While many brides hyper-focus on their wedding dress, their hair is just as important to achieving the perfect look on their big day.
But it can be challenging for brides to choose a hairstyle that will not only complement their dress and makeup palette, but also their overall wedding aesthetic.
Julius Michael — a celebrity stylist who is a favorite of a long list of Bravo stars, incl Real Housewives and Vanderpump Rules team — tells PEOPLE that when working with bridal clients, she likes to use their “everyday hair” as a starting point.
The industry veteran, who jokes that she’s been doing hair “since blow dryers were invented,” says one of the biggest mistakes brides make is trying to get too experimental and have hairstyles they later regret.
“They’re so out of their comfort zone that when they look back at the pictures, they’re always like, ‘Ugh, what was I thinking with that hair?’ Michael explains.
Julius Michael.
Julius Michael/Instagram
Instead, he says, the goal should be to choose a hair look that will make the bride “feel the most beautiful” for her special occasion, taking into account their dress, usual style and overall comfort level.
To ensure that their wedding day hairstyle is flawless, Michael recommends that brides find the right stylist for the job and do a few trials before the wedding.
“Do as much as you can [trials] as you can with different stylists until you find the one that gives you the style you feel looks your best,” she advises.
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Michael also suggests doing all the necessary preparations before the wedding. For example, if they use extensions, brides should cut them and blend them with their natural hair.
“My favorite set extensions, and the only ones I recommend, are from Hidden Crown. I know they won’t melt on my hot tools and will hold every wave or curl I add so I don’t have to worry about my look falling when it’s time to cutting the cake,” he says.
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The stylist also recommends that color treatments be done a week before the wedding.
“You don’t want the added stress of getting extensions, highlights or coloring a day or two before your big day when you’ll have enough on your plate,” she explains. “Plus, adjusting your color tone a bit will give it time to settle before your big day.”
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As for the biggest trends in wedding day hairstyles right now, Michael says they change by the day. “I’m seeing a lot of bottom styles, which I love. High-waisted dresses are classic and beautiful—some styles look better uplifted than low,” he shares, noting that he loves the versatility and timelessness of low-cut styles.
“I haven’t heard of a bride ever looking back at pictures and saying, ‘Why did I leave my hair down?’ ” he continues. “I think most women find comfort and strength with their hair down, so why on your most important day look like you can never look great?”
Michael says braids are another popular choice right now. “I’ve seen a lot of fun braids that I love.”
Ultimately, he points out, it’s about choosing the hairstyle that best suits the bride and in which she feels the most beautiful as she walks down the aisle.
“Your wedding day is your day to shine. It’s the day when all eyes are on you, so make sure the highlights are accentuated with your hair, make-up and dress,” she says. “Your hair is absolutely your crown, so wear it with pride!”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education