Not every bride opts to hire a professional hairstylist to do their wedding hair. Whether you’re trying to stretch your budget, you don’t like the idea of someone else doing your hair, or you just feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can definitely pull off a beautiful look all on your own.
One of the most popular bridal looks is a blowout. This can be a simple style on its own or the base for a more elaborate look utilizing accessories. Here are some helpful tips to use while you are doing your own hair — or to pass over to your Mom or a bridesmaid who is doing your hair for you. And yes, a blowout is different than just blow drying your hair, like you probably do most days post shower.
Your Hair Should Be Mostly Dry
A great blow dry begins with a great start. You may be tempted to start with wet from the shower hair, but that’s not the best way to get results. To get a great blowout, your hair should be damp instead of truly wet. When you finish washing your hair, you should avoid wrapping your hair up in a towel which will cause frizz. Try blotting at your hair instead. For best results, ditch the towel entirely and use an old cotton t-shirt to dry your hair. The soft, smooth fabric won’t snag at your hair and create frizz, leaving your hair silky. If you don’t have time to wait until your hair is about three quarters of the way dry, you can speed up the process by rough drying it with your blow dryer. Don’t use a hair brush yet- just use your fingers to move your hair. Flip your hair upside down for added volume.
Great Products Give Great Results
Just drying your hair without products in it will lead to a style that falls midway through your ceremony — which is the last thing you want on your wedding day. Exactly what sort of product you should use depends on your hair’s natural texture. If you have thin hair, you may want to apply a mousse to your roots to give your hair some lift and body. Avoid putting it in the body of your hair so it doesn’t get too weighed down. A gel or hairspray is a good option for the body of your hair to help it hold its shape. You can also think about trying a volumizing spray if you feel your hair will quickly go limp. You will likely want to experiment with this before your wedding so you can figure out what products work best for your hair!
Use The Right Brush
The difference between a blowout and a rough blow dry largely hinges on how you brush your hair during the process. The brush you use is determined by the look you want. If you want a sleek style, a paddle brush with boar bristles will be your best friend. If you want perfect soft curls and waves, a round brush is required. Wrap your hair around the brush while hitting the hair with heat from the blowdryer to get soft curls. Remember to wrap away from your face so the curls frame your face instead of hitting your cheeks all night. For best results, aim the blow dryer down to seal the cuticle and lock out frizz and get a sleek, shiny style. This might require some odd body positioning; get some practice or ask a bridesmaid for help.
Finish Strong
You don’t necessarily have to get your hair completely dry with your blow dryer. You can save some time by working in sections. After you finish a section, put it up in a velcro roller on top of your head so it can dry the rest of the way on the roller. You can do your makeup or enjoy a cup of coffee or a mimosa with your bridal party while your hair finishes drying and you’ll have stronger curls and sleeker hair! Finish it all off with a spritz of hairspray and whatever accessories you want — whether that’s a veil, a tiara, or a pretty hair clip is all up to you!
How are you planning to wear your hair for your upcoming wedding? Let us know in the comments below!