Get flawless wedding hair with tips from Design Essentials expert Patricia Davis. Choose styles, maintain, and find the perfect stylist for your big day.
Patricia Davis, international lead educator for Design Essentials Hair Care Systems and owner of Avenue Salon in Birmingham, gives the lowdown on how to have an enjoyable hair experience for your special day and honeymoon.
You have dreamt of a fairy tale wedding ever since you were a little girl. You have finally met your prince and you want to
look your best. Choosing the right hairstyle and stylist to execute it is essential for your big day. Just like deciding on the perfect dress for your nuptials, you want your hair to be perfect too! Here are some important steps towards ensuring you have an enjoyable hair experience for your big day.
Discovering your perfect look for the day
You have hairstyle ideas running around in your mind and have been gleaning bridal magazines and social media sites to collate your initial ideas of how you may want your hair to look on your wedding day. Using all these ideas to create a mood board is a great idea, and accessing digital tools like Pinterest is a great way to do this. However, remain adaptable to change based on advice from the stylist when you finally get into their chair. Listen, take a deep breath and let it evolve.
Hairstyles on your mood board may not best match your face shape, hair type or length, so it is important to not get overly attached to a single style until you have experimented with a few. Doing this with your wedding dress on and off is advisable and vital, as there will always be factors to consider in both scenarios. Also, you must establish with the stylist whether they will be with you on your wedding day or will you be responsible for maintenance. Allow both yourself and your stylist to work through test hairstyles to find out what works, while discussing maintenance factors.
Choosing the right stylist for your special day
The first need to be met is finding the right stylist for the job. Just like a perfect trim needs sharp scissors, you need a capable stylist who understands your needs and can deliver the results you want, taking into consideration your objectives too. Whether you already have a regular hairstylist or not, an essential ingredient for success is making sure they understand your vision and that they encourage you to ask questions. Also, viewing a portfolio of their work is highly recommended. This can include viewing their Instagram page, website, photographs or even live examples of their customers. Make sure your stylist can be punctual, competent, able to work under pressure and can respond well to change. Being comfortable is key and you must be able to trust and rely on the person you choose.
Maintaining hair until the big day
With all your planning and preparation to ensure as smooth an execution as possible, remember that you cannot lose sight of the plan for maintenance. Whether you have decided to wear your hair natural or straight, a maintenance programme must be determined to ensure the desired appearance on the big day. With the help of your stylist, you can opt for salon visits or purchase home care products while receiving advice on their usage and expected results. This helps with the preparation and the maintenance of your hair and style as your special day approaches.
The maintenance programme that you both agree on will not only represent the plan, but will be determined by the budget you have set for it too. It is therefore very important to consider all your options and plan wisely, as a small saving at this stage could end up costing you down the line.
If you are capable enough to have a fool-proof home maintenance programme already, then you can continue as normal, but make adjustments, based on your ultimate bridal style objective. However, if this is not an area you are comfortable with then stick to regular salon visits in preparation for the final style. Whatever you decide, a treatment and maintenance plan is imperative if you want your hair in a healthy state to look its best.
Hairstylist recommendations
‘The Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Collection is a great choice of products for natural hair, with a focus on strength and moisture,’ says Patricia Davis, lead educator for the brand. ‘I use these products extensively in my salon and have always achieved perfect results for most of the bridal parties I style. The beauty of the range is that there is something within it for different hair types and textures.’
Once your wedding day is over and your honeymoon awaits, don’t stress about your hair. So ensure your hairstylist also works outa regime with you on how to care for your hair until your return, so her final words to you can be ‘bon voyage’.
Patricia’s product picks for your wedding day style and maintenance
Almond & Avocado Daily Moisturizing Lotion – With jojoba oil which is great for 3C hair textures.
Almond & Avocado Overnight Recovery Treatment – Lightweight enough to be used at night to maintain just enough moisture while you sleep with protection using a bonnet or silk pillowcase.
Honey & Shea Edge Tamer – Great for maintaining your edges and keeping them in place.
Scalp & Skin Care Detoxifying Tonic – Great for maintaining the health of the scalp if a protective style is going to be worn.
Scalp & Skin Care Vitamin Drops – Great to maintain the health of the scalp and to reduce breakage.
