Bridal Hair Secrets: What Every Bride NEEDS to Know (Trials, Extensions & Mistakes)

In this episode, Isla and Paul sit down with Emma, a professional bridal hairstylist from Finesse Bridal, with nearly 10 years of experience in the wedding industry.

If you’re planning your wedding, this episode is packed with expert bridal hair advice to help you avoid common mistakes and feel confident on your big day.

💍 We cover:

• The biggest bridal hair mistakes brides make
• Hair up vs hair down – what actually suits you
• How wedding hair trials really work (and how many you need)
• Do you need hair extensions for your wedding?
• How to prep your hair before the big day
• Wedding morning timelines & what to expect
• Bridal hair trends (messy updos, Hollywood waves & more)
• The truth about Pinterest & AI inspiration photos

💡 Emma also shares:

• Her journey into the wedding industry
• What makes a great bridal hairstylist
• Tips to make your hairstyle last all day

Whether you're newly engaged or finalising your look, this episode will help you look and feel your best on your wedding day.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

And today we have Emma, a bridal hairstylist. You've been in the wedding industry for nearly 10 years. The one part of finesse bridal, uh, which is a joint hair makeup team. And your personal milestone uh was becoming a CPD accredited trade-in account.

SPEAKER_00 0:15

To be honest, I'll be honest with you, over the years, are you more of a herd down girl or a hair up girl? I actually had an inquiry the other day for 2029. Hair is a process, let me tell you.

SPEAKER_03 0:25

It's a journey. No, it is a journey. My bridesmaids are driving me insane.

SPEAKER_01 0:31

I don't know. The long hair.

SPEAKER_03 0:36

So, what is your biggest piece of advice then to your customers? So it is.

SPEAKER_01 0:47

What made you go into bridal hair specifically?

SPEAKER_00 0:49

To be honest with you, so I trained obviously as a hairdresser, I got my level three.

SPEAKER_01 0:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 0:53

Um, and then the salon I was in at the time, I just started getting these her-up clients, and I was a bit like, oh, I quite enjoy doing this. Um and then I just had this mad idea one day that I was gonna leave the salon I was in and just focus on her styling.

SPEAKER_04 1:08

Right.

SPEAKER_00 1:08

So I did that, and then I had my first two brides who ended up um booking with me, and they were just like my regular her-up clients. Still nerve-wracking though. Yeah, really, yeah, massively.

SPEAKER_01 1:20

Big responsibility. 100%.

SPEAKER_00 1:22

So I did them and absolutely loved it. Um and then I just I think when I posted that on Instagram and Facebook, I just started getting more inquiries then. Um, and then it just kind of like started snowballing, and I just thought I'm just gonna roll with it. So I kind of ended up niching that way by accident, but I'm so glad I did because I love it now. Yeah, yeah. Is there anything you specialise in? Um so for me, it's like the big updos. Okay. Um, the like Pami as such, as people call it.

SPEAKER_03 1:51

Yeah, they're very in at the moment.

SPEAKER_00 1:52

Oh, massively with the French twists, like the modernised kind of French twists. Um, and I do love a Hollywood wave as well, to be honest. Yeah. So that's another favourite of mine. But I do these. Yeah, yeah, you know, I guess.

SPEAKER_01 2:03

I'll show you some photos later. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:06

Do you know what time it ends in is?

SPEAKER_01 2:08

Yes, obviously.

SPEAKER_00 2:08

Do you know the pam? Yeah, do you know the paper? Or the big Kim K, like the big Kim K button, that kind of thing. For the men listening, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:16

We'll flash a picture up.

SPEAKER_00 2:17

My partner when he watches this, that's for you.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

That was so lot changed then from when you started it to now. Oh, hundred percent.

SPEAKER_00 2:25

And it's difficult because you've got to kind of try and keep on top of your own skills as well. So, like when I very first started doing this, I feel like everything was really neat and sleek, and everyone wanted it to kind of look really polished and done. The clean girl is starting. Yes. Whereas now I feel like as the years have gone on, it everyone wants messy. Yeah, messy but not messy. Yeah. Do you if you know what I mean by that? So like they want it to look like it's been thrown up, but it's not. Do you know what I mean? Like, there's a lot of effort that goes into it. Um, the amount of brides that come to me and they'll go, I just want it to look like you're just throwing it up.

SPEAKER_03 2:56

And I'm like, okay. Do you ever have people absolutely hating what you've done? And if so, how would you not necessarily hating it?

SPEAKER_00 3:04

But I've had brides that have had multiple trials, but like I always say that's alright, because that's what trials there for. Like you you come and then you're there to try different styles. So I always say, like, don't ever feel bad if you're coming for a trial to anybody, and then because I think sometimes they have a vision in the head, the brides, of what they want, and then you do it, and they'll kind of be like, I love it, but it's not me. Yeah, and that's fine. Do you know what I mean? Like, I've kind of learnt that that's not like a criticism to me or to any other stylist. That's just them saying, Well, we've tried that, like, let's try something else, which again, that's just what our trial's for, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 3:39

Yeah, um, how many trials would you give to someone?

SPEAKER_00 3:42

So I do it, I charge per trial. So you can have as many trials as you want, basically. Um, and I I see this is like kind of open to debate, but I always say one look per trial, just because I feel like it can get a little bit overwhelming if you're doing loads and loads of styles on the same day. And also, as well, obviously you're adding products into the herse. So I feel like if you're going from like a downdo to an updo, and especially if it's something that's quite set like waves, it can then be quite difficult to get it up. To change it, yeah. Yeah, so I always just say like have as many trials as you want, but I do do them separately because I just think it works better.

SPEAKER_03 4:17

In terms of the prep work for that, then are people washing their hair before? Because I find my hair gets greasy really quick, right? Yes. And I get told to wash my hair, is it like it's the day before, isn't it? If you're getting it done.

SPEAKER_00 4:28

Yeah, so I always say to people, to be honest, it's up to you, it's up to you. Okay. Obviously, the only thing I would always say to people is just don't turn up with like five-day old, four-day-old hair. We don't want grease. Yes, because I feel like everyone believes in the myth of dirty hair is better to style, it's not. So I'm always like, you know, wash it whenever's comfortable for you. If you're most comfortable washing the night before, do that. We can always add product in to kind of like add a little bit of grit back into the style again, which I would always do anyway. So yeah, it's entirely up to up to the client, really. But I would suggest kind of the night before or the morning before if you can. If you can't, then just wash it whenever you feel comfortable more more or less.

SPEAKER_03 5:06

And is it just the bride that you do the trials for? Or whole bridal party? What how do you work it?

SPEAKER_00 5:12

So I don't actually specify, I leave that up to the bride. So I'll say, um it depends. If they ask for a trial included when they ask for a quote, then I will quote their trial in the overall quote. If not, I'll give them a separate price and I'll say anyone can have a trial, it's just the same price. So I've got some brides who where just the bride will come, and then I've got another bride. I've got a bride for next year who's just booked in. She is booking three of the bridal party in as well. So obviously there'll be like four of them that will be having her makeup trials with us. But but yeah, just whatever kind of is within your budget and makes sense to you, kind of thing. If you've got someone in your bridal party that wants to try the style out because the hair is shorter, the hair might need extensions, whatever, then obviously it's always a good idea to have the trial, I think. And do you provide the extensions? So I don't provide them personally, but I give recommendations of where to get them from. So I've got like two trusted suppliers that I like to use and work with. One of them is kind of more on the expensive end, and the other one is kind of good for like bridesmaids, her-ups, that kind of thing. So I will always send those to people and then because they do like a colour match service online, which I always think works better because obviously they've got all the her-in to look at. And so I always just say, right, these are the two sites that I like to use. Um, go away. I'll tell them what type of extensions to get, because I always say the five to eight piece rather than you know, we can get them on like a long west. I feel like that's no good for styling. So go for like depth right now. Yeah, you're just like it's just the like the whole new world.

SPEAKER_02 6:45

I can just see it's just like I'm still trying to process the matching the hair thing.

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Like, how are they matching that? Well, yeah, but yeah, but on on camera I'm grey, but I'm not, obviously.

SPEAKER_00 7:00

But it works, doesn't it? But yeah, I feel like I've lost where we are now. Yeah, sorry, I was a big long strand of hair.

SPEAKER_01 7:07

Yeah, big long strand of hair. Yeah, they're no buttons.

SPEAKER_00 7:11

So yeah, the bit the ones that come on like the one sort of like wef. Yes, and not really any good for styling because I like to be able to kind of like I don't clip them in like you'd think, so I like to just be able to take as many pieces as I need and then clip them in. So I always say five to eight piece um double wef rolls is kind of what you need. Um, but yeah.

SPEAKER_03 7:32

So how do you work it alongside the makeup artists that you work with then? Do you both do trials and tie the makeup looking with the hairstyle? How does that work?

SPEAKER_01 7:41

And do you only work together as well?

SPEAKER_00 7:42

No, so we don't only work together. Obviously, me and Sam try and work together as much as we can because we're just yeah, we're just we work fab together, to be honest. Yeah. Um and we've kind of got timings with each other down to a T as well. So the way we work it on a wedding morning is kind of one person in her chair, one person in mine, about 45 minutes an hour, and then we'll switch over. Um, but we kind of end up doing it at the same time, so it makes the morning just run really smoothly, and then in terms of trials, we do try and book it on the same day with the client. So I'll either go to where Sam's based or Sam will come to where I'm based. Um, just because it's easier for the bride then. Um and we always tell them if they don't mind people seeing their look, we'll say, do it for your hendo or something, or like a night out. You know, so they're not kind of just going home and I think they get to sit with the hairstyle then as well.

SPEAKER_03 8:31

Because I think sometimes when you first get it done, if it's not something you used to, you're like, Yeah, you've got to but then if you go out with it on you've got to do it.

SPEAKER_00 8:40

You're dancing, you're having a drink, and which you're gonna be doing on your wedding day, aren't you? So I feel like it's nice to wear it in and see how it ends up lasting.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

And you can tell if it's good by the amount of compliments you get. Yes. And then you can gauge it off that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 8:50

How honest are you with the client? So if if you if you do it and you think actually that doesn't really suit the face.

unknown 8:56

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:56

To be honest, I'll be honest with you, over the years I've actually got more honest, and I would I would have that honest conversation with him before I do it. Oh, okay. Yeah, because I feel like they appreciate that as well. Like all my clients will know. Like, if they can't come to me with something and go, Emma, I want this, I'll either go, yeah, amazing, let's do it, or I'll go, why don't we look at this? Like, because I just think it saves it saves you as well. Like when you've done something, um, if I know that that client isn't gonna be 100% happy with that, or there's a question I always ask them before I start, and I'll say, Are you more of a her down girl or a her-up girl? And that is kind of your answer.

SPEAKER_04 9:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:32

So, because I always think on a wedding morning or on your wedding day, you're gonna be looking at back at pictures, like, which are you more comfortable with? Because you've got do you know what? Because when you're walking down the aisle, you want to feel the best, most comfortable version of yourself.

SPEAKER_01 9:45

Because everyone's looking at you, because everyone's looking at you, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:47

So I always say the last thing you want is to be walking down the aisle feeling really conscious because you've got your hair up and you don't normally wear it like that. Yeah, because a lot of people as well don't like their ears showing.

SPEAKER_03 9:58

Yeah, we had this. Last time I had a hairstylist in actually, somebody said, Yeah, my bridesmaid hates her ears, but I want you to have an updo. Yeah. So they were like, stick it out, yeah. That's that's what I yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:09

I'm like, they're absolutely fine, but it's what you're yeah, it's what you're conscious about yourself, isn't it? So I feel like that's always a question I ask on a trial. Like it's one of the first questions. I'm like, how do you normally wear your hair? How do you wear it when you go out? And also, how does a curl last as well? That is a big thing to ask because that makes a massive difference. Because if you're someone that's like, oh, I really want this nice Hollywood wave, I want it to last all day, but I literally come here and it falls out in five minutes. I'm like, okay, maybe. Let's rethink this. Yeah, yeah, or let's, you know, what can we add in? Because obviously, extensions can help um hull curls and things like that. So it's more just about being honest in that sense and being like, right, this is what we can achieve, this is what your hair type's like, and you know, I will sometimes guide and show them pictures off my Instagram or what I'm kind of thinking, along obviously along with their vision, but I think guiding them is yeah, like people appreciate your professional opinion, I think.

SPEAKER_03 11:04

Yeah, would you do someone's hair without them having a trial on their wedding day ever? I have done, but it gives me the worst anxiety.

SPEAKER_00 11:10

I don't know. Oh god, literally, only because as well. I feel like a trial, not only is it to try things, but it's for you to meet your stylist as well, and for like me to meet the brides.

SPEAKER_01 11:22

It's important that you get on, isn't it? Yeah, like you need that camera.

SPEAKER_00 11:24

100% because I am like a very, very chatty person and I love to get to know people. And me and my brides will speak backwards and forwards for ages before the wedding. Like that's just the way I am. I like to kind of them to feel comfortable with me, and then the same vice versa. Because I feel like you're there on the wedding morning, you know, you're watching them read the letters from the husband to be like a massive part of the wedding morning, aren't you? Really? Yeah, so I feel like you don't want necessarily someone there who feels like a stranger kind of thing. Yeah. Um, so I would always say, please, please have a trial, just because number one, you get to try your vision, and number two, you get to know me and know what you're walking into on your wedding morning, kind of thing. But obviously, I know it's not always possible. Like if people live a distance away, or it's a really kind of last-minute wedding, which I've done a few of them for different reasons, um, then a trial's not always possible. But I'll make sure that I have like at least a phone call with them. Yeah. Um just because I just like to br I just like to build that relationship first, really.

SPEAKER_03 12:21

And what happens on the wedding morning then? How long are you actually with the bridal party for? So say they had a 12pm ceremony. Right. How far in advance are you getting there?

SPEAKER_00 12:32

So it would depend on how many bridesmaids you've got. Yeah. So I am quite like me and Sam always laugh at this because me and Sam can work quite quick now. But I feel like we still will give everyone an hour, regardless. Yes. Just because I feel like my worst nightmare would be to not having to run out of time for whatever reason.

SPEAKER_02 12:53

Someone's hair half up.

SPEAKER_00 12:54

Yeah, or like, you know, if somebody because anything could crop up in the morning, they could need to go and do something, or you know, there might be traffic on the way. I just think I'm always like, right, let's just leave a lot more time than we need, kind of thing. So I always say an hour per person as like a non-negotiable. If you're having more of a Hollywood wave than an hour and a half. Okay. Um, so it would obviously depend on what time ceremony is. So say, I don't know, I'm not even gonna try and work this out in my head now. But basically, it would be early, basically. Yeah. Um, if someone didn't want to get up so early, I'd just I'll bring an assistant.

unknown 13:25

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_00 13:26

Yeah. So I've got quite a few um people that I've trained actually. Yeah, yeah. Um who because I always say when people train with me, I'm like, I'm gonna give you opportunities to get into the industry. Um, so I will bring them with me as assistant, you know, to get them used to the environment and stuff like that. Um, so that's always an option. If someone says, Oh, we don't want to be getting up at five, six o'clock, then I'll say, right, that's fine, we'll come at eight, and I'll bring an assistant just to help curl and prep everyone as well.

SPEAKER_03 13:53

And is that who you send out if you're sick? Because obviously if you're poorly on a wedding day, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:59

Yeah, it's it's it's a hard one because at least you've trained them.

SPEAKER_01 14:02

Yeah, they do it your way.

SPEAKER_00 14:04

So they do it how I how I do it, to be honest. Um, obviously, that's uh it's a risk, isn't it? And I think it's the same with anything in the bridal industry. Um, touch wood. I haven't had to do any of that. Um You're a healthy girl. I'm a healthy girl.

SPEAKER_02 14:18

She takes a vitamin.

SPEAKER_00 14:20

I do match limits, yeah. That's another thing that's been for 2026. But yeah, I feel like I would. There's a few, and there's a few other people that I've met through the industry as well now who I know I could ring up and go, Oh, I've got like an issue with one of the kids, or you know, and be able to sort that out, but that would only be in like extreme, extreme circumstances. Like I've gone to weddings where I've been on deaf store, and the bride would never know. Basically, you just make it, you just make it till you make it, innit? And then I get back in the car and I'm like, Brian's throw up.

unknown 14:52

Literally.

SPEAKER_03 14:53

So, what is your biggest piece of advice then to your customers?

SPEAKER_00 14:57

So it is get as many quotes as you can and sort of get a feel for different stylists. And I would say that you need to have a vision in mind, but be open-minded. That's what I would say. Yeah. And also base it off your your dress. So the neckline on a dress and things like that is really important. I would also say start your hair prep at least a year before your wedding.

SPEAKER_03 15:26

So would you say to have your dress then before you start your hair trials? I would. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:33

Just well, to be honest, we say have a trial one to four months before your wedding. Only because uh the way I've found it in the past, a lot can change. If you leave it longer than that, your hair's gonna grow. You know, it could change colour, texture, you know, you could lose her, gain her. So I always say one to four months is a really good sort of like time scale to do the trial in. Um and it also gives you time to have more than one if you need it, and by that point, you've got your dress and stuff anyway. Um, but yeah, I definitely feel like having the dress is important because then you know kind of what your vision is in that sense. Because I feel like a lot of people have gone for dresses in the past and had a vision in mind and chose something completely different.

SPEAKER_03 16:12

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

So if you were to do a trial before that, going right, this is the dress I want, yeah. And then you change your mind. You have to change your hair and do another trial. And then it means another trial. So I just think, yeah, get all that sorted first. Obviously, book your hair makeup artist earlier on, um, but just book your trials for after you've sorted that.

SPEAKER_01 16:29

Because it's quite early in the booking process, isn't it? Yeah. That people because it surprised me how early people book makeup artists.

SPEAKER_00 16:35

Mega early, yeah. So, like, I actually had an inquiry the other day for 2029. Really?

SPEAKER_03 16:42

Yeah, and I was like, Oh my god, getting there early. Wow, yeah, I was like, that's records. Yeah, that is early.

SPEAKER_01 16:49

That beats us. We've got one for November 28th. Yeah, but we do we haven't dipped into 2029 yet.

SPEAKER_00 16:54

It's crazy, isn't it? Like, but people, I feel like it's such a big important, you know, like thing for people to book as well. You literally want to look your best, don't you? You want to look insane, and I think a lot of the time as well, when I do get the early inquiries, it's like my clients. So they're all like, we've not even booked the venue, but I want you.

SPEAKER_03 17:10

And I'm like, oh, we've had a few people say her makeup has all been booked actually before they've even had the venue. I'm like, that is mind-boggling to me, but honestly. It is important.

SPEAKER_00 17:20

Yes, like my bride on Ladies' Day, she's amazing. I love her. She is one of my like my OG clients. Like, she's been there for the beginning, and um she literally got engaged. I think it was October, and she's just got married in April, and she literally messaged me like the day after, I think it was like the day after she got engaged, and she was like, put me down. Make sure you're free. I was like, when are we getting married? She's like, I'm not really starting that yet, but yeah, put me down.

SPEAKER_03 17:42

I was like, oh we love it. What's your biggest ick then? Your absolute no-go.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

Do you know what it is? AI images. Because I feel like a lot of the time they're quite unrealistic and they don't include like natural hair texture and stuff like that. I just feel like sometimes it can give people unrealistic expectations.

SPEAKER_03 18:07

Do you tend to find that you have to let people down gently a lot with that? You know, if somebody comes in and they want an updo, but the hair of the model is obviously very thick, and then they're coming in with thin hair, expecting it to look the same.

SPEAKER_00 18:17

Uh-huh. Which I I fully get it. Like, if you're not part of the industry and you know, you're not like a her girly or whatever, then sometimes you you don't understand that. And it's kind of, and I just think it's my job to say, listen, you know, this model has definitely loads of extensions in. Like, so we can, you know, this will be doable, but with extensions will be doing it. I would have thought of it.

SPEAKER_01 18:38

I would have just picked someone's face, someone's hair, and done a little misfit game and just go there like that.

SPEAKER_00 18:43

Yeah, exactly. But a lot of people do, they just see it and go, that is the vibe. Do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 18:48

And you're like, well, I wouldn't have thought about it, wouldn't it?

SPEAKER_00 18:50

Yeah. So I always say to people that's why I like to talk before the trial as well and say, just send me over any Insport pics. Because then I can say you're gonna need extensions.

SPEAKER_03 18:58

Yeah. And you ask to see the dress then, do you?

SPEAKER_00 19:00

Not necessarily at that point, but I'll say, like, when they come for the trial, I'll be like, let me have a look if you've got it. Because I love looking at those dresses as well.

SPEAKER_04 19:08

But let me have a nosy.

SPEAKER_01 19:10

How do you deal with people with like really thin hair or if they've if they're losing hair?

SPEAKER_03 19:15

Well, if they didn't want extensions, is there is there ways to work around it?

SPEAKER_00 19:19

There is, but obviously, uh depending on what you want. So I would definitely say in that case, it's a case of come come and let's try something. Because I have had people who come and they're like, I don't want extensions, like I just don't want to feel them in my head. I just it's just not me kind of thing. Um, which is fine. There's obviously things I can do to kind of make your hair look a little bit thicker. Um but you just have to be realistic with your expectations in that sense, kind of thing. But there's definitely things that can be done and stuff like that.

SPEAKER_03 19:52

Amazing. Anything else?

SPEAKER_01 19:54

No, that's it.

SPEAKER_03 19:55

We'll head into customer questions. So people write in on Instagram and TikTok. So I've got a list of this.

SPEAKER_00 20:02

Oh, she's got a list.

SPEAKER_03 20:05

A lot of people I think hair and like hair and makeup are genuinely.

SPEAKER_00 20:10

I was gonna say, I feel like it's up there, isn't it, with what people massively.

SPEAKER_03 20:14

It's the ones that I want to know the most things about. Yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_01 20:18

Yes. Then the men seem to be like the cost of stuff. The groom are just like yeah, so this bit's ignored by men. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 20:23

I think it's just more happy wife, happy life. It isn't it, definitely. I know it's it at wedding shows all the time. Just right. So the first one is in from Lily. And she says, My hair is really thin and snaps easily. My wedding is next year. What can I do to make it healthier in the meantime?

SPEAKER_00 20:40

So I would say lay off the heat if you use any heat on your hair. Try and limit that if you can, um, and invest in some really good hair care. So I would say regular trims, which I think is gonna help because if your hair snaps a lot and you feel like it's a little bit weak, obviously going for them regular trims every six to eight weeks is gonna get rid of any of those kinds of like thin-looking ends and just makes it all around healthier. So, yeah, lay off the heat. Um diet and hydration also helps a focus on that as well. And regular trims. Is there anything specifically in the diet that you'd suggest? I would just say just to be I mean, I don't really know too much about this, but I feel like just be as healthy as you can and just make sure that you're giving your body the nutrition it needs and um hydration is really really important because I know it's important for your skin, but same for your hair. Exactly.

SPEAKER_03 21:30

Yeah, is it like a go-to product, like a hair mask or anything like that?

SPEAKER_00 21:34

To be honest, I've tried a few and I feel like it's what finding what works for you. So I love the Olaplex stuff, the K18 stuff's brilliant. Um, but I do also quite a lot like a lot of the Osmo stuff. Oh the Osmo stuff is nice. Um and they have a good like her mask and stuff as well. And then I also use you've heard of it, her syrup.

SPEAKER_02 21:52

Yes, podcast studio.

SPEAKER_00 21:56

Well, at her syrup, the ripping's all. Oh my god. That was so good for my postpartum of her loss, but I feel like it thickens up your hair so much. So invest in something like that. But I feel like if your wedding's a year a year away, then like now's a really good time to kind of get that down and sorted.

SPEAKER_04 22:14

Really? It's a year.

SPEAKER_00 22:16

Yes. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:17

Hair is a process, let me tell you. It's a journey. No, it is a journey.

SPEAKER_02 22:21

Adventure journey. The gals have to get extensions while you're on the journey. Or someone said journey. Too much bleach. Yeah, oh it's time, isn't it? But yeah, lay off the bleach as well.

SPEAKER_00 22:32

If you've got one hair trying to win a fat oh nod. Don't do a mess.

SPEAKER_03 22:36

Right, we'll head on to Carla. She says, My bridesmaids are driving me insane. I want them to all have the same hairstyle, but none of them can agree on one they all like. What do I do?

SPEAKER_00 22:48

Right. So I feel like in this situation, she needs to decide on her her first. So whatever she's having. And then if it's a case of she wants them to have the opposite to her, then I'll be honest, I think she just needs to take control and be like, Here's three options. Let's do a poll. Which one do you all want? Yeah, and go with the majority. Because I feel like if they can't agree on one, but she's dead set on that she wants them all to have the same one, then I say to all my brides, like it's your day. Just take control and be like, This is this is what we're doing.

SPEAKER_03 23:23

Yeah, because some people in the comments have been like, let them just do what they want. But I know for mine, I've got a very specific vision. Yeah. And you'll they'll just follow it whether it's a lot of people. Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 23:31

And I feel like that's right.

SPEAKER_00 23:33

Yeah, and I feel like your bridal party, you choose them for a reason, and you know, they're there for you, aren't they? And if you if that's what you want, then yeah.

SPEAKER_03 23:43

How about if this is where it gets tricky? How about if the bridesmaids are paying for their own hair and not the bride? Do you think that that changes things? Or do you think that it should still be brides say goes, even if they're not paying? I'm glad that's it. Is it hard? Yeah, it is hard because this is what the comments are. I'm like, oh I don't know, because ultimately it's still my day, but they are paying.

SPEAKER_00 24:06

So yeah, and to be fair though, it is a hard one because I feel like now, as time's going on, it's more common for the bridesmaids to pay with the her and the makeup.

SPEAKER_01 24:17

Which happens most. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:19

So at the moment it's never used to be, but I feel like it's going more that way. Which I always like a lot of brides will go, right? Well, I'll buy the dress, um, but it's up to you guys to to pay, or they'll put like a little bit towards it. It's the cost of living, guys. Yeah, it is, and I feel like do you know what? It's whatever works for you, isn't it, in that sense. Um, but I don't know. I don't know what to say to this. I feel I feel like that again, if you're dead set on a vision, it's still your day. So your bridesmaids, you would hope, would understand that.

unknown 24:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:50

As long as you're not asking them to do something really extreme that they're like absolutely Yeah, like dye their hair black or something. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:56

So we're telling brides to be strong, basically. Be strong. Yeah, but if you're guns. One wrote in actually uh literally last week about dresses. Did they? None of the brides the bridesmaids were paying for the dresses. Yeah. But they all wanted different size dresses. Right. She wanted our advice, I'm thinking.

SPEAKER_00 25:12

Different styles of dresses you mean, not different six.

SPEAKER_01 25:15

Oh, different. Do you know that's really popular now as well.

SPEAKER_00 25:18

That's really popular now. Different styles, like same colour, but just all different. I've seen that. Yeah, I like it. It actually looks really nice on pictures, I think.

SPEAKER_03 25:26

I think so too, especially because not everyone's body type suits the same dress. Exactly. And if all your bridesmaids have different body shapes, don't force them all into no, like you want everyone to feel comfortable to what you're trying to be. Yeah, it does better. Right, we'll head on to the next one because we've just gone off on a television. Okay, so Jade says, I don't have thick hair naturally. Will I need hair extensions? If so, how much will I need to budget for this?

SPEAKER_00 25:51

So, again, depends what style she's wanting. So I would always say, as a rule of thumb for a bride, get some hair extensions. Just because you can you can try them on your trial, see what your stylist thinks, what you think, and then obviously make that decision from then on. But the extensions specifically that I recommend, um, they range from about 115 to about 150, 180. That's not bad. So it's not it's not terrible. Do you know what I mean? And you can obviously budget for that.

SPEAKER_01 26:19

And um and the bride always gets extensions, it's not part of your quote. No, that's so they have to buy that and just work with the bride.

SPEAKER_00 26:26

Just because the found they get to keep them, and I just find it works better. Um, but I would always say, from my experience, people are happier when they try it with the extensions. You just feel a little bit more bridal. Definitely. Um, and just that little bit more luxurious, I think. So I would get them and then obviously have your trial with them, see how you feel, and then make the decision from there.

SPEAKER_03 26:47

And ultimately they're clippings at the end of the day, so you don't have like it's not like they're a permanent feature. No, exactly.

SPEAKER_00 26:53

Yeah, and I always say once you purchase them, you can use them nights out. Literally. And whenever else, do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_03 26:59

So lymphats are. Uh no, mine are permanent.

SPEAKER_02 27:03

Yours are there for the long haul.

SPEAKER_03 27:05

Mine are here forever.

SPEAKER_02 27:06

I wash with these in.

SPEAKER_03 27:08

Okay, on to Molly. She says, I really want to look amazing on my wedding day. I wear my hair down every day, but want to experiment with an updo. Should I do this or will I regret it?

SPEAKER_00 27:18

Try it. So this is where the multiple trials would probably come in handy for this lady. So I would say, have a trial with what your vision is. If that's an updo, go for that. And then sit with it. So go out, do whatever you're doing, go on your handdo, whatever. Um, see how you feel, and then go from there. Because again, I've had brides that have gone right, I always wear my hair down. I'm gonna try it up, and then they end up coming back having a down trial, and that's what they end up having. So I always think, but then I've had others that have tried the updo and they love it.

SPEAKER_03 27:49

Right.

SPEAKER_00 27:50

So it's hard to say, isn't it? Yeah, it's hard to say, but I think this is where a trial for this lady is gonna be really important. Definitely have at least one trial. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 27:57

And look in the mirror. And look in the mirror.

SPEAKER_03 28:00

Yeah, you feel they're like, no, you look ugly. Change it. Good job, you're not a hairdresser. Right. Um, Kate says, Are there certain hairstyles that suit certain face shapes?

SPEAKER_00 28:16

I always say that when you show me a picture and I see you, I will I would know and I'd be able to advise, I think. Because again, you can have different face shapes, but uh everyone's different at the end of the day. And I think once you try something, then you'll know. Do you know what I mean? So I feel like it's a tricky one that because I'd say yeah, but at the same time, some people can get away with some things that other people can't. Do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 28:45

Is there a general rule though? Like if you've got a I don't know, a P-head or a long head. Or a long face.

SPEAKER_02 28:55

Got a whole face or a P-head.

SPEAKER_00 29:00

Oh god. Um I feel like I wouldn't probably advise anything really kind of like sleek and pulled back for somebody that did have a rounder face shape. That's probably the only thing I'd be like, maybe avoid that. Yeah. Yeah. But again, there might be some people that have a round face shape and they really suit that.

SPEAKER_03 29:20

So I have a round head and I wouldn't think I'd have I'd do a slick back, but I wouldn't have it for my wedding day, I don't.

SPEAKER_00 29:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 29:25

So if I was to advise from my round headed experience, don't have a slick.

SPEAKER_02 29:31

I'll do it. Just don't do it, you regret it. Don't bother. Yeah. Just looking like a moon on every single phone.

SPEAKER_03 29:38

Okay, final question is in from Paula. She says, How do I make my hair last all day?

SPEAKER_00 29:45

Right, I'm I'm assuming she means down with this one. I'm gonna assume it's probably curls, isn't it? Yeah, down and curls. So again, it's gonna be a lot about product choice and prep in the lead up to the day. It's gonna be about setting it. So I always, if I if someone's having down curls, waves, whatever, um, I will always probably have that have them as the first person in my chair um wave it, prep it, get the product in, pin it, and then I'll let it set for like a good four hours. Oh really? Four hours? Yeah, yeah, three, four hours. My whole life. And then take it down, set it, add me products, whatever, back combing. Um but I feel like that works. That's quite like a feel-proof way of making things last, I think.

SPEAKER_03 30:29

Is there anything to help with like humidity or anything like that?

SPEAKER_00 30:32

Yeah, so have you tried the Colour Wild Dream Coke? I have, yeah. It's brilliant, it's so good. So I feel like that's a good thing to invest in because that lasts like two to three washes as well. Yeah. So if you start with that um in the lead up to your date, especially summer weddings, that's gonna be really important. Um, and then just yeah, not too much product either, but the right products.

unknown 30:53

If that makes sense.

SPEAKER_00 30:54

It makes perfect sense. Well, thank you very much for coming on.

SPEAKER_03 30:57

How can people find you?

SPEAKER_00 30:59

So on Instagram, am I saying it? Do I say it? Yeah, yeah. Do it over it. Right, so on Instagram, Finesse Academy of Hair and Holistics, and then our joint Instagram is Finesse Bridal. And then yeah, we're on Facebook as well. Perfect.

SPEAKER_01 31:15

So, what's the plan for the Academy?

SPEAKER_00 31:16

Is that oh yeah, my academy. So this is quite a recent thing. So at the minute, I offer bridal and occasion hair styling, um, CPD accredited course. So it means that when you gain certification, um, it's insurable, so you're able to gain insurance and start in the industry. But I basically um go really in depth on everything I've learned, everything I know, uh tips, tricks of the industry, and like I said, there's opportunities there to work with me after you're finished. Um, so I actually do a lot with like local high schools, so I go in and I'll teach like alternative provision um groups of students and stuff like that to get them the certificate. So um, so the plan for that long term is to just build that up, really, and become a bigger, a bigger name in that sense.

SPEAKER_01 32:00

Yeah, you're not scared of creating loads of competition for yourself, or no, she's too good for that.

SPEAKER_00 32:04

No, because do you know what I get that question a lot, you know. But I feel like even when it so like with my past students now, like I look at their work and it's different to mine. I feel like everyone has their own little style. So obviously, I give the techniques and the tips and the tricks, but I think the learning comes after you've done the course and you can't.

SPEAKER_01 32:22

So they start off in one place and they all then go bespoke their own way.

SPEAKER_00 32:26

So, like the way that obviously I would do a bun, I teach that, and then you go away and personalise it. And I'll always say to my students, like, this is just one way that I do it. This might not work for you, but this is the foundation you can build on that and personalise it however you want. And they do. And I look at the work now and I think that looks insane. I probably wouldn't have done it like that. Well, that looks insane. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 32:47

And also, your personality is your personality, like you might click with one bride and they don't like one of your students, but like vice versa.

SPEAKER_00 32:54

Yeah, because I always say, like, I can chat for decades, to be honest, but all my brides tend to be the same, it's like almost just attract me in another person, basically. But and it's the same with my students as well, like they all they all come in like Emma, I was so nervous, but I'm like, you don't need to be nervous with me. Like, we'll just chat and get to know each other, and by the time they leave, like, I don't want it be done. Oh, so it is nice. I do like it.

SPEAKER_01 33:18

There's enough hair to go around, isn't it? There's enough hair to go around. Yeah, yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_03 33:23

Perfect. You got anything that you want to add before we wrap up? No, I think that's it. No, perfect. Well, thank you so much for coming on. Oh, thank you for having me. We will see you next time.