Things to consider when choosing your wedding hairdresser. Part 2

Expert Advice

A good wedding hairdresser will have strong opinions about wedding hair styles. Like any kind of designer, artist or creative person. They have certain philosophies about what styles are suitable and will consider everything from your dress, wedding theme,  face shape, hair texture and more

Listen and learn from them, but also don’t be afraid to tell them what you envision, this will help inspire them to create the perfect style.

Professional

One way of gauging a wedding hairstylist’s expertise and professionalism with her craft is if she will present you with a solid portfolio of the wedding hairstyles she has already created for her previous clients.

It will be very helpful if you know some people who have already worked with the wedding hairstylist to know if she’s the real deal. A professional wedding hairstylist will do a trial of the wedding hairstyles you have chosen in order for you to decide which one to really go for.

She will take photos of each finished look from many different angles so that you’ll know how they look like from all views possible and determine which hairstyle will flatter you the most and will translate well in photos. 

Arrangements

An important thing to consider when choosing a wedding hairdresser is the logistics on the day. Will your hairdresser be able to travel to your venue? Can you travel to the salon? What about others in your bridal party, are they having their hair done?
Remember to discuss all the finer details with your hairdresser in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day.

Book a Consultation

At Westwood Hairdressing, we have members of our team who specialise in wedding hair. Our Wedding Specialists attend regular training and are encourage to practise their creativity. 

Things to consider when choosing your Wedding Hairdresser. Part 1

You’ve finally found “the one”, the date has been set and you’re getting married

You will have many decisions to make. Everything from music, the venue, bridal showers, the dress, food, invitations and a whole lot more. Whilst many enjoy this process, others can find this an anxious and stressful time.

The perfect wedding hairstyle is as important as your wedding dress or wedding makeup for creating the look that you’ve always dreamed about.

Your wedding hair will be the most important “hair moment” of your life so highly recommend preparing for this in advance. Hiring a wedding hair specialist is vital if you want to get the right advice from the outset and choose a style that will suit you.

In order to find your perfect wedding hairdresser, consider the following things.

Choose your dress first

In order for your hair stylist to discuss a style, it’s good if the stylist can see pictures of the dress first, preferably a picture of you wearing it. Will you be wearing a tiara, vail or any other  type of hair accessory?

This way your hairdresser can work with you to come up with the style that will suit your entire look.

Preparation

The preparation for your wedding hair style should start as early as possible, how your hair is dressed on the day is only a small part of the equation. Other things to consider are your desired hair colour, it’s condition, length and hair cut. (I have all these tips in detail if you read my earlier blogs!)

Make a plan with your hairdresser well in advance so that your hair is at the optimum length, condition and colour for your big day.

Create a Mood Board

Creating a mood board to show the theme of your wedding and visually express your own image of your perfect wedding day can sometimes be a really effective way of communicating with your hairdresser.

Hairdressers are visual people, and this can  really help make sure you’re on the same page.

Should you use your regular hairdresser?

It depends.
The advantage of using your regular hairdresser for your wedding is that they already know your hair very well. They can also help you achieve the desired look you want before the wedding day.

The disadvantage of using your usual hairdresser is that wedding hair or up-do’s may not be their forte.

An experienced wedding hairdresser who specialises in hair up may have some more creative ideas and the ability to create the look that you want for the most important day of your life.

They will also have their finger on the pulse of the latest wedding hair trends and give you some ideas that you may not have thought about.

Find a Good Listener

Schedule a consultation with the wedding hairstylist and observe how focused she is to what you have to say. Is she listening/ taking notes when you are discussing the wedding details?

You need a wedding hairstylist who has attention to detail in order for her to present you with hairstyles that will suit your wedding gown, jewelry, wedding makeup and overall theme of the wedding.

Gemma. :)

Sarah's Gothic Wedding!

I had loads of fun doing Sarah's fantastic gothic themed wedding on Saturday! I also used the brand new GHD Eclipse styler which was amazing so I had to give it a mention.

As my bride was wearing a long black wedding dress and had vibrant deep red hair we decided to opt for long vintage style waves for her hairstyle. In her first trial we tried out a hair upstyle as this was her first idea. Using soft waves and loosely pinning them up into a tousled upstyle this looked stunning and soft and showed off the back of her dress.

As she formed together more of a theme and changed a few ideas we then decided in her second trial to go for a more vintage down do to not only soften the look but to open up her face and complement her sultry makeup. In the end the result was stunning!

I created the beautiful waves using the GHD Eclipse styler which has new technology to hold the style for longer and set it in place with the heat controlled plates.

Weddings are becoming more varied with brides opting for either subtle styles as well as 50's inspired dramatic styles. Making it your own, opting for a hairstyle that suits you and your theme there really is no limit as to what you can do with your hair. Don't be afraid to try out the weird and wonderful for your trials, as you want to stand out from the crowd and look totally amazing.

Sarah's bridesmaids opted for 2 totally different hairstyles to create a varied look rather than looking much the same. We had a very sophisticated fishtail plait with volume at the roots and the other bridesmaid went for a tousled, natural wave with delicate curls pinned back leaving some curls down the face for a pretty look.

Overall the result looked fantastic and the theme came together nicely! I hope they all had an amazing day!

(Pictures to follow)

Gemma :)

Prom Season is here!

 

Why don't you come along to Westwood hairdressing to try out some fantastic hairstyles for your special evening! I am doing a special offer for you for only £20!

No matter what theme you are going for or what style you want to have, you will look fantastic and stand out from the crowd! Bring pictures or anything with your ideas with you if you wish. It’s also a good idea to have a trial previous to decide and know exactly how you want to wear your locks. This is a good idea because you can try out different things, play around with different looks and you can also go home and try it on with your dress and see how you feel!

Allow no limits on your prom hairstyle choices! Everything pretty goes from romantic chignons with accessories to glamourous wavy bobs to beach waves with braids or fish tail plaits. There are many ways to wear plaits as they are very in fashion at the minute, so play around with different braids and plaits and create your unique style.

4 Rules for Selecting a Prom Hairstyle!

Rule No.1: Choose the dress first. Your hair should complement your dress, not compete with it.

Rules No.2: Consider your personality. You want to be comfortable at the prom, which means that you want to look like the best version of yourself.

Rule No.3: Work with your hair texture, don't fight it! Curly hair can look amazing either up or down. Straight hair can be curled into waves or pinned up into tousled up styles. Wavy hair can be either straightened or curled and is the perfect texture for half up-half down do's.

Rule No.4: When selecting styles, think 20 years ahead! Those prom photos may show up on 2033's version of Facebook so you want to look fabulous and timeless! 

Tips for your prom hair

1. Wash your hair the day before your prom. Hair goes up best when its not freshly washed. This will allow your hair to hold better and give it more grip when using grip or pins.

2. Make sure to wear a button up top or a top that will stretch easily over your head. You don’t want to be stuck in a tight situation when it comes to your removing your top over your head to put your prom dress on! 

3. Make sure you leave enough time for you to get to your prom. You don’t want to have to rush after you have had your hair done, so always allow plenty of time to do everything the day of your prom.

See you soon! Gemma. :)

Wedding Hairstyles for 2013

Wedding Hairstyles for 2013!

Whether you’re getting married, being a bridesmaid or simply the guest at a wedding this year, we’ve got the perfect wedding hairstyles for you! From classic up do’s to boho down do’s!

1.   Having an autumn or winter wedding? A tight twisted bun looks sleek and chic, it will also withstand any weather conditions!

2.   If you look the retro vibe, opt for a sophisticated, side parted style with root lift at the back.



















3.  A classic chignon will look simple yet super chic for a bride or a guest.



















4.   For an elegant look, keep the front sleek but add root lift  flowing into a low ponytail.



















 5.   A pretty floral accessory is a great way to add interest or a sophisticated fascinator to add to your hairstyle, if you are a bride or bridesmaid this year.



















6.   Who said bridal had to be boring? For an ultra volumised look backcomb all your curls to make a more statement, “big” look.

















7.   If your ceremony is outside, a tousled “down do” would look pretty and summary, with an added flower or rose in the side, this would work well on the beach.
















8.   A modern twist on the classic beehive is a timeless hairstyle for brides and guests alike.


















9.   A twisted low up do will work well on any hair colour on any hair at any age. Tailoring your hair style to your dress an forming a theme whether it’s vintage, simplistic, modern, in fashion, dramatic etc.
















10.   For super stylish brides or bridesmaids a sleek and sharp up do with a striking hairpiece or accessories will work well together to create statement looks.

















11.   Add a few pearl pins or flower pins into a hair rise up style full of tousled curls and waves for a bridal do fit for a princess.

12.   Pretty plaits are perfect for a summer wedding, a braided up do or an up do with a halo braid have been seen on the catwalks for this year. There are many different types and sizes of plaits, all in fashion for this summer!

13.   If you’ve got very short or cropped hair, wear it straight and tucked behind the ears, for an ultra feminine and youthful look or go for a wavy crop.











14.   Adding a subtle tiara to a voluminous up do is an easy way to create your wedding day hair really special.
















                                                                                                                                                          15. A great way to wear curls with edge, simply tease your mane to one side, amp up the loose curls by adding volumising mousse.

















16.   Simple bridal hair doesn’t come more gorgeous than a tousled wavy down do. Perfect condition, dreamy loose curls and a centre parting open up the face.

17.   If your hair is bob length, think 20’s wave! A finger wave styled down the side can be stunning and works on all hair types and face shapes.

















18.  For loads of glamour opt for a high drama 50’s inspired up do for a serious, intense look if you dare!

















See you soon! Gemma :)

Tips for your hair leading up to your wedding day


1.   Condition your hair, do weekly deep conditioning treatments to maximize health, shine and vitality to your hair. Our Aveda “Damage Remedy/Dry Remedy" treatments are amazing! If you come into the salon we will be able to recommend the right type of product for you.

2.   Have regular trims! You want your hair to stand out for all the right reasons instead of wrong reasons – the most important is having split ends! If you have your hair trimmed the week before your big day it will looks its best!

3.   Great wedding hair isn’t just about the style. It’s also about the colour looking beautiful! So along with keeping it in optimum condition by treatments and regular cuts, keeping your colour fresh and glossy. If you decided you want to change the colour of your hair close to the wedding this isn’t a good idea. A few months before the wedding will give enough time to trial different colours. This will let it settle into your hair and make sure you are totally satisfied with this new colour rather than feeling uncomfortable or regretting it the day your wedding arrives.

4.   When should you shampoo your hair? It depends on your hair type but I always advise hair is washed and conditioned the day/night before if it’s being styled. Simply because, if it’s too clean, it can be slippery and may not hold in place. If you find that your hair is in need of a shampoo on your wedding day and you use a product that will give your hair texture and body, for example, Aveda Confixor liquid gel or Sebastian texturiser and a light hold mousse for example, Aveda Phemolient or Sebastian’s mousse forte which will give it grip.

Bye for now! Gemma

The importance of having your hair done professionally for your wedding day.

Before I started doing hairdressing I thought to myself, “We all do our own hair and makeup every day, what difference does it really make to have a professional do it?”
After doing hair for brides and fashion/catwalk shows, I can tell you it makes a huge difference!

Here are a few of the many reasons why you should have a professional do your hair for your important day!

1)  We as stylists know how to make the most of your hair type. A lot of brides have came to me saying, “I don’t know what you can do with this fine, thin hair.” Or, “I don’t know what you can do with this massive mane I have.” You would be amazed at what can be done to your hair. Having experience with so many hair types I can make your fine hair look proportionate. It’s not uncommon for someone to say, “I didn’t know my hair could do that!”

2)  I will use the right products and techniques to make your hair last all day. It’s one thing looking great when you leave your house that morning, it’s another thing to still look great when you make your grand exit that night! Using the right hair tools, products, techniques and experience, I can make you look picture perfect all day long!

3)  I will make your hairstyle look good from any angle the camera captures. It’s easy to do your own hair and make it look good from the front or back but there is no telling what angles the photographer will capture. A professional will know how to make your hairstyle look balanced, full and flattering from the front , back, sides, top, whatever angle the camera captures of you!

Why should you come in for a hair trial with me before your wedding?
It is very important that you have a trial before your big day so you can have exactly what hairstyle you want. It’s important to discuss the styles you like but also the styles that you don’t like. This will enable us to try out the styles that take your fancy and also maybe try out different styles that you mightn’t of considered or thought would suit you. It’s a trial and error process!

I’m excited to offer my first bridal trial absolutely free, so come and talk to me about your fabulous ideas! Gathering information, bringing in photos and trying out a variety of looks is what will result in the perfect hairstyle for you and your bridesmaids for your wedding day!

Bye for now, Gemma

Wedding Day Hair Type Tips

Wedding Day Hair TYPE Tips.

Wedding Day hair is, for many brides as important a decision as the dress. It’s important to work with the hair that you’ve got and use it to it’s full potential. No matter how fine, thick or coarse it is. These are some tips to enhance your hairs best qualities for your bridal style.

Curly Hair Types
It’s best not to fight what nature gave you, if you have super curly ringlet curls and it’s a hot humid day you can straighten it out but the curl will start to come back. Instead of ditching the curls work with them to create a tousled curly up style using the right products will tame frizz and keep flyaways at bay. E.g. Aveda Smooth Infusion or Sebastian Taming Elixr.

Straight Hair Types
Tight curls may fall a bit if your hair texture is super straight, so keep curls big and wavy – this is most fashionable at the minute too! You can opt for a low bun or chignon for example, and this will show off your hairs fabulously smooth texture.

Fine Hair Types
If your hair is very fine or very thin, keep the look simple but there is loads I can do to maximize the look and volume. If you choose to wear your hair up you don’t have to worry about it going limp on you. Adding in hair extensions to an up style for fine hair can bulk out a bun for example and add loads of volume. It can also be great to have extra hair to wrap round, curl or smooth over back combing. Fine hair will go up much easier and will have more lasting power if it’s not freshly washed. Even if it is washed the night before it is put up, will help it stay in place as it will have more grip. Just freshly washed hair will be too soft to hold pins or accessories securely.

Thick hair
Show off your lush locks by using a serum or shine spray, Aveda Brilliant shine spray, or Sebastian Gloss drops to keep hair silky and shiny, wave and curls will look fantastic and flowing and you will have plenty of hair to transform into a variety of different up styles.

Oily Hair
If your hair is grease prone then it’s probably not a good idea to wear your hair down as it may go flat and you will be more inclined to touch it which increases oil production. A low maintenance up do will prevent you from touching your hair and will keep it in place. Our scalp benefits shampoo and conditioner is great for oily hair, I find it works miracles on my own grease prone hair.

Bye for now, Gemma.