The statement “less is more” has never been more apropos than when it comes to wedding hair. Gone are the days of teased, tightly pinned and lacquered French twists accessorized with face-framing tendrils. Simplicity is key, and your wedding-day hair should appear easy, breezy and anything but done.
“The last thing you want is for your hair to look too fussy,” says hair and makeup artist Andrea Walmsley. “Your style should be sexy and soft; never over-styled or with too much product in it.” To find your perfect look, check out Walmsley’s styling tips for hair of all lengths.
Short Hair
Keira Knightley, Audrey Tautou and Lisa Rinna are proof positive short hair is sexy and red-carpet ready. Pump up the glam factor of your crop by playing with colour, texture and accessories.
“Have your hair set in finger waves to give it a really romantic feel,” Walmsley suggests. “Another great way to mix things up is with flowers. I love the look of one single gorgeous orchid pinned behind one ear—very modern and very beautiful.”
Another option to consider with short hair: make your W-day beauty statement through your makeup. “With shorter styles, your face becomes the focus, not your hair. Ask your makeup artist to play with dramatic colours on your eyes or lips—the effect will be stunning.”
Medium Hair
This hair length has maximum styling versatility (think Cate Blanchett and Jessica Alba) and looks fab worn up or down. The factor that may determine how you wear your hair—your headpiece.
“Tiaras and larger pieces look best on upswept hair, while pins or hair bands look great with loose, flowing locks,” Walmsley explains. “There is definitely a trend towards less formal hair, so you may want to consider wearing it down.”
That said, if a classic Grace Kelly chignon is what you want, but you’re worried your hair won’t be long enough (hair grows about one centimetre a month), consider extensions. Though costly (up to $800 for the entire head), they can be the answer to your hair prayers. If you choose this route, Walmsley stresses shopping for a seasoned pro who deals in human-hair extensions. “These look the most natural and are the easiest to maintain.”
Long Hair
With length on your side, you can easily create the ultimate formal ’do. The most modern upsweeps are simple and elegant à la Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
“Keep it simple,” Walmsley advises. “The freshest look features hair smoothed back into a simple bun or twist at the back of your head.”
Another simple, sexy option—a ponytail. “The latest look features hair slicked clean back from the face, no bangs, and fastened into a high tail. Ask your stylist to coil a piece of your own hair around the elastic for a clean finish, or dress it up with a strand of pearls wrapped around the base.” This style not only looks slick, but will also give your face an instant lift!
