EXCLUSIVE: Whitney Port tells us how to pick the perfect outfit for a wedding – and shares the secrets of her make-up bag
Wedding season is here, which means we're frantically searching for the perfect guest ensembles to see us through summer. Elegance is key, comfort is paramount – but how do we manage to look glam without upstaging the bride?
We spoke to star of The Hills, Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model and fashion designer herself, Whitney Port for the ultimate guide on guest dressing – and the beauty product checklist you NEED to follow…
How should we decide what to wear for a friend's wedding? Talk us through the process. The whole day is about celebrating two people’s love for each other, so that beautiful, vintage, romantic style is always a good place to start. I am constantly on my Pinterest boards pinning my inspirations throughout the year, so I often look at them when it comes to choosing my outfit for the day.
I like to take styles and make them my own with accessories, be it unique hair pieces or a pretty clutch bag matched with complementing heels. At the end of the day, if it’s a close friend that’s getting married, I am less worried about what I’m wearing and more focused on making sure they have the perfect day.
How can we style ourselves without upstaging the bride? I think that there’s a lot to be said about subtle styling for a wedding. Stay away from white, but try wearing softer hues rather than bold primary colours. Accessorise elegantly and keep your hair and make-up natural-looking.
What's your favourite outfit you've ever worn to a wedding? I was a bridesmaid at my best friend’s wedding last year and we wore the most gorgeous blush-tone dresses. They complemented the bride’s dress beautifully, without upstaging her, and were perfectly subtle and feminine. I loved them! I then accessorised with Erickson Beamon earrings, Jerome Rosseau heels and a Swarovski bag.
Tell us how to accessorise our own guest outfit... It depends completely on the outfit, but I would always recommend wearing a pair of elegant earrings, potentially a delicate bracelet to match and then a cute bag with pretty heels to finish off the look.
Let's talk hair – what's your favourite look for a wedding? My look for a wedding is usually pretty simple as I don't want to fuss with it all night. I will either flat iron it straight, curl it myself or put it in a slicked-back ponytail.
What are your top beauty tips for looking hot when it's wedding season? In the summertime, it’s all about taking those extra steps to achieve that sun-kissed glow. I start by creating a good base and ensuring my skin looks healthy and feels smooth. To do this, I step up my exfoliation routine, using a good loofah daily and applying a super-rich moisturiser twice a day.
For an extra boost of colour, I love mixing Victoria's Secret Tahiti Shimmer Glow Body Oil with my usual body moisturiser. On my face I love Olay Complete Care moisturisers, they give my skin everything it needs to look its best and I add a little gold sparkle to my eyes for that extra radiant finish.
The arrival of summer means the baring of beautifully smooth skin, so I couldn’t leave the house without using my Venus & Olay razor, which keeps my legs gorgeous and hair-free, the perfect accessory to any summer outfit.
What three beauty products do you swear by? My ‘can’t live without’ beauty product is the new Venus & Olay razor. It combines Olay Moisture-Boost shave gel bars, which help replenish my skin’s moisture, with Venus’ five-blade technology for an incredibly close shave, leaving skin irresistibly smooth and glowing. I always have it in my wash bag for those last minute touch-ups, so I’m confident my legs always look gorgeous and preened.
I also love Lucas Pawpaw ointment. It’s a fantastic multi-purpose go-to beauty product and I take it with me everywhere! I definitely can’t live without my NARS Concealer Stick either. It’s a great product to use if you’re feeling a little peaky. You can also use it as a base for eyeshadow as well as covering any imperfections.
And finally, give us three top tips on how to look amazing, feel amazing, and enjoy our friend's big day. 1. I always keep my eyes on the happy couple – they’re so beautiful to watch, you can’t help feeling inspired and enjoying their special moment!
2. If you’re outside for the wedding, make sure you take a pair of sunnies with you, as you don’t want to miss anything from squinting in the sun. I just bought an elegant pair of Céline sunglasses with gorgeous silver detailing. Also, invest in a high-factor sun cream for the day, to avoid burning.
Finally, for a moisture-booster I also carry Rodial Glam Balm Hand Cream in my handbag and reapply it to my hands throughout the day. It feels super-indulgent and you can pat it on your face for an instant revival of your make-up. LATEST BEAUTY NEWS For more info on the Venus & Olay razor, Whitney’s ultimate fashion and beauty combinations plus the chance to win an outfit from her fashion line visit www.facebook.com/GilletteVenusUK.
