Wear your wedding dress again charity party

It's not every day that you get the chance to wear your wedding dress again! Well I got just the opportunity to wear mine  - 20 years after my big day - when I joined make up maestro and colleague Emma Brooks, fellow wedding hair stylist Lynette Chasmer and marketer Sara Carter for a charity fundraiser in aid of Help for Heroes on Sunday.   The ‘Wear Your Wedding Dress Again’ charity event was being held at Prested Hall and arranged by the wonderful Abi and Rob and their teams from Abigail's Collection & The Groom's Room. Before the party started, Emma and I visited Abi to transport her look back to her own big day in 2005. To recreate Abi’s wedding hair I first added a few hair extensions, then dressed it up into a high sophisticated style which was sleek at the front but with lots of fullness and curls at the back, completing her look I attached her beautiful crystal head piece. It was Emma’s turn next, as she provided a glowing radiance to Abi's wonderful skin, used natural shimmery eye shadow colours to make the most of Abi's eyes plus a flutter of lashes with a beautiful fine delicate flick of liner to compliment the look. A pop of colour on the lips finalised Abi’s wedding look. Next it was time to give Sara her ‘Hollywood Glamour’ hair makeover. Sara was one of my very recent brides and wanted me to exactly recreate the look I gave her for her wedding day in August. I tonged Sara’s bob length hair, added curled extensions and pinned it up to give her a Hollywood starlet look. A beautiful diamond and pearl hair pin added further vintage class to her glossy dark locks. Emma’s look for Sara involved a full on red Hollywood glam lip using the must have shade M.A.C Ruby Woo, matte eye shadow with flicked out wings and eyelashes to create a dramatic film star appearance.     Lynette got married in 1992 so her hair was loosely tousled with curling tongs and a little backcombing for root lift decorated with a rose flower set to the side. Her make-up was updated to 2013 but all in all she looked very Scott and Charlene circa neighbours 1992!       Emma got married 13 years ago, so I recreated her look but added a modern twist using big rollers and extensions. I curled her hair and pinned it up to create an exquisite wedding hair style.  After adding height to the front, I finished by adding a birdcage veil and side tiara to top it off. She looked stunning.    Next it was my turn; after doing my own hair and adding my original wedding hair corsage, Emma waved her magic airbase make up wand and gave me a lovely dewy look for the evening. Wow, did it take me back to the 1990s! With our wedding dresses on, which spanned the past three decades, we were ready to party the night away.   On entry to the sparkly lit up entrance of Prested Hall, we were dazzled by the bulbs of the paparazzi and walked the Red Carpet. I felt like a star of a premiere! The attentive staff ushered us into the main hall where over 90 other brides in their wedding finery were sipping champagne and nibbling the beautiful canapés. I was absolutely agog at seeing so many beautiful brides and the array of their dresses that rocked from 1960’s vintage right up to 2013. Everyone had taken so much care over their bridal look and it was great to see many of the brides we have worked with over the years. Photo courtesy of Simon Brazier of EPS Photography.         As the fun began and drinks were flowing we were reminded of the real reason for the charity ball – to raise money for Help for Heroes by their regional fundraiser. Rapturous applause greeted Abi and Rob who officially welcomed everybody. Then it was onto the evening’s entertainment which started with the dulcet tones of Sarah Grace. Moving on, we brides rocked to the beats of disco greats that set the pace of the evening by the guys from Dreamwaves Events. Trickster Magicians Toby and Alan entertained us with their slight of hand. Then there was a fantastic Photo booth, and something I had never seen before, a Flick Book Photo Booth run by photography specialists and wedding supplier finalists Aurora Pearl. This was so much fun and something I will be telling my future bridal hair clients about. Vanilla and Ivory provided gorgeously themed and delicious cupcakes. The guys and girls at EPS Photography and PictureBoxPortraits were on hand all evening to take pictures of all the stunning brides. Finally, the wonderful harmonies of the band Next of Kin who were featured on this year’s X factor set the tears and laughter flowing with a few romantic hits of the past while every bride’s favourite photos of their special day flashed up on the screen. It was a great touch! With the addition of a luxury raffle and the lovely butlers in the buff collecting for the charity, the event raised nearly £2,800 for Help For Heroes. What a result!  Everyone had a great time and we can’t wait for next year Abi and Rob! You did a great job.

Want to wear a veil? How to choose the right one.

 

Christina Ricci marries in Givenchy couture
with a stunning veil. 
Photo: @ChristinaRicci

  Veils come in various guises but,  if you have decided  to wear one there are some points to consider.  The main thing is that the veil, hairstyle and, of course the dress, need to work well together.

I would advise that, unless your veil is an heirloom,  you have a hair trial to explore the possibilities for your wedding hair before you actually buy your veil, this will ensure you are not too restricted on your hairstyle.  The length, fullness and placement of the veil  will all have a bearing on the suitability of certain styles.

 If  you wish to wear the veil over your face for the ceremony, it  will need to be placed high on your head,  for example above a higher  bun or chignon  or just behind a tiara. This placement works well with hair up or down  and gives added width to the overall look.

If you want to wear your hair down, it is important to  consider the weight of the veil as, with a longer, heavy veil, a half-up do might be better because there will be  a foundation to anchor it to which will prevent it from slipping. A glimpse of long luscious waves and big curls  can look stunning  under a veil but  remember that the hair should never hang lower than the veil itself.

Veils are traditional but many girls are choosing to wear them in a less traditional way, for example placed at the back of the head either under a high bun or on top of a low nape design. Single tier veils work well with these looks as the hair and any detail on the dress can still be seen without the final look being too cluttered.  So remember, if you are going to wear your veil lower down the back of your hair, your veil should stop either above or below any detail on the back of your dress (such as lacing or embellishments),  but  never cut through the middle of it.

 Vintage looks are so popular at the moment,   short bobbed hair looks fabulous with a short shoulder length or birdcage veil to emphasise the vintage theme with the hair finger waved or set in pin curls. Longer hair is best worn up with these types of veil, either a pleat, a low nape roll, twist or even a big side bun.













If you need any more advice contact Tina Crossley at www.beautifulhair4weddings.co.uk
 

      

Help Tina, my hair is too short!

I am often contacted by brides who wish their own hair was longer or thicker,  they imagine they don’t have as much choice as girls with long thick hair. Having amazing hair for your wedding is a must, so fortunately these days you don’t have to be hindered by what Mother Nature has provided, Hair Extensions can be used give you the hair of your dreams for your big day. 

Human hair extensions are available in a huge range of colours and are now incredibly popular. Many celebrities are rarely seen without them.  They can be used to enhance thickness and add length and even colour to the hair and there are a variety of different products and techniques available. However, if you’re thinking about having them for your wedding, it is important that you discuss it you’re your wedding stylist and carefully consider what  type will best for your individual requirements.

My preferred method for bridal hairstyling is to use clip in weft extensions.  A weft is a strip of hair, which has been sewn together, and is then clipped discreetly at the roots.   If you are looking for a ‘Down’ or ‘Half Down’ look for your wedding hair, this method can add extra length, fullness and support, great if your hair is limp because the added piece acts like scaffolding holding the curls or waves in place. Clip in extensions can also be used to create extra body and a better shape in an ‘Up Do’ as there is more hair to work with. The hair can be colour matched so when it has been incorporated into a style, it blends in and is completely undetectable.

  Here I added two of my clip in weft extensions to enhance Ezster’s shoulder length hair, the final result appears as though it is all her own giving extra fullness to the look.

 

 

Essex Wedding Awards 2013 Finalist

 

I am really proud to announce that I have got through to final of the Essex Wedding Awards 2013,  the competition in which I  won for best wedding hair stylist last year.  Thank you to all of my beautiful brides (and the groom) who have voted for me this year. I am really looking forward to a great night seeing all my friends from the industry and making some new ones too.

 

Modelling the latest looks for brides at Great Hallingbury Manor Wedding Fair

I had a successful day talking to brides-to-be at Legacy Great Hallingbury Manor wedding fair with Emma Brooks Make-up.  

Our three beautiful models  are pictured here showing off both vintage and classic looks for brides.

Looking forward to this Sunday where Emma and I will exhibiting at Layer Marney Tower where we will be available to answer any of your bridal hair or make-up enquiries.

 

"I absolutely loved my hair!"

It is always lovely to get feedback on what my brides thought of their hair and how they enjoyed their day. I have just received a lovely message from last Friday's bride Jenny this morning -  just as she jets off to her honeymoon. She says:

  "Thank you for working your magic on Friday, I absolutely LOVED my hair!!! And the bridesmaids hair all looked amazing too"

 I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning working with Emma Brooks Make-up to help Jenny get ready for her wedding, the first of three brides this weekend.

 

It didn't rain on Sara's Parade!

Rain can be a bride's worst nightmare but not for my lovely bride Sara who got married on what seems like the only wet day of the summer. Sara wrote me an email to say thank you and I wanted it to share it with my readers.

Dear Tina

I am just writing to say thank you for all your help on my wedding day on Saturday. You really went above and beyond the call of duty in the lead up to the day and on the day itself.  My hair looked amazing and despite the torrential rain, it stayed perfect all day. I am still getting compliments on it now!

Thank you for helping get us all into the cars in the downpour. I know you got soaked to the skin. My mum relays her thanks too.

I had a perfect day and the weather did not rain on my parade. I attach a couple of my favourite photos.

Thanks again

Sara Carter.

Weddings with a festival vibe!

 

We are bang in the middle of festival season and for many of us it's the best part of summer when you can celebrate music, arts, sunshine and the great outdoors all at the same time.  If this sounds like your idea for the perfect summer wedding day get some inspiration from the shoot I did for Beau Bright Events recently.  It could be just the ticket!







Plaits and braids are a perfect choice for a festival bride

Free spirited tousled waves dressed with a floral crown looks truly stunning





 

Think wildflower meadows and laid back luxe

Boho Festival Bride Shoot for Beau Bright Event Design
Hair by Tina www.beautifulhair4weddings.co.uk
Make-up by www.emmabrooksmakeup.co.uk
photography by www.mariedarcyphotography.com

3 Beautiful Bridesmaids!

I love the whole look of these 3 lovely bridesmaids whose hair I styled for Cara's recent wedding,  so had to post this great picture! I love the tie in with the colours of the dress to the headpieces.