5 Bridal Styling Secrets
Fall wedding season is in full swing, and if your autumn is as jam-packed with celebrations as ours is, you may be looking for ways to save some dough. If you decide to skip the salon and need some pointers for your DIY bridal look, you’ve come to the right place.
Bridal styling guru Stephanie Brinkerhoff (@hairandmakeupbysteph) recently stopped by the Beachwaver studios to teach us some of her signature tricks for styling Boho braids, timeless chignons, and gorgeous waves. Here are five of our faves.
#1: Prep It Real Good
To add tons of volume and texture (which is the foundation for any gorgeous, Boho updo), you’ll need to start by curling your hair. If you’re using a Beachwaver, start by placing your hair in the clamp in the middle of the strand, work your way up with the Beachwaver, and then open the clamp, and slide the iron down toward the ends. This is an especially good technique if you want your roots to have more volume and your ends to be a little looser.
#2: Cheat a Braid!
If braiding isn’t your strong suit, you can still rock an intricate-looking updo by creating an elastic braid.
1. To start the elastic braid: grab two pieces of hair on either side, and secure with an elastic, creating a small ponytail.
2. Flip this ponytail inside out, then gently pull and pancake. Repeat this process all the way down the head.
3. On the last section, loop the ends back through the last elastic. This helps hide the elastic. Fluff gently, and detail with the Coast Pro Ceramic styling iron.
#3: All Chignons NEED This
Steph’s secret to a timeless chignon? Structured volume in the crown area. Achieving this volume takes a little patience, but it’s totally worth it, we promise! After your hair is prepped and curled for the updo, insert long hair pins in the crown area, and use your fingers to pull hair up into the pins. Leave to set as you work on the rest of the updo. Once you’re finished, remove the hair pins, and detail by adjusting the shape and balance. Two words: Game. Changer!
#4: Once and For All, This is How You Curl with a Flat Iron
When curling with a flat iron, make a full, 360-degree rotation, then pull straight down. “The biggest mistake people make is that they keep rotating as they go,” says Steph. Save your wrist, and just twist once!
#5: The Best Way to Pancake
To add the perfect finishing touches to your braided upstyle, you’ll probably want to pancake (gently pull apart your braid) to add extra texture. The best way to do this without destroying your braid is to prep the braid with Braid Balm (Pre-Braid Prep), then, once the braid is compete, hold sections with your thumb, and push up to take the weight off the braid while you pancake.
Are you going to try any of Steph’s tips?! Tell us here!