Wedding Hair Tips According To The Experts

A close up of image of a hairdressers using ghd curls to curl the model’s hair. Model is sitting facing away from the camera with black hair.

Your seating plan is locked in, your ring has been resized andvows have been written – but before you think the wedding plans are complete, there’s one more task that still needs to be ticked off the list… Picking your bridal hairstyle.

Don’t know where to start? No worries, Cult Beauty has your ‘dos covered as we sit down with two industry experts to ensure you have all the best wedding hairstyle tips and tricks ahead of your big day…

MEET THE EXPERTS

Laura King, Co-owner and Managing Director at Larry King Haircare
Sarah Dixon, Key Account Educator at ghd

WHEN SHOULD YOU START YOUR PRE-WEDDING HAIR CARE PREP

“Healthy hair is a must, so start that journey as soon as the ring is on your finger” says Sarah. Just like your bridal skin care, your wedding hair prep isn’t in the days (or even weeks) leading up to your nuptials. Oh no, it should begin long before that. With that in mind, Laura suggests “chatting to your stylist and colourist as early as possible, so you can plan your look way in advance. Highlights can take a few visits to achieve absolute perfection and having regular trims is ultimately the best way to keep hair looking healthy. I'd recommend getting your final trim a couple of weeks prior, so it has time to settle in – same goes for colour.”

As for what you can do from the comfort of your own home? “Follow a strict, healthy hair routine using professional shampoos, conditioners and treatments” explains Sarah. “Use a great mask or a nourishing hair oil weekly and choose your hot tools wisely, so you're not creating damage prior to the big day” adds Laura.

WHAT IS THE BEST BRIDAL HAIR CARE ROUTINE ON THE DAY OF THE WEDDING

While “having unwashed hair on your wedding day is an old wives' tale” says Sarah, “you really don't want your hair too clean, as you'll need enough guts in it to hold a style. So using something like Larry King Haircare’s Social Shampoo is perfect as it's formulated just for that need” adds Laura.

LAURA’S ON-THE-DAY BRIDAL HAIR CARE ROUTINE

“Start with a shampoo that gives you just enough grip for on-the-day styling. I’d recommend adding Larry King Haircare’s My Nannas Mousse to damp hair and low-dry using a round brush and hair dryer with the nozzle attached. Once you’ve prepped, you’ll find it much easier to mould the hair into shape. For textured hair, add some oil for shine and softness.”

Larry King Haircare My Nanna's Mousse 150ml

25.00€

Larry King Haircare Spoilt For Choice Hair Oil 100ml

62.15€

ghd Helios™ Professional Hair Dryer - White

SARAH’S ON-THE-DAY BRIDAL CARE HAIR ROUTINE

“Wash, condition and rinse your hair well. Then for long-lasting styles, ghd’s Volumising Blow Dry Cream gives volume and bounce to the hair along with the added bonus of heat protection. For the sleek hair lovers use ghd’s Dramatic Ending Smooth and Finish Serum to keep the hair looking in perfect shape all day and night.”

ghd Volume Forever Volumising Blow Dry Cream 100ml

27.12€

23.73€

ghd Dramatic Ending Smooth and Finish Serum 30ml

21.40€

23.73€

THE BEST WEDDING HAIRSTYLES

THE LOW SLEEK BUN

If our FYP has taught us anything, it’s that sleek buns are *the* moment. “Brides love the low sleek bun. It seems to be the IT hairstyle of the year and with a deep centre parting it requires little maintenance throughout the day. It’s the effortless yet classic choice” declares Sarah.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK:

Before you begin, ensure your strands are fully detangled.
Apply a generous amount of hair serum or oil to your palms and warm it up in your hands. Starting at the ends, apply your styling product and slowly move your way to the roots to tame flyaways and set your strands up for the next step.
Then, section off two pieces of hair at the front to help create your middle parting and clip them up to return to later.
Next, prep for your up do by spritzing your hair in hairspray. While many believe hairspray is the final step, the key to getting your look lasting all day is to actually start with it. Why? Because it acts a gripping primer.
Using a bristle brush, slick your lengths back into a ponytail.
Once the ponytail is secured, unclip the front sections and spray them with hairspray before connecting them up to the bun.
Now your hair is sleek and secured, twist and wrap the ponytail into your ideal bun shape.
Secure in place with a hair tie of your choice.

Oribe Free Styler Working Hairspray 300ml

48.50€

31.00€

77.97€

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil (Various Sizes)

107

21.47€

HOLLYWOOD WAVES

We can’t talk about the best wedding hairstyles without calling out Hollywood waves. But, unlike the brides of eras past, this time you don’t need to spend hours in the salon under a drying hood. With today’s innovative hair tools, you can replicate the signature style from home. And to align the look with today’s trends Sarah explains how “this year brides are ditching the quiff for snatched, tucked bangs”. We like the sounds of that!

HOW TO GET THE LOOK:

For Hollywood waves that last all night, first prep with a root lifter, spraying liberally through roots mid-lengths and ends, before blow drying with your hair dryer.
Then, take your ghd Chronos Styler and curl each section of hair – going in the same direction for each strand.
Next, apply hairspray to each section for long-lasting, defined waves.
Finally, brush out your waves using and oval brush and finish your look with a styling serum such as ghd’s Dramatic Ending Smooth and Finish.

31.64€

Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray 295ml

25.90€

326.57€

THE KNOTTED BALLET BUN

More than your typical balletcore bun, the knotted style “adds a little drama to the back, giving your guest something to gaze upon whilst you say your nuptials” says Laura.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK:

Start by brushing your hair into a low pony and tie it off using elastic rather than a band – as this will give you a neater finish.
Divide the pony into three sections and gently knot these into a bun shape.
To finish off, pin into place using grips and tidy up using Larry King Haircare’s Flyaway With Me Kit.

Sisley Hair Rituel by Sisley The Invisible Hair Spray 250ml

92.66€

22.00€

Larry King Haircare A Social Life for Your Hair

14.00€

ghd The Smoother Natural Bristle Radial Hair Brush 35mm

29.38€

LET IT ALL DOWN

Ideal for those who want to avoid the formal coiffed look, opting to wear your hair down can feel more comfortable, frames the face and softens your overall look. “Hair down is and has been a trend for a while now, if you’re normally a hair down kind of person then this can really help you feel like you on your special day” expresses Laura.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK:

Start by shielding your strands with your chosen heat protector before drying it off. This not only prevent damages, but also accelerates drying time.
Next, spritz your tresses with hairspray.
Follow by brushing out your hair with a smoothing brush. This distributes the hairspray you applied in the previous step and ensures your tresses are free from tangles.
Then, take your curler and set it to the correct temperature control depending on your hair type – for example if your hair is colour-treated we suggest staying under 350° as your hair hue will be compromised. Or for those with no colour, you can go up to 400°.
Start the curling processes by sectioning your hair into two to three sections. Working from the bottom section up twist your strands and then wrap them around the iron to create more tousled sign off. Curl small sections away from your face to ensure optimal curl definition. Allow your curls to cool completely before missing them with hairspray.
Now your locks are completely cool, brush through the curls to create a loose wave effect. This will separate the waves and create a natural appearance.
To complete your look, add a touch of shine spray to tame flyaways and smooth out the ends.

157.00€

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml

442

30.51€

Hair by Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray Multi-Task Styling Mist 250ml

27.10€

27.06€

So, which look are you going to say ‘I do’ to?

SHOP ALL BRIDAL HAIR CARE >>>

Trifonia Asmar Writer and expert

Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.

WEDDING HAIR TIPS FOR WHEN YOU SAY “I DO”, ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS

MEET THE EXPERTS

WHEN SHOULD YOU START YOUR PRE-WEDDING HAIR CARE PREP

WHAT IS THE BEST BRIDAL HAIR CARE ROUTINE ON THE DAY OF THE WEDDING

LAURA’S ON-THE-DAY BRIDAL HAIR CARE ROUTINE

SARAH’S ON-THE-DAY BRIDAL CARE HAIR ROUTINE