Bridal Beauty Q & A - Vendor Spotlight
All brides want to look their absolute best on their wedding day which makes selecting their beauty team a crucial part of the wedding planning process.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Lauren, a bridal hairsylist and psy-cosmotoligist, of Pinned and Proper, a company that offers luxury bridal beauty services.
Lauren DeCosimo began her career as a hairstylist in 2001, specializing in bridal hairstyling because it was something she loved and wanted to learn more about. Through years of education and experiences, she established herself as bridal expert in her industry. She has a talent for creating unforgettable moments, for every bride she encounters, and has won numerous hairstyling and vendor related awards.
Lauren can often be spotted behind-the-scenes during bridal fashion week with brands such as JLM Couture, Lazaro, Haily Paige, Alvina Valenta or styling the ownder of The Knots hair, Carley Rooner, for The Knot's Gala every October.
Lauren was kind enough to answer a few important questions for us today in order to help brides narrow their focus and plan accordingly for selecting the right stylist and hairstyle for their wedding day.
How far in advance should a bride expect to schedule her wedding day hair appointment?
I recommend that a bride schedule her appointment nine months in advance of her wedding day in order to have the most options available to her. The best stylists book up quickly so waiting until three or even five months prior to the wedding date, as some articles will suggest, may not work in the bride's favor.
For the hairstyling trial appointment, what should the bride expect? Is it realistic to expect more than one hair style during the trial?
The hair trial should take about two hours. Since every bride is different, it is important that she talks to the stylist about her expectations.
It is also realistic to expect to see a few looks! Most brides assume that all they get to see is one look when in fact, they should expect to try more than one in order to effecitvely decide on the right look that they will love.
Does the bride need to come to her hair trial appointment with the headpiece/barettes/clips that she expects to wear for the wedding?
Not necessarily. Sometimes it works better to figure out the style for the hair before finding the right accessory. Having the headpiece with you is often more for your benefit than for the stylist.
Many hair stylists have a collection of hair accessories for you to look at, try on and sometimes purchase during the trial.
Should the bride come with hair styles in mind via images?
Yes, if possible, it's always helpful. If unsure about how you want to wear your hair, have a trial appointment early on in your planning process and if still unsure, a final run through closer to the date.
What are some misconceptions brides have when selecting their hairstylist for the day of the their wedding?
Not all hairstylists are created equal. Just like doctors, there are specialists when it comes to hair styling and quite often, the better stylists will charge more money. Although brides are most often working within a tight budget, it's important to remember that sometimes it may be worth spending a little bit more money than planned to receive the style and service that will make you the most satisfied.
What are the benefits of working with a freelancer vs. working with a salon stylist?
Most salon stylists are not allowed to leave the salon, especially during prime wedding season. However, some freelancers do not have as much experience or they don't take the classes necessary to continue their education.
A license is only enough to pass a test and only 10% of hairstylists continue their education whether they freelance or work in a salon. Although it is not mandatory to continue their education, in my opinion, if a stylist is passionate about what they do, they should want to continue to learn new techniques and tricks.
Does the bridal party typically receive trials too?
No, it's not necessary. If the bride is confident enough with the stylist, then that stylist should be capable of accommodating all of the needs of the bridal party without trying the styles out first.
Is it the responsibility of the bride to pick the time for her hair appointment or does the stylist usually make that informed decision based upon the brides day of timeline?
I like to make the day as stress free and seamless for the bride as possible. Therefore, if it takes two hours for hair and makeup, the bride's hair should be started 2.5 hours prior to the photographer arriving.
If the photographer isn't coming to the location where the bride is getting ready, then I recommend starting the bride's hair three hours before to ensure that she is dressed and out the door on time.
Lauren's Styling Tip of the Day:
Hairspray should not be used before using a curling iron! There are plenty of setting products/thermal protecting sprays available to use when styling your hair. Think of your hairspray as your finishing spray only to achieve the best possible and lasting look.
Thanks Lauren! Learn more about Lauren's services by visiting her website, Pinned and Proper. All photos in this post are used with permission by Lauren and property of Pinned and Proper.
