This summer, nail colors come in colors that aren’t unlike the sweet and sticky ice cream you used to lick off your fingers as a kid.
(l-r): Leighton Denny in Sundae Girl, Chanel Le Vernis in Mimosa, Nails Inc in Hyde Park Gate

The hair is a small but crucial part of your overall look. You want wedding hair that doesn’t look like “wedding hair.” And you want it to be effortlessly chic and yet sturdy enough to withstand, say, an unexpected gust of wind or your first dance. Yes, it’s possible. Kate Middleton’s hair guru, Richard Ward, explains.

Try a demi chignon
“The up/down demi chignon really is the best of both world’s,” says Ward created a soft, wispy version of the classic style on the Duchess of Cambridge for her big day. “Wear it all the way down and your hair will be all over your face. But wear it all the way up and you look too strict. [The demi chignon] is a timeless look that you can pull off at both the ceremony and the party.”

Keep the curls lovely and loose
“No matter how well curls have been done they will eventually drop. For long lasting, lovely loose curls use big rollers set into wet hair and let your hair dry into the shape. The worst thing to do is use tight and heavy tongs or heating rollers as neither will last.”

Pick a good hair spray and let your mother have her say
“Keep your mother in the loop throughout as her feedback is priceless. On the day allow for at least one hour and 30 minutes to get your hair done. An easy trap to fall into is to add on loads of hairspray to make sure that your hair stays in place but what you should be doing is lightly applying a fine spray. Assign a friend to help you freshen your hair on the night, whether its re-toning, blow drying or straightening.”

Start a mood board and practice, practice, practice
“Create a board with clippings that reflect the style you want to go for and show it to your hairdresser. All brides should practice their hairstyle until they are 100% happy,” he says. He not only spent four months prepping for Kate’s wedding, but met with her five times behind “locked” doors in the weeks leading up to her wedding as well. While that level of preparation seems a bit much for women whose nuptials won’t be broadcast for all the world, Ward says a few practice runs are still essential. “You don’t want any surprises on the day.”

Consider your age
“If you’re over 35, pulling your hair completely away from the face can be very severe and aging. Similarly, too much volume on the side, like a bouffant, will stiffen your face. Copy Kate and allow your hair to gently sweep across your forehead. A great soft look that is also perfect for shorter hair is to have your hair down and slightly twisted and then tightened at the sides.”

Choose your hair ornamentation wisely
“Tiaras are really popular at the moment,” he says stating the obvious. “I’d recommend keeping your hair away from your face if you’re going to try to pull that off. Kate’s looked amazing. But the problem comes when people wear a tiara that’s more like a crown and it all ends up looking like a building block,” he says. Flowers are a safer bet. “They’re the ultimate hair accessory. Make a halo using lily of the valley buds. If you want to jazz this up at night just swap the flowers for some diamanté studs, as seen on Pippa.”

Don’t go overboard
“You’ll want to feel special—it’s your day, we get it—but your husband-to-be should recognize you as you walk down the aisle. A wedding is a respectful affair, avoid going overboard on anything.”

-by Romina McGuinness

My flower habit has spread to the office and I now keep a ceramic jug filled with blooms on my desk. Yup, I’ve become that girl. So at the request of Tina, I’m going to start sharing these changing arrangements with you.

When I got back to London from Barcelona, I was pscyhed to see that the flower markets are blooming with peonies, which are finally back in season. I found these flying saucer sized beauties at Borough Market and placed them all over the bathroom which has made the process of getting ready in the morning so much more fun. And then I popped into a gallery with my husband and spotted this porcelain skull emblazoned with florals. I had to buy the little guy and bring him home. He was made by the English ceramicist Luke Twigger; I like to call him Skulletor. I’ve been on the lookout for cool and interesting interiors items lately because I’m in the process of working on a new home style section that will launch in our papers next month. Expect to see a lot more on the subject soon!

(l-r): Chanel Hydrabase in Sari Doré, Lancôme Crème de Brillance in Orange Sacrée and MAC Amplified in Mornage

What we want for spring is a color that’s not as fussy as red and not as cute as pink — something like, oh, orange. Tangerine lips are a bold look to embrace this season and getting it right is essential. You don’t want to look like you’ve been sipping Sunny Delight all day. Choose the shade to suit your mood and skin tone. If you’ve got pale skin, try soft, peachy tones such as Chanel Hydrabase in Sari Doré. Darker skin tones look best with brighter, punchier hues like MAC’s Mornage, which gives just the right amount of contrast.

-by Romina McGuinness

Pierre Hermé became a bit of a Paris Fashion Week addiction for me last season. Prior to that I thought that the famous pastry shop Laduree was the bee’s knees for macaroons and other French sweets. “Girl, that’s the stuff of tourists,” my friend Kat Flower told me last September, gently steering me past the famous patisserie on Rue Saint Honoré and toward a quieter shop on Boulevard Haussmann, just a few blocks from the Tuileries. “This is what you need to get into,” she said triumphantly before schooling me on the reputation of Monsieur Hermé who is currently considered to be the best pastry chef in the world. I tasted one of his passion fruit macaroons and never looked back. This season, my hotel was right around the corner from his shop in Saint-Germain. That meant I got to steal away between shows to grab his buttery Isapahan croissants, which are filled with rose and strawberry pâte and garnished with candied flower petals. Next level. And seriously addictive.

I also always make it a point to stop by Cire Trudon for scented candles, simply because the selection is much better than what I find in London. My current favorite is L’Admirable, which smells like a mix of Sicilian lemons, lily of the valley and musk. And in addition to the scented candles, you can find an amazing selection of unscented candlesticks in just about any color you can imagine needing.

Last, I always find the time to make a Pharmacie run to stock up on little things like tubes of Marvis toothpaste (always cheaper in Paris or Milan than in London) and Embryolisse skincare products. The model Sessilee Lopez first tipped me off to Embryolisse two years ago when she told me that all of the makeup artists use its Lait-Creme Concentré backstage at the shows. And then I kept hearing the name over and over again from other models and makeup artists. I do think the cream works really well, but I especially love the Émulsion Hydra-Mat which does an impressive job of balancing out oily skin to keep it hydrated and matte. But don’t just go anywhere in Paris to buy these cosmetic goodies. City Pharma on Rue du Four sells all of these products for as much as 30 to 40% less than you’d find in most French apothecaries and drug stores. And don’t let the long lines at the cash registers scare you, they move fast. Plus, the discount is worth it.

You’re hungry, hung-over and the sudden downpour of rain messed up your hair. Plus, you need to update your blog about the latest runway show.

BEST PLACE FOR

A hangover smoothie:
Your head is pounding, your mouth is dry and your pillow looks like your mascara brush attacked it overnight. You need a glass of goodness to make you feel whole again.

Paris: Mama Shelter
Sip on freshly squeezed orange juice as you try your hand at foosball or, if that requires too much energy, as you pass out on the comfy leather couches.

New York: Ronny Brook Milk Bar
Whatever level of toxicity your blood is at, it’s bound to drop right back down after one of their blackberry yogurt smoothies.

London: The Breakfast Club Soho
The ‘Return of the Red Eye’ (blueberry, raspberry, passion fruit, orange and a hangover boost) works wonders on blood shot eyes and the ‘Big Breakfast’ (strawberry, banana oats, honey, yoghurt and milk) is the ultimate way to line your stomach after a heavy night.

Milan: D&G Gold Bar
Scrap the smoothie, it’s all about coffee in here. In total D&G style, the place is the most extravagant place to drink an espresso. Thanks to the mirrored walls in the coffee room, you can slyly check yourself out without appearing too vain.

A mani-pedi:
There’s no excuse for chipped nail varnish or broken nails — unless it happened while you were cutting fabric for someone’s runway show.

Paris: Culture of Color
Expect to find the best selection of nail colors in all of Paris here.

New York: Sweet Lily Natural Nail Spa and Boutique
Beauty editors gush over this place, a mix between a cool hangout and spa. Get the lavender cream manicure and pedicure with a glass of bubbly.

London: Nails Inc
The three-week manicure can get you through the entire length of fashion week. It’s the color trends that will wear off faster than your nail polish. Their tones are tres chic; take your pick from camel beige, soft pink or anthracite grey.

Milan: Hotel Principe de Savoia
This peaceful spa sits at the apex of Milanese pampering. You could spend hours getting dolled up here.

An Internet café
You need to Tweet, write your blog entry, and check to see if Garance Doré or Tommy Ton caught you in action.

Paris: Le Square Trousseau
Open from 8 to 2 am, sprawl out on the heated terrace with your laptop, newspaper and coffee. There’s even a private dining room if you’re faced with a last minute dinner date.

New York: B Cup Cafe
Decipher the scribbles you jotted down on shows and comb through your mail in this cozy little café. On the menu, Chai tea latte and cream cheese bagels.

London: Patisserie Valerie
Free wi-fi, staff that says ‘oui, oui’ after every sentence and, oh yeah, illy coffee and buttery croissants.

Milan: 10CC Café
Go veggie (basil, lemon, tomato and carrot) or fruity at this juice bar as you tick through your to-do list.

A blow dry
For those days when you get caught in the rain (or snow).

Paris: Hype and Hairy
A sleek and glossy mane for under €10. You would probably spend just as much in electricity if you did it yourself.

New York: The Blow Dry Bar, Chelsea
Their convenient á la carte menu means you can get your frizz sorted in less than two hours.

London: Hershesons Blow Dry Bar
Located in Topshop’s Oxford Circus store it’s a match made in heaven. Party outfit, tick. Party hair, tick.

Milan: Salone Area 6
This tiny and unpretentious hair salon is one of the best-kept secrets of the Milanese fashion pack.