve beauty goals. Brides tell me they love the idea of allowing me to take complete control of this aspect of their wedding preparation, leaving them to focus on other aspects of their wedding plans”

“The Bridal Beauty Service – was fabulous. This service is essential to any bride who wishes to give away some of her wedding preparations – Virginia took care of my entire bridal beauty needs, allowing me tick this off my to do list” Monique

The Finale & Finishing Touches Package
4 Hours, £110

This is a completely personal service based on your 30 mins consaultation.
Finale & Finishing Touches… Personal pampering? What’s not to love?!

Your 4 hours includes;
* A Glass of champagne & nibbles on arrival
* Perscriptive Facial
* Aromatherapy Neck, Back & Shoulder Massage
* Spa Manicure (French Optional)
* Spa Pedicure (French Optional)
* Full Body Microfoliation scrub

For my newest Bride-to-Be friend, Sabrina!
Enjoy!
Love Charlotte xx

Get Dermalogica skincare for less at Time Of Life. 
Free samples, great service, and free delivery when you spend over £75.

Most of you will be well aware by now just how much I love my cosmetics.. and yours too for that matter!!
Well, today the love is paying off! Ha ha ha!

I am utterly delighted to welcome our newest sponsor- Time Of Life!

Get Dermalogica skincare for less at Time Of Life
Free samples, great service, and free delivery when you spend over £75.

Time Of Life is an authorised Dermalogica stockist since 2004 & is run by the lovely Tracey.
Tracey got married last September too & through her Virginia-Williams Skin Care Studio she does a full consaultation for Brides to Be. Yes, she knows all about our perils & pains, and better still.. she can give us solutions.. that work!

I’ll be telling you more about this service very soon…

Through Time Of Life we can purchase online a whole range of fabulous Dermalogica products for LESS! Yyyaaaayyy!

Make sure you check out the face mapping too!

I will be bringing you much more on these services & products very soon.
So for today, we indulge in Tracey’s experience & great prices…

Pure Love,
Charlotte xx

Time Of Life has been an authorized Dermalogica stockist since 2004. Dermalogica are constantly monitoring all its account holders ensuring that the best service, and advice is always given to stockists dealing with the public.

Today our guest blog is from Emma’s very good friend Obi, who offered some time ago to write about a subject she feels is never covered much – make up for dark skin.  We jumped at the chance – so without further ado – here she rolls!

MY WORLD FOR GREAT MAKEUP!!!!!!!

Hi! I am honoured to be a guest blogger on this wonderful site. As someone who was invited to the wedding and given the honour of doing a reading, I thought that this would be an ideal time to talk about something slightly different to flowers and dresses and introduce something which is important to all of us, but with a twist —Make-up for darker skin!!

Like everyone else, I have trawled the shops and websites looking for the ideal make-up which is either a quick fix or a luxurious treat.

Most of the time I have just done with mascara and eye-liner as this is something which everyone can get, but saying that, I have stuck with regulatory black as this is something that you can’t really get wrong.

Finding foundation and powder is something a bit harder as most brands don’t carry colours for darker skin, but fear not I have discovered Sleek Make up which not only features black models but does make up for all skin tones.

Sleek makeup is cheap with 17 – yes 17 – different shades, with 4 colours which are suitable for darker skin. I would recommend Hot Chocolate, Sable and Coffee Bean-if you are ordering online and not too sure of the shade you can buy little testers which are even cheaper.

Sleek also does a range of blushes and lipsticks that are a revelation too.

For the more luxurious (expensive) I would recommend Beverly Knight which again is available in department stores.

Another great brand, which features a lot of different shades, which some of us find difficult to find. Although I have only recommended two brands I hope this helps us girls of colour and if in doubt….. Go au naturel!!!

Love

Obi xx

Listen Up Team Bride!

Here’s a present for your Bride that she MUST have!
As you will know, I’m a keen lover of all things ‘cosmetics’ & I love to share with you a fab-find. So here’s today’s…

Falling in love, Philosophy.

I first fell for Philosophy myself about 2 years ago when, my now Bridesmaid Harriet, gave me some great freebies from her work at Christmas! Purity, the face wash smells like a spa treatment & the Microdelivery exfoliating wash which I rate as the best facial exfoliator, um, ever. These are in my top 2.
I have made the pics as big as I can becasue the inscriptions are part of the delight!

So as I was browsing Selfridge’s today on a work-related visit (I know, my job’s quite cool), I took the chance to stock up. Not to mention I think its physically impossible to leave Selfridge’s empty handed.

So whilst making my collague sniff all my favourites I came across the Bridal range! Yipeeee!

And the lotion…

For those who have been sleeping for the last 48 hours, you may not know that I became an auntie for the first time on Monday morning, to Joshua James!

Where can you get it, you say??
Well, you can visit…
John Lewis
Selfridge’s
Sephora
HQhair
Amazon
Ebay

Good Times.
Charlotte xx

Hey hey! Happy Wednesday all!

A few months ago I decided that I was going to do my own make up for the wedding. Ever since then, every single person has said to me, ‘Wow – you’re brave!’ and I have been very puzzled. Don’t get me wrong – having your make up done is fabulous (I had it for my hen) – but I really wanted the fun of going and buying all new products!

I LOVE make up. I really do. I love nothing better than buying all new little boxes and cases and looking at them all nice and shiny. I actually get excited when I get up in the morning and have a new product to try!

So I knew that I was going to take my time over this. And I have!

I have visited A LOT of make up counters. I have saved up to buy all below – I realise a lot of this isn’t cheap – but it has worked out the same cost as a good make up artist and I get to keep all the product. Also – there are a lot of good cheaper alternatives to the below out there – I’m just a bit of a make up junkie.

So with out further ado – here is my final selection! My look is ‘A better version of me’ – a simple, boho – glowing look, with pink cheeks and lips and simple eyes.

Base

If you spend money anywhere – this is where it should be!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer – a good primer is essential to keep your base on and keep make up long lasting.  This one is a must – my friend Shells recommended it and it makes your skin really soft!

NARS  Sheer Glow Foundation in Light 2 Mont Blanc – I worship at the alter of NARS.  They are ideal for  precision colour matching – this foundation gives you a lovely dewy glow.

NARS Loose Powder in Flesh – use a small amount around your T-zone (the shiny bit of your forehead and nose) – to keep away the shine

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna – for a ‘day after a day in the sun’ glow

Dior Glowing Colour Blush in Rose Dragee (829) – A pretty blush pink which makes you look like you have  just run through a meadow of joy!

Dior Skin Ultra Shimmering All Over Face Powder in Rose Diamond – A highlighting powder with a slight shimmer which will give you killer cheekbones and a glow like Sienna’s

Eyes

MAC Select Moisturecover NW20 – dot this below and in the corner of your eyes to eliminate dark circles and lighten your eye

MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre – sweep this across your whole lid with your fingers and finish with a dusting of loose powder – it will make your eye make up stay on all day!

MAC Pigment Colour Powder in Nude – MAC is the ultimate place for eye colour.  I am going for nude eyes – this shimmery powder is all I need to give me a little sparkle.  Also good as a highlighter just below the brow.

MAC Paint Pot in Quite Natural – I am using this as an eyeliner below my lower lashes and a thin line on my upper lids – note girls – this is WATERPROOF – waterproof eyeliners hardly ever exist – this is your answer!

Diorshow Blackout Waterproof Mascara – the ultimate waterproof mascara – I didn’t even think of another.

Lips

Dior Contour Crayon in Candy Rose – this is a very pretty pink liner – line around your lips and then colour in the whole lip for lippie staying power!

Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Rose Show – A gorgeous sparkly pink that makes you look like you have just eaten raspberries! Mmmmmm…

So there you go – my  big day make up bag.

Hope it has been a help – remember all these products come in a multitude of shades so you can pick the one to best suit you!

Love

Emma xxxx

Hello Tuesday!

So, as any of you who read our blog regularly will know, last weekend was my hen night!
And what a night it was! It was in fact, so darn fabulous that I am going to have to spit it up into different parts to write about it!

The whole day was a surprise, so I didn’t have a clue what was going on, only that the theme was vintage – and we could dress in any era from the 1920s – 1950s.

So, after staying at my MOH Alex’s house the night before and watching SATC DVDs with champagne, me, Alex and two of my other bridesmaids Cazza and Rachael had breakfast together and then got ready. Where upon I was told not to put any make up on.

Er…. come again? This is after all my big night? No make up – are you crazy?

I was assured it was all for a good reason, and I was taken off by Cazza for my first surprise of the day – a make over at MAC! Woooooh hoooo!

Now, when we walked into Morleys in Brixton all done up in our 1940s gear, the staff at MAC got very excited indeed – they all loved it and were all coming over giving advice on what look the make up artist should go for!

My make up artist was called Lesley and she was fabulous (as you can see from the pictures). She talked me through everything she was doing and showed me all the products. If you would like to book Lesley at MAC in Brixton call 0207 274 6246 or alternatively she is available on a free lance basis – if you would like a home visit (including bridal make up – drop us a line at info@electricwedding.co.uk and we will pass it on!

My make up session was a present from all my hens, but if you would like one, they are very reasonable and it is redeemable against product. I choose; MAC Lip Liner in Cherry, MAC false eyelashes (corner tips only) MAC Powder Blush in Desert Rose.

And ta-da! The finished result!

And I am wearing Dress – £35 Pearl Lowe for Peacocks, Hat £10  Traffic People, Pearls – my grandma’s

So my very fabulous make over was complete – I was suitabley 1940’s looking – and then Cazza and Alex took me to the next part of the day….

Hurrah – stay tuned to see what we did next!

Love

Emma

Many of you probably think I’m slow on the uptake, but I’m so impressed I need to share this!

Well here’s a great brand of cosmetics which are not only gorgeous for any Bride but suitable for vegans & delicious for the rest of us!!

Korres
“Korres natural products is a Greek company with roots in the first Homeopathic Pharmacy of Athens. The first Korres product was an aromatic herbal syrup with honey and aniseed, a recipe inspired by “rakomelon”, a warming spirit-with-honey concoction, which George Korres’ grandfather used to favour in his hometown on the island of Naxos.”

Fabulously Greek! Here’s a few of my favourites…
Perfect for a wedding in the sun!

Watermelon Face Cream SPF 30 (23,80 Euros)

Ideal for Photosensitive Complexions
Dermatologically Tested
Paraben Free
Mineral Oil Free
Silicone Free
Propylene Glycol Free
Ethanolamine Free
Enriched with Active Plant Extracts
Non Comedogenic
Water Resistant

Wild Rose Face Serum (41 Euros)

Brightening & line smoothing.. wonderful!

Dermatologically Tested
Mineral Oil Free
Silicone Free
Propylene Glycol Free
Ethanolamine Free
Enriched with Active Plant Extracts

Not to mention it smells devine! They all do!!

Yogart Cooling Gel (20,90 Euros)

Dermatologically Tested
Paraben Free
Mineral Oil Free
Silicone Free
Propylene Glycol Free
Ethanolamine Free
Enriched with Active Plant Extracts
Non Comedogenic
With Real Edible Yoghurt- YES. Edible!!!

So, where can you find them across the UK??
Korres Store : Buchanan Galleries, Unit 1 Level 2 (L2) 220 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2FF
Korres Store : Ocean Terminal, Ground Floor, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ
Harvey Nichols: Beyond Beauty Dept.: Knightsbridge London, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, Bristol Tel.: 020 7584 0011
Liberty: Beauty Hall, Regent St. London Tel.: 020 7734 1234
John Lewis: Selected John Lewis stores and Peter Jones Tel.: 020 7730 3434
Heal’s: All stores except for Brighton Tel: 020 7636 1666
Oliver Bonas: Selected Oliver Bonas stores Tel.: 0208 974 1200
World Duty Free: Heathrow Airport Terminals 1

Lushous.
Charlotte x

Flowers, caterers, wine testing, dress fittings, table cloths bands… its a never ending circus! You have so many decisons to make & its just not always easy to juggle life, work, love & weddings.
In these stressful times we need to seek some solace, a bit of down time to re-coop without spending a fortune!
I have a few simple things you can try to help you keep calm.
After all, you don’t want extra wrinkles, increased frown lines or red cheeks to cure…

Camomile tea.
An oldie but a goodie!

Its believed to;

*Boost the immune system & fight colds
*Relieves muscle spasms & inflamation
*Calms nerves & settles the stomach

Well, it works for me! I have Lipton Camomile.
Its lovely & if you get the flip lip box, they have the silky pyramid bags! But I get those from France or online.

Jasmine & Mint Oils

Jo Malone has recently launched a new fragrance collection of Jasmine & Mint. They do a gorgeous bath oil for £38. A bit more pricy than a cup of tea, but when you consider the cost per use & the value, it all evens out…
They also do a body cream, body wash & candle in this range. We like some choice.

Jasmine Tea

I drink this at work if I’m not hankering for an Earl Grey! The smell & taste is great. Its really very relaxing too. Depending which brand you choose, they are caffeine free & mine is Green Tea Jasmine. I can also highly reccomend having it as loose tea. Although you might prefer to have that when you are out unless you can borrow your nana’s tea pot & strainer! Its not your everyday kitchen equipment…

Read a book
There’s nothing like total escapism to help you relax. I know, I know, I too barely have time to pop to the loo in the day- or evening for that matter, but when I do, I’m glad! Seriously though, reading is a great way to steal some moments for yourself. If its a good book, you will be greatful of the break

I am reading Steig Larrson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” not only am I really into the book, but there are 2 sequels so I don’t have to think about what to read next!!

I also find a yoga class a great release! Any excercise is a good way to relax especially when afterwards you feel even better about yourself. In the lovely long summer evenings, a long walk can be the perfect way to relax. Go with your man, he’ll appreciate it too. Leave the wedding chat at home maybe?!

Any other tips you’d like to share? Leave us a comment. All B2Bs need your help!

Now, I am off to get Emma all of the above…

Chilled.
Charlotte xx