Preparing your hair for a special occasion is an art form. If you want to outshine everyone else and create an individual style, whether it's chic, romantic, fierce or diva-esque, preparation is a must. Start by booking a consultation and treatment for your tresses - think of this as a necessary service for your locks, especially important if you want shiny, versatile sexy hair for the big day. A professional can analyse your hair, lop off any split ends, make recommendations on your style and decide on a plan of action leading up to the big day, from tightening up braids or tracks, to touch ups of relaxers or colouring.
'Most women imagined their dream wedding day from an early age,' says Tony Hegarty, manager of award winning salon Identity UK, 'but it is surprising how many don't consider their tresses till the last minute. 'Whether you need a course of treatments to get your tresses in optimum condition or you plan to grow it long, an early consultation is a must. At least six months before the big day, meet with your stylist to plan and practice your bridal look. A few trial runs will show up any flaws in your style and put you at ease for the special day.'
Care begins at home. Between visits to your stylist you will have to put in some work, unless you have a stylist on a call. A great secret weapon is Joico's K-PAK Split End Mender (£13.95/100ml) - add to towel-dried hair and let the magic begin as it fuses split tips together and locks in moisture with its unique blend of antioxidants, essential fatty acids and botanical moisturisers.
All good stylists will agree the key to healthy hair is to moisturise moisturise moisturise, it's as simple as that! Try a leave-in conditioner like Maxi-Super 4 in 1 Rich Hair Softening Cream (£3.50/340g) to add extra porosity for manageable slick hair that withstands frizz from humidity. Perfect your colour with Goldwell's new Inner Effect Deep Care Service (from £7.50) available with a homekit to give fine, limp hair a new lease of life in turned up volume, a healthy balanced scalp minus the dandruff, hair growth and colour protection.
Simply Beautiful
Keep it simple - you want to wear your style, not for your style to wear you. Plus the more complicated the style, the more chance of things going wrong and the need for extra maintenance throughout the day.
'It's only natural you'll want to look your very best on your big day', says Chester Julien, Director at Hype Coiffure Balham, 'but that doesn't mean you have to follow fashion. What may be hip today, could be a wedding horror tomorrow, so stick with a style that is timeless and classic, and if you decided to tint your tresses, opt for a hue that is muted and subtle.
'While the wedding may only last a day, the snaps will stick around for a lifetime, so keep your tresses trendy yet traditional to ensure you look picture-perfect in years to come,' he adds.
Focus on a hairstyle that complements you and enhances your assets. Think of your hair as the icing on the cake, carefully designed to finish off your killer wedding dress.
'Whether you opt for flowers, a tiara or a veil, less is definitely more,' says Hegarty. 'An elegant and simple style with an accent accessory will keep the fuss to a minimum and allow your dazzling dress to take centre stage.' Upgrade your hair accessories with a sparkling new range from Rusk's (from £4.99 available from Sally Hair & Beauty), designed to rain ice on your tresses with diamant combs, clips and flower swirls.
Styling Power
For your consultation, arm yourself with bundles of ideas, images and magazines like BB&H that you can show your stylist. Stylists are wonderful creators and re-creators but they're not mind readers. If you have your heart set on a certain style, show them exactly what you're picturing.
Bear in mind, not all styles can be replicated as it entirely depends on the shape of your face, but your stylist will be able to suggest alternatives that complement you. With so many new creations born out of the styling revolution, from classic bobs, curling wonders, bone straighteners, kinky 'fros, edgy twists and improved quality human hair extensions, the possibilities are endless!
Want to ride the wave sensation? Wrap your locks around Ribbon Curls from Sassoon Hot Tools(£29.99), a dual curler and hair straightener that's very light weight and heats up super fast. Or try Wahl's Flexi Stylers (£24.99) - perfect for creating spirals or loose waves like Tracey Edmond's do for her shotgun wedding to Eddie Murphy.
Brush up with Airhedz brushes (from £4.95) for brilliant detangling and grooming even on natural hair and extensions. Feeling chic glamour? Add Bohyme human hair extensions for added volume with maximum styling options, sweep hair to one side, set hair with heated rollers and add a touch of shine like Mizani's Spradiance High Gloss Serum (£12.65/148ml), TIGI's S-Factor Chic Shine (£13.30/250ml) or Rusk's Shining Sheen and Movement Myst (£6.99/4oz).
Elongate your locks for an ultra sleek style with Babyliss' Pro Elegance Straightners (£75) like Jamelia at the MOBOs 2007. Remember hair extensions can help achieve the look you want, with added volume, texture, length or a splash colour and you can use all the heat application you want with minimum stress to your hair.
So, take a deep breath and rest assured that with preparation, styling, accessories and products galore, your hair will not wither or fall on your big day, even with all the heady emotion you'll be feeling. Here's to the bridal party!
