How to get the perfect wedding hair

How to get the perfect wedding hair

How to get the perfect wedding hair

Ok so the seasons aren’t always kind… to our hair that is. And it’s not ideal if you’re on a journey to the perfect wedding hair. You want to ensure that your hair looks as good as possible on the wedding day whatever the weather so here’s a few things you can do yourself to keep your hair looking and feeling in top condition….

Don’t rub with a towel.

By jumping out the shower and frantically rubbing your soaking wet hair with a rough towels you’re actually stressing it out! Instead make sure you remove as much excess water as you can by wringing your hair gently before you get out of the shower or bath, then pat dry your hair before you apply any products.

Hair oils.

Perfect for all sorts of hair woes including dryness, frizz and even shine. By adding a hair oil you’re giving back some of the goodness that every day styling can take out from your hair. Whatever brand you use then follow the instructions and be sure to only use a small amount – a little goes a long way. Don’t apply to the root area but concentrate on the mid lengths and ends for the best results.

Hair mask.

Try and incorporate a hair make into your weekly beauty regime.Even just five minutes a week whilst you shave your legs can really make a difference. Dependant on your own hair type, use a mask that combats any problems you might be having. If your hair feels a little dry then a moisture mask can help give it a little dose of love and you’ll notice a difference almost immediately.

Blo dry down the hair shaft.

Basically, your hair will sit and look nicer if it’s been blo dried so the cuticle can lay flat. Simply put, rather than just blasting your hair in every direction try to apply the air to your hair in the direction you want it to fall. Start at the top of your head near the roots and blo dry section by section,  runningthe hairdryer from your roots,  down your hair to the ends.

Use a toothbrush or mascara wand for flyaways.

This is a little trick that will help you keep all those baby hairs and flyaways at bay. Spray some hairspray directly onto a new clean toothbrush or mascara wand and ‘brush’ your hair gently into place.

Be gentle when it’s wet!

When you hair is wet it’s in its most fragile state so if you’re not careful you can end up adding to any breakage. Don’t use a thin comb to rake through your knots when your hair is wet, instead use a wide tooth comb or a tangle teezer to ensure that you’re brushing gently, section by section.

Brush from the bottom.

So many people will insert their hairbrush to the top of the hair and pull down. By doing it this way you’re applying tension, not to mention coming to a quick halt if you encounter any knots. Instead, start from the bottom and work upwards. This was you’re ensuring that by the time you reach the top your brush will simply glide throughout the length of your hair from root to tip.

Sleep on a silk pillowcase.

Not only will it be kind to your hair but it’s also said that it will help prevent wrinkles too. As if we need any more reason?!

Give it one more day.

So here it is, you’re excuse to press snooze just one more time and give yourself an extra ten minutes in bed! Instead of washing your hair as often as you do, try and give it that one more day where possible. The natural oils your hair produce help nourish both your hair and scalp so reach for the dry shampoo and style yourself a to knot for just one more day…Link to you tube tutorial

Keep on top of your trims – every 6 – 8 weeks.

I promise you us hairdressers don’t just tell you this so you can come back and pay is more, it honestly is in the best interests of your hair to get it cut every 6-8 weeks. And that rule applies even when you’re growing it. Regular trims will keep your hair looking and feeling healthy and remove any dead or split ends that can hinder your hair growth.  Trust us!

Product wise, there’s a product for every hair type and its important you figure out what your own hair needs in order to make an informed decision about what to buy. One suggestion I can make is a professional treatment you might have heard of called Olaplex.  This treatment actually repairs hair bonds, ensuring that your hair is fixed from the inside.  It’s a step by step process that can be added to your usual colouring service to ensure minimal damage and stress to your hair, or even as a stand alone treatment to give your hair a little bit of extra love and attention. Ask your hairdresser who will be able to help youand give you more details, even provide you with some products such as shampoo and conditioner from the Olaplex range to use at home in order to keep your hair in the very best condition.

When it comes to your wedding hair, healthy hair is always a great place to start.  Whatever style you choose, hair that’s in good condition will be more manageable and look so much nicer than hair that’s  dry or damaged.  If you’d like some more details on how to get your hair ready for the big day then take a look at my wedding hair checklist. I’ve created this to provide you with an outline and give you my own suggestion about what you can do to achieve the most perfect wedding hair!

Hope this helps!

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Real Bride: Wedding hair and make up for Lynn at Leeds Castle Kent

Real Bride: Wedding hair and make up for Lynn at Leeds Castle Kent

Real Bride: Wedding hair and make up for Lynn at Leeds Castle, Kent

Bride: Lynn
Venue: Leeds Castle
Photographer: Olly Knight Photography

Leeds Castle is known as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. It is the most beautiful backdrop for your wedding and the perfect setting for your dream day. The Castle itself is grand and majestic and rich in history , having once been home to Queen Catherine of Aragon. Nowadays the Castle is now a popular tourist attraction and a much sought after wedding venue, so its easy to see why Lynn chose to hold her day here.

Lynn opted for a classic bridal look. She wanted a natural make up look and a relaxed half up half down hair style.

Her long dark hair was curled to give the effect of loose waves. I used a salt spray to prep the hair before curling and added backcombing to the crown area to give slight volume to the top of her hair. When curling it’s important to ensure that your brides curls will last the duration of her day so the right prep is essential so that she’s not left with hair looking flat come the evening.
I swept Lynn’s hair away from her face and across her ears, leaving a side part. This allowed the hair to be structured but relaxed, providing a base for the veil which we then added into the back of the hair. The fringe sections were left free and fixed with a light hold hairspray to allow movement around the front to frame her face.

Lynn’s make up was light and fresh in tone. I used airbrush make up to spray a light base for that perfect finish. Airbrush make up is a HD technique, meaning that make up applies and sits perfectly, especially important when a bride is going to be captured on film.
I used a soft peach blush, MAC Melba, to enhance Lynn’s warm skin tone and brighten her cheeks. I highlighted with a golden tone, and one of my favourite products from Illamsqua OMG. We finished with a soft and natural pink lip and black waterproof mascara.

Thank you for having me on your big day Lynn, and thank you to Olly Knight for these beautiful photos.

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Your wedding hair and make up checklist

Your wedding hair and make up checklist

Your wedding hair and make up checklist

I see quite a lot of these checklist style articles pop up but hardly ever do they provide a realistic time line when it comes to your wedding hair and make up – so much so that I decided to create my very own wedding hair and make up checklist for you! Lots of artists, myself included can get booked up to two years in advance so don’t leave it too late. Have a read below and hopefully this will be able to give you a much more realistic time scale when it comes to preparing for your big day.

You’ve booked your venue…

Your date is confirmed, then its time to book your hair and make up artist! So many people are left disappointed when they try to book hair and make up services a few months before their big day, and so many people tell me that they never realised how important it was to secure the artist of their choice!  I get booked up to two years in advance, don’t be fooled into thinking you need to know exactly what style or look you want to go for – you don’t, and we have plenty of time to figure that out.  But it is important that you confirm and hold your date. I only book one bride per day so once it’s gone it’s gone!

12 months to go

If you don’t already, follow me on Instagram and facebook. You’ll be able to see first hand what kind of styles and looks my current brides are going for and it might even give you some ideas as to what you like or want. No two styles are exactly the same, each and every bride is unique so it’s important that you look at a variety of options before you start to think about what’s possible. Keep up to date with my social media and blog and get inspired!

If you don’t have a skin care regime then it’s time to get one! It doesn’t have to cost the earth and there are some great an inexpensive products from brands such at The Ordinary so be sure to check them out. . Something as simple as remembering to remove your make up with a cleanser each night and being sure to moisturise every day will make the world of difference.  The key to good make up is good skin.

Have a good hair cut. Get rid of all those dead ends. There’s still time for it to grow a little so don’t panic about length. There’s no point having really long hair if the last five inches is broken and damaged. A good cut will make it look and feel so much better.

6 months to go

Decide on your hair colour. If you’ve changed your hair for the wedding, or even if you’re just maintaining an existing colour , now is the time to start thinking about your colour appointment timeline. Ideally you want your colour to be fresh for the big day so I’d recommend trying to line up your appointments so your final pre wedding hair cut and colour is the week before the wedding day itself.

Stick with the skincare. Be kind to your skin. Drink water, sleep plenty – and keep removing that make up!

Book in your trial/preview session. Dates get booked up in advance. Some brides like to try and schedule this session for the same day as a dress fitting where possible, so they get to see everything ‘come together’. If you have a specific date in mind then let me know, otherwise you can give me your top three and I’ll do my best to accommodate. These sessions are first come, first served. You can book a session any day Monday – Friday, and don’t forget I offer limited evening appointments too.

3 months to go

By this point you’re thinking about your preview session which is probably happening over the next few weeks. Take a look at the preview session pack available on my site for some useful advice. Preparing for your preview session pack and start to think about what type of things you like, and just as importantly – what you don’t. This makes a great starting point for the both of us and it can make you think openly about how you want to look. Do you have any accessories that you want to incorporate? Will they be ready and available for us to try at this session for you?

1 month to go

This month you’ll receive your final invoice from me. Like most suppliers, I take payment 30 days before the wedding day itself.  At this point I’ll also want to check ( again! ) that all the details I have for the wedding morning are correct. Ill confirm timings, contact details etc.  If anything changes then be sure to let me know as soon as possible so I can update my details.

The week before the wedding

The wedding day is almost here! You’ll hear lot of things this week along the lines of ‘I cant believe its gone so quick’ and you might even feel like ‘I just cant wait for this to be over!’  but try not to get too stressed – everything always falls perfectly into place I promise!

You’ve had your last hair cut and colour by this point so be sure to keep your hair in top condition by using a heat spray when using heated tongs and straighteners etc . If you’re thinking about having your first ever facial then now is not the time.  The point of a facial is to ‘clear out’ your skin, releasing any toxins etc , and many ladies can find that it brings them out in spots as it draws all the impurities to the surface. Lots of brides make this mistake and then panic as their skin changes, save it until after the wedding – maybe treat yourself to one on honeymoon!

The night before the wedding

Wash your hair, dry it and then leave it in its natural state.  Unless we’ve agreed otherwise then this is the best condition for me to style your hair. Remove any make up and clean your face thoroughly before bed. In the morning follow your usual skin care routine to the point of moisturiser and upon arrival I will do the rest. I’ll apply any necessary primers and potions to ensure that your make up glides on perfectly. And most importantly – TRY to get a decent night sleep! ……..I’ll see you in the morning!!!

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Real Bride: Emma, // Wedding Hair at The Old Kent Barn

Real Bride: Emma, // Wedding Hair at The Old Kent Barn

Real Bride: Emma, // Wedding Hair at The Old Kent Barn

Bride: Emma
Venue: The Old Kent Barn
Photography by: David Fenwick

When I first met Emma for her hair trial session she had a good idea about the look she wanted to create. She knew that she wanted curls and that a half up half down style was at the top of her list when it came to her wedding hair preference. So many brides are unsure of what they want exactly or what will suit them so a preview session is a our chance to have a play around and figure out exactly what you do and don’t like when it comes to selecting your bridal hair.

Another thing Emma knew was that she wanted to wear extensions. Mainly for thickness and length but also for a bit of additional colour and tone, we added a full head of clip in extensions to Emma’s beautiful locks on the day. This meant that even when the hair was styled into a half up half down design , it didn’t look thin or flat at all. It also meant that we were left with a beautiful, full and thick looking style that could easily carry some beautiful accessories too.

Emma’s beautiful curls were created with a ghd flat iron. When adding heat to long hair its important to make sure you use a good heat protection spray. It’s also important that you correctly prep the hair for any bride wanting to wear curls on their big day. You need to ensure that the style will last and the curls will hold so they can look just as beautiful in the very last photo as they do the very first!

A lot of brides worry in regards to their own hair thickness and length and clip in hair is a great, quick and easy way to achieve the style you imagine without having to spend months growing your hair. It’s temporary too, meaning that its low maintenance. The clips can simply be removed from you hair at the end of the evening with minimal fuss and with no professional knowledge or product needed. Added hair is a quick and effective way to create the most beautiful and intricate bridal styles , regardless of your own hair type. By adding colour we can give extra dimension to a twisted up style, by adding length you can have the Rapunzel locks you always dreamt of, and by adding thickness we can be sure that you look and feel really confident despite your otherwise fine hair.

Thankyou Emma for these beautiful Images and for choosing me for your big day. We got ready in the bridal prep room of the beautiful venue The Old Kent Barn. Emma’s photos really capture the diversity of this amazing venue – which offers everything from stunning countryside to gorgeous sunset photo opportunities. If you’re looking for a Barn venue for your wedding day then be sure to take a look.

If you’d like to ask any questions regarding hair extensions then please do get in touch. I offer all of my brides a free colour match consultation and can even source the best type of extension and the best quality hair for you. So many brides wear extensions to complete their wedding day hair look and you’d never even know they were there!

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An open letter to my 2020 brides

An open letter to my 2020 brides

An open letter to my 2020 brides

To all of my 2020 brides,

The next few months are set to be uncertain times and for those of you reaching out to me , I just wanted to provide you with a little reassurance about my position when it comes to your wedding day. I know that everyone is telling you not to panic, but I have been in your position as an excited bride to be and can imagine that panicking is probably all you are really doing right now! I wanted to take this chance to reassure you that I will do all I can to help with any changes that might need to be made and help you however I can. I have outlined a few points below for you to consider and I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how I intend to handle the current situation/mess/ chaos that we all find ourselves stuck in!

PAUSE,- don’t cancel

Don’t hastily cancel your wedding plans. Lots of venues are allowing couples to postpone their plans rather than miss out altogether. Currently the government have enforced a ban on weddings but this won’t last forever.  

If you can postpone…

Given the current situation some brides are finding themselves in the difficult position of wanting to postpone their wedding day or rearrange their date.  I can only imagine what an awful situation my brides are in trying to make this decision and trying to figure out what to do for the best. I can totally sympathise with anyone wanting to reschedule but concerned that in doing so they might be left out of pocket.  Registrars have previously said they will move any 2020 bookings over the next few weeks, to a rescheduled date later in the year without any additional transfer or admin costs ( something to consider when making any changes to your plans! ) .

What I can do…

I have personally taken the decision to do everything I can to help my brides that are wanting to reschedule their wedding date. The following advice is on behalf of my business only. It does not mean that any other suppliers are obliged or expected in any way to follow suit or agree to the new terms that I am happy to offer. As a small business I want to ensure that we are able and willing to help one another so that everyone can get through this challenging time with minimal upset and disruption.

If you can make a claim on wedding insurance

I’m so far only aware of one bride who has been told she is successfully covered for her wedding day. If you think you might also be in this situation then please contact me directly. If your insurance policy is saying that they will cover you, then they will also pay out to your suppliers in full as agreed within your contracts. For me personally, that means that my original and agreed contract with you still stands and that neither of us will not lose out on any payments. As you can imagine, myself – like many small businesses- are going to find the next few weeks and months really challenging so if you can claim then go ahead and do so. Please don’t think that you are claiming ‘against’ me, (you’re not ! ) Or that it is detrimental to our relationship in any way. It simply means that in this scenario I get paid, and you get reimbursed so we are both covered. If this is the case, I can simply create a new booking for you and we can go ahead and book in your new wedding date. If you need any documentation confirming payments that you have made or will be expected to make to abide by my T & C then please do not hesitate to ask and I will provide everything I can to support your claim.

Be aware

Unfortunately, even some couples with wedding insurance are finding themselves helpless because the situation is now considered a worldwide pandemic, and therefor not covered. Your wedding day is supposed to be the best day of your life and you’ve spent both money and time trying to ensure everything is perfect. Sadly, no one could have foreseen the current situation we find ourselves in but that doesn’t make it any easier or you to accept.

A hard time for the suppliers

The last few weeks I’ve seen some really angry brides saying the most awful things about suppliers who didn’t agree to refund their non refundable booking payment, because the brides had made the hard decision to cancel their weddings. As it stands, without an enforced cancellation any suppliers insurance won’t cover them for any loss of earnings over this period at all. Even with enforced cancellation, because of the exceptional circumstance, insurance wont cover that either. For some, this can mean thousands of pounds and the difference between being able to support their families and quite literally put food on their table. The majority of suppliers are small, self employed individuals providing a personal service for brides on their wedding day. Everyone’s emotions are running very high at the moment but I urge you to take a moment to see both sides of the situation that we now find ourselves in. Some businesses simply won’t survive all the cancellations they’re faced with at the moment and everyone is doing whatever they personally see as the best way to try and get their business through a really difficult time. Working together to support one another now means that neither side need loose out.

My personal decision

I want to be at your wedding as much as you do! Wedding hair and make up has been my full time role for 7 years now and I’m personally invested in every bride that I meet and book. It upsets me so much that we find ourselves in a position where so many of the lovely ladies who I’ve excitedly met and helped prepare for their big day wont be able to have it on the day they had originally planned. Of course financially this is going to potentially have a massive impact on the business I’ve worked really hard to build, but what’s causing me most upset is speaking to those of you that are simply devastated as to what’s going on. I’ll do my very best to keep you updated and when it comes to your individual wedding days and plans, I ask that you do the same and let me know as soon as any changes are made so I can do everything I can to accommodate them for you

However, that being said I do understand that a lot of my brides are wanting and intending to cancel their current date and reschedule. I have personally decided that providing I am available, I am happy and willing to move your booking fee over to your new date and honour the rates of your original booking, meaning that you wont be at all financially affected.
I’ll also be changing the payment terms for you, meaning that a staggered payment will allow you longer to pay your balance.
By doing this it means that not only am I able to ensure that my business can continue during this difficult period, but it’s also my way of showing my brides some support. You shouldn’t have to be out of pocket for something that is totally beyond anyone’s control. I want my brides know that they are covered and supported by me and the contract we have made.
If you are considering a rescheduled date please feel free to contact me to request my availability. If I am not available for your new date then I have made it my personal mission to find you someone who is. I don’t want any of my brides to feel lost or daunted at the prospect of having to try and find another available hair and make up artist , so I will personally do this for you.
Hopefully this gesture provides you with some reassurance that I’m doing everything I can this end to make everything as simple and stress free as possible as it can be for you at the moment!

If you did still intend/want/ are happy to make payment in full as per your T & C’s at the time of your original booking, then this would be gratefully received. I know that some of you have said you have already accounted for payments going at this time anyway and that is very much appreciated. It’s really comforting to know that you can see the effect that this will have on my personal circumstance and really kind of you to be wanting to support me personally at this time also. Needless to say this helps my business at this tricky time and I thank you for that. In this instance, and for those of you that have already done this and made payment in full to me please just let me know your rescheduled dates. This way I can transfer your booking and send you over a revised booking form with your new date and receipt of your payment in full against this new date for you.

In addition to this, I’ll also be issuing all of my brides who have already had their trial/preview session a voucher for 10% off any further preview sessions they might want to have. You do not have to take advantage of this offer and it is by no means compulsory, but I just wanted to offer a little something extra to those of you having to change your date, and especially those of you who are waiting over a year for your new date in 2021. Should you wish to have another preview session nearer the time of your new and rescheduled wedding, you can use this 10% voucher against this booking. Hopefully by this point you will be able to relax and be excited about your upcoming wedding again, and this might help, albeit only a little, with building that excitement!

As I mentioned, other suppliers will not necessarily be working to the same terms and I’m sure everyone will be looking at each case individually. Just because I am offering to accommodate new dates does not mean that any other suppliers will be doing the same. Please please please be sure to talk to all of your suppliers individually as every business is different.

If you have any questions then please do just ask, I hope you are all keeping well and please know that I’m looking forward to joining you on your wedding morning – regardless of when that might be!

Kind Regards

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4 Surprising Reasons to book a professional for your wedding hair and make up

4 Surprising Reasons to book a professional for your wedding hair and make up

4 Surprising Reasons to book a professional for your wedding hair and make up

Ok, so most brides know the basics when it comes  to what they’re looking for with their wedding hair and make up artist. Maybe you’re after someone who offer airbrush make up ( me! )  , or someone who can create a fabulous waterfall braid ( also me! ) . However,  there are a few important things that you might not have yet considered ….

1. Allergies and hygiene.

A professional will use a selection of professional and trusted products. They know how to care for them and clean them. They know how to ensure that something will last all day, that it wont aggravate your skin and they know the correct way to work with your personal skin type and texture. Always be sure to make your artist aware of any allergies you have before the application process begins. That way they will know what products to avoid and what products to suggest and substitute if needed.

2. It’s their reputation , and they are not going to take that lightly!

Most artists have spent thousands of pounds and taken years to perfect their art. They want their work to be exceptional. They want you to look amazing and they want people to know that they created that! You don’t want to look ‘ok’ on your wedding day, you want to look incredible. You want your look to last and your artist wants you to be so pleased that you go on and recommend them to your friends and family without hesitation.

3. They know how to deal with the situation.

Sometimes things don’t go to plan. Timings may change, things might happen outside of your control, but a professional will be able to take that in their stride and deal with it. You don’t want someone who is going to get flustered and anxious, you want someone who is confident and makes you feel comfortable. They know what they are doing, they have experience and even if you might find yourself in a situation you hadn’t anticipated , a true professional will be able to remain calm and deal with it.

4. They can work alongside other professionals.

Chances are that this isn’t the first wedding your hair and make up artist has had the honour of participating in. As time goes on you learn the expectations of other suppliers as well as your own. Maybe the photographer wants to get some prep shots of you getting your liner applied, or the wedding co ordinator wants to take you to see the room dressed before your guests start to arrive. Most of these things we can anticipate and even suggest to ensure that you are getting as much out of your morning as possible. Often, your hair and make up artist might even find that they know your photographer or are familiar working at your particular venue.

Everyone wants to ensure that they play their part in making sure you have the most amazing wedding morning. If you think you might like me to join you in making yours one to remember then please do get in touch.  I only work with one wedding per day so once your booking is confirmed you can rest assured that I’ll be with you until the moment you head off down the aisle!

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