Self-Love with Guest Contributor Lizzie Griffiths

February 13th is official known as National Self Love Day and after the past year we’ve all had, we certainly deserve to treat ourselves. For this edition of the blog, our guest contributor Lizzie Griffiths explains why it’s important to take time to yourself, the best products out there (which we’ve linked!) and her top tips for self-care. Thank you Lizzie x

Thank you to Tyn Dwr Hall for asking me to do a guest blog for National Self-Love Day. I run a luxury bridal hair and make-up company and we are super proud to be one of the preferred suppliers for the beautiful Tyn Dwr Hall in North Wales.

As it’s Self-Love Day I wanted to talk to you about self-care, as sometimes it’s hard to just take a break and treat yourself. Last year I made sure I took time for a little bit of self-care each week as I believe that it is so important that we all make time for ourselves.

I am not suggesting you do everything below even if you select a couple of things as part of yourself care it will relax you and make you feel special so here are my self-care tips for brides (and grooms) to be!

Once a week take half an hour to for a lovely bath with a gorgeous bath oil like Jo Malone Red Roses (my favourite). Jo Malone have lots of different scented bath oils depending if you’re a musk, flora, oriental or citrus scent person and there are lots of other beautiful bath oils / soaks on the market to choose from.  You could also enjoy your bath with a good book, a glass of fizz and a gorgeous candle. My favourite candles are Jo Malone peony and blush suede, Silver Pink Company pomelo blossom and Florence Verity champagne and pomelo. For the full relaxing experience use a matching body cream, body lotion or body oil after.

If you don’t already, the lead up to your wedding is a great time to get into a good skincare regimen, as this would make make-up look even better on your wedding day and go on more evenly. There are so many incredible products on the market as skincare is huge at the moment.  I am completely obsessed with skincare and every night without fail I double cleanse my skin.  This means that the first cleanse washes away make-up, sunscreen and pollution and the second cleanse actually cleanses the skin ready for your serums and creams. Cleansers I love are Kate McIver cleansing balm, Pixi rose cleanser, Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser and Beauty Pie Japanfusion. There are so many on the market for different skin types, so do your research.

If you are going to splurge on one skincare product make that a serum. The reason I say this is that serums are more concentrated and go deeper into the skin.  There are some fabulous serums out there at different price points so make sure you choose one for your skin type and concerns. A few that I would recommend are Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive superfoods stress rescue serum, Kate McIver secret weapon serum, BASE proactive age super serum and Charlotte Tilbury magic serum.

Use a separate Eye Cream as this area is more delicate and also this is usually where people will see the first signs or ageing. Take a look at the following Charlotte Tilbury eye rescue, PIXI retinol eye cream, Honest Beauty deep hydration eye cream and Dr Dennis Gross ferulic and retinol eye cream. If your eyes are looking tired there are some great eye masks and I actually carry PIXI fortifeye eye patches in my kit if brides have not had much sleep.

Always use a moisturiser again so many to choose from and you can also have separate day and night ones. A few to look at are Oskia nutri-active Day cream, Elemis pro collagen marine cream, Sunday Riley tidal cream and CeraVe PM cream facial moisturiser. Whether it’s already in your moisturiser or a separate product don’t forget SPF, your skin will thank you in years to come. BASE Skincare have a great SPF 50 that protects against 90% of ageing

As part of your routine there are also treatments you can add in these might be twice a week, once a week or when needed. The treatment you select all depends on your skin and what you want to achieve and it is really lovely to take time out a couple of times a week to do a treatment on the skin. Here are some great ones: Charlotte Tilbury instant magic sheet mask (great before make-up on a wedding morning too), Wishful yo glow enzyme scrub, REN glycol lactic radiance renewal mask, Sand & Sky brilliant skin purifying pink clay mask (this is amazing for maskne) and Dr Dennis Gross alpha beta universal peel.

To get the very best from your skin I would recommend a course of facials leading up to your wedding day. Not only will it be an hour to lie back and relax but a skilled therapist can help improve your skin and combat any skin issues.  Resurfacers or microdermabrasion facials would be great options for healthy, clear and glowing skin.  These treatments are also good for men as I’m sure there are some grooms that would love a pre-wedding facial. Alpha Beauty Clinic just outside Chester is a beautiful clinic with the latest facial treatments

As well as your face it’s important to look after the skin on your body so as a weekly treatment use a body scrub in the shower followed by a lovely body cream. I love L’Occitaine almond delicious paste and Soap and glory crush body scrub

At the moment going to have our nails done and pedicures are out of the question. However, we can look after our hands and feet at home.  Why not do a home pedicure starting but soaking your feet in a bowl and exfoliating them with a body scrub.  Then once they are dry use a foot rasp to remove any hard skin and then apply a lovely foot cream. I know its winter but if my toes are painted for some reason I feel much better. You can also do the same with your hands and for 30 seconds rub body scrub on your hands and then rinse and finish with a lovely hand cream. If your cuticles are dry apply an oil to them. Margaret Dabbs London and Champneys Professional do some gorgeous hand and feet products

Don’t forget to look after your hair this is especially important in the lead up to a wedding to get the very best out of your wedding hair. We always recommend that you use sulphate and silicone free shampoo and conditioners as these leave a build-up on your hair. A detox shampoo is great to use every three washes to fully cleanse your hair and once a week treat yourself to a lovely hair mask and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. My favourite hair brands are Davines, Moroccan Oil and Olaplex which I purchase from Head Office Hair Studios in Wrexham

Skincare brand BASE are offering our readers 10% discount off the products if you quote TYNDWRHALL10 at the checkout.

If you are looking for hair and make-up for your wedding, please do get in touch with us we would love to hear from you.  My team and I will make sure your wedding morning with us goes as seamlessly as possible while making you and your bridal party look and feel your most beautiful.

I hope you have enjoyed reading and have got some tips for self-care and preparing for your wedding.  Whether it’s five minutes or an hour a day, I think it is super important to take that time for YOU and if you’re working from home and it makes you feel better to wear make-up put it on I do!

Happy Self-Love day and here’s to better days to come

Lizzie xxx

www.lizziegriffiths.co.uk | 07702 567 863 | [email protected]

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