How to prep your hair for bridal styling: Tips from a Nova Scotia bridal stylist.
Hey beauty, we both know that great hair starts before you sit in my chair, so I put together this guide to help you out.
Proper prep makes all the difference - not just for saving time but for achieving the most beautiful, long lasting results. Especially with our crazy NS weather - hellooo misty mornings in Halifax and on the South Shore, and hellooo again high winds of Cape Breton. Sooo many venues are located right on the water - looking at you my Fox Harb’r Resort brides. The weather is practically begging to wreak havoc on your hairstyle.
This guide breaks down exactly what to do before you wedding day + tailored recommendations based on your hair type.
A little prep goes a long way in making sure your hair looks flawless all day!
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Real Quick - why does prep matter so much?
Hair that hasn’t been prepped before hand can add significant time to your styling appointment and wedding day. Let’s go over some scenarios that can create delays and running behind.
Damp or wet hair - we need 100% dry to use hot tools.
Curls/Waves that have been brushed out or left frizzy - Adds extra time when taming frizz and smoothing curls.
Hair that’s been in a messy bun or top knot - can create unruly waves and flat spots. Its hard to put volume back in.
All of these scenarios can cause delays on your wedding day, so, what can we do instead? The simple answer is to have freshly washed, clean and dry hair but I’d love to break it down a bit further with specific recommendations.
Your go-to prep steps
Wash and Condition: Best done on your wedding morning or night before. Start by shampooing and conditioning your hair for a clean canvas. Two shampoos is best, focus conditioner on the ends. — Your personal faves work, but I love starting out with a deeper cleanse to get the hair and scalp squeaky clean. I like Redken Cleansing Cream or L’oreal Metal Detox - if you have hard water
Protect and Hold: Layer a leave in conditioner (love Moroccan Oils!) and a light volume spray like Schwarzkopf - The Thickener, best for fine hair - or apply a mouse like this one from Kenra or this one, from OSIS - these products will help with hold and curl retention.
Smooth it out: Grab your heat protectant - LOVE this Kenra one (thank me after you smell it!), then blow dry with a round brush, paddle brush or a blowdry brush (my go to for my own hair). Skip the flat iron, just blowdry as smooth as possible and avoid heavy products such as oils, hairspray, texture spray and dry shampoo.
Extra tips for your hair type
Frizz prone, fine or naturally curly hair? Best practices
Frizzy Hair: Humidity is your enemy and your hair needs moisture to combat it! Adding moisture in will stop your hair from grabbing it from the air instead. I recommend a more hydrating shampoo and conditioner and following up with a Hydrating Styling cream and/or a smoothing lotion if you’re extra unruly. (Moroccan Oil is perfect)
Fine Hair: Hair that falls flat quickly is definitely best washed the morning of! Use a lightweight shampoo and conditioner or if your hair falls really flat, considering skipping the condition completely and use a protective leave in like k18.
Natural Curls - You love your curls and want them enhanced, not smoothed out - prep like you would to wear your hair natural. Skip any crunchy products that don’t play well with heat (ex. gel) as we sometimes touch up with a small iron.
There you go beauty - tips to prep your hair for styling success! Definitely share this with the girls in your bridal party too! I won’t chew anyone up if they don’t follow these steps, but keep in mind, great results are 50/50 stylist skill and the canvas being worked on. Styling time will be faster and end results will be more polished. Booked brides, this is your prep playbook. Want to get on my books? Only 3 spots remaining for 2025 weddings. Tap the link to secure your date!