Paphosbrides2b.com
Cyprus wedding research hair and make-up in hot climate, choosing a wedding venue and how to decide on your wedding photographer in Paphos.
Hair & Beauty Tips for Brides in a Hot Climate
I am a qualified Beauty Specialist (IHBC) and Hair Stylist (Advanced City & Guilds) as well as a marketer. Although I do not work in this sector any longer, when I moved to Cyprus I had to change the make-up I had been used to using in the UK and also needed much stronger hairspray to cope with the humidity.
The climate in Wedding day tips for you and your guests for keeping cool Protect babies, children and the elderly by ensuring their head is covered Parasols can look pretty and protect from the sun Handheld battery powered fans Paper handfans Magicool or Similar Water Face Spray Hand/face wipes Damp Flannel
Hard to imagine I know when you are sat at your computer in the comfort of your central heating whilst the wind is howling outside and the rain battering on the window. I forget how hot it can be in the summer months when it is winter time here.
Based on what I have learnt I wanted to pass on some hair and make-up products that work really well in a hot climate.
However, I do fully recommend you have your make-up and hair done by a professional on your wedding day as they are experienced and know how to ensure you look fabulous in the hot climate. I do hope the information here will give you a few ideas to help you look and feel good during your stay in Paphos.
I have added some useful websites at the end of this page which I am sure you will enjoy browsing.
Drink plenty of water
Tissues
Hair grips and safety pins are very handy too.
Preparing your skin is very important before applying make-up
After cleansing I recommend the following:
Clarifying Lotion
I am using Clinique Mild Clarifying lotion which not only tones after cleansing it removes dead skin cells too, making your skin ready for your moisturiser.
Moisturiser
A matifying moisturiser is essential and will help your make-up to stay in place. It does not need to be expensive I use Nivea shine control and find it excellent especially on the T Zone. I have recently tried another new product which I think is perfect - Decleor Matt Finish Skin Fluid. The new face primers are also worth considering.
Foundation
The best three I have tried so far (and I have tried over 15 now), although not cheap but they work really well..
Estee Lauder Double wear SPF 10 Foundation - I have now tried the light version of this and prefer it
Christian Dior Forever SPF 25 Foundation
Revlon Colourstay Active Foundation - Waterproof
Some of the new `mineral' foundations are also very good in the heat and feel much lighter, although I haven't found them
as good in the humidity. I recently tried the new mineral foundation by Elizabeth Arden, fantastic quality and made my skin look very smooth and even, but it didn't last in humidy levels above 60% and heat above 38 degrees. So I will save this for
spring, autumn and winter.
Foundation Application
I recommend you use a foundation brush.
Apply in very tiny amounts at a time starting in the centre and blending outwards. The long lasting foundations are fairly thick and dry quickly so are better applied a section at a time. You don't need to put foundation all over your face, just where you need it and blend well. You are creating an even canvas in which to apply the rest of your make-up
Powder
MAC do a good blotting powder that really works here.
Shine eraser blotting papers (available from Elf Cosmetics – see below for website).
Also Revlon Colorstay powder is one of my favourites
Mascara
I have tried many and it depends on the type of lashes you have and the effect you want.
Both L’Oreal telescopic and Architect are very good. However, my long time favourite (used for around 8 years and I always go back to it) is YSL False Eyelash Effect as it stays on so well. I don’t use waterproof as I live here all the time and it does tend to dry out my lashes, but for a short time, I find it ok. Also Max Factor Masterpiece MAX Mascara and like brush on this as it separates your lashes well. I have recently (Oct) tried Max Factor False Eyelash Effect and this is fabulous, really creates volume and length without being clumpy. The brush looks a bit large on first glance, but it is very easy to use. It is very good value and a strong competitor in my opinion with YSL. But, I haven't tested it in the summer months yet.
Eye shadow
Favourites are Revlon 12 hour stay powder shadows. In the very hot summer months I love Clinque touch tint for eyes best of all (Cocoa cream is my favourite – a medium brown/taupe colour that suits everyone) Unfortunately this has been discontinued! Why oh why do they do this??? They have a replacement product in a tube with applicator, but I find it too shimmery. I have recently tried NYX eyeshadows which have a fantastic range of colours. They stay on well during spring and autumn, but I haven't tried them yet in high humidity.
Eye Liner
I love pencil eye-liners and have found MAC the best in this climate.
My personal favourite is though Bobbi Brown Gel eyeliner in a pot that you use with a small brush. It comes in a number of colours including Grey Plum/Black.
I have just recently tried `BLACK MAUVE' which is lovely in particular for those of you with blue eyes. I managed to purcahse it on line - finally after nearly 4 years...
Sadly it is still not available just at the moment in
Clinique brush on gel eyeliner in the little pot is also very good, applied in the same way as above.
BRONZE (has a shimmer) and also BLACK HONEY (a lovely brown) are great colours and much softer than solid black.
I have also recently tried the new Clinique one in Violet which is gorgeous. I managed to purchase another eyeliner from MAC - Fluidline in a bright lilac shade - fabulous for my deep blue eyes.
I now use black right next to my top lashes, filling inbetween with a tiny eyeliner brush. This gives the illusion of thicker lashes.
Lips
I recommend you use your trusted favourite brands. I love trying new lip colours and think this is very much personal choice. I have recently tried KORRES Lip butter in Wild Rose and really like it. It is one of the best lip balms I have used
and the tint is much stronger so its a cross between a lip gloss and lip balm, but not as sticky. Good for the winter months too.
Self-Tan - Body
This works well in
A St Tropez salon tan is a good way to arrive with a nice colour. I did this before my wedding day in
BUT please don’t try using self-tan for the first time yourself before your wedding day – go to a professional!!
Or test it many times at home first.
Applying self-tan here yourself in
Self-Tan - Face
One thing that I don't like is waiting for self-tan to dry in particular for my face. I have recently found the following product to be really good. Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint not only provides a lovely colour, it drys quickly and you can use in a morning after your moisturiser and it develops through the day. I can use it this way during the winter in Cyprus, but I expect it will be overnight during the summer months when its really hot :)
Hair
Nails
If you have short nails I would highly recommend visiting a Bio Sculpture Nail Technician every few weeks, a few months before your wedding. I have been having this nail treatment for 12 months now and it is fabulous! It is like having permanent nail varnish that doesn’t chip or damage your natural nail and is easily removed in around 15 mins. It’s available in many colours, french manicure and also with nail art.
See http://www.biosculpture.co.uk/whatisbiogel.html
for more information. Available in Paphos.
From mid June until mid September hair can be difficult to manage. It becomes parched from the sun and difficult to hold in a style. Hairspray is my number one best friend. I tend to use Tresemme Freeze hold during the summer now it is easy to purchase in
I also recommend the following products:
Climate Control
Lee
(read about the new range on-line as below)
Spray Gel
L’Oreal Techni Art Fix Design (Professional product) but can be purchased on-line from either hairsupermarket or feelunique as below.
Conditioner
Spray in and leave conditioners are excellent for protecting your hair in the sun.
I use a professional product Clynol id care Moisture equalize
see hairsupermarket website below
Fragrance
I buy my fragrances on-line now as I have found it much less expensive. My all time favourite fragrance was discontinued some time ago - Gloria by Cacharel. I have recently tried Promesse by Cacharel, its been around a while, but it was recommended on a beauty forum. Well I love it!!! everywhere I go everyone keeps asking what I am wearing, just like they did when I wore Gloria. Some fragrances don't work well in the heat and don''t seem to last.
Although I don't wear it now, Gucci Rush always reminds me of my wedding day as I bought the fragrance in the USA a couple of days before I got married.
All deliver to the
www.cheapsmells.com - Fragrance and Cosmetics - fantastic fast service - around 4 days to Cyprus
www.garden.co.uk - Fragrance and Cosmetics - fantastic fast service - around 5 days to Cyprus
www.feelunique.com - Cosmetics and Fragrance - around 7 days to Cyprus
www.eyeslipsface.com - Elf Cosmetics – most items cost around £1.50 each
www.strawberrynet.com - Cosmetics & Fragrance based in
www.theinternetsalon.com - Lee Stafford hair products (aerosols can take around 6/8 weeks to Cyprus by surface mail)
www.hairsupermarket.com - Professional hair products (aerosols can take around 6/8 weeks to Cyprus by surface mail)
If you have any products you love and want to share them then I would love to hear from you.
If you have any questions, please just drop me an e-mail.
Best wishes
Karen
