What with holidays, prom season and wedding season, my latest blog post has fallen well overdue!
Looking back I see my last couple of posts have been make-up related, so law of averages would dictate that this one should focus on hair!
From conversations I have with my brides, I know a lot of you struggle to choose a hairstyle for your big day, so what better subject for this post than tips for choosing your wedding hair!
I’m sure we’ve all been there before….. you see a picture of a celebrity with a hairstyle you love, and then you try it on your own hair and it’s nothing like it! There are obviously going to be limitations on what you can and can’t do with your own hair, depending on the type and length of hair you have, but there are also many ways you CAN achieve at least a variation of your dream style. I’ve noted below my tips for this, and what you should consider.
Hair (and makeup) by Sarah-Lou …… extensions added to give more volume and length
First up, take into account your own hair….. if you have really fine hair, or not quite the length you’re looking for then don’t panic as you can still often achieve a lovely updo or have your hair down with lots of volume. A great way to add inches and volume is with extensions. And you needn’t go out and spend a fortune on a weave or bonds, as clip-in extensions work just as well, can be removed straight away and don’t cost the earth either. Another way to add a bit of volume to an updo would be to add padding in the form of a donut or other hairpiece. Any good hairdresser will be able to work wonders with these, and the end result is fantastic!
The style of your dress will also play a big part in the hairstyle that you choose. If it has a high neck or a lot of detailing near the top, then you would probably want to go for an updo rather than having your hair down. Likewise, if there is a certain theme to your wedding and/or dress (e.g. vintage), then you may also want your hairstyle to follow this theme.
Hair by Sarah-Lou ….. extensions added to give appearance of longer hair in updo
Another thing to take into account is the time of year, and location of your wedding too. If it’s winter time or you’re planning on being outside for a long period, then an updo will almost certainly fare better against the elements than having your hair down. I know we all see celebrities outside on their wedding days with their hair down and looking amazing, but they will no doubt have a team of stylists on hand throughout the day to ensure they look as glam as ever. Something most brides will not have the budget for!
Hair accessories should also be considered when choosing your hairstyle. Some of you will choose your style around the hair accessory you have already picked, while others will pick the hair accessory after they’ve chosen the style. My advice would be not to get too hung up on whether or not your chosen hairpiece will work with your hairstyle; it would be very rare that I couldn’t tweak a hairstyle to suit a hair accessory.
Hair by Sarah-Lou….. updo with padding added to create more volume and the appearance of bigger hair
And once again, I know I always say it, but DON’T BE TEMPTED TO SKIP THE TRIAL! A trial is the only way you will know for sure before the big day whether or not your chosen style will work for you. Even if you live far away and you can’t get a trial booked with your wedding hairdresser, go to a local hairdresser and get them to do a trial for you. The last thing you want is to get to your wedding morning and end up stressed because you don’t like the hairstyle that you had your heart set on, or it just won’t work with your hair. Before your trial, it’s a good idea to build up a collection of hairstyles that you really like, or even ones that you particularly dislike too. Pinterest is a great way of doing this and will be really helpful for your hairdresser to see.
I want you to enjoy choosing your bridal (and bridesmaid/wedding party) hairstyles, and I hope these tips will help take the stress out of it all!