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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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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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!?

Your Wedding Hair and Make Up Checklist

Your Wedding Hair and Make Up Checklist

Your Wedding Hair and Make Up Checklist

If you’re planning your wedding then you’re probably familiar, or perhaps even following, some information you’ve found about when to do what when it comes to your wedding… but what about when it comes to your wedding hair and make up?

Like so many brides, the way you look is almost certainly going to be one of your biggest concerns and it’s important that your wedding hair and make up is exactly what you want.

I’ve outlined an ideal timeline for your below. If you’re not following it exactly then please don’t panic – it certainly doesnt mean that it won’t all still go to plan, but if you are in need of a bit of guidance then this should help!

And of course don’t forget that if you want to speak to me about your wedding day then just get in touch. I’m happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have and if you still haven’t booked and secured your wedding hair and make up artist then make sure you don’t leave it too late!

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!!!

The Wedding Industry Awards – TWIA

The Wedding Industry Awards – TWIA

Best Bridal Hair Stylist 2020

Tha’ts quite some title right?! Well I’m delighted to be able to share that I have been selected amongst a whole group of other amazing ladies as a nominee in this very category for The Wedding Industry Awards ( also known as TWIA )

What does that mean?

Well, firstly it means that I get recognition from people in the industry I admire who have seen my work and think it’s good enough to even be considered. For me, and especially as a self employed business owner , it means so much when other people look at what you’ve created and give you praise for it! It’s an amazing feeling to know that people are cheering you!

Secondly, and most importantly to me personally, this particular awards is judged on the feedback you get from Brides. Brides that had booked me for their wedding day had to fill out a short questionaire all about me and the service I provided for them. It literally makes me so proud to think that I did a good enough job that they would have good things to say about me!

And even if…

…I don’t win this time then I know that I’ll be recieving all of my brides feedback which is just as exciting! I can’t wait to read it all and make sure that I’m doing things right for your guys!

Award winning hair stylist and make up artist

I’ve been lucky enough to win awards for both hair and make up before and although it’s not the be all and end all, it’s certainly a fantastic way for someone to pat you on the back and remind you that youre heading in the right direction! If I worked for a larger company I’d get an appraisal – someone would tell me what I’m doing well and what I need to improve on so I guess  awards for me are kind of like that!

Anyway, I won’t find out until next Monday when the South East Awards ceremony takes place but regardless, just to be nominated and have my name thrown about amongst this level of talent is pretty special ( if I do say so myself! )

2020 is certainly shaping up to look like a good year.

Lots of brides are being very organised and booking in advnce for their wedding dates. I can only work with one bride per day ( I dont want to be rushing off! ) so if you’d like to talk with me about your own wedding day then be sure to contact me sooner rather than later!

Oh and….Wish me luck!!!

Katie x