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By
Sufiyeh Hadian
on
30th August 2023
Sufiyeh Hadian is here to help you exude wedding day radiance with London's top beauty experts, offering a guide to luxurious treatments that will leave you feeling confident and glowing.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Ensuring you look and feel your best on your big day is a top priority. To guide you through the realm of beauty treatments, I've sought advice from London's premier professionals. From facials to hair extensions, injectables to body sculpting, here's a condensed guide to your bridal beauty regimen.
Facials For Radiant Skin
Kickstart your bridal journey three months before your wedding with rejuvenating facials. Dr. David Jack's Skintech Studio offers the innovative Korean Glass Skin Facial: a holistic treatment that achieves the sought-after "glass skin" glow. It combines cleansing, micropeel, bubble mask, ultrasound, and LED for an impossibly luminous complexion. Follow up with a HydraFacial — known for its transformative effects and no downtime — at the Karidis Clinic orInanch London, to improve skin texture and boost hydration.
What Sufiyeh thinks:
"Stepping into my bridal beauty journey, I made sure to embark on a supercharged skincare regime to revitalise my complexion, turning years of city pollution into a radiant glow. Facials are something you should start getting to keep your skin in shape and invest in some me time. I started on my bridal beauty journey three months before the big day, beginning with facial consultations, this is around the time you should have your first facial.
As a born and bred Londoner, dealing with pollution and congestion on a daily basis, I opted for the Korean Glass Skin Facial by one of the new-generation medical doctors turned entrepreneurs; Dr Jack. Born and raised in Scotland, where he studied medicine, anatomy and embryology, Dr. Jack’s clinical career both in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine allowed him to travel extensively and experience a wide range of specialities, especially during his time with the NHS. His Belgravia clinic is home to the SkinTech Studio, an innovative facial bar offering a range of Korean-inspired bespoke skin treatments designed by Dr. Jack and Head Aesthetician Izabela Pawlitka. Harnessing tried-and-tested, award-winning techniques from the flagship and supercharging them with innovations from all corners of the world, to rejuvenate the complexion, optimise skin health and deliver an instant and long-lasting glow. The SkinTech Studio offers Harley Street grade treatments in an efficient, innovative and accessible way.
This innovative treatment combines a range of cutting-edge techniques with Dr Jack’s signature facial methods, to deeply cleanse, nourish and hydrate the skin, working to repair its barrier and achieve the highly sought ‘glass skin’ glow; dewy, iridescent, plump radiance that reflects optimum health. Inspired by South Korea’s mecca of anti-ageing skincare, the Korean Glass Skin facial is designed to deliver a preternaturally luminous skin glow, that lasts over the longer term. skincare included a cleanse, signature micropeel, deep cleansing aqua purify, ionised oxygen bubble mask, ultrasound, antioxidant atomising spray and LED. I was assured this particular facial is ideal for improving skin texture, boosting hydration, and reducing pores, and after 45 minutes of uninterrupted luxury in their gorgeous clinic, I certainly felt a sense of calm yet completely revitalised. My skin never looked so good! The Korean Glass Skin Facial took years of pollution out of my pores and I was happy to report that my skin was glowing.
They advised me going forward that I would need a couple of facials that deal with pore extractions and hydration before the big day, with two to four weeks in between treatments. I Iooked into the new skincare must-have of HydraFacials; promising the ‘Best Skin of Your Life’, this facial is a non-invasive treatment which uses patented technology to cleanse, extract, and hydrate, combining six treatments in one to provide the transformative results of medical treatment in one non-surgical service: no downtime, no pain and no tell-tale signs. is a fantastic adjunct treatment to injectables (which we will come on to later).
For my first HydraFacial, I went to the Karidis Clinic which is well known and established for its signature HydraFacial treatment. Firstly, I had to give a breakdown of my skin type and daily skincare routine (of which is minimal - I know, bad bride!). Then my practitioner gently pre-cleansed my skin, followed by another cleanse and exfoliation to get rid of any dead skin cells, stubborn makeup etc. I was then given a chemical peel which tingled but didn’t hurt surprisingly, though I could feel my face getting flushed. I then had the pore extraction, especially focusing on the inner corners of the nose, forehead and chin. The combination of specially formulated serums and the vacuum-based skin abrasion tip is what makes this facial so unique. The HydraFacial serums include mild concentrations of salicylic acid for cleansing, antioxidants and vitamins to combat free radical damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. My treatment finished with an LED light therapy treatment to boost collagen. The best bit was getting to see what they had managed to flush out of my pores!
For my second HydraFacial treatment, I went to the A-lister salon Inanch. Their HydraFacial combines six services in one, using a unique, patented Vortex-Fusion delivery system to exfoliate, extract and hydrate. Step one began with lymphatic drainage, which improves circulation of the lymph system and helps to eliminate toxins, then a cleanse and peel which uncovered a new layer of skin, and then the best part - extraction with painless suction. The spiral design of the delivery system also provides painless extractions and when used in conjunction with the vacuum technology and serums, creates a whirlpool effect to dislodge and remove impurities, while simultaneously delivering hydration. This was then nourished with an intense moisturiser and saturated the skin with antioxidants and peptides. Again, finishing with a red and infrared LED light to reduce redness and further stimulate collagen, supporting the natural production of vitamin D. Inanch’s HydraFacial can treat acne, pigmentation problems, and scarring and target many of the signs of ageing, producing a much brighter, more hydrated complexion."
For the swishiest hair, visit Inanch Salon, renowned for top-tier hair extensions. Opt for the signature Gold Class extensions to ensure length and volume. With a relaxing backwash experience, a swift application process, and an extensive aftercare package, you'll enjoy thick and glossy locks for up to four months.
With a celebrity client list such as Mischa Barton and Michele Heaton, Inanch is famous in the world of hair and beauty; shortlisted for seven awards at the British Hair and Beauty Awards this year, and has already amassed ten industry awards in just five years! Inanch had also won the ‘Best Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions’ accolade for their own brand Gold Class at the Marie Claire Hair Awards in 2022.
What Sufiyeh thinks:
"As a bride-to-be seeking luscious locks, my visit to Inanch Salon was transformative. The Gold Class hair extensions gave me the cascading waves I've always dreamed of, channelling A-Lister glamour.
Inanch carefully source their hair extensions from several countries around the world ensuring that they obtain the most premium quality hair and use the most innovative application systems to give the very best results. They provide a customised service for your hair, including a perfect colour match if your hair is dyed or highlighted. Inanch provided me with the most indulgent experience starting with a hair wash in their gorgeous and serene washroom that features massage chairs and a constellation ceiling to look up to as you're getting the best head massage you’ve ever had, whilst listening to a therapeutic soundtrack (no mindless small talk here!) and taking in the aromatherapy scents, treating all your senses at once. I honestly didn’t want to leave.
As for the extension application, it took a lot shorter than I had predicted - Inanch did a full head of hair, 16” long! Using the same density from my own hair as per individual strands, Inanch fused the polymer bond (also known as keratin or protein bonds) onto my own hair to create a strong fix that holds the extensions in place. The salon’s Gold Class premium Indian Temple hair is beautifully soft, wavy and has serious staying power – perfect for my naturally wavy hair. After a blow-dry and some styling, I was given a bespoke aftercare guide to ensure that my hair extensions remain in beautiful condition without any issues, this included a Gold Class hairbrush, a shampoo and conditioner set and a leave-in conditioner spray! With this aftercare package and guidelines, I was assured my extensions will last for up to four months with little to no salon maintenance required. Sufficed to say, I went from having a very short (and thinning) blonde bob to glamorous and abundantly long hair! I look like a Disney princess, which was the whole idea!"
Inanch’s exclusive Gold Class range is available to only a handful of salons across the UK where Inanch personally trains their stylists to offer the Gold Class standard. For brides getting married in London or around the UK, Inanch also does bridal hair styling for the big day's gorgeous locks.
Achieve a radiant smile that dazzles in your wedding photos thanks to Dr. Sahil Patel on Harley Street. The "Mini Smile Makeover," incorporates teeth whitening, stain removal, and tooth reshaping. Whitening treatments can brighten your natural teeth safely whilst tooth reshaping subtly enhances your overall appearance by contouring teeth. Achieve a radiant smile that dazzles in your wedding photos.
What Sufiyeh thinks:
"Seeking a radiant smile, I entrusted Dr. Sahil Patel with my 'Mini Smile Makeover' procedure, and my smile became a true reflection of joy. Your wedding is going to give you plenty of reasons to smile, and if you're self-conscious of your not-so-pearly whites, a couple of months before your ceremony is the perfect time to start thinking about cosmetic dentistry. I went to see the most sought-after man in dentistry, Dr Sahil Patel on Harley Street, one of the UK’s pre-eminent experts in aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry. As one of the founders of tooth contouring, Dr Patel advised me on his signature treatment, the ‘Mini Smile Makeover’; a small group of treatments that, when combined, create a big difference to people’s smile. This includes teeth whitening, stain blasting (if needed) and tooth reshaping.
First things first - teeth whitening itself is a hugely popular treatment pre-wedding. Just as the name implies, it is a process to brighten and boost the colour of natural teeth. It is worth noting that it only works on your own natural teeth, and not on any dental work that you may have. The chemistry behind this is that by using a specific concentration of peroxide, you create a chemical reaction that neutralises the ‘internal’ stain within the tooth. Once neutralised it is removed from the tooth, leaving the tooth structure itself untouched. This makes it very safe as there is no reduction or loss of your natural tooth. Most professional teeth whitening sessions take more than one appointment. I was given a two-week at home treatment which included a set of custom trays which were moulded from my teeth, several syringes of the whitening gel which I had to apply to the trays and keep them in for up to eight hours every night for two weeks. After the first night, i could already see the difference, there was some discomfort the next day with something called ‘zingers’ where nerves have been subjected to the treatment but Dr Sahil advised me to get ‘tooth mousse’ on amazon to help build up my enamel and this helped massively. After two weeks, I’m happy to report I am ready to practise my wedding smile without any insecurity.
Tooth reshaping has several names including teeth contouring or enameloplasty. It refers to a reductive method of improving the appearance of teeth by contouring them. Enameloplasty is a dental term to describe the same procedure. ‘Enamel’ refers to the hard outer shell of teeth, which is what gives teeth their whiteness and smooth texture. ‘Plasty’ originates from Latin, meaning to modify or reform. Dr Patel contoured two of my front teeth which had flared over my incisors which casted a shadow, and my two canine teeth which were apparently ‘aggressivley sharp’ (insert vampire joke here). It took all of five minutes and didn’t hurt at all. This work best for people who don’t need invisalign or teeth straightening, and the effect is very subtle but overall, more aesthetically pleasing."
Consider tweakments like dermal fillers and Botox a few months before your wedding, allowing them to settle ahead of the Big Day. Dermal fillers restore volume and can be tailored to add lift where required, whilst lip fillers promote a fuller pout. The esteemed Dr. Joney De Souza offers natural-looking results. For a defined jawline, Harley Elite Group's Dr. Lilyanna employs advanced techniques for a sculpted appearance.
What Sufiyeh thinks:
"Venturing into the world of tweakments, I found my confidence in the skillful hands of Dr. Joney De Souza and Dr Lilyanna, their artful lip and jawline treatments provided subtle enhancements that left me feeling amazing. Over the last couple of years, the ‘tweakment’ has exploded in popularity, and as such, it's no surprise that more brides are considering their options in the run-up to the wedding.
Three months away from the wedding is the perfect time to look into injectables, it’s very important for tweakments to settle and for any bruising or swelling to subside, which may take weeks. If you are considering any tweakments, you should know the difference between the options available to you, as well as what may work best for you.
Dermal fillers add back volume to the face where time may have broken down the collagen needed to look youthful. If you’re interested in adding a little extra to your face, ensure you do it four months prior to the wedding and possibly two to three weeks later if you need a minor touch-up. If you’ve had lip fillers between six to eight months before your wedding, it’s best to leave them be and only get a touch-up if needed.
I went to get Dermal Lip Fillers to enhance the fullness of my lips, and to add symmetry to my face. Dermal Fillers are among the most popular procedures performed at Dr Joney De Souza Skin & Laser Clinic as they provide outstanding cosmetic results without the downtime associated with traditional surgical procedures. Dr Joney De Souza takes a ‘less is more’ approach and always strives for naturalism over bold adjustments. Dr Joney De Souza established his Skin and Laser Clinic in Marylebone, to focus on individuality, and it is his belief that natural results are always the best option. My consultation with Dr Joney De Souza felt very relaxed and I immediately felt at ease in the luxurious and calming environment of the Clinic. He gave me a numbing cream beforehand so I wouldn’t feel a thing, another plus to be treated with exceptional care and attention. He added an enhancement of 1ml to my top and bottom lip - with more one side to even out the symmetry, and to give a more ‘pouty’ look at the front. I’m obsessed with the before and after, it really shows Dr Joney de Souza’s eye for outstanding natural results with minimal downtime.
To add to my new symmetrical lips, I went to see Dr Lilyanna on Harley Street for the defined jawline I had been severly lacking all my life. The Harley Elite Group are well-known for using a special technique to correct the jawline for a more sculpted and defined look. Held to the highest standards for quality and perfection, Lilyanna is an expert of non-surgical procedures, with a PhD in Cosmetic Medicine and over 15 years’ experience in the industry. As the founder of Harley Elite Academy, Lilyanna also provides Senior mentoring in more than thirteen different types of trainings courses from beginner level to advance and all the way up to master class, with Internationally delegates travelling internationally to train with her. Throughout my consultation Lilyanna remarked how great my skin was which made me immediately take a liking to her - compliments from an aesthetician mean a great deal more than from the average person! She then told me the best way to gain the defined jaw I was hoping for is to have a small amount of filler on the corners of the jaw which will also make my neck look thinner (I had no idea I needed this), and sure enough she was absolutely correct. Luckily, filler lasts for 6-9 months so I won’t need to worry about my jaw (or my neck) until the end of the year! One thing I have learnt from Lilyanna is that you may think you know what you want but a professional will know how to make you look better than you had ever imagined.
Next I went to the highly acclaimed Dr V Clinic by Razvan Vasilas, a renowned aesthetician (who is also friends with Dr Lilyanna!) has established an incredible reputation for himself in the industry. With years of experience in the field, he has become an expert in injectables and non-surgical procedures. I went to see Dr V for botox at first but our consultation led me towards getting profhilo as well as botox! Dr V is well-known for his dedication to providing high-quality care and personalised treatment plans to each of his patients, which I had fortunately had the first hand experience of. He is truly committed to ensuring his patients achieve their desired cosmetic goals in a safe and comfortable environment and as a result, he quickly gained my trust and admiration!"
Experience skin rejuvenation with Profhilo, a hyaluronic acid-based injectable that boosts collagen and hydration for that coveted dewy glow. DRV Clinic by Razvan Vasilas provides this dual-phase treatment for lasting results. Botox treatments, provided by the likes of DRV Clinic tackle wrinkles and fine lines for a refreshed visage.
What Sufiyeh thinks:
"My continued journey into skin rejuvenation led me to DRV Clinic, where Profhilo revitalised my skin's vitality and Botox treatments smoothed away worry lines. Profhilo is a next-generation bio revitalisation injectable containing hyaluronic acid. This treatment helps to rebuild lost collagen and elastin, boosts hydration, treats skin laxity and improves overall skin quality. I’ve heard of this treatment before and was intrigued to see what it did myself, Profhilo is a unique treatment as it has a dual-phase action - initially, it gives deep skin hydration and glow, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles due to its ultra-high concentration of hyaluronic acid, the first treatment introduced a bee-sting-like bump at every injection site (of which there were six on each side of the face) that took 12 hours to settle, the injections itself was not painful as Dr V applied a numbing cream befofehadn but it did sting a little as the hylauronic acid made its way under the skin. The second, longer-term phase of treatment (3-6 months) is dermal remodelling, due to the stimulation of collagen and elastin production by dermal fibroblast cells. This results in a thickened, healthier dermis of the skin, with long-term reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and a healthier, more hydrated appearance of which you will see the results immediately.
Botox can take up to two weeks to kick in, and usually lasts up to three months. If you’re considering it for your nuptials, do it a month and a half to make sure you can correct any potential issues. Anti-wrinkle injections are a type of cosmetic treatment that involves injecting a solution into specific facial muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The solution contains a purified form of the botulinum toxin, which temporarily paralyzes the muscles responsible for causing wrinkles. This allows the skin to smooth out and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Dr V uses only the highest quality products and the latest techniques to ensure that you achieve the best possible results. I had three injection areas - forehead, in between the eyebrows for frown lines and by my eyes for crows feet. Dr V also injected the top of my nose so it didn’t scrunch when I made a face and at the tip of my nose so it didn’t point down when pouting. Again, always trust the professional knows more than you do and knows better!"
Define and sculpt your body with EMsculpt Neo: a revolutionary treatment that combines muscle building and fat reduction. Dr. Rakus, a global EMsculpt ambassador, offers this non-invasive procedure for sculpted abs, toned arms, and a lifted buttocks. Each session — lasting 30 minutes — provides results equivalent to an intensive HIIT class. Aim for a series of sessions over a couple of weeks for optimal results.
What Sufiyeh thinks:
"In pursuit of a sculpted physique, I embraced the EMsculpt Neo treatment at Dr. Rakus' clinic. As the electromagnetic magic worked its wonder, I felt a newfound confidence. Lastly, you of course want to look fit and healthy for your wedding, and if you’re anything like me, you might be a slightly lazy bride - I occasionally do yoga or pilates but definitely not enough as I should be doing! So when I was offered to test out the new EMsculpt Neo craze; a revolutionary body sculpting treatment that can build muscle and burn fat at the same time, I ran, not walked, to my appointment! Dr Rakus is the Global Ambassador for EMsculpt with the most experience performing the most treatments and is the only clinic in the world with 3 EMsculpt machines. With no surgery and no downtime needed, EMsculpt provides a quick solution for sculpted abs, toned arms and a higher butt. Current non-invasive body-shaping therapies address fat and skin, whereas EMsculpt works to simultaneously build muscle and reduce fat. In addition, the EMsculpt creates the world's first non-invasive buttock lift procedure providing the equivalent of 20,000 squats in half an hour, is what I opted to test drive.
The EMsculpt treatment last just 30 mins, and uses a use non-invasive High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology to induce supramaximal muscle contractions not achievable though voluntary contractions. When exposed to supramaximal contractions, the muscle tissue is forced to adapt and responds with a deep remodelling of its inner structure that results in muscle building. It took some time to adjust to the feeling, I’ll admit but it definitely beat trying to do 20,000 squats in the gym! It’s recommended to have four sessions scheduled every 2-3 days over a period of a couple of weeks for the most effective results. After my first session with Dr Galyna of the Dr Rita Rakus clinic, I could already feel the tangible results! My butt felt firmer and it also gave strength to my core and to my legs - I even ran up the escalators at Knightsbridge station, which is quite frankly, shocking behaviour for a lazy bride."
Your bridal beauty journey in London should encompass a range of treatments to make you feel confident, radiant, and ready for your special day. From glowing skin to captivating smiles, enhance your natural beauty with the guidance of these top experts.
When you’re hitting the road with only a backpack, space is a precious commodity. But just because you’re cutting back on baggage doesn’t mean you have to cut back on beauty. In fact, minimalism is the secret to glowing skin, a fresh smile, and staying stress-free on your travels. Here’s our ultimate guide to the best beauty hacks for backpackers, including must-try treatments before you jet off.