My Wedding Beauty Prep: Emma Hoareau
My Wedding Beauty Prep: Emma Hoareau

My Wedding Beauty Prep: Emma Hoareau

With her wedding day approaching in September, skincare expert and content creator Emma Hoareau is starting her beauty prep now. Here’s what she is doing in advance, alongside the buys and tries she will be stocking up on and the products she recommends for natural, but expensive-looking hair…
By Rebecca Hull
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Photography: Frances Davison
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TREATMENTS

I am in love with Hydrafacial treatments. They do so much for my skin and have such a significant, immediate effect on the skin – think better radiance, bounce and smoothness – as well as long-term benefits. I get mine done at the Natali Kelly Clinic.

I have combination skin, so it can sometimes feel a bit congested but these facials use a peel to remove dead cells and then a pen which literally sucks all dirt out from your pores. It simultaneously pumps moisture into the skin, keeping it deeply hydrated – the glow you get post-Hydrafacial is unrivalled. I’m also opting for it as a treatment on my back as I sometimes get breakouts here and want the skin to look really perfected on the day. Nearer the time, I will up the ante and have one every four weeks for the best results, finishing with one the week before my wedding for an added boost.

Hydrafacials aside, I’m also having a course of microneedling. It’s one of my favourite treatments to help reduce pigmentation and boost collagen and elastin in the skin. There’s a bit of downtime with this, but it’s worth it for the plumper, firmer appearance you get. Plus, it’s only a few days where your skin will feel a little more sensitive. I go to Pfeffer Sal for my microneedling. Its facialists carefully tailor your treatments to your individual needs, creating a bespoke plan for your skin – which is ideal pre-wedding. I won’t be doing any needling once I’m three months out from the big day, but right now I’m having it done regularly so as my skin can collagen-stack for longer-term benefits down the line.

I'm a big believer that lymphatic drainage is great for our health too, but also it helps me so much with de-puffing and sculpting. I've been going to see Katie England at The Nomad for years, and in the lead up to my wedding I'm having a monthly 'Sculpt' treatment with her. I find these so relaxing as she includes lots of facial massage too (great for my jaw pain!) as we hold a lot of tension in the face, too. For me this is a triple whammy of helping me relax, be in great health and also snatch my face.

NAILS

I don’t normally get gels, but when I do, I always go for a Bio Sculpture manicure and will be for my wedding day. The precision in the manicure itself is unmatched. They always last so long too. I haven’t landed on a colour yet as it’s too soon, but I am in the process of testing several out. I think I’ll go for a very classic nude – nothing too opaque. It’s a big day for hands so I want to get it right. 

HAIR

Ahead of my wedding day, I’ll be getting a colour gloss to enhance my natural tones. I often get this done over highlights because it gives the hair such a healthy, shiny effect and never runs the risk of going wrong or looking OTT. I go to George Northwood for this every six to eight weeks – I’ll get it done a few days before my wedding day so it’s at its glossiest.

SKINCARE

In the weeks leading up to the big day, I will keep my routine very simple. I suffer with sensitivities, so I don’t want to add anything new in case of a reaction. Instead, I’ll focus on hydration with a really quenching serum that features niacinamide to brighten my skin daily. I’ll also be using my Current Body LED Mask  daily – it really makes a difference to the tone, texture and overall appearance of my complexion.

MAKE-UP

I’m currently in the process of choosing a make-up artist, but I am finding it overwhelming. I tend to get nervous of someone else doing it as often I find others deviate from your natural look – I don’t want to feel as if I am playing dress up. What I do know is the products I’ll be stocking up on for application. My favourite foundation is Estée Lauder’s Double Wear as it gives the ideal amount of coverage, with just enough glow. Blush is one of my favourite products, so on the day, I’ll be wearing lots of it and want to use Saie’s SuperSuede Radiant Blush in Ciao – I feel this colour is the ultimate bridal blush. The mascara I’ll use is Victoria Beckham’s Vast Lash – for me, nothing beats it as it’s so fluttery. For my lips, I’ll stick with my everyday as it’s my all-time favourite – Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk.

TANNING

I’m getting married in September, so I’m hoping I’ll have a natural glow from the summer. But I never put my face in the sun as it doesn’t tan – and also to reduce sun damage and pigmentation – so I always fake tan my face. I like it to look very natural, like a weekend in Italy, not a month in Bali. Recently, I tried the Sunblush Tan mist from James Read and I love it, so I will likely reach for this. I’ve also used the Clarins Radiance drops for years.  I love how customisable they are – just mix a few drops into your moisturiser for an instant lit-from-within glow. I know I can count on these when I need a last-minute boost.

BROWS

If, like me, you haven’t had your brows touched before and you’re considering it pre-wedding, I highly recommend testing this out in advance. My wedding is five months away, so I thought I would see what a tint and shape looked like, since I overplucked them in the past. However, I didn’t love the results at all. Nothing is wrong with them, it’s just too severe for me – the tint especially. I am glad I tried it as it’s certainly ticked off the list now.

INNER HEALTH

For my wedding day, I want to feel good in myself mentally – that, to me, is as important as how I feel on the outside. Often, the inner feeling is reflected in our appearance, so I want to stay as level-headed as possible – I bet I laugh reading this back – in the run-up. I’m focusing on feeling balanced with daily meditation, slow nature walks and by reminding myself that while it is a huge day, and yes, I want it to be perfect, what will happen will happen. Nothing can change that I’m marrying the love of my life and will be surrounded by those closest to me. What’s more beautiful and calming than that? I recommend that thought process to other brides-to-be, too.

Follow @EmmaHoareau For More Beauty & Skin Tips
Photography: Frances Davison

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