Tag Archives: real wedding

Wedding Hair and Makeup Doesn’t Need To Be ‘Bridal’

Here’s Hanna’s retro cool hair and makeup for her beautiful mid summer English garden wedding held at Stoke Park Pavillion  by Rebecca Douglas Photography. She wore Jenny Packham ‘Eden‘ and the warm golden tones of her makeup, dress, and accessories echoed throughout the gorgeous hazy summer celebration. Importantly, she arrived at her choices through an ad-hoc hair styling moment.

Hanna had her trial at home with her bridesmaids and we talked about styles she liked. At this trial session we created a low, loose, curled style which Hanna was really happy with. Hanna’s sister was concerned about wearing her hair up because it was in a short bob and I had some time before my next appointment so I offered to style her sister’s hair quickly to demonstrate a cool retro beehive inspired updo that can be achieved on shorter hair. Having seen this style in action, I later received an email from Hanna letting me know that she now really wanted that style herself!

It’s worth bearing in mind when planning, how you want to look and feel at possibly the biggest party you’ll ever throw for yourself. I suspect Hanna had researched/ scoured Pinterest for ‘wedding hair’ and chosen a nice, pretty, current wedding style. I find that you end up with the same images being presented over and over again and re-pinning perpetuates the cycle! So when Hanna saw a style, not labelled ‘bridal’ and liked it a lot, those horizons were broadened. Of course it’s hard to know where to start, so I recommend using different search terms other than ‘bridal’ or ‘wedding’. Variety and personality can be lacking within those categories.

You could try searching ‘beachy’ ‘hollywood’, ‘vintage’ or ‘red carpet’ styles for fashion-led inspiration. (For reference, Hanna’s hair was shoulder-length and no extra hair or padding was used) It’s also really important to search for styles in your own hair colour. A braided style will look vastly more impressive on blonde hair because of all the different tones showing through. If you want to try more than one style at your trial, let your stylist know, but be aware that these will be approximations of a a look. The finished, perfect, polished look is not going to be achieved easily via a few other styles.

Hanna’s makeup was nothing but flattering to her skin tone, eye colour and the whole vibe of her styling. Warm, fresh, golden and gorgeous.

I’m always delighted to see those sumptuous golden hour evening shots, and here the silhouetted hairstyle gives me proud mum joy. Happy style planning!

Carolanne x

2015 Highlights: Surrey and London Hair & Makeup

Happy New Year!

I’m behind the times with my post of my best bits from hair & makeup in 2015, but it’s Twelfth Night so I’m still in! Unfortunately my tonsils decided they hated me on Boxing Day and I spent nameless-days-after-Christmas whimpering into a lemsip. Like teachers, hair and makeup artists only get ill on holiday…..it’s a law or something. While voiceless, I had a little scroll through my social media posts from 2015 and chose some of my favourites. Bear in mind my brushes see hundreds of faces every year and I can’t squeeze them all in – but as Brucie often whispered: *you’re* my favourite.

imageEarly in 2015 was Naomi who married at Fetcham Park photographed by Juliet McKee. Memorable for me as it was wintry enough for her gold-toned wedding dress and a candle-lit black tie reception. Undone curls and waves, unstructured and warm, pretty makeup. The bridesmaids makeup was perfect too, flawless, natural base but with a bold flick of liner.

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From the summer, here’s Phillipa who married James at Royal Holloway photographed by Zoe Collyer
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Phillipa surely won’t mind me telling you that she is possibly my greatest ever candidate for a ‘before and after’. Not because she needs a face full of make up, but rather that she was a tad nervous on the morning of her wedding and brought to the chair her own special green-tinged complexion. She soon perked up after some bespoke breakfast requests and wore a bold combination of rose gold shadows and a pink pop of lipstick. Phillipa, you looked wonderful.

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From an event and shoot to launch Sassi Holford at Miss Bush Bridal with hairstyling by Sharon Roberts and all makeup kindly provided by Bare Minerals, I had fun creating grown up pretty in pink and giving a presentation on my kind of bridal make up.

Image: www.photographybybea.co.uk

I’ve seen a huge variety in styling, from boho pretty, to retro, to formal and sleek. Hair flowers and accessories have been varied and creative with all manner of jewellery placed into hairstyles and incredible floral headpieces.

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I seemed to be inundated with blonde bombshells in 2015 with Phoebe who married at Great Fosters and was photographed by Juliet McKee. It was retro waves, victory rolls and Beauty and The Beast singalongs…. And Jamie who flew in from the States for a great big English wedding with these Hollywood glam waves.

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I’ve loved creating some traditional and more contemporary styles:

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I’ve been let loose on some incredible faces to make up on special occasions:

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And I couldn’t leave out a  red headed goddess, Rebecca, shot by Tarah Coonan at Fulham Palace

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Oh and I had some fun at Halloween and Christmas too….

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These really are the tip of the iceberg that was my working year. I could go on,  but I’ve got to get cracking on 2016! Thanks to all those clients who’ve sent me pictures and their photographers who allow me to flaunt them.

Carolanne x