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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Do I need hair extensions for my wedding hair style?

Do I need hair extensions for my wedding hair style?

Do I need hair extensions for my wedding hair style?

I’d estimate about 80% of my brides wear hair extensions on their wedding day….not that’s you’d ever even know it! In the past hair extensions meant long, plastic-looking straw-like hair that didn’t quite match in colour. Nowadays we use 100% human hair, silky, shiny locks that can add colour, length and thickness to really give you the wedding hair you dream of!

Do I need them?

So many brides ask me whether they need hair extensions for their wedding hair style. If you want to look like you have Michelle Keegans beautiful bouncy locks when in reality your hair is thin and sparse then the answer is yes.

However, I can guarantee you’ll be amazed at just what your own hair can do , and although we can give the illusion of fullness and thickness to a certain extent – some people do need a little extra help.

I’m worried that people will be able to tell…

A lot of brides are nervous about extensions, you’ve probably seen some really bad ones yourself and you worry that on your wedding day everyone will be looking at your hair and be able to tell. Maybe the colour won’t match? Maybe it will look like a ‘step’ in length between your natural hair and the extension pieces? When I work with extensions I offer a colour match and hair sourcing service to all my brides. This not only makes your life easier as a bride – but mine too! I know that I’m working with good quality 100% human hair that’s not going to affect the ‘look’ of the style I’m creating ( some synthetic hair extensions can look shiny and plastic )  and you know that I’ve matched your hair to the perfect colour so there will be absolutely no way for people to notice the difference!

How do I know what will work?

I can also ensure that the hair is ‘cut in’ too, styled and shaped so it simply looks like an extension of your own hair without any visible difference. I work with a variety of clip in hair and hair pieces and different people need different things. Maybe you need length? Maybe you need volume? Or maybe you’re wanting to add coloured panels without the commitment of a permanent change?! Anything is possible when it comes to your wedding hair so don’t be disheartened if you don’t have the exact hair type that you think you need to create the style that you’ve always dreamt about. You don’t need to compromise, we just need to adapt it in order for it to work for you!

There lots of inspiration over on my galleries page. Have a look through and try and guess which brides are wearing clips, hair pieces or extensions. The key is to keep it all looking natural, your hair is a part of you and your wedding hair shouldn’t look un natural or different. You want your wedding hair to be a talking point on your big day for the right reasons….!

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When should I colour my hair before my wedding?

When should I colour my hair before my wedding?

When should I colour my hair before my wedding?

A lot of brides worry about when to time their final hair appointment in order for their hair to look its very best on the big day. You don’t want to leave it long enough that you allow any regrowth, but you don’t want to have it done the night before just incase you’re left with any scalp staining  from your chosen colour – especially if it’s a dark one!( we’ve all been there!)

I advise my brides that the week before the wedding is the perfect time to have your colour re done as it allows you to ensure its exactly how you want it , and if for some reason its not then there is plenty of time to make any alterations. Not only this but also, it means that you’ve had the chance to wash it to ensure all the excess colour has left your hair and you’re not left with any colour staining – especially around your hair line area.

I’d always recommend you visit a professional to get your colour services, you certainly don’t want to be worrying about a patchy colour on your wedding day! A good colourist will be able to advise you as to what works well with your own skin tones and they will use professional products that suit your hair type to give you the long lasting colour that you’re after! Be sure to book it in though, I’ve heard horror stories about people having to go elsewhere when their favourite stylist is unavailable and that’s a pre wedding stress you most certainly don’t need !

Changing Your Hair Colour Before The Wedding Day

Some brides ask me about changing their hair colour in a drastic way before the wedding day, for example going from blonde to brown or even vice versa! The important thing to remember is that the same style can look totally different when it’s on different colour hair. You might decide that it doesn’t show off the detail in the same way or that your chosen accessory doesn’t stand out in the same way when your hair is a different colour. Maybe you’ve been the same colour for years and fancy a change? My advice would be to make any colour changes in plenty of time before the wedding, and by this I mean months not weeks!  Even the slightest change to colour and tone can make the biggest difference to your look. Drastic colour changes may even require you to change your entire make up collection too so its something that you need to give some serious thought to. Although you might like the idea of the ‘shock factor’ as you walk down the aisle with a completely different hair colour than your partner saw you with three days ago, not only will it take them some time to get used to – but you too! As much as you think you might like it, and as much as it looks good on someone else , is the week before your wedding really the time you want to risk it!?

What Wedding Hair Style Will Suit My Wedding Dress?

What Wedding Hair Style Will Suit My Wedding Dress?

What wedding hair style will suit my wedding dress?

A common concern I hear from my brides is that they’re not quite sure what type of wedding hair style to choose to compliment their dress

A preview session with me is an ideal time to show me pictures of your wedding dress so I can get an idea of the overall look and style of your wedding day. Not only do I love to see what each bride has chosen but it also really helps when we’re putting together your hair and makeup look.

By seeing your dress I am able to see what ‘type’ of bride you are wanting to be. Anything and everything from a show-stopping princess gown to a classic lace fitted fishtail…everyone is different. Some people might wear the same style of dress and wear it in such a way that it’s completely opposite to the way someone else has done it.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

It’s important that the hair and the dress work together. You want everything to be able to come together perfectly and be a real reflection of the entire theme of your wedding day. If you’re going for lace, romantic and boho – then a tight, slick style probably wont be your first choice. Instead, we might create something more delicate and detailed that lends itself to the effortless, natural look you’re striving for.

CONSIDER THE NECKLINE

One important thing to take into consideration about your dress in regards to your hair is the neckline. A high neckline might be better suited to a higher upstyle, giving the illusion of a longer neck and elegance, whilst a structured dress that falls away at the back might compliment long flowing curls and movement.

HOW YOU CAN HELP ME

I always ask my brides to come along to their preview session armed with photos of styles they have seen that they like. You don’t need to know why you like them, they don’t need to be of someone with similar colour hair to yours – as long as you are drawn to them because they resemble what being a ‘bride’ means to you then have them prepared! You’d be surprised at what conclusions we can come to from having a consultation session about your likes and dislikes! If you have a favourite lipstick, bring that too – even a favourite photo of yourself on a night out where you think you look good- I want to see it all!

ADDING ACCESSORIES

I also ask brides to bring along any accessories that they have already purchased that they plan on wearing. Don’t worry if you don’t have any yet – it’s not essential, and some people like to decide on the style first and then work around that. Some brides even have something special, maybe some type of material or heirloom that they want to incorporate into their finished look and that’s fine too.  If you can imagine it, then we can create it! If you do have something specific then by having it available to us at the time of your preview session it means that we can be sure to style your hair in a way that incorporates whatever it is we’re adding. It’s important that we make it look like a part of the style, rather than just something that’s been added last minute as an afterthought.

So if you’re after some inspiration and you’d like to take a look at how some of my other brides  have chosen to wear their wedding hair on their big day then head over to my galleries page and take a look.