Bridal Hair Stylist Goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

by Perriann Rodriguez


What you should look for in selecting your wedding hair stylist

You are locked in your seat on the most famous roller coaster in the world, the Cyclone in Brooklyn, New York. Your fiancé is right next to you, both of you dressed in wedding attire. As you go up the steep climb the preacher, who is seated behind you, begins reading your vows. At the pinnacle of the climb, you are pronounced Mr. and Mrs., only to let out a loud scream as you plummet almost 60 miles per hour at a 60 degree incline. On the second time around, your hair stylist, who is seated next to the preacher, reaches over and fixes a few hairs that have fallen out of place in your fancy bridal updo...

Okay, so the hair stylist didn't actually sit behind you next to the preacher, but other than a few other minor details this is a true story for Gretchen Maurer, an on-location wedding day hair and make-up specialist. She has been taken to many places throughout New England from Connecticut to Pennsylvania, Newport, Rhode Island, Manhattan and New York State with her bridal clients, including many different venues such as the Cyclone roller coaster, Bed & Breakfast Inns, small homes, even elaborate country clubs.

There are many important qualities that a top wedding hair stylist must have in order to have a thriving bridal beauty business which includes satisfied bridal clients. These include being flexible, being able to determine face shape and designing a hair style to suit, knowing the latest trends and fashions, continuous training and education in formal hair styling, being on-time and also having the ability to assess a women's overall image

Maurer began doing bridal hair right in hairdressing school in the early 80's. "I loved the sculpturing, balance and texture that bridal hair design challenges me with," she says. "The key to being successful in the bridal business," says Maurer "is the ability to read a woman's style and face shape so that I can design a balanced look for the total image and balance the bride from head to toe." Maurer first looks at pictures of the bride's dress, considers the time of day of the wedding, then she moves on to face shape, ethnic heritage, personal image, hair type and length, headpiece and puts it all together in a fabulous bridal hair style designed specifically for each individual bride.

Face shape knowledge is very important for a hair stylist. Maurer says, "I have a new bride coming up who has a heart shape face. This means a broad forehead and temple area with a small chin. Plus she is very petite. So a low chignon in the back is a perfect balance for her." Maurer adds, "Height will come from her tiara and veil." Face shape is used in the hair style selection process since one style may look great on someone who has an oval face, but simply awful on someone with a square face. This is also an important factor for brides who bring in hair style photos they like from magazines. Some stylists will simply create the hair style for you, disregarding the fact that the photo, for example, may show a model with a heart face shape, and you may have a round face shape.

Maurer recommends that her clients bring in sample photos of hair styles that they like, along with any other photos such as photos of brides dresses, headpieces, tiaras, etc. so that she can get an overall sense of the brides likes and dislikes. From there she can design a hair style that suits the bride's overall image. Staying in tune with fashion trends and styles that her clients like is very important in the overall bridal look.

The age of the bride is also very important in the design of the bridal style. A bridal hair style will be very different for women in their 30's or 40's compared to women in their 20's. Maurer says, "I have a freelance team of hair stylists that I work with and I always try to give the younger bridesmaids to the younger hair stylists."

Maurer has expanded her bridal business beyond the salon in her website, www.weddinghair.com by offering a broad spectrum of wedding hairstyles designs and hair lengths and textures that the bride can pick out and order a hair kit. The hair kit is simply the hairstyle photographed step by step with directions and many after shots. Some brides will try to do the hairstyle themselves, some will have a friend or family member do it and some will take the hair kit to the salon and have a professional stylist do the wedding hair style. Maurer says, "Brides, for the most part have never been a bride. They need help choosing a look and www.weddinghair.com is designed to do just that. The hairstyles represent a broad spectrum of designs and hair lengths and textures. My articles also provide useful information. It is a one of its kind website."

In short, selecting your wedding hair stylist is an important part of creating your overall wedding look. Gretchen Maurer, and her website www.weddinghair.com , gives us insight into what a successful wedding hair stylist goes thru for each bridal client and what you should look for in selecting your stylist.

Gretchen Maurer is the author of The Business of Bridal Beauty, published by Milady Publishing. She is creator and owner of http://www.weddinghair.com Maurer's articles and hairstyles have been published in numerous publications and web sites including The Knot, www.NewYorkMetroWeddings.com , Modern Bride, Modern Salon, Passion, American Salon, WeddingBells, Bridal Star Hairstyles and Teen Star Hairstyles. Brides Magazine has awarded www.weddinghair.com as the "Best Beauty Web Site"


About the Author
Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources, http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net where you can find photos of short, long, medium, men's, prom and bridal hair styles, get hair extension info, find a beauty salon anywhere in the world and much more. Visit Hair Resources for better hair days!!

A Bride's Wedding Day

by Annette Medina-Plaza

A Bride's Wedding Day can be filled with lots of joy, excitement and anticipation along with a measure of anxiety and a certain level of stress. The following checklist will hopefully help to keep the anxiety and stress levels to a minimum.

1. Wedding Gown

As we all know your wedding gown is a very important item on your wedding day, I dare say some brides will consider it THE most important. After all, you've invested a lot of time, not to mention money, in selecting the perfect gown. So, it should go without saying that you should make sure your gown is ready the night before the wedding, right? While you are doing that, also make sure that the following items are ready;

* Veil and headpiece * Special undergarments (bra, panties, slip, hoisery) * Garter * Shoes * Gloves * Jewelry

And in case your veil or dress gets a bit wrinkled have an Iron or Steamer handy.

2. Make-up and Hair

If you are doing the make-up yourself, the following items should be easily accesible;

* Make-up (foundation, powder, eye liner, eye shadow, blush, lip pencil, lipstick)

If you are having someone else do your make-up, call and confirm your appointment time.

Other essential items are;

* Nail polish and file * Curling Iron, curlers * Comb, brush * Hairspray, extra bobby pins * Hand-held mirror

Again if someone else will be doing your hair, call to confirm the appointment time.

3. Emergency Kit

I'm not talking about a First Aid Kit or the famous black bag that doctors carry, unless of course you are a doctor. I'm talking about a few items that can help make your day be a smooth one. To that end you will need the following;

* breath mints * hanky * small needle and thread kit * a few safety pins * extra hoisery * lipstick and compact mirror

4. Reception

If you are planning to change your outfit for the reception, make sure you have;

* Going-away outfit * Going -away shoes and hosiery * Undergarments * Accessories (jewelry, etc)

And if you are departing for your honeymoon right after your reception;

* Honeymoon suitcases should be placed in the get-away car along with your wedding night bag.

5. Ceremony

Most common items for a ceremony are;

* Ring pillow * Flower basket ( if not being delivered by your florist) * Bible * Unity Candles * Bridal Bouquet

However, the list can dramatically change depending on religion, ethnicity, type of ceremony etc. Make sure your checklist on this category includes the items you want to incorporate in your ceremony.

The Wedding Day is the one day where prayers for perfection abound. Making a "to do list" will keep things from feeling out-of-control and overwhelming, thus allowing for a more enjoyable and pleasurable experience for the bride and those around her.

Copyright © 2005 Annette Medina-Plaza.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Annette Medina-Plaza offers individualized customer care. She is a novice member of the Association of Bridal Consultants currently attending classes to become a Professional Wedding Consultant. If you are looking for Wedding Invitations or Accessories, look no further:

www.unikkreationz.com

Looking for new wedding hairstyles or a completely different look?

by Perriann Rodriguez


Maybe you need a Gia Makeover!

When it comes to hair styles, there are so many different options today to make changes. You can change your color, add highlights, add bangs, add layering and even add length or thickness with hair extensions. Makeovers are becoming more and more popular as television shows such as ABC's Extreme Makeover outline how a makeover is done and drastic changes that can be done. Hair stylist, Gia Wood of Salon D in Dallas, Texas specializes in makeovers and hair extensions and is considered Dallas' makeover specialist. She has hundreds of clients locally and many clients that fly or drive in to Dallas for her services. One of her clients flies all the way from Spain just to get her hair done. Gia says, "I find that clients who are willing to drive or fly that far just to get their hair done are the biggest compliment and the proof of my success."

So what is this makeover fuss all about? Gia explains that most of her clients have either been the victim of an inexperienced stylist or have simply not thought enough about the change in hairstyle they wanted and they are now stuck with something they hate. Gia adds, "Most of my makeovers include color correction, which can be highlights, color, gloss or all of the above. Makeovers also include a haircut and style, along with makeup application. The total process can take around 4 hours to complete."

Gia says, "When dealing with color correction, the first thing every client asks me is '...how damaged will my hair be after a color correction?'" Believe it or not, color correction is not as damaging as it used to be. The old way of stripping hair color out with bleach is history. Modern day products allow hair stylists to remove 'artificial pigment' only, meaning that it will not open, damage, or split the cuticle of the hair in any way. This allows hairdressers to remove the most intense colors from hair, and allow it to be re-colored in the same appointment time."

Gia will also offer suggestions for change in color and style to fix any problems a client reports with their hair. "For example, if a client has a brassy blonde color, I will suggest a bleach highlight or an ash toner to offset the brass color." She explains.

Getting a successful makeover depends on the experience of the stylist. Gia further explains, "My previous clients and even new clients trust my experience level and let me do what ever I feel like with their hair. Most of the time when I'm doing a makeover, I am usually correcting another stylist's color or haircut. I usually ask my clients what or who they would like to look like and to give a firm example of what they like and don't like. And, even if a client loves the way her hair looks, they may be looking for a change to further improve their hair style."

Photos of styles the client likes are very helpful to hair stylists. Gia adds, "Clients and stylists have different vocabularies. For example, Bangs. There are a thousand ways to wear bangs." Gia recommends bringing at least three photos of the hair style you want so your stylist does not get confused.

Gia also keeps a computer at her work station to look up hair styles online (such as a past hair style of a celebrity) if a client does not have photos or cannot remember certain styles they like. The computer eliminates the need for bulky portfolio books.

"Once the client and I have decided on a style and color," Gia explains, "We discuss what it will take to get the clients hair to that hair style." Most of the time the exact cut and color are achieved in one day. But Gia mentions that some clients that are growing their hair out may take several months and appointments to reach their overall goal. Human hair extensions (human hair extensions are attached directly to the natural hair) are also an option for clients that don't want to wait for their hair to grow out.

Gia's makeover experience is well-documented on her website: http://www.hairbygia.com Many before and after photo examples of makeovers, including hair extensions can be seen for your reference. Gia is quickly becoming the talk of the town with recent appearances on the television show "Austin Nights" (Segment can be viewed on her website) for her hair extensions services. She was also interviewed for the Number One best selling E-book by Hair Resources, 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions and participated as a Judge in their Nationwide Bridal Hair Style Contest.

In short, if you are sick and tired of your hair style and need a makeover, a trip to visit Gia Wood at Salon D in Dallas, Texas may well be worth your time, money...and happiness!

Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net online resources for hundreds of hair styles, hair extensions info, beauty salons worldwide, E-books and much more. Perriann is also the author of "Wedding Hair Styles" and "2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions" available at http://www.hairresources.net

New Updo Wedding Hairstyles for You

by Stuart Simpson


Do you need a new hairstyle? If you have long hair, it is easy to get into the ponytail rut. Just put it up and go. But long hair offers a lot of hairstyle options if you are going to the prom, having senior pictures or bridal pictures made, going to a wedding, or just needing an updo for a formal party. You do need to know some basics of hair care before getting started with long hairstyles though. Knowing the best way to shampoo, comb, brush, and dry your hair and the tools to use can give you a head start in your hairstyle.

First, shampooing long hair is best done standing up, preferably in the shower. This helps reduce matting and tangling. You should choose a shampoo that fits your hair's needs. For instance, chemically treated or damaged hair should be treated with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Only apply shampoo to the scalp and then rub in circular motions to clean the scalp thoroughly. When you rinse, work the shampoo through the ends of your hair and this will also help with less tangles. Your goal is to clean your scalp, so it is not necessary to rub shampoo into the ends of your hair. Use several towels to blot your hair dry. Never rub wet hair because this is a major cause of matting and tangling.

Second, combing and brushing long hair can be difficult if you do not use the proper tools and technique. To make combing wet hair easier, start with a leave-in conditioner. Using a large tooth bone comb, start at the ends and work up a little, about an inch at a time, getting the tangles out. If you are working with dry hair, a large paddle brush works best. Again always start at the bottom and slowly work up to the scalp. When blow drying long hair, use your fingers to comb through the hair from scalp to ends while drying.

Third, you need a few hair tools on hand to make the perfect hairdo. They include a large comb, square paddle brush, bobby pins, hairpins, and elastic bands. The best elastic bands to use are covered with some type of material. You might not have known there is a difference in bobby pins and hairpins, but using them correctly will help your hairstyle. Bobby pins touch in the middle and are designed to hold the weight of your hair. Hairpins are made to hold hair in place that has already been secured with bobby pins. You can make curls and then spread them and hold them in place with hairpins.

There are lots of great hairstyles you can choose once you have mastered the basics and have your hair clean and ready. Braids and updos are perfect hairstyles for proms, senior pictures, bridal pictures, weddings, and formal functions. Many hairstyle professionals can style your clean dry hair in an updo in about 15 minutes. Having long hair doesn't have to mean always wearing a ponytail. Talk with your hairstyle professional about some of the many hairdos that would work for you.


About the Author
Stuart Simpson http://www.formal-tuxedo.com

Wedding Hair Style - Achieve The Perfect Beautiful, But Formal Look

By Michael Barrows

With formal hairstyling trends taking a step back from the rigidly crafted styles of yesterday, today's wedding hair styles are free, natural and a great deal easier to attain than they were a few years ago. But even though this is true, the bridal hair style is probably the most important style that you are going to choose for quite a while so it is best served by a little research and practice before the big day.

On your wedding day, hundreds of eyes will be on you, and your chosen bridal hair style can either complete the picture or detract from it. That is why it is so important to choose the perfect formal hairstyle well in advance of the big day so that you and your stylist can get it right and make custom additions to your wedding hair style. Nothing is worse than a hastily crafted coif decided upon only minutes before the ceremony.

You can begin your search for the perfect bridal hair styles and bridesmaid hair styles by browsing through style books that highlight formal updos and popular wedding hair styles. While looking, keep in mind the style of dress that you have selected and choose wedding hair styles that compliment the style, era and cut of the dress. The same thing goes for your bridesmaids dresses.

Another important thing to consider when choosing bridal hair styles are the styles, lengths and textures of the bridal party's hair. For example: if every member of the bridal party save one has short hair, selecting a French Twist as your only bridesmaid hair style would not be very feasible. But you could do a French Twist on the one member with long hair and select different wedding hair styles for the rest of the party as long as it doesn't bother you that everyone is not going to look identical.

When it comes to coordinating your wedding hair styles for your wedding party, you do not have to choose cookie-cutter styles for each member of the party. Look instead at bridal hair styles that compliment each member's personality, facial structure and hair texture. Let your wedding party members have some say in how they would like to wear their hair and set some practical guidelines such as whether or not the bridesmaid hair style should be pinned up off of the neck or allowed to flow free down the back.

Then, coordinate the individual bridal hair styles by using matching accessories and placing them in similar patterns on each member. These pointers apply for the bridal party only; the bridal hair style should set the bride apart from the others and be more intricate and beautiful than all other wedding hair styles chosen by members of the wedding party.

Once all bridal hair styles have been chosen, have a practice run where all of the ladies meet at the same salon and allow the stylists that are going to do the wedding party's hair on the big day have a crack at crafting the intricate wedding hair styles that you have chosen. While it may cost you a little bit of money to do this, it will save you a great deal of headache on the big day.

Michael Barrows' website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit http://www.great-hairstyles.com

Hair Extension Safety and Care Tips

By Natalie Aranda

Understanding a bit about hair extensions can save you time and money especially with all the different types and styles available on today’s market. Most people prefer human hair extensions since they are normally easier to care for than others out there. Using hair extensions is a great way to have long hairstyles without waiting months for your own hair to grow. If you are considering hair extensions for wedding hairstyles or prom hairstyles there are a few things you should know.

The way that hair extensions are applied is very important. It does not hurt! There is a track made with your own hair by creating a same braid. Then the hair extensions are actually sewn to your own hair track. This track commonly called a corn-row by hair stylists runs horizontally around the back of your head. These tracks are done in the middle of the scalp where no one will be able to see them.

For all prom hairstyles and wedding hairstyles, the crown area of your hair will cover the top track. According to how many wefts you decide on will be how many tracks you will need for the long hairstyles. Also according to how much hair you need to create the wedding hairstyles or prom hairstyles will determine how many tracks you need. After the hair stylist has created the tracks, the human hair extensions or hair extensions of your chose will be sewn to the tracks. Then the hair will be blended into your own hair. The hair extensions will now be treated like your own hair.

To care for your hair extension you should treat it exactly like you do your normal hair. However, if you could not grow long hair previous for all those long hairstyles you desired you might not have been caring for your hair for new hair growth. Here are a few tips to help you care for your hair extensions so you can always have the long and glamorous hair you deserve for all the prom hairstyles or any long hairstyle you choose.

You should always wash, condition and moisturize your hair, including your human hair extension every 2 to 3 days. Your hair extensions will not receive the natural scalp oils so you will need to add moisturizing to your routine. If you do not remember to moisturize your hair extensions, they will become brittle which can cause them to break easily, leaving you with ratty and split ends.

Remember, hair extensions will not grow back! If you get them too hot with the blow dryer, curling iron, etc., you can burn the hair and damage your beautiful hair extensions and this will not help with any wedding hairstyles or prom hairstyles you had planned.

Plan to visit your hair stylist in around 6 to 8 weeks. They will have to remove the wefts and check the hair extensions for any build up from the shampoo or other products you have used. Then it will be necessary for the braids to be redone and the same wefts attached again as your hair grows about 1 to 1 ½ inches in that time period.

Natalie writes on health, beauty and makeup tips. Using hair extensions is a great way to have long hairstyles without waiting months for your own hair to grow. If you are considering hair extensions for wedding hairstyles Understanding a bit about hair extensions.

Bridal Beauty Secrets - Hair Care

By Natalie Aranda


The wedding ceremony is the most special and important moment in a woman's life. Since the very moment after the bride and groom have officially announced their engagement, wedding planning starts. Planning for the wedding is often taken cared by an experienced wedding planner - from wedding flowers, wedding music, wedding cakes, food. The bride will prepare months before for her big day to look picture-perfect. Bridal makeup tips, along with the proper hair care, skin care and nail care are the basics to look and feel that way.

Hair care continues as an ordinary activity for women who desire healthy and radiant hairs, but it needs particular attention in accordance to the different wedding hairstyles. It is highly advisable to make the definite selection based on your wedding dress, face shape and personality. Diet and lifestyle reflect in both your skin and your hair too. The healthier your diet, the more beautiful you will look. Hair care should include a treatment with olive oil applied only on the hair's ends at bedtime and washing it off the next morning. Trim your hair every 4 to 5 weeks even if you are growing it for an updo, and do not brush it when it is wet. If you are fascinated by a undo or long hairstyle and don’t have time to grow, you can create instant beautiful hair styles with hair extensions. You should always wash, condition and moisturize your hair, including your human hair extension every 2 to 3 days. Your hair extensions will not receive the natural scalp oils so you will need to add moisturizing to your routine. The other option is to wear a lace front wig which could give you a beautiful long hairs too. Lace front wigs come in different length, color and styles, so choose the one that fits your wedding gown best.

If a hairstyle highlights your face, elegant fingernails will highlight your hands. You will have so many opportunity to show off your nails on the wedding day. Nail care should start at least a few weeks before the wedding day if it’s not part of your beauty care routines. Nailtiques is a relatively new yet very effective therapeutic system proven to prevent nails from peeling, breaking or splitting. What is different from other nail care products is that It promotes natural nail growth. After a few weeks of treatment, you’ll notice the improvement in the condition of your nails, cuticles and hands. Rejuvacote is another nail polish product that will heal common nail problems and grow nails stronger in two or three weeks. To get the best results while applying Rejuvacote, you top your polish with another coat of Rejuvacote to add strength and shine, or cover it with a layer of color polish for extra beauty.

Natalie Aranda writes on health and beauty. If a hairstyle highlights your face, elegant fingernails will highlight your hands. Nail care should start at least a few weeks before the wedding day if it’s not part of your beauty care routines. Nailtiques is a relatively new yet very effective therapeutic system proven to prevent nails from peeling, breaking or splitting. What is different from other nail care products is that It promotes natural nail growth. Rejuvacote is another nail polish product that will heal common nail problems and grow nails stronger in two or three weeks. To get the best results while applying Rejuvacote, you top your polish with another coat of Rejuvacote to add strength and shine, or cover it with a layer of color polish for extra beauty.