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Getting your hair wedding fit – Advice from one of Sydney’s best hairdressers

Advice from one of Sydney’s best hairdressers, Jules Peacocke, Director, Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup, Sydney, Australia

As soon as you’ve set the date of your wedding, deciding on your hair and makeup should be as high on the list of priorities as your wedding dress.

Having dealt with many brides over the course of my career, I am still amazed at how little attention many brides place on the “fitness” of their hair for the big day.  Getting your hair “wedding fit” probably takes even longer than getting your body in shape to fit that gorgeous dress you’ve chosen.

Many women are acutely unaware that their hair health is actually severely compromised.  It is impossible to create beautiful wedding hairstyles if the hair is damaged, lifeless and is not receiving the right at home care.

So here’s my list of top things to do to make sure your hair is as fit for your wedding as your body or mind is!

Check your hairdresser’s credentials

Not all hairdressers are able to style hair for wedding events.  They might be good at colouring, cutting and blow drying but they might not have received the right training to create beautiful up-do’s or editorial looking styles.  To check whether you like their style of creating wedding hair, you should arrange to have at least one if not two wedding hair and makeup trials. More on this later.

Check your hairdresser’s availability

There is nothing worse than finding out that your hairdresser is on holidays when you are getting married.  Alternatively, your hairdresser might not be willing or able to travel to your hotel or location. So what do you do then?

My recommendation is to seek out the best hairdresser in the area you will be located and start a conversation with them about jointly managing your hair direction with your regular hairdresser.

Do I have my hair done in salon or at the hotel?

It is generally more cost effective to have your hair done in the salon by a hairdresser than having them leave the salon to come to you.  You will be paying for travel time for them and any assistants they require. But it’s a matter of personal preference. Being in a salon ensure that all the products and tools are at your stylists disposal but leaving the “safety” of home or the hotel to travel to get their hair done could be the worst thing for some brides.

If you do an internet search for “wedding hair and makeup” you will get pages and pages of results for mobile hair and makeup artists.

Beware! Most of these “artists” are not qualified hairdressers and have only completed one-day hair styling courses, if that. They are generally offering this service part-time on weekends and have regular day jobs like you and I.  If they have assistants, it is likely that they are unqualified as well.

The other thing is that from my perspective as a master stylist who has put years into their craft, they generally take shortcuts like using tongs to achieve updo’s. Once you see photo’s of classically designed hair using traditional methods like curl sets and/or pin curls, there is no comparison with tong curls. The resulting hair styles are absolutely stunning, but I am biased.

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Using a qualified hairdresser to style your hair on the day is your safest option.  If this is not possible, then ensure the best hairdresser you can afford takes charge of the overall colour and cut and arrange to have multiple trials with mobile hair artists to ensure they can create a style that you are happy with.

Get a timetable of who is working on whom and when.

We plan our wedding hair and makeup sessions with military precision and we work backwards from the time the bride needs to leave the salon or commence the process of getting dressed.

Whomever is doing your hair and makeup and potentially your bridal party’s hair and makeup, get a timetable from them and make sure they have allowed sufficient time for each of your wedding party’s hair type, preferred hairstyle, and travel time.

If they are not able to meet your bridesmaids before the event, then it helps the stylist to get some selfies of your friends so they know the hair type they are dealing with. There is nothing worse than the wedding party running behind because someone has very thick long hair that takes longer than average to style.

Getting wedding fit is a journey

Each bride should ask herself:

  • What am I thinking in terms of hair & makeup? Do I have an idea or am I at a loss?
  • Where am I now? What is the “true” and current state of my hair?
  • Where do I want to be? How far from the ideas I am thinking is my hair right now?
  • How long have I got? Do I have enough time to get from where I am now to where I want to be?

Your wedding hair style

Generally speaking, your wedding dress and potentially wedding theme (if any) will lead the journey to creating your personal style for your wedding day.

I’ve had clients who were getting married in the tropics and were opting for a “beachy theme”. The dress was a simple strapless design in lace.  We did hair trials and created a long beach wave look complemented by a simple flower wreath on the head.  We took plenty of photo’s and then arranged to have a local hairdresser recreate the style. It could never look the same but my client was happy and that’s what counts the most.

I always say that a “red carpet dress needs red carpet hair”. That doesn’t mean the hairstyle has to be an updo, just that the hairstyle looks absolutely fabulous and complements the fabulous dress and you feel comfortable in it.

Just keep in mind the likely weather conditions on the day and potentially have a Plan B hairstyle. Many styles that look great in photos like the beautiful waves reminiscent of the 30’s, don’t actually hold up that well exposed to movement or any weather condition.

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Hair Length: I want or need longer hair

If you need or want longer than 6 inches of extra length and you have 8 months or more, then growing it might be an option. If not, you might want to consider hair extensions or hair pieces depending on the style you are going for.  Tape hair extensions can be very cost effective, quick to apply and easy to remove after your big event.

The most important thing is to have the hair extensions or pieces colour matched to your own hair once you have decided on the colour.

Great hair colour and great hair health go hand in hand

Getting great hair colour is strongly dependent on having healthy hair. If your hair health is compromised then you should not be thinking of drastic colour changes (for example going more than 2 shades lighter).

You should be putting your hair through a “fitness” regime of having hair treatments both at home and at the salon, and potentially keratin treatments to help the hair along.  As I mentioned previously, it is difficult to style hair that is damaged and lifeless, and get a good result.

Hair Colour:

I know it sound obvious but you should get your colour done about 1 week before your wedding. The number of wedding photo’s I see of women with regrowth is astounding. Not a great look.

Settling on colour.

I could go on for days about the problems and dangers of using boxed colour from the supermarket or drug store. Of course I am biased but there are some real issues. You might like to read this article Super hair colour is not supermarket hair colour.

One thing is certain, if you’ve been using boxed at-home colour for many years, then you should probably keep doing what you’re doing. Trying to lift or change the pigments from these types of colours can be very difficult and results can be variable to say the least even with the most experienced hairdresser.

Depending on whether you’re looking to make a statement with strong creative colour, elegant highlights or beachy balayage, you should be “testing” the colours and looks at least 6 months in advance.  Seek out the best hairdresser you can afford and the one that has the best reviews or recommendations. Don’t hesitate to stop people in the street!

Wedding Hair and Makeup Trials

I mentioned earlier that you should at least have one, if not two, wedding hair and makeup trials.  I ask my clients to give me at least three and a half hours of their time where we explore and try out different styles and looks.  We change things incrementally, take lots of photo’s and discuss the pro’s and con’s. There is often a lot of texting of photo’s to bridesmaids and mothers of the brides too!

It’s a great advantage to be able to go home and try on your wedding dress with your styled hair and makeup.

Don’t be afraid to have a second trial and be forthright about what you liked and didn’t like.

Final words

Despite all my advice regarding forward planning, the most beautiful brides are the relaxed ones. Hopefully my words of advice will help you be sufficiently prepared so that on the day you can sit back and enjoy a glass of champagne while being pampered and getting ready for one of the most special days of your life!

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How To Choose The Right Lingerie For Your Wedding Gown

Finding the perfect lingerie for your wedding dress is about more than feeling desirable on your wedding night. You’ll also need to consider the cut of your white wedding gown. Some gowns require special undergarments that offer just the right amount of support to beautiful brides.

If you’re wondering exactly which underpinnings work best with different styles of wedding dresses, we can help. We’ve created a quick guide that will assist you in choosing lingerie that is both lovely to look at and functional:

Strapless Bridal Gowns

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This classic bridal gown look requires some support underneath! To make the most of this traditional silhouette, consider a smooth, long-line strapless bra with an under wire. If you’re well-endowed, you’ll need to be certain that this type of lingerie covers you up completely and gives you the support you need to feel confident as you walk down the aisle. For women with more petite bust lines, there are a variety of wonderful bras in the marketplace – some of these offer a little discreet padding to augment nature! What you choose depends on your desired silhouette at your wedding.

Best Choice – a long-line strapless bra

Plunging Necklines

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Sometimes, wedding dresses will feature low necklines – ones that might expose the fabric of typical bras or corsets. Finding the right style for wedding dresses with plunging necklines can be easier if you make some preparations before you go shopping for your wedding lingerie. Try on your dress and make some notes – indicate where the neckline of your dress ends and where the bra should begin. Take a digital photo of yourself in your gown and bring the camera along with you when you’re buying underwear.

Choose a few styles that might work, and then consider which one offers the most support and the most practical shape for your gown. Since you can’t return lingerie at most stores, you’ll need to get organized – or even take your gown along with you (from your bridal boutique) to try on while you shop. In general, just knowing where the gown ends (from memory or your own notes) will be an excellent way to find the right bra for you.

Best Choice – Pretty plunge bra

Backless

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A corset can be an excellent option for backless bridal gowns. Designed with multiple wires, bones, or special fabrics that hold you in place and give you support, a high-quality corset can streamline your figure and provide the ideal foundation for a backless dress. Backless corsets will usually have a row of strong hook and eye closures at the back of the corset – these will be level with your lower back, giving you a smooth, bare look from there on up.

Suggestions – backless bra bodysuit

Short

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Today, lots of women opt for shorter design that show off their legs. For this type of bridal dress, you may want to go for traditional stockings, garters, and a special, girdle-like pair of underwear, such as Spanx. You can always pick up a flimsier pair of panties in silk or lace to wear once you’ve hit your wedding-night destination. However, even today’s support garment underwear can be surprisingly sexy and appealing. Designers have learned to combine excellent elasticity and support with pleasing cuts and embellishments.

If you’re wearing a short gown, consider your stockings, garters, and other lingerie as integral parts of your outfit – they will affect your entire look. Pale cream, white, champagne, and pale pink are popular tones for all types of wedding lingerie. In general, flesh or nude-toned pieces will always work well, as long as they are opaque. Avoid any see-through wedding lingerie, in case of a wardrobe malfunction. If you’re aren’t wearing stocking, make sure your legs are lightly tanned and moisturized. You can still wear a garter for fun if it doesn’t show when you move around.

Suggestions – Spanx panties in nude

The Right Lingerie Will Help You Enjoy Your Wedding

With these tips, you can do perfect wedding dresses justice. If you plan, you can put together a set of coordinating lingerie pieces that are romantic to behold – and perfect for your own bridal dress. Look for sales on designer merchandise – go for the best quality you can afford.

 

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Locks of Love: Expert Tips on Choosing the Perfect Wedding Hairstyle for Your Big Day!

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Deciding on a hairstyle for your wedding can be a hard decision. Every woman wants silky, beautifully styled hair as she walks down the aisle…however, it can be difficult to know whether or not you should wear your hair up or down…or half-up and half-down!

If you’re looking for a little expert guidance regarding the best wedding hairstyles, you’ll enjoy this quick guide to choosing the right look for your big day!

Consider Your Facial Shape

Many women have their hearts set on a certain wedding hairstyle that may not actually be flattering for them. For example, women with full or round faces may not look their best in a sleek, tight chignon (this is a circular bun gathered at the back of the head or the nape of the neck).

Conversely, women with very thin faces may not be flattered by long, wild curls that seem to overpower their delicate features. Learning to work with your natural facial shape is the perfect way to narrow down your choices and flatter fashionable wedding dresses.

Round Face

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Eternally youthful, the round-faced woman is flattered by long layers, parted in the middle…or in a deep side part. At the crown, a little volume on top can visually add height and length to the face. If you’re planning to wear a filmy wedding veil with your bridal dress, practice a few hairstyles with a hairdresser or friend – use the veil for each one.

Then, take some digital photos to see how you really appear to other people. In general, the fuller your face is, the more you will benefit from extra length. If your heart is set on wearing your hair up, simply allow some long, layered tendrils to drift past your cheekbones.

Flower barrettes or sparkly rhinestone accessories could be lovely with your face shape – your facial structure is quite feminine. If you’re skipping the veil, consider a single clip or wedding flowers to add charm to a long blowout. Matching a pretty rhinestone clip to your bridal rings can be a cute way to get a coordinated effect.

Square Face

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Your strong features will look gorgeous when you incorporate lots of volume into your wedding hairstyle. This type of face looks lovely with an up-do – your features are distinct enough to stand alone. Consider a sleek style with a little more looseness up at the top – modern and stylish, this type of wedding hairstyle is smooth near the head and messier and more deconstructed where the hair is gathered.

You could also add curled sections or braids to the back of the bun for more style. A decorative headband that is placed about an inch above your hairlines can be a stunning look – opt for a satin design or a jewelled band – then have the stylist tease the hair behind the headband for 1960’s style, Ann Margret-inspired glamour. Go for hourglass-shaped bridal dresses to accent this hairstyle.

Oval Face

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Your classic oval face leaves you all sorts of options for the perfect hairstyle to go with your white wedding dress. Since you have so many options, you should look for other clues to find the right up-do or blowout for you.

If you’re small and slender, you may look best in a short cut that doesn’t overpower your features. Halle Berry has an oval face and often goes for a short, pixie-ish cut that puts the focus on her eyes and cheekbones.

If your build is larger, consider a layered, chin-length cut, perhaps with wispy bangs to add visual impact. You’ll look lovely if you pull half of your hair up at the crown, and then fasten your veil into place. Your bangs will soften your features (since they aren’t pinned back) and the long bottom section of your hair will still hang free, which is very feminine. This classic bridal look will be a great option for anyone with an oval face. If you don’t have bangs, simply gather all of your hair up at the crown, letting the bottom sections hang free.

Find The Right Gown For Your Dream Look

When you combine the perfect elements, your wedding day ensemble will make you feel like you’ve stepped out of a fairytale! You’ll need an unforgettable wedding gown, the right wedding accessories, and ideal hair and makeup. If you’re shopping in Ontario, be sure to look for the best bridal shops in Toronto.

Browsing an online wedding store can be a wonderful way to explore options and prepare for the most romantic day of your life!

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