Finding the perfect wedding underwear

Finding the perfect wedding underwear

Finding the perfect wedding underwear

Katie meets: The Bra Boss of Kent

So many brides have the same dilemma when it comes to wedding underwear….Infact so many ladies have the same dilemma when it comes to underwear in general! How do you actually find a bra that fits!? What size am I?! Well ladies, Meet Joanna….

Who you are and what you do?

Hello! My name is Joanna and I am The Bra Boss of Kent. I am a fully qualified, advanced bra fitter and I have worked in the lingerie industry for almost 10 years now. I hadn’t always planned to work fitting bras & knickers, but as many people do, I fell into the industry, and have never looked back! I started off my bra fitting career in Fenwick Canterbury, where I received my bra fitting training and I got a lot of experience on the shop floor. I was then poached by the brand Gossard(who invented the Wonderbra!) and was asked to help them out with bra fitting events and merchandising. I then moved into an Area Sales Manager role and looked after the independent lingerie boutiques, department stores and online retailers who stocked Gossard in the South East of the UK. After working for a few other lingerie brands, I decided I wanted to take the ‘plunge’ and open my own lingerie fitting boutique and help women find their perfect bra!

What kind of ladies come to you?

I have so many ladies come to me, all looking for different things in lots of different sizes! No two days are the same at Bra Boss HQ. For example, I might have a new mum who is breastfeeding and looking for a supportive nursing bra in an H cup, then I will help someone who has had a mastectomyand are looking for something soft and comfortable in a C cup. I stock a wide range of bra sizes at Bra Boss HQ. I stock bras from an A to a K cup and from a 28 to a 44 back.

What you can offer?

At Bra Boss HQ I offer ladies a bespoke bra fitting in a private, cosy little bra haven. Private fittings are an hour long, which sounds like quite a long time, but the time really does fly by! When you arrive, you will be offered a drink and a cupcake and then we will have a short consultation about what size you are currently wearing, and what type of bra you are looking for. Then it’s time for the Bra Boss magic to begin! After fitting hundreds of ladies over 10 years, I do not need to use a tape measure to get your bra size – I fit by eye.

It is important to point out that as a bra fitter, I will fit you to each product rather than measuring you as a ‘set in stone’ bra size. You will not be the same size in every single bra that you try on. Bras can come up very differently depending on the brand, the style/shape, the fabric and even the colour! Just like clothes and shoes, bras can differ so much and that is why it is so important to try every single bra on before you purchase it. My job is to bring each of the products into you, help you adjust it properly and to then highlight what a good fitting bra should look and feel like.

Bra Boss HQ is full to the brim of lovely branded lingerie made with the finest fabrics, elastics, wires and lace. The lingerie brands I stock are all well known and respected within the lingerie industry and produce award winning products, designed with comfort, fit and support in mind. I specialise in Sports, Nursing and Mastectomy bras, but also offer a small selection of everyday bras too.

Alongside the private bra fittings, I also offer pop up bra fitting events and “Fizz and Fitting events, which can be held for you and a group of your friends in the comfort of your own home.

Why would they come to you?

I am a fully qualified, advanced bra fitter with 10 years’ experience in the lingerie industry, therefore I would like to say that I know my stuff when it comes to bras and all things boob related!

When I set up The Bra Boss of Kent, I wanted to create a nice, cosy relaxing space for ladies to come and enjoy a private bra fitting. So many other large department stores on the High Street can be a bit overwhelming or impersonal and so I wanted to make sure that it is a fun, enjoyable experience, rather than a daunting one!

Why is it important to wear a bra that fits?

It’s so important to wear a bra that fits correctly! Firstly, a good fitting bra can help to improve your posture. If a bra is too loose in the back this means that the bust will naturally fall forwards, and if the bust is heavy, this could then lead to back, shoulder or neck problems. Secondly, a good fitting bra can actually make you look slimmer! I have helped a lot of ladies who have not liked their bust size, or the way their clothes fit. However, after their bra fitting, they have left happy and more confident with their shape. If the bust is being lifted and supported properly, then this will give you such a great silhouette and a great shape under your clothes. Many ladies who come to see me may actually go up in the cup size, but once their top is back on, they will look smaller than before! This is because the bust has been lifted properly and is sitting where it should be! It also goes without saying that it’s so important to wear a good sports bra – this can make such a huge difference to your performance and you should get fitted for a sports bra if you are an A cup or a K cup!

What’s your Mission statement?

My mission as The Bra Boss is to support the lovely ladies in Kent, one bra fitting at a time! I want to ensure that the ladies I help feel supported, uplifted and confident in their new bras.

What do people get from visiting you?

Usually, they will come out as a completely different bra size compared to what they arrived in, and sometimes a completely different style of bra to what they would usually pick (usually because they wouldn’t know which style suits their shape and they would go for the safe option of a T-shirt bra!)

Ladies will get a bespoke, personalised service from someone who is really passionate and genuinely cares about making sure their customers walk out of Bra Boss HQ happy and comfortable. Helping ladies discover their new bra size and a new-found confidence fills me with joy!

Do you also still collect bras for charity?

I do collect bras for charity. I have a bra bank at Bra Boss HQ where you can donate any unwanted or unloved bras to Against Breast Cancer. The donated bras raise vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research. They also help to support small businesses in Africa.

The textile recovery project prevents these bras from going into landfill and gives them a new lease of life in developing countries such as Togo, Ghana and Kenya, where bras remain too expensive to be produced locally.

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund their research. With over 30 million women in the UK – we can definitely make a difference!

Where can people find you? (physically and socially)

Bra Boss HQ is based in Priory Row, in Faversham. For a private bra fitting appointment, you will need to make an appointment via my website: www.thebrabossofkent.weebly.com where you can then select the date and time that suits you best.

You can find me on:

Facebook – “The Bra Boss of Kent”

Instagram – @the.bra.boss.of.kent

Thank you Joanna!

If you provide a wedding service that you think might be of interest to my brides then please do get in touch, id love to hear from you!

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7 Step Checklist for Choosing a wedding hair and make up artist

7 Step Checklist for Choosing a wedding hair and make up artist

7 Step Checklist for Choosing a wedding hair and make up artist

Finding someone who you trust to create your wedding hair and make up is no easy feat! With so many artists it can all be a little overwhelming when it comes to selecting who you want to spend your wedding morning with. I’ve worked with hundreds of brides and all of them tell me that choosing their hair and make up artist is something that they can get quite nervous about. So, in my attempt to help a little , I’ve put together 7 easy steps that you can follow to make sure that when it comes to choosing your wedding hair and make up artist , you can be sure that you’re getting the right person!

1, Can they do what you’re after?

Chances are that you’ve found their details and taken a look at their social media pages. I’m really proud of the looks I create and post them here so that other brides to be can get inspiration when it comes to finding their own unique style too. Can you look through images of their work and imagine yourself in those photos? Are you attracted to the styles they are creating? If you want to then you can always ask to see some similar styles to what you have in mind that they have previously created.

2. Do your like their ‘vibe’?

Have you taken a look at their website? Does it resonate with you? Do they seem like someone who will understand what you want from your day? Can you imagine that this might be the kind of person that you could trust?

3. Do you like their personality?

When you contact them are they friendly? Is it easy? Do they seem to know what they’re talking about!? Someone that takes time to chat with you about your wedding, and give you the information you’re after is much more appealing than someone who simply fires back a price list. I have a contact page on my site that allows brides to be to fill out their details and I will always personally respond to all of my enquiries.

4. Can you see reviews?

Can you get any feedback from anyone who has actually used them? What do they have to say? Was it a positive experience for them? You can read reviews from my past brides on my facebook and google pages. This is important as it helps my potential brides to know that I can be trusted with the biggest day of their life!  ( no pressure! )

5. Is the work you’re seeing their own work?

This might sound like a basic request but many artists looking to attract brides will use stock images of pictures and tell you that they can create a look ‘just like this one’. Ask to see their own work, ask to see pictures from weddings they have personally worked on and styles they created themselves.

6. Can you imagine spending a morning with them?

Are they chatty? Friendly? Approachable? Polite? Will they fit in? It’s the biggest day of your life and you’re inviting them to be a huge part in that, make sure they make you feel comfortable. Some of the best compliments I’ve had from brides is that having me there is like having another friend helping you get ready on your wedding morning.  The wedding morning is an experience in itself, it’s fun, it’s emotional, it’s nerve wracking and I’m there to help you through that!

7. Are they professional?

Do they take a deposit? Have they sent a contract? You don’t want to get caught out weeks before your wedding with someone who has ‘let you down’ after saying they will do your hair and make up for you who then simply changes their mind or cancels at the last minute. A professional artist will set a contract, take a deposit payment and confirm your booking so you don’t need to worry. Sadly, I get so many last minute brides contact me panicking because the person they thought they had booked didn’t show up or changed their mind. For me, wedding hair and make up is my full time profession. Its something I do because I love it, and I wouldn’t dream of letting anyone down. I have contracts, policies and booking processes in place so you can be sure that your wedding hair and make up services are booked, and that I’m taking it seriously.

Your wedding day is a big deal. You’ve put so much love and energy into all of the details it’s only right that you work alongside a variety of suppliers willing to do the same! After over 7 years in the wedding industry I’m proud to know a whole host of fabulous suppliers who really will go above and beyond to make your day the very best! If there’s anything that you’re not sure of or that you’d like help with then please do just ask! I look forward to speaking with you!

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The 5 most important words when it comes to your wedding hair and make up

The 5 most important words when it comes to your wedding hair and make up

The 5 most important words when it comes to your wedding hair and make up

Undone.

A really popular word for 2019 , and it seems that 2020 brides are continuing the trend. ‘Undone ‘ hair , is soft hair that moves, hair that is less structured with more texture but not forgetting the shine. It’s the whole ‘I woke up like this’ , just a slightly more polished version! Just because hair looks ‘undone’ does not mean loose or falling out, the hair is still held and structured in the same way as any style in order to allow it to last all day for a wedding. Simply put, undone styles tend to be more sweeping, following the hairs natural movement rather than constricting it to be something else.

Natural.

 When a bride tells me they want to look natural, they mean that they want to look ‘like themsevles’. Your wedding day hair and make up should enhance your usual features, not mask or change them. You simply want to look like you – on a really good day! Perhaps you don’t usually wear make up, or it’s rare that you ever really do anything with your hair. Sometimes the smallest change can make the biggest difference. The simplest of styles or the smallest change to a make up application can really enhance someone’s natural beauty.

Elegant.

This is a word that I hear a lot. My brides tell me that they want to look flawless, glamorous and elegant. The definition of elegant is stylish, grateful, tasteful, sophisticated, dignified and beautiful. Need I say more!

Wow. ‘Nice’ just doesn’t cut it. I want you to not only look amazing, but feel it too. It’s one of my very favourite moment of the morning when a bride turns to the mirror after stepping into her dress and sees her wedding hair and make up complete for the very first time.  I don’t want you to look or feel anything less than amazing.

No.

This is perhaps the most important word when it comes to wedding hair and make up. Both yourself and your chosen artist need to know when to say no. If you ask me for something that really doesn’t work with you, doesn’t compliment you at all, and leaves me with genuine concern about how it will look or last then I’m going to tell you no. Of course I will provide alternative suggestions and options but you are paying me for my professional advice, and if something goes strongly against that, then I have to speak up. On a wedding day it’s my job to consider not only what your make up looks like in person , but also what it will look like in photographs, how it will work on camera and ultimately whether I can be proud of what I have created for you, knowing that it’s to the best of my abilities.  It also goes for you too. If you don’t like something – say no. If you don’t want something – say no. I always tell my brides to be honest with me, If I didn’t get it quite right, didn’t use the exact colour you wanted, or you simply want something a little different, don’t be afraid to tell me. These photos are going to last you a lifetime -I want to get it right for you. I don’t want you to think it’s ‘ok’. I want you to think it’s perfect so honesty is definitely the best policy!

Wow

The whole point of booking a professional is so that you can guarantee that not only do you look good, but you feel it too. The moment a bride steps into her dress and see’s herself in the mirror for the first time is my favourite part of every morning.  I want you to know that you look like the very best possible version of yourself and I want you to be proud of that! Even at your trial session I love to hear compliments like ‘’Wow is that really me?’’ or ‘’I cant believe that’s actually my hair!’’.  The whole ethos of my role as a wedding hair and make up artist is to transform you into the beautiful bride that you had imagined ready for this day. Having that ability to make people feel amazing is such a special thing, I get such satisfaction watching you head off down the aisle knowing that I helped to create the confidence and glow that you’re wearing!

If you want to chat about the details for your wedding day then be sure to get in touch. Maybe you’re not sure yet as to what look you want to go for – or maybe you know exactly what you want. Either way, feel free to contact me or send me a message. You can find lots of inspiration over on my instagram page too so be sure to stop over there aswell!

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Why you DON’T need to book a separate wedding hair and make up artist for your wedding day

Why you DON’T need to book a separate wedding hair and make up artist for your wedding day

Why you DON’T need to book a separate wedding hair and make up artist for your wedding day

If I had a pound for every time I heard something along the lines of  ‘’You can’t have one person for both hair and make up on your wedding day , because they will only be any good at one or the other/ because you’ll run out of time/ because they won’t be able to get everyone ready ( you can insert your own totally untrue limitation here! ) ‘’ then I’d be a rich woman!

Don’t believe everything you hear!

When I first started out I felt a little hurt when I heard things like this, and I felt the need to justify why it’s not true, or maybe point out how many weddings I’ve done where I’ve got everyone ready, both wedding hair and make up,  on time and without any problems. Nowadays, I just simply smile to myself when I hear things like this as it simply could be more wrong! I smile even more so when the person saying it, or the person who told the bride this valuable advice, is infact someone who offers only hair or only make up and not both ( funny that eh?! ).

What’s the truth?

The truth is that many professionals have spent many years training in order to be able to provide a complete and bespoke hair and make up service to their clients. Just like some artists will specialize in face painting, or hair extensions – I specialize in bridal. It’s where I’ve honed my skills, spent my time and attention and it’s what I love. I love being given complete control in bringing someone’s bridal vision to life.  The opportunity to provide both hair and make up services works so well for several reasons and just a few of them include the following:

1. I can take the time to understand.

We spend a lot of time talking about what your likes are, and even what you dislike too. I want to make sure that I fully understand other aspects of your day in order to understand your desires and expectations of your look too. Sometimes when I tell people that a trial can take up to three hours they think it sounds like a long time but it quickly passes as we discuss everything in-depth and start to try out a variety of looks based on your initial ideas.

2. I know what compliments and I can make suggestions and give a professional opinion.

 Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want and rest assured not every bride does!  It’s my job to provide you with the options to make an informed decision. You might have not considered changing your hair part, or wearing lashes and I can offer advice based on things like your face shape or hair colour which you might not even have thought about!

3. You can see everything come together.

Your bridal hair and bridal make up have to work together. They have to complement and enhance one another. By doing both, I can be sure that your entire look works in unison.  You can see everything at the same time and once we’ve completed your trial session many brides to be tell me that seeing themselves as they will look as a bride really makes it all seem that little bit more real!

4. I can work to my own timings

Working alone means that I can set my own timings and deadlines based on your timeline for the day. I can work to a schedule if needed and I know how long I need to carry out the services I’m there to do. If I want to put your rollers in, then prep your skin, then start your updo, then return to apply your eyeshadow I can. I know exactly how long I need to complete each service and what order to work in to give you the best results. It means I’m not waiting around or stepping aside whilst someone else needs you to fit in with their needs too. 

Being given the opportunity and the responsibility to bring someone’s bridal vision to life is not something to be taken lightly. It’s not ‘just another day’, you don’t just want to look ‘nice’ and you certainly don’t want to ever look back on the photos that will last you a lifetime and worry that you should have done something differently.  I have a fantastic team that works alongside me with larger bridal parties meaning that I can cater to anyone who wants to get in on the action on the wedding morning and offer both hair and make up services to everyone.

That being said, and as much as I love the chance to offer both hair and make up services on your wedding day, sometimes I’m booked alongside other suppliers for just one aspect of the services I offer. Maybe your friend is a make up artist and is doing your make up for you as a gift, or maybe you’ve got a very talented mum who wants to be the one to create your bridal updo – that’s fine too! When this is the case then I always make sure to have a quick chat to organize timings so everyone can organize things exactly as they need to. It’s really important that everyone on your wedding morning is working together to make everything as stress free as possible for you!

If you’d like to know more or you want any further information on how your own wedding morning might work then please do get in touch. You can see some of my bridal creations on my gallery pages so feel free to pop over there and get inspired, there’s even a video on my about me page that will give you a little peek behind the scenes on a real wedding morning!

I look forward to speaking to you!

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Hair or Makeup – What to do first on your wedding morning

Hair or Makeup – What to do first on your wedding morning

Hair or Makeup – What to do first on your wedding morning

I’m often asked by brides what they SHOULD be doing first on their wedding morning – hair or makeup? This is a really common question and I can honestly tell you there is no correct answer. Personally, I make my decision based on the overall look we are going to be creating for you. It’s totally dependant on what style we are working towards and what your needs are.

How will I decide?

For example, a bride opting for a Hollywood wave who is wearing her hair down, would have it set/put in rollers first, then have her make up applied, and then have her hair dressed out and fixed onto and around her face to frame it. Someone else who is wearing their hair all up might have their hair put up first before having make up applied as it is all going back , away from their face and out of the way of any make up application. Like a lot of things when it comes to your big day, the choice is yours. There is no set wrong or right way to do things, especially not on a wedding morning!

What do YOU want?

Some brides are keen to have their make up in place before their photographer arrives whilst others don’t mind the bridesmaids being completed first. If you’re a bride that would feel happier knowing she is ready early then we will get you ready early. If you want to be able to get up from the chair and step into your dress and leave for the ceremony then that’s fine too! It’s my job to do what I can within my control to make your morning as easy and stress free as possible for you. Prior to the day itself, we will already have arranged who needs what services so I would have made allowances for timing, and even created a schedule should you want one, just so that everyone knows when they are needed!

It’s about YOU!

Your wedding morning is the very start of the very best day of your life, part of the reason you have hired professionals is so that you are able to sit back and enjoy it all!  If you want or need to be ready for a specific time then don’t be afraid to say. This is just one of the reasons that I only work with one wedding per day. Once you have secured your date then that time is yours. Whether you want me earlier or later, whether you want me to stay and put in your veil or help you into your shoes – the choice is yours.  As I’m sure everyone will be telling you the wedding day really does go so fast – try and enjoy every single moment! And if you want to have a chat in a bit more detail about how we can make everything run smoothly on your wedding morning then please do get in touch!

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The world’s worst wedding hair and makeup advice

The world’s worst wedding hair and makeup advice

The world's worst wedding hair and makeup advice

If you want to make your wedding hair and make up artist cringe a little then I can guarantee you can achieve just that by pointing out any of the following facts!

Below I’ve listed a mere 6 of the worlds worst wedding hair and make up advice that I’ve ever heard. Us hair and make up artists  hear a lot of these floating around, a lot of the time, but I can assure you it’s not good or valid advice to follow – least of all when it comes to your wedding hair and make up!  If you do want some positive and productive advice about any aspect of your hair or skin care in preparation for your wedding hair and make up then please do just ask. Any good artist doesn’t want you making any of these mistakes and certainly doesn’t want you thinking any of these crazy statements might actually be true!

You need more

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. There is no direct relation meaning that the more product you put on your face the better you will look. It’s not about more , its about knowing, choosing and using the right products so that even with more coverage you don’t look like you’ve simply added more make up. You want people to think ‘ Wow you look amazing’, not ‘Wow ,shes wearing a lot of make up today’.

The natural look costs less.

If anything, it takes a skilled artist to be able to perfect the ‘I’m not wearing much make up’ look, using make up!  It doesn’t mean it’s any quicker for the artist or that they are using any ‘less’ product which should be considered in relation to a cheaper pricing structure. You are paying for the artists skill, time and expertise, not the amount of eyeshadow they use!

You can use hairspray to set your make up.

Please do not do this! By all means use a setting spray, this will help your make up last all day and hold everything in place for you but hairspray does not do the same thing! Its sticky, clogs up your pores and is designed to add hold to hair – not skin!

If you want your lashes to stay on longer then use hair extensions glue.

No NoNO! Its meant for your head and scalp , not your delicate eye area! It simply isn’t safe, if any glue got into your eye – it doesn’t bear thinking about – especially not with a wedding coming up!

Put some water in your mascara if its dried up.

If it’s dried, it’s died.  It’s not hygienic. Mascaras harbour bacteria at the best of times so treat yourself and go and get a new one. Ideally, you should be changing your mascara every few months, and if your eyes even get sore or infected then you should ditch your old mascara and start using a new one as soon as the infection has cleared.

Dye your hair as close to the wedding as possible.

I always advise my brides that if they are having a colour change , then they need to do it AT VERY LEAST a week before the wedding. This ensures A, that they’re happy with the colour and there aren’t any last minute disasters. B, that they have had time to wash their hair between the colour application and the wedding in order to remove and residue. And C, that I’m not creating a beautiful up do that is finished off with and added band of colour that has stained your neck and scalp which wont budge!

Although I’m sure there are so many more I could add to this list these ones really do stick out as my top 6, most heard, most concerning so called ‘facts’ .  If you have any more or think there’s any important ones I might have missed then please do let me know. This lot really is the absolute worst type of wedding hair and make up advice , and if you need any real advice you know where to find me! I’m always happy to help, whether you’ve booked my services or you’re just in need of some guidance – please do get in touch!

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