An Essex Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 90)

105 BEAUTY INTERVIEW Find out more at vickilordhair.com Keen to share her knowledge on this subject, Vicki regularly heads out on the road to some of the country’s biggest wedding fairs to talk to brides in person. She says, “So many brides have come to me with a Pinterest board of styles they like, and I have to say to them: ‘Hang on, look at your face shape then look at that picture again. Do you still like the style?’ I’ve been championing this idea for more than 20 years and I’ve tried to teach it to other hairdressers. It’s really important. In fact, I actually think brides should think about their hair before they choose their dress – say ‘yes’ to the hair! Think about it, if you have your heart set on wearing your hair down and nothing will sway you, you should be looking for a figure hugging dress or a fishtail design.” LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN! “Fashion goes round and round in a circle. I look at the latest catwalk trends, but most of the time you become the trendsetter,” Vicki says when asked about her inspirations. She continues, “My muse is the bride herself. Seeing her dress and her wedding set-up – is it boho, contemporary, vintage? That’s what gives me my moodboard.” I asked Vicki to give us the inside track on the top wedding hair trend for 2020, something she’d already given a lot of thought to: “I’m noticing that dresses are becoming a lot sexier with a lot of deep V’s and low backs. With that in mind, I want to bring back a Mediterranean high-gloss look. There are so many undone styles, so I’d love to see some structure and creativity. Think Kim Kardashian and Audrey Hepburn with those sharp centre partings. It’s a timeless look that’ll never date.” CAREER HIGHS As a session stylist Vicki has worked with celebrities from Jodie Kidd to Tess Daly, but one in particular gets the award for creating her most surreal moment. She tells us more: “I loved working with Macy Gray’s hair, it was so cool to make her look different, I did a mohawk on her. I had to stand in the wings while she was performing, ready to make any adjustments and as she came off stage she headed straight for me saying, ‘Hey Vicki how ya doin’? I love the frizz, you’ve done a massive job on the frizz, but aw man can ya take the grips out?’ So there I was, pulling out hair clips, when next thing I know, Macy Gray’s head is in my lap and I’m giving her a scalp massage! Things don’t get any weirder than that, but it was my best moment.” Vicki’s favourite celeb client right now is Shona McGarty, otherwise known as Eastenders ’ Whitney Dean. “I love giving her a red carpet look that’s the complete opposite to her on-screen character – something demure and classy,” she explains. Her ultimate dream of a client though would be the incomparable Lady Gaga. Why? “She’d wear my crazy sculptural hairpieces! She needs me in her life! It will happen one day,” she laughs. TOP TIPS If you’re trying to grow your hair for the big day, you’re not alone, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your locks. Vicki says, “Regular trims are paramount. If you’re scared of having too much taken off, have your hair washed and straightened at the salon and just have the ends trimmed dry. “Use regular conditioning treatments. I’d highly recommend using Amika’s Soulfood once a week. Free of sulphates and parabens, it’s also vegan and cruelty free. Olaplex is also a great product and will improve the structure of your hair. I couldn’t live without my T3 heat styling products and Batiste Dry Shampoo either. “You might also want to think about clip- ins or extensions. I’m Balmain’s ambassador and love their products. I’d say 90 per cent of brides, models and celebrities will have hairpieces in. No one has that much hair! If you’ve got a big dress you need big hair or you’re going to end up with a bridesmaid’s do and you’re the one who needs to stand out.” GIRL POWER Vicki launched her own fresh and contemporary hair salon in Canterbury, Kent in the spring of 2019, where she and her talented team specialise in their own fields including cutting, styling, colouring, hair extensions, hair up and, of course, bridal. “We have the bridal suite and academy upstairs and the salon downstairs, as well as Kent’s very first braiding bar.” The multi-award-winning hairdresser says she now wants to inspire others: “I really want to drive my academy forward. Plus, in the future I’d love to have my own chain of salons, and launch a range of hair extensions and products. Who knows what the future holds?” A newly single mum of a 10-year-old and a 15-year-old Vicki is determined to be a positive role model for her children: “I’ve gone through an emotional rollercoaster and I’ve come out the other end thinking ‘I can do this, and I will do this.’ Women are stronger than we think we are. Work-life balance is hard, but there are more important things than dirty dishes. Life is for living!” blossomandbonephotography.com