My Bridal Fashion Guide to Hairstyles

These are some of my favorite images from around the web to help you get started with your search for the perfect bridal hairstyle. How you wear your hair makes a big difference in completing a wedding day look. There are a lot of things that people consider. For example, the formality of the event, the neckline and shape of the wedding dress, and the most important factor… what kind of hair looks good on you.

The first step to choosing the right hairstyle is to gauge your hair type. Obviously, there are plenty of wedding hairstyles for long hair, like natural styles with romantic, loose curls and formal wedding updos. But there are also a lot of fun options for short wedding hairstyles, like sparkly hairpins or even trendy headbands. Next, you’ll want to start collecting photos of wedding hair styles that you love.

Paul Labrecque is a celebrity hairstylist who started the exclusive CORE: Club in NYC at 66 East 55th Street. He shared this list of stress-free beauty tips for brides via Merci NY:

· Start with a bridal countdown that begins six months before the big day. You should first schedule a consultation with your hair stylist. I ask all my brides to come with pictures of styles they love, pictures of themselves with hair looks they liked, etc—this will help to create style interpretations that are just right for you.

· On the day of your hair and makeup trial, give your stylist or makeup artist as much information to work with as possible. Bring a photo of your wedding dress, tear sheets from your favorite bridal magazines and communicate with them about both your everyday look and your desired bridal look.

· You will then determine what part(s) of your hair need to grow out, what needs to be cut and how your overall color should look. The consultation will also help you with the timing on everything to bring the whole look together for the big day.

· To protect your hair from over blow drying and damage, have a Keratin Reconditioning Treatment 5 to 6 months before your wedding. The Keratin treatment eliminates frizz and makes blow drying incredibly easy and quick. You will not need to blow dry your hair as often, which will protect it from over heating and breakage.

· I prefer to have my brides come in for a cut two weeks before the actual wedding date. This allows the ends to grow out a bit so they look natural and not blunt.

· If your budget allows, consider hiring your makeup artist and hair stylist for outcall visits to your hotel or home. You’ll feel more relaxed and the efficiency is worth the splurge.

· Have your stylist use a straightening or curling iron AND a leave-in hydrating treatment (like Paul Labrecque Repair Style Hydrating Hair Lotion) with a high-gloss finishing spray (try Paul Labrecque Curly Finish High Gloss Spray Shine). If the hair is conditioned AND heated properly it will glow for the entire day even if your hair isn’t in its best shape.