Wedding day hair, Working with the bride.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

A place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill, techniques and anything industry related.

Last year I was working with my daughter to find and create that perfect wedding hair Up-do that special look making her feel princess for a day.
I have tried to keep a record of this journey we took together as a stylist in some ways more pressure in others a very special unique position to be in my parting gift to my daughter an Up do forged from love a look worthy of our journey up to this special moment,

building a base pony tail scouring pad at crown

As i write this i also reflect on what an important day this truly is and we as stylist should not take this day lightly when doing wedding hair.
With so many years experience in our industry taking on doing my daughters hair has been an interesting journey of reflection on a personal level but also thought evoking in the process the emotion the expectation for a bride of this day,

We as stylist can make this a good day a day to remember or a disaster caught of film video for eternity. so we should not take this on lightly and we have to be prepared to commit to this journey.

starting to work on a shape

The skill re leave college and any said academy with are for the most part so basic colouring cutting and Up-do's a safe set to get you bye but i implore you take the time to hone these skills especially if you intend on promoting your self as a wedding up-do specialist and charging accordingly.
I think that as mentioned so many times the initial honest consultation is key to success honest sharing a vision working out a time table for practice sessions colouring if needed a calender to work with.
Stress to your client that the first session is getting a feel for the hair how it moves lies bends folds, yes it does all this , I firmly believe that hair indicates where it wants to lie how the shape forms all we have to do is watch feel.

freshly coloured no pre-styling tools

I will post a whole page of looks that just happened as we worked towards our final creation.

Last March my daughter came to stay for the week end to have her colour done and to see if we both felt ok with me doing her hair we had already discussed that if i did not feel comfortable doing it or she was not getting a look she liked getting a stylist in yes! some else would be ok i would be off the hook!!

Well doing her colour has never been an issue but we set aside a good chunk of the day to just play!
So colour done we set about doing some looks she has very long hair I am not big on hot rollers and hot irons trying to create curl I am blow it straight back comb boy build a shape sculpture the hair, building a shape form a foundation a central point or points, I cut hair the same way build on a shape have a vision before i start the same with an up do  weight line shape texture movement.

Build a firm base

Emily's hair is only highlighted top section to the crown the rest the underneath is totally natural the highlights low lights blend in perfectly,

This was our result and gave us direction

When starting this type of up do i start with a ponytail on the highest point on the crown maybe even slightly forward i then back comb the roots of the pony tail and get an old fashioned pot scouring pad cut a hole in the center like a doughnut, put the pony through this grip in down tightly my base my height my foundation. this can be located any place you like depending on your vision on our first session we took digital shots after each up do discussed what we liked what we did not like and moved forward three up-do's alter we had a vision a meeting of the minds this is now about 3hrs worth of playing.
We now had quite the time until our next meeting turned out to be the last week of August now for a final colour and another up-do working from our above look. the key here has been trust i have given thought to our final look and also played around with different sections to create this look.

shape starts to form

What fun final highlights process in the garden i use papers they are waxed on one side you pull them right into the roots they don't move no folding no squashing product space for expansion no bleeds
four shade one bleach Blonde the rest Demi deposit low lights.
once processed we style blow out and it all starts to come together the thinking the patients all worth it. so now the final look on last practice day i hope that you agree it was worth the trial's.

in the middle of the shot the thin dark band is a blue streak i made to provide a little edge that something blue.

So now nothing to do until the big day well that was last Saturday so here are a few of the final shots.
This really was a very special exercise for me but i think i have also grown from it both from the process and the hands on experience of being so close to this as such a huge event.

My hope is that in sharing this it may just make even a few reflect on our clients the service the inspiration we can offer the consultation the journey we take the influence we can have.
The trust that is instilled in us and what a privilege it is to be a part of this very special day.
I hope this journey has enjoyable for those who take the time to read it,

A special thank you to Emily for letting me share this with you
Mike B2MR

Wedding day hair a real story.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR: regular postings of fresh new topic's

A place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related. Created as a source of advise education knowledge skill experience

preparing hair planning Up-do

As I played with my daughter's hair whilst trying to find that perfect look for her trying to make her have an elegant sophistication I was drawn to the reminder of the very fact that this for a young women is that child hood dream her dream come true. Hair. Makeup .Beautiful Dress. That happy ever after.
I was also and have been as a Dad. For some time been reflecting on the passing of time how quickly we went to baby bouncer to this. As of now it's official my little girl is married and all grown up!

Any way I digress but well worth a ponder and a mention.
Moving on we have to remember that peek wedding time for me was around 1978 to mid eighties, remember the hair wash leave perms! The Purdy cut. Blow dried hair  lots of volume. Lady Di look a likes. How topical this of all weeks with a Royal wedding in London. Congratulations to the couple.

Starting to build a shape

One big wedding I attended comes to mind clients name changed ! This particular wedding was a big event months and months of planning and hair growing.
But a true story all events happened: 
The plan here for Lucy was an up do very elegant  it had to show off the family tiara a very Breakfast at Tiffany Audrey Hepburn look. Any way i arrived at this country house/mansion  huge iron gates, gravel drive way oh my good it was a true family estate peacocks running around the chapel was it the grounds,
Parking area allocated, Helicopter paid marked out. Marquee the size of a big top right down to wooden floor laid down and me still not fully comfortable with weddings all the fuss pomp ceremony.
Although I has pretty much conquered the fear of the up do. I had replaced it with the resentment of the event the ceremony! Being on reflection a little discourteous and unprofessional.
I would usually arrive in a pair painters white bib brace work pants or an old aviator flight suit basic casual - work man!  oh they were very fashionable at the time .why did i act this way  I now wonder ! To carry this irreverence on I would have all my kit in a black plastic bag grab it from car arrive with it the slung casually over my shoulder. [quite dreadful] and really un-professional. I did thankfully eventually get over rebellion embrace and enjoy the privilege of being part of this special day. I did  get a camera case for my tools and dress smartly!! In some cases even attended the event with those very special client I would wave the fee as a wedding gift never expected and I loved doing it!

slowly work on the hair to create the look

 I would intentionally park in the wrong place. In this case walking towards this monster stately home gravel drive peacocks running around.  The huge  stone stairs up to the front no door bell! just about to pound on the door and it swings open! The butler! good morning may I help you. looking down his nose! or so i thought . yes say's I. I'm here to do Lucy's hair very well I will inform her you are here the trades man entrance is around the back, Is that your car he then says? yes kindly move it to the allocated car park!
Well now biting my cheek took a little breath and said firstly I am not a trades man I do not do back doors the car is parked so I can get away once done before the wedding starts! So please tell Lucy I am here if she wants her hair done! Again how rude of me! With that an up stairs window fly's open and loud voice shouts down my name followed by oh so glad your hear come on up would you like a glass of champers!
 In I go past the butler still looking a tad put out. Up this huge stair case in these time it was fashionable to slightly different artistic creative yet none conforming so I had a novelty value the plan was do the hair of the Bride I tried not to do the bridal party to many heads ! In this instance it was the Up-do but then i had to hang around until the formal part of the wedding was over and then cut all of her hair off one to shock her friends this was so much about out doing each other bigger and better you know leaving in a helicopter or hot air balloon!
It was also being cut off for the three week beach holiday have to admit she did look better with short hair.

Shape starts to form

The Up-do went quite smoothly fear had been dealt with many practice sessions so it became easy I looked like I was in control yes a big act! yes but key to keeping the bride relaxed as she trusts what I'm doing.

The hair is up. Make up on I get to help with the dress. I forgot to mention hairdressers get away with murder when it comes to dressing the bridal party the thinking being we are all gay. Half naked top less did not really matter I would help get into do up the dress do up buttons  arrange the train.
If a photo session was called for spread out dress for different shots take charge.

different look and shape

shape from texture form

This was as I have indicated a huge and formal wedding so photo's on the stairs in the main hall now with all the staff looking on yes butler too!!ha ha revenge was mine as he admired my work!

The chapel was in the grounds but i now find out a horse and carriage ride away the guest and the press are all there! Father. Dad. Lord of the manner giving her away nice chatty man but no way is he going to help her in or out of the Carriage with that dress I now have a new role help her into the carriage load very carefully the long silk train careful not to wrinkle it then load myself climb in on the floor! Oh yes the only way this works is if i have my head up the brides underskirt well.
How to get to know your client and bride ping her garter! The fathers asked if I am ok on the floor ? slightly nervously tells me how thankful he is for my assistance. Yes I assure him that I am fine it's not every day that I get to put my head up a brides skirt! He laughed this was going well,we had broken the ice.
Lucy giggles ! I asked  how do you think the groom would be if he knew I had my head up the dress of his soon to be wife! ha ha
Well once at the chapel the door is opened foot man opens the door ! The step folded down I appear from under the dress the press taking pictures help the bride down spread out the train the and formality of the this splendid event returns. But for a brief time in that carriage it was funny we were equal drawn to together by the event and the situation. She looked amazing. I was proud of the look Dad was very proud.This is what weddings are about Princess for the day.

finally a shape that works for me and the Bride.

The rest of the day went with out a hitch I hung around had a walk in the grounds I don't do weddings.I was always invited as a guest but hey I am doing a job and being paid very well paid so would not cross the line of business and pleasure maybe why I never dressed for the event!
The time came the dress came of the hair came down and I had 20 mins to cut all her hair off into a funky sort wash and go look hair flew all over the room nothing like audience to encourage you to through hair around we went from half way down her back to maybe 2inches in a very short space of time, again all done what a transformation she now puts on her going away suit all done. Just as she is leaving to rejoin the reception I get a big hug a kiss and many many thanks your amazing oh and send Daddy the bill won't you!!
I'm on my way another wedding another day another story The butler opened the door as I left with my plastic bag of tricks and the car is still out front! a good day.
With planning fear can be over come and for me with a bit more time embracing and enjoying the event the brides special day for it was not about me it is and was about the bride her day!
In my case now my daughters big day maybe this day was what it's all been for experience.
I have on a number of occasions become close friends of a bride and it would be fitting to give her as a wedding gift my time and service as my thank you for her support over the years, for me these gestures make what we do so worth while,  A long way from the hairdresser rebel!
Why today to post this article.Well it was this wedding day experience. This open welcoming family that opened my eye's to accept that it's the Brides day it's a Dad giving away his daughter be it a Lord or a normal working class person. Its the same My role is to be professional to think how much of an honor it is to be a small part of this day. It was this day the boundaries of class distinction and stigma came down for me.
It was the day I started to enjoy embrace and attend the Weddings of my clients when invited.
I became a better and more professional hairdresser and person.
In closing we as stylist have to remember that we offer a service it's our skill and creative talent that we are relying on. But we must remember that humility and understanding the magnitude of the day will keep us grounded and sympathetic to the Brides and her families needs in what can be a very emotionally charged day.

Again Congratulations to the Royal couple
I have very much enjoyed re living this day and sharing it with you.
Mike B2MR
                                                http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

Wedding day

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR regular postings of fresh new topic's

Well the day starts bright and early.

 After Months of practice and working together the big day has arrived and up it goes.

Working towards the finished look a touch of blue just for a little edge.

Vintage Rolls Royce ready to carry the bride.

Arriving at the Ceremony for the service.

The happy couple now Mr and Mrs.

Cup cakes how topical and a very happy couple.

 Well this was a pictorial story of a wedding day that is the closing of this weeks postings all around weddings. Working with the Bride.Being creative. Celebrating the day. As hair dressers we have so much power over this day it is our job our role to make sure it runs smoothly and the brides looks and feels like a princess for a day.
For me as the father of the Bride my daughter Emily Kate.It was even more of a journey we tool together.
Many thanks to Emily now happily married love Dad .

Wedding day hair Consultation practice honesty.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR

                                                             A place to share thoughts.

As Stylist's having the honour  to work with a client on her wedding day should be seen as an honour.For it is such a special day in the eyes of any bride to be. But this honour should not be taken lightly or seen a away to make some extra cash!!! Are you good enough are you up for the task and all that can and will face you . Emotion stress family pressures. Creating that perfect look.
As stylist's we all our basic skill and knowledge we then have the things we love that we excel at could be colouring cutting. How often do we think about our weaknesses? How often do we face  the fact that we need to learn new skill or up date what we have?
Wedding hair has to be of those really skilled in the art of dressing hair! Are you?

                 How are you at putting up hair? do you have the skill? The patients. The Creativity?

The skill re leave college and any said academy with are for the most part so basic colouring cutting and Up-do's a safe set to get you bye but i implore you take the time to hone these skills especially if you intend on promoting your self as a wedding up-do specialist and charging accordingly.

I think that as mentioned so many times the initial honest consultation is key to success honest sharing a vision working out a time table for practice sessions colouring if needed a calender to work with.

Stress to your client that the first session is getting a feel for the hair how it moves lies bends folds, yes it does all this , I firmly believe that hair indicates where it wants to lie how the shape forms all we have to do is watch feel.

A wedding a day a celebration possible the one of the biggest days in any Womens life For any couple a huge day life changing a huge commitment the start of a new journey a new chapter.
All this aside for a women it's so much more it's the event the ceremony. The reception. It's fancy dress it's being the center of attention princess for a day!
Taking the social side and relationship side away for a moment to talk about wedding hair, One can not talk about wedding hair without considering the following. Dress. Makeup Headdress. Theme. Size of event,  Location. Number of guests. Budget. Brides expectations.Oh and HAIR!
Being involved in a wedding is very special it can be stressful for a stylist because of all the stress and expectation around the event, so first question can you cope? Do you like doing wedding hair?
If the answer is no! Take my advise. Don't get involved it's not fair , it's about so much more than a big money day!! It's emotional, It's charged with stress. As stylist's we need to be in control cool calm collected.

                                         It's Wedding day:

A day to celebrate if well planned rehearsed short cuts can lead to nightmares!

This is of course written from a hair point of view but the same can follow through planning of this special day.
Planning for hair starts with knowing the date the time frame having a consultation agree some understanding of a look plan a schedule to work towards make sure that you and your stylist are on the same page you feel confident in what they suggest. [don't feel bullied]

First of all the colour for the big day if hair colour is part of the look these days normally it is to some degree. During the consultation discuss vision goals expectation, how many times will we have to colour from this first meeting until the day.
For me High-lights should be done to grow out as naturally as possible tones and shades that work with skin tone eye colour the hair's natural base shade.
If we are talking colour is it all over solid are we thinking highlights?

So to the look
Make sure your stylist likes putting hair up, also get a quote for the big day like all aspects of weddings the price suddenly goes £££££££! I don't agree with this i think as a stylist it's part of your journey with your client! hey I've given them the up do a wedding gift!
So many stylist resort to hot irons curls and those nasty little white flowers! work with what you have consider will it last all day last through all those pictures. weather is also an unknown!
The way the hair is arranged and done on the day of the wedding is an integral part of the perfect look  Remember that all eyes will be upon the bride from the moment she steps from the wedding car and walk to the aisle towards your groom. So it is important that she looks stunning from top to bottom.
As a hairdresser consider how your clients looks! consider the dress, the neck line a look that compliments and makes her look her best!

As stylist we have a huge responsibility here we can make or ruin this day no pressure ha!
So much to consider to help make the bride look and feel her best consider bone structure the dress cut high collar or plunging  in some cases we might even have to advise on a look in a tactful manner if weight is an issue. The only goal is to make the bride look great feel great your the professional  honesty consultation practice all key to success.

Same thing applies when choosing a hairstyle for you to wear on your wedding day but with an extra factor to consider. Aside from the shape of your face, your wedding hair style and your hair accessories should also be in harmony with your wedding dress for the perfect bride’s look.   
[a great deal of expectation on you the stylist].
So for me I love putting hair up i also like classic looks that stand the test of times! but it's not for me to do what i like what I feel comfortable with. It's for me to listen advise maybe do a few different looks until we start to get an idea of the final look, many Brides start off with a preconceived idea born from dreams and in some cases collected from magazines we have to work through this. Practice sessions, honest communication, consultations, commitment to working together to an agreed time frame.

We can also advise the bride to be. On places to research looks, there are a lot of hair style pictures which they can collect and review from fashion magazines and online sites.
Online sites may be more preferable as they have special features that allow you to determine your facial shape. You can choose from model matching your personal facial features and skin tone or you can also upload your photo and try out different hair styles. This may sound extreme but in the end it all helps!
For long hair and a dress with elaborate back details, i would normally try and advise an up do for  it last longer and stands the test of time but again we have to consider the the brides wishes the hair type as well,
The hair may be curled for a more romantic bohemian medieval  look but i would not suggest this on fine hair that takes hours to curl and may well not last the day. It may also be braided with flowers then swept off the neck to be able to move freely and look fresh up to the reception.
For short hair, tiaras would be a wonderful accessory to wear in place of a veil. Other alternative accessories to make short hair stunning for the wedding are dazzling hair pins or a flower clipped to the hair or stuck behind the ear.

So in this instance having decided on an up do, things to practice and consider
First stage build a base so it's firm and feels comfortable at this point note how the colour works with the look if hair, having prepared the hair we now have to play at this point there is no right or wrong it's getting a feel for the hair playing finding that look!

First attempt above ok but not quite the look I am hoping for a little saggy a little tight but loving the high-lights and low lights they work very well together blending really well with the un-coloured area underneath, after a third attempt you should start to get the look soft yet sleek with lots texture shows off the colour and it works with the client our Bride to be! so it's a process your involved in it's not just taking a booking for a wedding without being involved. it not fair to you or the Bride.

So finally how does our bride to be feel this is key are they HAPPY? if not take it down start again or agree to call it a day but book another session.

As a stylist or client if you cannot get the look you want or don't fell comfortable find some one else or try another stylist.
As a stylist or client if the chemistry is not their pull out Wedding days are full of stress do you like that can you cope with it!

As a foot note the above has been fun to put down as an exercise but think on this.

How much more pressure can be on any stylist? Well consider being father to the bride and Stylist and my ex-wife is attending! No pressure!!!!!
We did find the final look but i will post that in the coming days as this is wedding hair week.

After all that practice take it down relax oh and your left with all that volume! and a smile .


One hopes it's a good day all round.
Mike B2MR

wedding hair sleek looks

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

A place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related.

Reflection's on wedding day hair the look the style and the stresses: But also a honest look at ability challenges fear's.

learn to back comb and build shape.

My daughter's wedding was just a week away.  She arrived for that final colour touch up that final up do run through that final practice after much talk and deliberation between us. Lots planning lots open discussion thoughts view's opinions shared.

As both a stylist and as her Dad no pressure right! Think again. This is one up do more than any that has to look amazing! Not that they all don't all have to. But I digress. This is about attitude and facing fear!!

One of many practice sessions finding the look.

The challenges of doing my daughters hair for her wedding. The self imposed pressure all fell away on the day she looked amazing. The colour worked. The look perfect.

Embracing the up do.

Lets start this journey of honesty and discovery. I have to take you back to the late 70's! Yes it's been that long.
My initial training was an apprenticeship in London pre day release to college. It was far from good lots shampooing cleaning little to no training. So I made a change to get the right training. For cutting and styling the right move.  An excellent training not easy very demanding but I was trained and  taught by some of the very best even by today's standards.
Having finished my training thinking the sky is the limit. knowing everything and yet knowing nothing. I was on the salon floor doing clients. I was always good with consultation being a people person it came easy so did building up a clientele fortunate for me. On reflection at the time I was so un-skilled.  Not fully skilled in so many area's. The art of hair colouring putting hair up! yes this is me being honest!

practice session doing colour and up do.

Wedding hair.
As you build up a clientele you tend to attract clients a following of in my case young women around my age you get to know them they recommend you so it start's success! . The big problem is we are all growing up maturing at the same time. So it follows wedding season that taking a relationship to the next level all happens at once. Your clients are coming in excited waving engagement rings talking weddings talking wedding hair!! Yikes I hated putting hair up!

I had never been taught or  shown how to put hair up. Backcombing went out the window as I started training. Vidal changed all that!

Here I was busy successful busy being asked to do wedding hair. Plans dates being set for me this was days out of London huge events big on the social calender Marquee in the garden very formal.
I was clue less! I was scared why? I had no idea how to play with and enjoy putting hair up. I did not have the skill,

To get around this I would suggest hair to have any look but up. I would say. Oh i will be on holiday then! Fear fear fear! I could blame poor training. To some degree true but the bottom line is I owed it to my self and my clients to get over this. To learn. To grow. To challenge myself get the skills.

It's the full package Hair .Make up. Dress. Accessories

It started with asking for help some basic up do techniques at the time that roll was always a life saver

soft sweeping role bung on some flower's or a tiara off you go. This worked but was very unsatisfying for me . As you might have guest it's all about me!

I muddled through may weddings some of them huge events I never really enjoyed any of them.  That on reflection is very sad. I feel that I missed out on a great deal and did not give my best to my very loyal clients. I had such amazing clients who shared their day with me. Invited me to the wedding brought me right into the center of the day the event and yet I blew it through fear.
I missed out and although they don't know it i let them down because I did not gain the knowledge and the training the tools I needed.
Don't be as I was! Don't miss out on or diminish an experience because . Your own ego and fear holds you back.
Sharing this with you is in the hopes that it will encourage all stylist's to challenge themselves. I did the work faced the fear got the knowledge and skill.

added a hint of blue with false strand.

For me now I have taught up do classes. Put hair up for hundreds on stage talked about the look the skill the challenges and yes the struggle the fears. Head set. Huge video screen. Sharing my journey trying to encourage. How through learning. Admitting to my self that I need to do this to face this to get over this lack of knowledge the fear!

How can one learn that hair is a medium to play with. To explore shape and texture be creative. Like cutting their is no right and wrong just shape and form that works get over this get over your self and it's half the battle won.

Now as I write this I reflect on the main stage shows the standing ovation's. The looks created the questions asked about technique at an Avantgarde show and wonder why did I not get this earlier!

Maybe I was. Unwilling. Unable. To stubborn. Not ready.

Embrace the up do it's an art it's takes you to creative levels it's another way to express you skill and talent.

That special day

Mike B2MR
A big thank you Emily for letting me share these shots.