The Tradition of a Trousseau

The tradition of a trousseau is age-old, when a woman began sewing clothesat an early age in anticipation of her marriage. 
The word ‘trousseau’ comes from the French word ‘trousse’ meaning ‘littlebundle’. 

While the concept of a trousseau is no longer practical, the idea ofshopping for your wedding night and honeymoon is still enduring and relevant.The implication is timeless! New clothes for a new life!

Depending on where your honeymoon is, you might be packing bikinis for thebeach or evening dresses for a European escape. Combine fabrics – cashmere,cotton, silk and lace – to create versatility.

Neutral-toned
Pashmina Shawl

For any trousseau and anydestination, a few pieces are essential; a lightweight cotton robe, a cashmeretwin set, a little black dress with high-heels and a neutral-toned pashminashawl and black leggings for comfort ease and practicality.


A trousseau encompasses the going away outfit, honeymoon attire and thosespecial pieces of lingerie you may have purchased for your wedding. 


Although it’s unseen by most, your lingerie is actually a very significantpart of your trousseau, and should be carefully chosen.

Lingere Shower Invitation
www.polkadotdesign.com

You may like to hold a “Lingerie Party” or “Lingerie Shower” with yourfriends in the lead up to your wedding. Many Lingerie companies will come toyou with a full range and create an evening of entertainment for you and yourfriends. This can be a fun way to browse lingerie and ensure correct sizing. Inmost cases the Lingerie company will give the host free goods in return forholding the party!

Have your lingerie fitted
by an expert

Working with experienced Lingerie fitters (plus your friend’s input) canensure that you find the right lingerie for you. Lingerie can flatter yourfigure or give you a cleavage that suits your wedding gown, smooth yourstomach, back or hips.



It is important to take into account if the lingerie can be seen throughyour wedding gown as some fabrics can be clingy so something plain but made ofsilky fabric is a good choice. You should take colour into consideration aswell. Neutral colours like apricot or flesh coloured lingerie are lessobtrusive under a white wedding gown.

Choose the right bra for your gown!

Depending on the bodice of your wedding gown your choice of bra will beimportant as you do not want to be adjusting straps all day. Strapped or straplessit is a good idea to wear the bra for a day prior to your wedding to make sureyou are comfortable. Taking it to all your fittings can also ensure you have theright lingerie for the day. Most Lingerie fitters are experienced with advisingyou on the right style for your dress.
 

Another part of your trousseau is the Going Away Outfit. Choose an outfitthat looks glamorous and can be worn again, plus matches jewellery andaccessories that you may already have. You won’t be able to wear your weddingdress again but your Going Away Outfit can be a reminder of the special day formonths or years to come. 

Pre Fall 2012 Collection
www.oscardelarenta.com

Purchasing your Going Away Outfit is a great opportunity to buy something from a designer range such as Oscar De La Renta. Check out all the great outfits from him in his Pre Fall 2012 Collection below:

Beauty and the Bride

As we all know your wedding day is one of the biggest day of a womans life, with so much planning all going in to just one day the pressure is on to look good!

So here a few little beauty tips, to help you look and feel great on your special day.

With all the planning that is involved things can get hectic and stressful, one thing that can really suffer under those conditions is your skin. From your skin feeling tired and dull to even worse breakouts, but never fear ladies help is at hand. Treating yourself to a couple of facials before your big day will ensure that not only your skin will look good but will clear away any stress and give you a bit of time to relax.

One of my favourite facials which will guarantee a youthful, radiant glow is Guinot's Beaute Neuve.

It combines a double peeling action using AHAs and a unique vitamin C mask especially for that healthy glow. Guinot is a french skincare brand which is always at the forefront with the latest in technology and is widely used in Europe, it is slowly creeping in to Australia and we are more than happy to start using these fabulous products.

Schedule facials into your wedding plan!

We've got the skin covered now on to the make up!

Remember you are going to be the centre of attention and in lots of pictures so its important to make sure make up is well applied, will last all day and most of all suits you.

Most brides opt for the natural look, but this doesn't have to mean hardly any make up. It is very important to have a trial make up done before hand.

Have this done when your going to be out and about and having pictures taken, something like a birthday is an ideal event.

This is good as you want to get peoples reaction and not only that but seeing yourself in the pictures afterwards will give you a clear indication on whether you like it or not.

At least then if you feel there is to much or to little make up applied there is plenty of time to make changes.

A good make up artist can do up to 20+ weddings a year and are very experienced so you'll always be in safe hands!

Take pictures along of any make up that you have seen and liked to help give an idea when trialing a make up artist!

Then last but not least, the hands!

As you will be aware of, from being engaged, one of the first questions is ''Show me the ring?!'' and what is the ring attached to? One of your fingers!

So make sure that you have a manicure before the big day as you will have another ring and no doubt everyone will want to see that too!

If your nails are in a little bit of need, more than just a manicure, there is a wide range of nail enhancements around to polish up those nails and make them look great so there are no excuses.

Book yourself in today!

Ask your Beauty professional for help and advice!

Stephanie Powell
Senior Beauty Therapist

Bye Bye Panda Eyes

I have found a product that is an absolute must in your handbag or wedding day survial kit - the Panda Pen. Whether it's daily wear and tear, airport farewells, chick flicks or saying 'I do', Panda Pen is a simple, no fuss, no mess solution to the dreaded problem of panda eyes, suffered by women worldwide. Small and streamline, it will fit in the smallest of places making it super easy to use anywhere and in the blink of an eye. Panda Pen will save you from at least 100 panda eye moments, is formulated with conditioning eye makeup remover made in Australia, is tough on waterproof mascara and eyeliner but gentle on skin, it doesn't contain any artificial colours or perfumes and is 100% oil free. Available to purchase online at www.de-coy.com and at selected boutiques Australia wide for $34.95AUD. Say bye bye panda eyes!



Posted by Emilie Harrison

Eau So Fresh

One of my favourite perfumes is Daisy by Marc Jacobs. As my bottle is running low I'm hoping it can be replaced with it's new sister, Eau So Fresh. Not only does it smell like heaven but the bottle is just eau so pretty and would look eau so lovely on my dresser. Eau heaven! On sale today from Myer, David Jones, The Perfume Connection and all good pharmacies. Eau de Toilette spray 75ml $115, 125ml $145 and body lotion 150ml $40.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Fake Bake Competition Winners*

A big thank you to all our lovely blog readers who entered our Fake Bake blog competiton last week. We're thrilled to announce that our winners are:

L Biggins of VIC
K Desmond of WA
M Angus of SA
E Griffiths of NSW
S Whyatt NSW

Again, a big thank you to everyone who entered and told us what they'd like to see more of on the Style Guide Blog. Winners, enjoy your Fake Bake!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Fake Bake Competition*

Well summer has finally arrived! This means it's time to shed the warmer layers and get your skin in healthy condition. This will involve a good exfoliator, a good moisutriser and of course, a great fake tan. To celebrate the start of summer the lovely people at Fake Bake have been kind enough to give us 5 of their amazing (and I truly mean that!) mousse self-tans to give away to 5 of our lucky blog readers. To get your hands on your very own Fake Bake tan, valued at $45.95, simply email competitions@styleguide.com.au and tell us what you'd like to see more of on the Wedding Style Guide blog. Entries close this Friday 5th Nov and will be drawn on Mon 8th. Good luck!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Ocea Beauty Bar

I was a lucky girl last night and got treated to a manicure for my birthday by my dear friend Amie. As a surprise she took me to Ocea Beauty Bar on Payneham Rd and I have to say I walked out a happy camper. I'm very fussy with my nails and thought our manicurist Mia did a uber-great job. Amie's getting married next year (and I'm one of her bridesmaids (YAY!)) so it has been decided that we will be heading back to Ocea to get vamped for the big day. Taking your besties somewhere for some pampering in the lead up to the wedding is always a nice idea. Nothing goes together better than champagne, girls and a beauty parlour! It's also a must to have nice nails so what better excuse?! Ocea Beauty Bar offer Pamper Parties that would make a fab day out for the girls. Of course the boys aren't to be left out! The Boys Are Back pamper packages are available for those who take their grooming seriously. If you'd like more info on Ocea Beauty Bar's amazing services then visit them at www.oceabeautybar.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Zinc It

Last summer it was suggested to me by a friend I start using Invisible Zinc's Tinted Daywear SPF 30+ instead of foundation. Knowing what sunscreens do to my skin (think a shine to rival a disco ball and horrible breakouts) I was understandably sceptical. I caved... finally and IZ instantly got a new fan. With the warmer weather now upon us our minds should start wandering to our skin and the products we are going to use to protect it daily throught the summer. Foundations with an SPF are not enough on their own so it's wise to invest, for your skins sake, in a good, reliable and skin-friendly product. I apply the Tinted Daywear in the morning along with my bronzer/blush, a wave of mascara and I'm off. It lasts all day, doesn't budge (even at the beach) and won't have you looking like a teenage disco ball. I cannot recommend this product highly enough. I am excited to hear they now have a UV Stick Shield SPF 30+ Foundation as part of their range. Good thinking! Invisible Zinc products are available at most department stores and good pharmacies. For range details visit www.invisiblezinc.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Love Your Lips

I've been converted. I was never a lipstick fan but enjoyed, as a young girl, watching my Mum put her lippie on everytime she needed a spruce up. Now I see what the fuss is all about! Lipstick keeps your lips soft, coloured and oh-so kissable. I'm loving Estee Lauder's new limited-edition Love Your Lips collection. The 12 lip-loving Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick shades feature a special L♥VE logo on the lippie itself and the glosses are all packaged up in vials specially adorned with the logo. Estée Lauder Signature Lipstick’s lustrous, creamy, comfortable formula delivers hours of moisture and wear to lips with a glam high-shine finish. Available in 12 lip-loving shades including three new shades: Cherry Kiss, Pink Kiss, and Coral Kiss. The Kissable Lip Gloss is a non-tacky, cushioned formula that feels comfortable on the lips and adds tons of shine. Kissable Lip Gloss is available in four all new, voluptuous shades: Sweet Kiss, Cherry Kiss, Pink Kiss, and Coral Kiss. Available nationwide at Estée Lauder city stores only from April 18, 2010.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

The Good Oil

For the last six months I, along with an increasing list of celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Salma Hayek and Deborah Messing, have been using Moroccanoil. I have say it's possibly the most fabulous product I've ever used on my hair. I have very fine, blonde hair and find it needs to be well maintained to avoid breakages and to encourage growth. Moroccanoil has truly done wonders for my hair and I will go out of my way to suggest people try it. The Argan Tree, found growing only in Southwest Morocco and added to the World Heritage List in 1999, produces a kernal which is crushed to produce Argan Oil, a powerful antioxidant, UV protector and free radical neutraliser, rich in vitamins that strengthens and increases the elasticity of hair. Not only good for hair, Argan Oil has been used by Berber women in Morocco for centuries as a skin protectant and for medicinal purposes. Imagine what it can do for your luscious locks in the lead up to your wedding!!


Moroccanoil treatment AUD$49.50

Recently Moroccanoil released three new products containing the wondrous Argan Oil - Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner along with an Intense Hydrating Mask. I sat down with Andrea Garvey, Moroccanoil's Brand Manager, whilst she was visiting from America and discovered that not only will these products do wonders for ANY kind of hair, purchasing them means you're also helping communities in Southwest Morocco trade Argan kernals and oil through fair trade practices. Andrea has herself seen the difference these products have made to her own hair, after (like me) she had a disastrous salon experience. I've been using these products for a month or so now and love them all. I'm hooked! Visit www.moroccanoil.com to find out all the info and to find a stockist near you.


Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner (250ml each) AUD$28.95 each


Intense Hydrating Mask (250ml) AUD$44.50

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Estee Lauder LOVES Derek Lam

For the first time in the Estée Lauder brand's 64 year history, they embarked on New York Fashion Week, sponsoring the beauty look (makeup & nails) at the Derek Lam Autumn/Winter 2010 runway show. Bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails ruled the catwalk at ‘Capitale’, with Estée Lauder’s new Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux testing some new Estee Lauder Pure Color Fall 2010 products backstage to rave reviews. With a vision to compliment Derek Lam’s fashion theme: “The Myth of the West”, Tom Pecheux led a team of 15 makeup artists to create the stunning look on 22 models, while famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished their nails with a new Estée Lauder color tested at the show. Although extreme for a wedding day look you can recreate bits of this look such as copper lips or hints of blue on the eyes. Products from this look will be launched in the Estee Lauder Fall collection so keep posted on www.esteelauder.com.au for all the details.


The Derek Lam face chart


Model Ksenia Kahnovich


Tom Pecheux backstage with model Liu Wen

Posted by Emilie Harrison