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This is your day to shine and
look your very best. So don't be tempted, as many brides are,
to look so different that they are hardly recognised as they walk
down the aisle! Looking your best is all about bringing out your
best features and flattering them, which you will hopefully be
able to do with some of the tips and information we have included.
Getting
your hair right:
Firstly we
would like to thank Jacki Wadeson and Pat Dixon,
for permission to use excepts from their book, Bridal Hair,
published by Macmillan Press. A fabulous source of info for hairdresser
and prospective bride alike, it really should be a must in the
salon when discussing bridal hair. As we have discovered in compiling
this page there are not too many good collections of bridal hair
looks to choose from and this is one of them. The tips below are
both our own and edited extracts from the book.
Consultation:
- Book a "trial run" with your hairdresser
to try out a few looks. Ideally start about 3 months before.
It is often a good idea to have mom or a trusted friend along
for a second opinion.
- When you visit the salon, go prepared
to answer all these questions which the hairdresser will want
to know in order to make the right decisions about your hair.
Don't worry if you have not made the final decision, as a hair
consultation may help you make up your mind:
|
Your
Dress
|
Whether
it is simple flimsy or full, how this works with your
body shape and balances with hair/head-dress.
|
| Neckline |
Certain
necklines work with certain styles or lengths of hair. |
| Headdress |
Colour,
style/length and weight and how it attaches all need to
be discussed. |
| Fabric
colours |
Hair
and skin tones work with certain fabric colours: white,
with ash blonde, medium brown or black hair; ivory/oyster,
with strawberry, auburn or chestnut hair; gold, with brown
chestnut or red; silver with dark blonde, blue-black,
ash brown or ash blonde and pastels look best on fair
hair. |
| Timing
|
Day
or evening? |
| Type
of Wedding |
Traditional,
modern, medieval or classic theme? Church or civil ceremony? |
- If you plan to try out several
different looks, then taking a camera along is a good idea to
help you remember each of them and to be able to show them around
for a second opinion.
- If you are changing for an evening
party, then your hair will need to go with both outfits so make
sure this is also taken into consideration.
- When booking your whole wedding
party in to get their hair done on the day, make sure that the
salon manager has it all under control. It is easy for someone
not to realise who is in the wedding party and end up leaving
them out!
- If you want your bridesmaids to
have similar hair, discuss a "theme" with your hairdresser rather
than just telling them that "they must all have this". What
suits one will not suit another and so use themes like 'soft
and fresh' or 'sleek and sexy' then each person gets to be themselves.
- For your hair to be at its best
you should begin a treatment and conditioning program a few
months prior to the event. Ask your stylist to recommend the
right products for you. Double click on this comprehensive
planner
sent to us by Sydney salon 'The Art of Hair' which
could be a great help.
Headdress:
We have mentioned
the headdress briefly above but it really is your crowning glory.
If you choose one it should form the focus of all hairstyle considerations.
You can have them custom-made to go with the dress but if you
do, make sure you have it finished in plenty of time so that you
can get at least one trial with it.
Don't rely
on the combs or fixings that are already attached as they are
often not suitable or are incorrectly fitted for how the rest
of your hair will be worn. Your hairdresser will be able to provide
you with alternative clips, pins etc but she will need time to
get them.
The weight
of the headdress is of great importance for comfort and it's ability
to stay put. For example, if you have fine hair a heavy headdress
will not stay in place.
Flowers:
Flowers are
a popular alternative to a more formal headdress or in combination
with a headdress. They can be secured in the hair by threading
the stem through the looped end of a hairpin and then using a
grip to keep the pin in place. Tiny braids against the scalp to
which the stem is stitched is another option if your hair is fine
and does not hold a grip well.
Veils:
Veils work
best when the style has some height, hence the popularity of hair-up
for a bridal look. A general rule of thumb is that if you have
a simple dress then use and elaborate veil. If you have an ornate
dress, use a simple veil. You would normally fix them in place
over your face and then flip it back. If wearing a tiara as well
it should be inserted first.
Veil types
include:
- Bouffant:
this just touches the shoulders and is quite fluffy and informal.
Works with shorter hair.
- Cathedral:
very long, finishing 6 feet or a couple of meters after the
train. These look stunning and work with any style of hair.
- Church:
still long, finishing a foot or half a meter beyond the dress.
- Fingertip:
ends where your fingers touch your legs. Works with styles that
are curled or with ringlets.
- Mantilla:
a lace trimmed one-layer veil that frames the face. Great with
smoother and dressier hairstyles.
Great Tip:
To remove creases from a veil, simply hold it taut and use
the hot air of a hairdryer to smooth over the surface. Spray starch
can also be used with this method but only on modern veils.
Hats:
Whether the
design of the hat is plain or swathed in organza, lace or flowers,
it needs a neat hairstyle to balance it. Short hair can be styled
behind the ears, whilst longer hair is best slicked back and formed
into a neat, smooth bun at the nape of the neck.
Beauty Tips:
- Having a make-up trial is just
as important as the hair trail, even more so if you are not
used to having your make-up done. Book one several weeks in
advance so that you can follow any advice on getting your skin
into shape prior to the day.
- If your face feels like it will
crack when you smile or is just plain then speak up at the trial
and get your make-up artist to try a 'more you' look. After
all it's a lot easier for them once they work out what you don't
like. If, on second application, it still doesn't work for you,
find another make-up artist!
- You will be given lots of advice
but the one that throws most people is the belief that you have
to "wear lots of make-up so that you don't look washed out in
the photos". "Lots" of make-up seems to mean a heavy foundation
which I personally think ages you and is just not necessary.
What you do need is a little 'contouring' as in blush, highlighter
and definition in the eyes and a light application of powder
to prevent shine. If still not happy then remember grooms always
seem to look good in wedding shots and they are usually wearing
no make-up at all!
- A waterproof mascara is a good
idea to prevent make-up migration during those teary moments.
If you find it dries your lashes, apply a normal mascara first
and then the waterproof version on top.
- Lipstick is best for photographs
in the gloss or shimmery variety rather than matte. With all
the kissing that goes on at weddings, a long-lasting colour
fast version is also good. Maybe you can remind your girlfriends
of this too so that you don't end up with their lip-stick all
over your own cheeks too.
At VirtualHairCare we would love
to broaden the information in this area to bring you a one stop
resource for your big day hair, beauty and other needs. If you
feel that your wedding experiences would benefit us, then drop
us a line at contactus@VirtualHairCare.com.
If you are in the wedding business or a salon that offers specialised
wedding services also contact us so that you may be added to the
information we provide.
© VirtualHairCare
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