Q&A Beaut Local experts reveal all IT’S ALL IN THE PREP Meet the expert: Tracie Gunningham is the owner of Envy Tracie Gunningham, a professional Plymouth-based salon offering high-quality hair styling, premium treatments and wedding services. How can I best prepare my hair ahead of my wedding? Tracie says: At Envy Tracie Gunningham, we can’t stress enough the importance of preparation and planning appointments at the salon when thinking about your hair for your wedding. The secret to great hair is all about the condition. A well-conditioned head of hair will not only look glossy on your big day but hair that has good elasticity and moisture balance will hold a curl for longer boasting a natural bounce. I recommend six months of planned hair appointments, and a rigid professional home care routine leading up to the special day. Meet your bridal specialist to discuss your requirements and receive a complimentary hair analysis, professional home care prescription and a quotation for the services that you require. Bring your diary and book all hair appointments at this visit - it’s one thing less for you to think about. Five months before – have a penetrative conditioning treatment and blow dry which will work on the internal structure of your hair, helping to rebuild and strengthen damaged bonds and cuticles. Envy Tracie Gunningham is a Keune salon using products called Fabriq Reset, Fabriq Quick Fix and Innoluxe keratin plus bond-building treatments. Which ones we recommend depends on what condition your hair is currently in. Treatments start from £47 in the salon, with instant results. Having a treatment once a month leading up to your wedding day will ensure that your hair is in tip-top condition. You should discuss your colour requirements at this visit and leave with a home patch test so you can test 48 hrs before your next appointment. Four months before, have a colour service (if required). Also book a Fabriq Quick Fix/Innoluxe treatment, trim and wedding trial. Three months before, discuss the bridal trial and feed back to your stylist who can plan any amendments. I would also recommend another Fabriq Quick Fix/Innoluxe treatment and blow dry. Two months before, book in for another Fabriq Quick Fix/Innoluxe treatment and trim with your bridal stylist. Then, two weeks before the wedding, have your colour service (if required) plus a final Fabriq Quick Fix/Innoluxe treatment and trial. Should you be styling your hair for your wedding day, I would recommend popping into your local salon and asking for a complimentary consultation with regards to purchasing salon professional shampoo, conditioner, heat protectant spray and a penetrative treatment. Use the treatments at home and visit your local salon for a regular trim. www.envymyhair.co.uk www.instagram.com/envytraciegunningham www.hannahbarnesphotography.com GET THE LOOK Meet the expert: Ashleigh Fletcher is the founder of Hair from the Heart and the stylist who created the stunning bridal hair for real-life bride Amina at her wedding to Corey featured on page 35. Here, she explains how she achieved the final big-day look. Ashleigh says: In our initial consultation, Amina emphasised the importance of selecting a hair artist experienced in working with very curly, coiled, ringlet hair. Amina wanted her natural hair texture to shine on her wedding day, marking a departure from the years she had spent straightening her curls. It was essential for her to be authentically herself. Amina was in capable hands with me. As a former hairdressing educator, an experienced bridal stylist, and a curly hair aficionado, I explained the significance of using the right products and techniques. Amina booked my services, and we met for the first time when she travelled from London for her bridal preview. During this session, we spent several hours crafting a hydrated and defined half-up do with a twisted crown to showcase her curls cascading over the veil. We used curly girl-approved products, such as Cantu Moisture Retention Gel, and rehydrated Amina’s hair with Cantu Curl Activator Cream, which contains minimal chemicals. We styled her locks using a Denman brush while it was soaking wet and employed the twisted method to set and define the curls. Her hair was left to dry to 90% before we diffused the remaining 10% with a Dyson hairdryer using the hover technique to minimize frizz. We then created Amina’s half-up do, selecting individual curls with a small-barrelled tong to define the look. The style was finished with Schwarzkopf Got2b Glued Hairspray to ensure an all-day hold. For brides wishing to wear their hair in its natural form, I recommend selecting a bridal hairstylist with specialized training in curly hair. Review their portfolio for examples of similar styles. Additionally, following the curly girl method in the lead-up to your wedding will help achieve the best form of your curls. Curly hair is naturally dry and requires the right type of hydration. Practice to find what works best for you. There is an abundance of excellent information available on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, offering step-by-step tutorials to ensure flawless curls. https://hairfromtheheart.co.uk www.instagram.com/hairfromtheheart_ 74
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