Your West Midlands Wedding- April/May 2021 (Issue 73)

Q&A Fashion & Beauty Local experts offer advice on how to look your big-day best HAIR CARE HERO Q – I’ve seen some gorgeous pictures of messy buns and textured up dos, but my hair is so thin and straight. Can I still get this look? Many people assume that having fine, straight hair will stop them from creating their desired look. Messy buns and textured up dos are achievable by adding clip-in extensions and using padding to create extra volume. A good look is built on a great foundation. There are lots of lovely products that you can use when prepping your locks to add a bit more grit and body. My favourites are Schwarzkopf Volume Up and Dust It. Zoe Lloyd | Hair stylist www.zoelloydhairspecialist.co.uk SUMMER LOVING Q – I need some ideas for a bridal hairstyle for my late-summer wedding. What do you suggest? Most brides have an idea of how they would like their hair to look. As I have many years of experience, I’ve found it’s all to do with the overall theme and keeping balance from head to toe. For example, your style will depend on the volume and length of your hair, your dresses neckline, choice of accessories, veil and jewellery. I love creating a soft, twisted chignon into the nape of the neck. It’s elegant and works well with tall brides. You can keep this look simple with little or no accessories. For vintage themes, tresses worn in an up do, cascaded high with a short veil, look great. For a real bespoke look, you can use a hat and peekaboo veil, which adds height and works with traditional tiaras. I must stress the importance of hair condition and colour before the wedding day as this can play a large part in the finished look. Keep it simple and beautiful. Julie Jackson | Hair stylist www.creativehairbyjulie.co.uk TREND ALERT! Q – What bridal hair and make-up styles are on-trend? If you would like an up do, then a low, soft loose bun is a great choice. Have wispy strands of hair gently framing your face and falling from the low bun to create a delicate, soft feel. I love this style with fresh flowers at the back or to the side. To complement your locks, opt for a gentle smoky eye, using more neutral colours to create a romantic feel. A glowing complexion and a soft lip would finish it off perfectly. If you would prefer your hair is out of the way, then a modern ponytail is the way forward. It’s not just a case of tying it back with a band, you can have twists or plaits or a simple ponytail with your tresses in beautifully structured waves. Decorate it with some simple pearl pins or something that complements your dress. With a style that is out of the way, you really want to show off your face. Invest in some high-quality contouring and a bold lip colour. One of my all-time favourites is the Hollywood wave. Brides are opting for long beautiful waves or soft curls with a decorative hairpiece attached to the side. For this look, try a stunning red or berry lip colour, assisted with a fresh-faced complexion, a natural eye colour, and a smudge of soft eyeliner on the bottom. Lashes are increasingly popular these days, I prefer to use cluster lashes on my brides, or an alternative is to have a lash lift treatment the week before the wedding. Finish with neat defined eyebrows and nothing too overpowering. The main thing to remember when deciding on your look is to make sure you feel beautiful and comfortable. Claire Harmer | Hair and make-up artist www.claireharmerbeauty.co.uk GREAT EXPECTATIONS Q – What can I expect from a bridal boutique appointment? I can’t speak for every boutique, but I can tell you about our process. When our customers arrive, they are met by either myself or my amazing assistant manager, Kyla. You’ll be offered a drink, somewhere to sit, and we will ask you to fill in a profile form. Don’t worry, this isn’t anything scary – just questions to find out more about your wedding, such as the date and theme. This will allow us to tailor your appointment to suit your needs. We then go through the form, before coming to sit with you to discuss your requirements. We don’t believe in pressure selling and want you to feel as comfortable as possible. It’s not in anyone’s interest for you to be bullied into buying something you’re not 100 per cent sure about or can’t afford. Budgets are always taken into account, which is why we prefer to go through the layout of the shop with you before you start browsing the rails. This is especially important as there is nothing worse than a bride being passed a dress by an eager friend, only to fall in love with it and then realise it’s twice her budget! In terms of what you need to bring, the answer is as simple as an open mind. You don’t need to worry about shoes, underwear – although having light-coloured pants is a good idea! The staff should be there to help you as much or as little as you need them too. Jen Jamieson | Wedding dress expert | www.avamaybridal.com 96