As wedding and prom season approaches I have had the wonderful task of consulting with brides and prom queens alike and deciding what we want to do with their hair. While getting all fancied up is super fun and exciting, it is easy to get lost in the details of planning a big event. Here are some helpful tips to getting the most out of your salon visit eliminating stress for you and stress for your stylist.
Bring Pictures
While thorough verbal communication is great, the most thorough way of explaining what you want to your stylist is by showing her. Take a few minutes to find some pictures of the styles you like, this goes for cuts and colors as well as formal styles. Even if there are only one or two aspects of it you like you can mix and match pictures to create the look you are going for. This makes it much easier for your stylist too, believe me!
Plan Ahead
If you are thinking you want highlights or wanting to cut your hair before your big event, I would recommend doing it far enough in advanced that you can change it if, A. it isn't something you like or B. is a huge disaster. How terrible would it be if you colored your hair and it took warmer than you wanted and it was two days before the wedding? No time for corrective color my friend. Same thing goes if you cut your hair and it ends up too short. You would need time to grow it out a bit. As far as formal styling goes schedule a time to do a consultation as well as a trial with your stylist. This allows you to experiment with what style will look best on you and play with veil and/or tiara placement. It also will give you a good idea of how long it will take you to get your hair done on the big day.
Do Your Shopping
Some stylists, like myself, will give you a deal on a bridal package. They may do the bride for free if there are a certain number of bridesmaids or offer discounts for the bridal party. They may also know of makeup artists and photographers that do their job well. Ask and ye shall find! Look for a stylist who specializes in up-do's and formals. When I first started doing hair I had no idea how to do an up-do! It is true! After a couple years of working I can whip up a pretty awesome do' if I say so myself! Starting out I would have never taken a bride, but not all stylists are that way sadly, some will take you even if they have no experience at all! Find someone with a portfolio they can show you.
Be Honest and Be Nice
If you are sitting in the chair and you decide that the style is not working for you, speak up! It doesn't hurt my feelings when my clients ask me kindly to change something. It is another story when they flip out. It does however upset me when they sit there with a smile plastered to their face and then I get a call later or hear through the grapevine that it wasn't what they wanted. LAME. Just remember that while your stylist will be as perfect as she can with the hair, it is impossible to plaster down every little fly-away and on occasion hide every bobby pin. Your stylist is a person too which means she is not perfect. If you are understanding and kind she will do her best to give you the best style possible. If you are pleased with it, say so and write a kind review or tell her salon manager. Who knows she may give you a discount for doing so!
