Bridal Hair Trial- Tips to Prepare
It's almost go-time for all things beauty related. As you may already know wedding planning includes meticulous preparation and these details tend jumble together; and while it feels never ending- some vendors will put together a guide to help their brides prepare for their specific services. Consider it a rescue mission from the overwhelming list of to-do’s.
Beautiful wedding hair and makeup is 100% percent an investment. Sadly once you book your top hair and makeup pro the work doesn’t stop there! To get your entire money’s worth it takes preparation from both parties paired with the proper guidance. At Beauty Asylum we put together tips to get you started.
Before browsing inspiration:
Look for hair inspiration with similar length, color, and density (thickness). We’ve taken time at Beauty Asylum to break down each category. You can search by style, length, density, color, and theme. Owner Jessica Lyness Kendall wanted to put together something searchable for brides but also allow future brides to keep a realistic expectation on what can be achievable. The wedding hair lookbook can be found, HERE.
If YOUR length and thickness do not match up to the style you’ve envisioned consider clip-in hair extensions as a temporary option. While it might not be identical, extensions bring you one step closer to being pretty damn close. We have a guide for all things extension related, HERE.
Find pictures of the back and front of the hair.
If pieces are hanging in the front; compare length to make sure your front pieces are not too long or heavy.
Now that we’ve touched on key points on what to look for— you can find our tips on how to prepare below.
MOST IMPORTANT TIP: READ EVERYTHING. It’s too often our brides do not read. We have everything in place to make sure you love your look.
1. SKIP DIRTY HAIR
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‘Dirty hair’ is a myth. Just don’t do it. If there’s too much oil in the hair there isn't enough dry shampoo in one can to cut the grease. If we leave you with one tip from this entire post- come to your trial with clean hair. Fine hair naturally shows oil a lot quicker than thick hair. If your hair is super thick and you know you can get away with a day or two, refer to tip #6. However, we do not recommend going past two days. It is always easier to dirty hair and create texture with product.
2. ZERO PRODUCT
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If you have leave in conditioner, do not leave it in. This can weigh down hair and prevent those lovely strands from holding curl. If there’s a product you like to use double check with your wedding hairstylist to see if it is ok to use the day of your trial/wedding day. When washing your hair prior to the trial; focus conditioner at the ends and away from the roots. Shampoo twice if your hair doesn’t hold curl well.
3.DO NOT FLAT IRON
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It can become very difficult for hair to hold curl if it has been flat ironed. By flat ironing you seal the cuticle creating a silky texture and this can be hard to style for a bridal look. Compare this to a four year old with virgin hair and you are trying to put into a ponytail but the hair slips right out. Flat ironing can also create a look too flat to the head.
Curly hair babes: if you do not want to work with your natural curl the best option is a blowout. A good alternative is to straighten the first 2-3 inches of hair at the root and leave the ends for styling. But keep in mind you will lose volume by flat ironing the hair. Our first recommendation is to schedule a blowout the day-of your trial and wedding day to achieve best results. A day before can also work but check with your stylist first!
4. SKIP THE CUT
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Everyone thinks they need to schedule a haircut right before a trial or wedding day, but it turns out to be the exact opposite. Let’s refer back to Tip #3 and virgin hair. By cutting hair it creates silky strands (virgin hair) and this does not typically hold up well to styling. All hair is dead. It is easier to create grit and hold when hair has more texture. Our recommendation is to skip the cut (unless you absolutely need one) and save it for after the wedding!
5. BE PREPARED
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At the time of your trial our stylists are meeting you for the first time. We do our best to prepare ahead of time but there’s many factors that come into play in order to have a successful trial. By having a couple of pictures we are able to grasp the style you are trying to achieve and make recommendations based on your hair length and fullness before your trial. Chat with your wedding hairstylist about ideas you have in mind ahead of time to make sure you and your stylist can properly prepare ahead of time. This doesn't mean you have to 100% decide on a hairstyle but it is a helpful step before your trial takes place. For example, if you have fine hair and the inspiration photos are full voluminous thick hair we would either need to talk about clip-in extensions or an insert (mesh donut) to achieve the desired look. I’d say about 75% of our brides wear clip-in extensions to achieve their desired look. Find the right extensions, here.
6. KNOW YOUR HAIR
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Hair Color: If you are blonde- look for blonde hair inspiration photos. If you are a brunette look for hairstyles with ladies that have brown hair. Here’s why: blondes tend to have dimensional color and this creates depth and texture. Notice next time you look at a braided style. Does it pop more on blonde or highlighted brunette hair? This is because of the shadow and highlight effect creating depth in the hairstyle. Brunette and black hair tend to be one dimensional and look more sleep in darker hairstyles. Most importantly, when looking for pictures save photos of hairstyles with the same color. This will give you a realistic idea of how your hair will turn out.
Thickness: You found a hair picture you love and the inspiration is full of volume and all kinds of fabulous. Unless you are blessed with fabulous hair chances are extensions, product, and a blowout are needed to create that bombshell head of hair. If you have fine/thin/short hair a little added fullness is great for the perfect bridal updo or down style.
7. CURLY HAIR:
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First question to ask yourself: “Do I want to work with my natural curls or do I want to re-curl my entire head?”
If you have curly hair and would like to work with your natural curls- stick to using your curl enhancing product. Let your hair air dry ahead of time so your hair will not become frizzy at the time of your trial. Curly hair should be addressed based on the desired look and your natural curls. Definitely consult with your hairstylist ahead of time for the best option.
