The Bridal Blog

Here in Upstate NY so many couples are taking advantage of the beautiful scenery of the Capital Region and having outdoor ceremonies. Everybody knows that nothing ruins your hair more than a hot, humid, windy day. Every bride wants to feel beautiful on their wedding day, and the last thing they want to be worrying about as they exchange their vows is if their curls are holding. In order to avoid this sticky situation, we gathered some valuable information from Alayne Curtiss, owner of Make Me Fabulous . The answer is product – and lots of it. If you follow a few of these simple steps, your hair will be sure to withstand the humidity.

As much as product is important, It’s even more crucial to use the right products for your specific hair type. For instance, the first step for reliable hair after shampooing is to apply a leave in conditioner. For thicker courser hair, a cream formula is recommended, such as Enjoy Leave in Conditioner. However, if you have thinner hair then you’ll want to use a spray, like Miracle 10. While your hair is still wet, you can add a smoothing and de-frizzing product, such as Osis Magic or Redken Outshine. If you apply just a few drops of each from mid shaft to ends, you’ll be all set. The next step is a styling product to hold your “Do” while your rocking out on the dance floor later! While your hair is still wet, apply a spray gel or medium to firm hold gel from roots to ends. Alayne likes Thermafuse Medium to Firm Hold Cream Gel for this part. Next, blow dry the hair in small sections with a Ceramic Round Brush. Be sure to blow the hair down the hair shaft, so the cuticle of the hair lays smoother.

Another product that Alayne can’t live without is Scruples Thermal Styling Spray, which holds and protects your hair from heat tools. “It’s non sticky, does not flake, and holds the set.” You can apply this to your hair next, by spraying 1-2 inch sections at a time, if you’ll be flat ironing or curling your hair later to achieve your desired style.

Lastly, “the most important piece to getting the style to hold is to cool the set before final styling is done. At Make Me Fabulous, we set the curls in pin clips and let it cool this way for a full hour if possible while makeup is being done. If it is a cooler less humid day, a half hour will do. After removing the clips, smooth ends and finish final style with a paste. I like Kenra, Grooming Pomade. A small amount warmed between your fingertips gives shine and softness, but does not make the hair too greasy looking.” Finish the style by spraying each curl with a firm hold hairspray, such as Sebastian Shaper Plus. If your hair is going to be down, spray each curl individually instead of the whole head. This will give you a more natural look and prevent the curls from all sticking together.

Although this process for a few simple curls may take as long as a formal updo, you will surely not be disappointed. Trust me, you don’t want to receive your wedding photos and have your hair be covering your husband’s entire face! These steps will keep your style tamed, beautiful and lasting until the very last dance.

Photos by JP Elario and Jessica Claire