Prep your wedding hair

No doubt that every single bride understands the importance to get their facials done and face masks on to guarantee that clear skin on the big day. But not many puts as much effort in their hair as they do on their skin. Hair is also a huge part that can either make or break your look. Prepping your hair in the right way is also critical.

A good haircut, suitable color and well-conditioned hair will upgrade your look for sure. These do a lot in shaping your face and highlighting your features. Due to the time limitations, makeup artists cannot always alter your makeup on each wardrobe change; what we do is to re-style your hair to complete the look. A good haircut helps save a lot of time and allows more choices in style.

Recently we've interviewed a hair expert - Philip George. Philip is in this industry for over 30 years and owned a high-class salon in Central. He is the judge to many worldwide hairdressing competitions; editor of Disconnect Magazine(a HK hairdressing trade magazine) and the teacher to countless professional hairdressers.

HAIRCUT

Many believe the longer hair you have, the more style you get. But Philip does not stand with this. Saying the long hair will only make big and bulky updos. Requiring stylists putting more effort to hide the extra hair.

" Normally, the perfect length will be at COLLARBONE or a little bit longer. "

Philip suggests hair to be in collarbone length or a bit longer with long layerings.

Collarbone length hair can create the best sized undos. The layering can also help to lighten the visual weight in the crown area.

Generally, brides would want their hair in half updo, with long hair down to create that sweet romantic look. But what they weren't told is that you don't always need crazy hair length to achieve that; we artists got you covered with faux clip-on hairpieces in different colors. So don't hold back on going for the perfect desired length just because of one certain look.

COLOR

Brides always struggle on hair color choices. Most will play safe and only get one to two shades lighter from their originals. Yet, 1-2 shades brighter is not contrasting enough to emphasize the light and shadow of hair.

"The definition of a good baby highlight is - close to the root ,very fine sectioned, soft toned and equal spacing "

Baby Highlight is in trend, especially for wedding occasions. But each hairdresser have their own interpretation of it. Let Philip give us a walkthrough on his insight of baby highlight.

1) Close to the root

Coloring should stay close to the root instead of starting 1-2 inch away from it. As if we do so, the highlight will be faded away and look dated on the exact wedding day.

2)Thin highlight

Strands should be in small section and be equally fine, neat, and carefully thought through before choosing.

3)Equally Spaced

Highlight strands should be equally spaced from one another.

4)Color tone

Baby highlight should be in very soft; same color toned, while blending in with the rest of your hair color.

"The darker hair you have, the less interior part detail you'll see. "

We understand not many brides are willing to go all the way to a light color or even to proceed with highlights due to various reasons.

However, appropriate coloring is essential for the look. Even if highlights is not under brides' preferences, Philip do suggest brides to go for a level 5 (or even lighter) color. As the color contrast cannot be shown in dark hair, let alone revealing the hair layers and style details in it. Of course, end of day, the color choice will have to compromise with your skin tone.

Hair length suggestion:

No longer than picture shown

Hair color tone demonstration

Tribe - Andy

+852 6438 5468

Prep period

"Technically 10 days but I prefer 14 days before the wedding."

Philip suggest brides getting their hair done 14 days before the wedding. Since the hair cut and color will need time to set in, washed out a little to look softer and more natural. As freshly done hair will look rigid while color will be too saturated. 14 days ahead is perfect as this amount of time don't allow your root to grow long enough to be visible.

Prep work

Believe brides are all told not to apply hair conditioner during Pre-wedding photo shoots.

As soft hair cannot hold curls well, while pins will slide out of place easily.

This may mislead most brides, making them believe 'the worse condition your hair is in, the better your hair is going to hold'

Leading brides skipping all conditions and hair treatment routines.

However, paying salon a visit and let professional to help on hair treatments is suggested.

Even if salon visit cannot be squeezed into your schedule, home treatments with hair masks will be necessary.

Coconut oil is an amazing alternative hair mask if you have a budget. It's natural and inexpensive. (but please make sure to wash them out throughly after use)

Do it once per week, 4 weeks in a roll.

Soon, you'll find your hair healthier with natural shine

Below are the 3 recommended brands by Philip

‘‘Only shampoo your hair few days before the wedding , Hair on wedding day should remain un-washed! ’’

Conditioners are critical, but in the right section only.

Conditioners should be applied in the lower half of your hair only, and must be washed out throughly.

Stop applying conditioners 2-3 days before the big day.

Thus, Philip suggest not to wash your hair 1-2 days ahead the actual wedding day. Well, this still depends on one's hair condition; if your hair get super oily easily, washing your hair the day before is still necessary.

But hair wash on the big day should be avoided.

As hair will get too soft and hard to styled after freshly washed.

Unwashed hair will contain a certain degree of friction, and be easy to handle.