I love recommendations from friends of beauty products that actually live up to their lofty promises.

Here’s some of my favourite products that ACTUALLY WORK.

(Shock! Horror!)

Seche Vite Top Coat & Base

I was late to this one. All of the world probably knows about this already. Chip-free nails that last and last.

I still get some teensy ships after a few days, that’s to be expected. But this extends my manicure for SO much longer than usual.

I got mine at Beauty Bay and the shipping was super fast to Australia.

Revitanail

On the topic of nails … this stuff. It really works. My nails seem longer within a few days of following the programme (a coat a day for a week)

Dr LeWinn’s page

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner

Apply it with a liner brush (an angled one is great) and this liner really lives up to it’s long-wearing promise.

Know of any GREAT beauty buys? Let me know!

We get oodles of emails at Swoon asking us to feature certain products and services.

At least 5 requests a day!

It’s up to us to discern what might be of interest to readers, hereafter referred to as Swoonies (or Swoonlets?) It has to be classy with a touch of unique. Quality with a wee bit of non-traditional. Beautiful with a dash of awesome.

And this stunning range of bridal headwear by Swedish designer Orjan Jakobsson is just that.

We love that girls are stepping outside of the box to wear statement headpieces on their wedding day. These delicate and feminine pieces are all handmade. They are so stunning you will want to pass them down to your daughter.

You can see more and buy the pieces HERE.

The Online Shop

White Gardenia Petals Eau de Parfum
by Illuminum

This is apparently what she wore folks.

How beautiful are these?

From The Knotty Bride

There’s no need to cry these days, if you don’t fit the standard size 12 and want to wear a beautiful wedding dress.

More and more designers are realising bigger girls have money to spend and they are every bit as style conscious as their smaller friends.

You can look absolutely stunning, no matter what your size. It’s all about choosing the right style for you.

This cream Grace Kelly inspired dress is perfect. Note that not everyone can wear a strapless dress. In fact, it can be very unflattering on a bride with large breasts.

This dress flatters the fuller figure, while enhancing the  bride’s feminine shape. $749US from bridalblisdesigns Etsy Store

This 1950′s wrap style dress is utter perfection for a larger figure. It shows of a bit of cleavage without being overwhelming, flatters the waist and hips and even BETTER it shows off a fabulous pair of shoes.

$497US from Ddreamcloset’s Etsy Store

The Sonsie line by UK designer Veromia is designed for curvy brides.

The neckline of this dress perfectly directs attention away from larger arms and emphasises the face and décolletage.

The idea is to emphasise what you like and draw attention away from what makes you feel self conscious.

Flowing fabrics work well to drape rather than cling to the body.

Image from semut.

A-line and empire lines work well, as do sleeves but with an off the shoulder style that emphasises decollatge.

Image source

It’s Spring, which means wedding season!

Nothing says garden wedding like Pimms. It’s the perfect drink to serve your guests because it’s universally liked and (most importantly) looks so good in elegant jugs and decanters.

Did you know Pippa Middleton raved about Pimms? We all knows she’s a party planning extraordinaire (does she even have a job?).

Apparently she wrote, “Summer calls for jugs of Pimm’s so make sure it is on your summer wedding list!”

Well if it’s good enough for Pippa, it’s good enough for an Aussie outdoor wedding. Am I right?

Here’s the traditional recipe:

The Classic Pimm’s No.1 Serve (0.6 Standard Drinks) 30ml Pimm’s No.1 Cup (1 serve)

• Top up with lemonade
• Thin slices of cucumber
• Orange thinly sliced lengthways
• Strawberries, hulled, quartered
• Mint sprigs
• Ice 

How pretty do they look?

Ladies, I don’t know about you, but I am a high heel girl living in a ballet-flat body.

There’s nothing like a pair of sexy heels to make you feel sophisticated, make your legs look fab and make you feel dressed up.

Let’s face it, we all love a gorgeous pair of heels. But OMG our poor feet!!!

At a wedding there is usually a whole lot of standing around. There may be no seating at the ceremony, or you might have to trudge through a park or university grounds etc etc

After 2 hours OUCH OUCH OUCH!

Scholl have designed these awesome foldable ballet flats so you can HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

Wear your gorgeous heels during the day and later on, dip into your handbag for your foldable flats. Instant foot relief!

If you’re a bride looking for a way to keep your female guests comfortable, place a few in the ladies room, or pop them in a pretty bag and give them as gifts.

Perfect for dancing the night away!

You can customise how you present them to your guests.

A pretty chiffon bag with a name tag and message saying you will meet them on the dancefloor perhaps?

A name tag that matches your table stationery is a sweet idea

Perfect to rest your tired tootsies after a day in heels

All folded up, they don’t take up much space at all

They are soft enough to fold but padded enough to make you comfortable

Pretty (and comfortable!)

COUTURE PERTH are offering a super deal for winter 2012.

$100 (usually $275) for a Couture Portrait in their East Victoria Park studio.

Their unique brand of Make-over portraits are editorial and modern. Such a good deal to take advantage of ladies!

To book at the reduced rate of $100 contact jen using this form ) (limited spaces available)

Sip champagne and enjoy an evening of Jewellery, Flowers, Beauty + Gifts on Tuesday 28th August from 6pm. Wedding List Co will also be announcing their exclusive new collaboration with Jewellery partner Samantha Wills Bridal across Australia. This fun-filled evening offers an insight to wedding planning, come along and learn how to create a lasting impression for your special day.

Click to visit registration page

Registration is essential for an evening of gifts, bubbles, Jewellery + beauty for your big day.

* Discover beautiful Samantha Wills Jewellery for your big day.

* Go into the draw to win a $500 jewellery bridal set from Samantha Wills

* Plus a $1000 voucher will be given to one lucky bride on the night towards flowers for your wedding day.

* Receive luxury mini makeovers by Lancome on the night!

* Learn from the bridal experts in jewellery, beauty, flowers and gifts!

6.00-7.30pm

Tuesday 28th August

156 Edgecliff Rd, Woollahra

Well, Swoonies, we’re in for a treat on this fine Monday, with some pretty pretty prettiness from a bunch of talented Perth Wedding peeps.

Here’s the list of clever folks who put this shoot together.

• Photography: CJ Williams Photography www.cjwilliamsphoto.com.au
• Styling: Flights of Fancy by Kristy www.flightsoffancybykristy.wordpress.com
• Flowers: Fox and Rabbit www.foxandrabbit.com.au
• Venue: Kalamunda History Village www.kalamundahistoricalsociety.com
• Models were Ben & Tara. What cuties! Not engaged (yet) but in love

If you love these photos leave a happy smily comment. Nothing feeds us creative sorts more than comments. We need them. (Or we cry) xxxx