What up babes?!

It is Thursday, the weekend is on the horizon and we are feeling oh-SO-fine today! I'm so psyched to share today's post with you - I've had so many ideas bubbling away inspired by the treasure I find and share on our Pinterest and Instagram feeds - so it's super rad to be chatting to y'all today about these seeeeriously hot trends!

We're nailing the Perfect Finish today; the icing on your perfectly formed bridal-look cake, if you will!

There are some pretty out there ideas around in the world of style this Summer and, never ones to shy away from the drama, we're all over these looks! From reformed makeup concepts, to simply sliding your bangle from your wrist to your palm (confused much? It'll all become clear very soon, I promise) these subtle shifts can make your bridal style really cutting edge, and we LOVE a bride who isn't scared to go near the edge!

Oh, and one other minor detail that I'm sure no Festival bride ever would be interested in (PAH!) we'll be summarising the hottest braided hair styles for summer 2015 too - there are some CORKERS (think Ms Moss circa '92).

So we best crack on, hey? These tiny details are no small deal!

SO! As far as 2015 is concerned: 'Dewy' is the new sculpted and therefore 'Strobing' is the new highlighting.

Don't be fooled my friends, this seemingly subtle shift in the finishing touches to the visage can make the world of difference to the completed look! Having been preached to about the benefits of contouring one's face (à la Kimmy K) for the last few years, the beauty world is shifting towards a less carved out, structured look that focuses on creating shadows (at the risk of looking a little 'muddy', if not done correctly) and instead, towards a focus on highlighting in order to create the appearance of light and shade, a.k.a 'Strobing'.

With me so far?! Ha!

Strobing is achieved by applying a perfectly toned highlighter (we're HUGE Opal + Moonstone by Becca fans) to your cheekbones, along your temples, down the bridge of your nose, below your brow bone, in the corners of your eyes, and above your cupid's bow, enhancing all those beautiful natural features.

Take a look for yourselfie...

So dewy and glowy, who doesn't want that? Seriously?!

There's been a bit of neggie commentary on this newly coined term, but we're pretty big fans here at FBrides. Our reasoning is thus: whereas contouring seeks to create a shape that isn't already there (a deep shadow beneath the cheek bone or maybe a slimmer nose, for example), strobing simply highlights those beautiful features that already, naturally exist. Strobing allows a gal to simply draw the eye to her favoured features!

We heart it, and we think you brides should too!

This trend is LIFE.

I cannot (and will not) stop talking about these b-e-a-u-tiful pieces. But seriously, my inner (jewellery obsessed) child is screaming for joy!

Totally innovative, totally original and just a showstopping alternative to the 'right-hand-ring' scenario for brides-to-be.

Is it a bracelet? Is it a ring? Nobody knows, but everybody is drooling at the mere sight of it!

Personally, we are major fans of these diamond, almost vine-like styles. They appear almost as though they're moving, flowing over the hand... Ergh, I die!

Too much pretty, can't handle it!

If a multitude diamonds aren't your thing then you can leave now then check out these brassy alternatives... Ahem!

A little more casj, these super boho pieces work beautifully alongside other jewels, creating intrigue without stealing the show.

left: Oracle Fox right: Free People

They're like the midi rings of the bangle world and we are next level besotted with them!

The moment you've all been scrolling for! Our Summer 2015 braid round up!

It's no secret that here at FBrides we kinda like braids...

HA! Man, sometimes even I can't take myself seriously! That was the understatement of the century!

Put simply: Festival Brides LOVES Braids.

Forever and ever amen.

So, you remember back in our Badass Bride post in April, we mentioned the Fauxhawk? Yah, well that's not gone anywhere! The wedding world is still utterly obsessed with this style and its many, many interpretations!

At one end of the scale the 'hawks are getting sleeker, more elegant and hyper-feminine...

(Like, I could cry this is so pretty!)

Moving on to slightly edgier, more urban waters and you might've noticed that the world of fashion is harping back to the 90s in a HUGE way! Which, as an aside, was the decade of my childhood, I couldn't be any more in my element this season!

Cornrows are back, babes! And although their return has been embraced alongside those Normcore, grungy looks that we know and love from the 90s, the catwalk has also allowed them to transcend into the world of high end.

Suddenly 'rows are one of the chicest hairstyles on the block, and we are just A-OK with that!

Like, have you ever seen 'rows look that damn chic?!

How did that even happen?! Who cares, I'm totally on board!

In essence: the closer to your head the braid sits, the more on trend it is for this Summer!

Which leads us to the simple french-plaited pigtails: so original for a bride, these simpler braids work stunningly in multi-tonal blonde hair.

They're so incredibly flattering, especially alongside a strong brow!

And the final look in this, our curation of braided masterpieces, is inspired by the idol that is Kate.

Perfectly 90s, with a carefree, playful vibe is this double braided look:

So, our advice for braided brides this Summer? Simply take a trip down memory lane, honey.

The metaphorical sprinkles atop your now perfectly iced cake, if you will!

A seriously gorgeous addition, fake freckles are a big news in the beauty world, and just so you know I'm a huge advocate so things are about to get reeeeaal biased right now.

The vast majority of Summer brides seek but one thing from their makeup; to appear naturally sunkissed and beautiful.

Well girl, unless you were born with such qualities, there ain't no shame: fake it 'til you make it!

I first stumbled across this trend when stalking perusing one of my personal Instagram favourites, Jordi of @likestory_ and @itslikelymakeup (the super babe above!), be sure to check out her Instagram tutorial on her perfectly formed little 'Fackles', but in the meantime here's how...

Once your makeup is complete, using a brow product in various shades of taupe/brown (be that a brow pencil, or a gel product paired with one of those spoolie thingies), dot freckles of varying sizes, shapes and colour intensities (this variation is encouraged to achieve a natural look) across the bridge of the nose, the upper cheeks/temples and even the forehead to achieve that natural (albeit completely artificial) look of sun kissed beauty.

If the freckles appear too intense, or to simpley achieve a more subtle finish, use a Beauty Blender (preferably with any left-over foundation/concealer still on it) to gently dab (never swipe!) the freckles out a bit. Finish with a setting spray or powder to keep your freckles all day long!

Of course, who said they had to be brown?

Face paint, I mean, resistance is futile, right?!

Now, go! I can tell you're all itching to go try some fake freckling in the office bathroom!

Peace + Love

Clare X