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6 Gorgeous Anu Malhi Real Brides
Jun 14 2019
Some brides can find choosing a hair and makeup artist a tough decision. Other brides know the exact look they want to go for and they’ve even had their eye on a hair and makeup artist for ages!
At Anu Malhi we make sure the bride is happy and comfortable with her completed look. We are happy to do trials where we will firstly discuss the look before trialling it. We won’t leave until we know our brides are 100% happy with everything and we love making them look and feel special for their big day!
Take a look below at some of our gorgeous recent brides
Top Tips For Calming Wedding Day Nerves
Jun 12 2019
It’s nearly your big day and your bound to be feeling all kinds of emotions and feeling nervous is completely normal too! Everyone’s different – some people feel nervous leading up to their wedding day but can surprise themselves by feeling completely excited and happy on the actual day. If you’re feeling nervous leading up to your wedding and on the day, we’ve made a list of things that can help ease those nerves.
Check List
With Indian weddings there are always so many things you need to remember to do or take to wedding ceremonies. Make sure a check list has been made and leave someone in charge of making sure everything on the list is completed.
Delegate
If there are still the odd jobs left to do (and believe me there will be), rather than taking on the stress yourself simply delegate to others. Family, friends and bridesmaids are all there to help your day be as smooth as possible. The more people to help, the quicker things can get done.
Tell Someone
If you are feeling anxious or nervous tell someone – maybe a friend or family member you feel close to. Sometimes hearing advice from someone you trust can help or they’ll know if they need to crack a really rubbish joke in hope for you to forget about the stress and laugh!
Exercise
Any sort of exercise helps to calm nerves whether you go for a run, swim or even a brisk walk. Anything that increases the heartbeat can have a huge impact to how you feel overall.
Meditate
Take 10-30 minutes in the day to meditate. You can even listen to a guided YouTube meditation video to help relax. Make sure you won’t be distracted and get yourself comfortable. Meditation can help relax your mind and fight feelings of being overwhelmed.
Relax Alone
With Asian weddings especially, seeing your family and friends fuss over you everyday can get a bit much. Sometimes you just want your own space rather than being surrounded by loads of people. In this case tell your parents, siblings or friends to make sure no one disturbs you or comes into your room. This is the perfect time to take a nap, listen to music or even watch a movie.
Herbal Tea
Make yourself a herbal tea and have this a couple times a day leading to your wedding. Chamomile tea is known to reduce stress and anxiety. Peppermint tea is also good to drink before bed to help calm any nerves.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are known to help with stress and anxiety. Lavender essential oil is known as one of the most relaxing oils and has been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Apply lavender oil to your temples and wrist before going to bed.
Rose essential oil is also good for calming emotions, balancing hormones and helping headaches. Rose is known to strengthen the heart in periods of stress, grief and depression.
5 Reasons To Use Turmeric For Amazing Skin
Jun 06 2019
Turmeric is an amazing spice and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The most active element in turmeric is called curcumin, which is where most the medicinal properties are from. We’re discussing the amazing benefits of what it can do for the skin.
Acne
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory so making a homemade turmeric mask can really help to fight any inflamed acne and help to keep the skin clear and radiant. It can also help eczema improve too.
Turmeric Face Mask:
- Get 1 tablespoon of yogurt
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Mix together and apply for 20 mins
- Wash with warm water and pat dry
Scars
The anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce acne scarring and blemishes. Turmeric is also a natural lightening agent so by using a turmeric face mask you can help acne spots calm down whilst also getting rid of previous scarring.
Turmeric Face Mask:
- Get 1 tablespoon of yogurt
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Mix together and apply for 20 mins
- Wash with warm water and pat dry
Psoriasis
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric can really help psoriasis by reducing flare ups and symptoms. You can add turmeric powder to your food or take a supplement. It is best to discuss supplementation with a professional.
Dark Circles
Turmeric can increase blood circulation and is also a natural lightening agent so can reduce puffy under eyes and dark circles. Using a turmeric face mask can really help those dark circles when used consistently.
Turmeric Face Mask:
- Get 1 tablespoon of yogurt
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Mix together and apply for 20 mins
- Wash with warm water and pat dry
Stretch Marks
About 80% of people have stretch marks and whilst they are hard to completely heal, turmeric can help to lighten their appearance.
Make this paste and apply to stretch marks:
- Get 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Add 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Rub this paste onto the affected area once a day
- Leave it on for as long as you can but be careful as it will stain light clothing
Secrets for Amazing Skin Just 1 Week Before Your Wedding
Jun 05 2019
So it’s a week before your wedding and you want to make sure you’re feeling and looking great before your big day. Here are some skincare secrets we think you should follow religiously one week before your wedding if you want to look and feel good for your big day. If you’ve not been doing any of the following steps previously and you want glowing skin, start now and amazing results will show within a week!
Hydrate
If you haven’t been drinking enough water recently, you’ll want to make sure you really make this final week count. Drink 2-3 litres a day to flush out those toxins and help make sure your skin is glowing in a week’s time.
Food
Make sure your eating properly and sensibly. Get in as many veggies as you can so you look and feel good. Avoid having too much sugar as this can cause breakouts. Make sure your getting in sources of healthy fats such as nuts, seeds and olive oil. Eat healthy sources of protein such as fish and chicken or beans and pulses if your vegetarian. Have a variety of fresh fruit too.
Juice
Have a tasty green juice every morning. This will help get rid of toxins and make you feel energised, and again it will make your skin glow! Include more veggies than fruits such as spinach, celery, cucumber, carrots and an apple for some sweetness.
Exfoliate
Keep following your usual skincare regime and exfoliate as usual to remove any dead skin cells so makeup application on your wedding day is flawless! Don’t exfoliate too aggressively as you don’t want to irritate the skin. Don’t use any new products this close to the wedding just in case any reactions or irritations occur. Also use a lip scrub to exfoliate your lips as this will help with having perfect lipstick all day, especially if you’re wearing a matte lippy!
Facial
If you’ve been regularly getting facials done during months leading to your wedding, get one done a week before your wedding (only if your skin is usually fine after a facial) otherwise get it done 2-3 weeks before if you usually have a few breakouts after facials.
Sleep
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night as this is when your body and skin can recover. A good night’s sleep could help puffy eyes go down and help the process of having flawless skin on the day.
Relaxation
Make sure you’re relaxed and not running around completing last minute errands. Delegate jobs to others and try your best to relax. Being stressed can cause some people to have spots or breakouts.
5 Essential Oils for Healthier Hair
Jun 02 2019
Our guide to the best oils for healthier hair to combat dandruff, frizziness and hair loss. We’ve tested the best oils for silkier and softer hair.
Argan Oil
Moroccan argan oil is high in vitamin E and fatty acids. It’s perfect for dry and frizzy hair, making it softer, shinier and silkier. It also increases the elasticity of hair.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for all hair types. It nourishes the hair to make it grow faster and thicker. If you have dry and damaged hair, definitely apply coconut oil to your hair and keep it in overnight.
Olive Oil
Olive oil can help you get longer and thicker hair faster. It has anti-fungal properties that help fight dandruff and other scalp conditions. It keeps hair smooth and shiny.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is high in vitamin E with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can be used on the scalp to prevent hair loss due to its high ricinoleic acid content, which increases circulation.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is high in vitamin E, fatty acids and magnesium, which are great for strengthening and nourishing hair. It’s also good for the scalp and helps avoid dandruff, leaving hair healthier and shinier.
5 Makeup Primers We Love!
May 30 2019
Some people think primers can be skipped but they really do help keep your makeup in place all day. We always like to use primers on our brides and clients as they are perfect for minimising pores or adding an extra glow. We have tried and tested various primers over the years and here are our top 5.
MAC – PREP + PRIME SKIN
This smooths the skin and allows flawless makeup application. It evens out skin tones and any redness.
Image from MAC Cosmetics
Too Faced – Hangover Primer
This primer hydrates, smoothes and brightens the skin for perfect makeup application.
Image from Too Faced.
Cover FX – Blurring Primer
This primer blurs the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin smooth and really soft.
Image from Cult Beauty
NYX – STUDIO PERFECT PRIMER
We love this budget-friendly primer. It comes in three shades: Clear, Lavender & Green
Clear – covers lines and pores
Lavender – brightens yellow undertones
Green – conceals redness
Image from NYX Cosmetics
Benefit – the POREfessional face primer
This primer minimises the appearance of pores and works for all skin tones.
Image from Benefit Cosmetics.
Hair & Makeup Academy – Day 1&2
May 22 2019
This course is designed for students who wish to learn and understand the latest techniques, styles and trends in Hair & Makeup and receive first hand advice on getting prepared in the industry (including Bridal, Registry and Party Looks).
Day 1
Day 1 of the academy includes the following:
• Tools of the trade
• Analysing Skin Conditions
• Marketing & Customer Service Tips
• Highlighting & Contouring
• Beginners to Advanced Eye Makeup
• Practical: Skin Care (Prep & Prime)
• Practical: Foundation Application
• Practical: Highlight and Contour (with powder)
• Practical: Party / Civil Look
• Practical: Smokey & Cutcrease Look
• Practical: Blusher & Lip
Look 1
Anu demonstrates some makeup looks explaining what the best tools and techniques are for makeup application. The look is then practised by the students first on themselves and then on each other.
Look 2
Day 2
Day 2 includes the following:
• Practical: Foundation Advanced
• Practical: Highlight & Extreme Contouring (with cream)
• Practical: Reception / Bridal / Editorial Look
• Practical: Blusher & Lip
Look 1
Look 2
5 Foundations We Love
May 16 2019
Finding the perfect foundation can sometimes be tricky. Is it too orange…too cakey…too thick…too light?
Well, we’ve tried and tested A LOT of foundations over the years and definitely have a few favourites!
See below some of the foundations we love.
MAC – Full coverage foundation
We love this full coverage foundation that covers all blemishes and scars. It’s perfect for long-wear too.
Image from MAC Cosmetics
Too Faced – Born this way foundation
This foundation provides medium-full coverage and is oil free. It also contains coconut water and Alpine Rose, which brightens the skin.
Image from Too Faced.
Tarte Shape Tape Foundation
Just as good as the amazing shape tape concealer! The foundation is available in ‘matte’ and ‘hydrating’.
The matte foundation is perfect if you have oily skin and want no shine. It also reduces the appearance of pores.
The hydrating foundation is better if you have dry skin and want more of a luminous finish.
Both foundations don’t crease.
Image from Tarte Cosmetics
Cover | FX – Natural Finishing Foundation
This liquid foundation is lightweight with a luminous and fresh glow. It’s medium to full coverage that you can build up.
Image from Cover FX
MAC – Face & Body Foundation
This foundation has been popular for years and is great for light to medium coverage. It’s really lightweight and has a dewy finish.
Image from MAC Cosmetics.
20 Things you need for your Bridal Survival Kit
May 12 2019
So your wedding day is only round the corner and you want to make sure everything is perfect! Whilst you can’t control everything that happens on your big day, it’s always great to have a bride’s survival kit at hand for any emergencies! We’ve created a list of things you need for yours.
20 Things you need for your Bridal Survival Kit
- Hair Pins – It’s always a good idea to keep extra hair pins in case anything falls out of place, especially if you’re having a dupatta on your head for your religious ceremony and removing it for the reception.
- Safety pins – Always needed to keep your dupatta in place or in case of any zip emergency.
- Plasters – Always handy if those killer heels start to cause cuts or blisters.
- Tissues – When the day gets a bit emotional!
- Blotting powder – In case it’s a hot day or you tend to have quite oily skin.
- Lipstick – For a quick top up during the day.
- Straw – So you don’t mess up your lipstick!
- Snacks – It’s a long day and it’s aways good to have something to snack on – that’s not messy!
- Flat/comfy shoes – You don’t want aching feet to ruin your night of partying so make sure you have a comfier pair for later.
- Hair spray
- Cotton buds
- Paracetamol
- Mini sewing kit
- Scissors
- Mini Perfume
- Deodorant
- Nail file
- Compact Mirror
- Water
- Gel foot pads
Setting Sprays to Keep Your Makeup in Place All Day
May 07 2019
Setting sprays are perfect for keeping makeup looking fresh all day. We’ve rounded up our favourite setting sprays we love using.
MAC – PREP + PRIME FIX+
Of course this has to be on the list! An all time favourite and one of the industry leaders in setting sprays. Infused with green tea, camomile and cucumber. Hydrates the skin and keeps makeup in place all day. You can spray this a couple times in the day to refresh and hydrate the skin.
Image from MAC Cosmetics
Urban Decay – ALL NIGHTER Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
This best seller keeps makeup in place for up to 16 hours without fading, melting or sinking into lines and wrinkles. Spray on during the day to refresh makeup.
Image from Urban Decay
Kiko – MAKE UP FIXER
This is mild on the face thanks to the camomile extract. Spray this to keep your make up in place or to make it look refreshed during the day.
Image from Kiko
Pixi – Makeup Fixing Mist
The rose water and green tea formula not only smells gorgeous but makes sure makeup stays flawless without setting into lines or pores. It hydrates the skin and refreshes makeup during the day.
Image from Pixi Beauty
Too Faced – HANGOVER 3-IN-1 SETTING SPRAY
This coconut water based spray acts as a primer, setting spray and refresher. It soothes and smooths skin whilst keeping it hydrated.
Image from Too Faced
