Black Beauty/Sensationnel Bridal Stylist of the Year 2010 Junior Green, takes the stress out of nailing the perfect bridal hair by offering FREE expert advice
Junior Green
Before the day
Rehearsals To avoid disasters like having the wrong hair accessories or overdressed hair, organise a dress rehearsal with your stylist in advance to map out exactly how your hair will look. ‘Rehearsals are important because the stylist can work out what you want and how much time it will take on the day,’ advises Junior. ‘Also a preprepping stage is beneficial for you because you can decide on minor, yet necessary details, such as choosing the right headdress and whether it is comfortable or needs to be adjusted prior to the day. You can also work out a budget and whether your hair will need relaxing or extensions.’
Preparing your hair If your hair is in a bad state it will inevitably affect the finishing look to your bridal hairstyle. Junior suggests prepping and treating your hair in advance. ‘I would recommend preparing six months to a year ahead depending on the state of your hair. In that time you should get regular trims and treatments six months prior to the wedding, so it is in tip-top condition,’ says Junior.
Deciding on a style Even though bridal styles deviate from everyday pin-ups, Junior contends that the wedding day is not a day to experiment with new looks. ‘The best approach is to look like yourself on the day, so I wouldn’t use this occasion to experiment. In this case less will be more. You want to feel comfortable and wear a style that will suit your personality and radiate your beauty.’
On the day
Keeping your hair tidy Every bride wants her special do to stay in place all day, so to combat frizz and straying strands, make sure you are equipped and use the right products. ‘You want your style to last all day, so a good holding spray would be a must. You can use wax if it’s a hot day and an oil sheen to keep hair shiny,’ says Junior. For natural textures that have been blowdried straight, Junior advises having the hair straightened by a professional so it doesn’t revert back to its natural state quickly.
Embrace the attention It is not just the bride whose hair will be noticed at the wedding. Set rules for female guests and members of the bridal party so that the focus will remain on you. ‘Make sure your bridesmaids wear a style that looks nice and complements your own attire, as you wouldn’t want them to look outstanding while you look mediocre,’ says Junior. ‘The same goes for relatives and guests; they shouldn’t want to take the limelight away from you on your special day.’
Working with accessories Hair accessories can be the perfect tool to make the transition from wedding day to evening reception. ‘If your veil or tiara is the centerpiece to your hairstyle, then once you take it off, put in little clips and sparkly accessories to keep your do extra special,’ says Junior.
