Jump into Fall Weddings with a Copper Mane

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t a bit impartial toward red hair…I love it. It’s fiery, conveys a spunky personality and there are just SO many shades to play with.

As we inch closer to fall my head has been swarming with visions of brides with tresses the color of changing leaves, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite red looks with you!

For a more subtle red, auburn is a great choice for brunettes and blondes can kick it up a notch with a strawberry color.

Photo: Fashionising.com

 

Photo: everythinglovely.tumblr.com

However, if you want to really let your hair flame, these options are super fun and will definitely turn heads:

Photo: flickr.com/photos/velvettears

I love the mix of highlights in this one – it really does look like a beautiful fall landscape!

Photo: beautifulredheadoftheday.com

Keep in mind that if you do decide you want to be a ginger for your big day, you should definitely experiment well in advance. I absolutely advise against drastic color change too close to your wedding day – especially if it’s a tone or shade you’ve never tried before.

Also remember that red is one of the most difficult colors to maintain and can be incredibly high-maintenance. Because it fades so quickly, you’ll want to cut the hair washing down to only a couple of times a week and definitely use a color treating shampoo. I also recommend throwing a color depositing shampoo into the mix every couple of weeks. It will give your red a boost and can help keep it from looking dull or brassy.

Who are some of your favorite redheads?

Wedding Hair That’s Braidtastic!

Braids are experiencing a surge in popularity right now and are definitely a great way to add some romance to your wedding hair.

No longer just for little girls, athletes or Pippi Longstocking, braids can be sophisticated, playful or add a bit of bohemian flair.

Here are some of my favorite takes on braided wedding hair:

The braided bangs:

Photo: BecomeGorgeous.com

While the photo above is an example of a pretty simple braided bang (great for beach or farm weddings!), you can definitely get more complex and create a “halo” effect.

Photo: GoodHousekeeping

Another modern take on braids is the fishtail braid. This braid can look super funky or truly bohemian, depending on how it is styled.

Photo: GreenWeddingShoes.com

It looks similar to a French braid, but uses a different technique which creates a look much like a fish tail (hence the name).

Photo: blog.FreePeople.com

One of my absolute favorite ways to style a braid is in an up-do – especially since there are just tons of ways to do it.

Photo: CarterandCookEventCo.com

I adore the way the braid in the photo above was twisted into an elegant bun. It adds so much dimension and would look beautiful with a flower, sparkly clip or fascinator.

This braided up-do puts a spin on the traditional French braid:

Photo: LoveMaegan.com

Gorgeous!

Have you seen a braided style that you’re dying to try? Please share a link or photo in the comments.

Short Wedding Hair that Goes the Distance

A funny thing happens when most women get engaged…their hair instantly starts growing. It’s as though a nerve receptor is triggered the moment that ring hits their finger that sends pulses of panic straight to the hair follicles.

The thing is, a lot of you look AMAZING with short hair! It’s your style of choice and the way that most people think of you. Yes, you want to look glamorous and princess-like on your big day, but you also want to look like YOU.

Believe it or not, but there are so many beautiful ways to style short hair for a wedding. Think finger waves, sparkly clips, tiaras and headbands. Here are just a few places to take some inspiration for short wedding hair:

The Red Carpet

Think about it. If Michelle Williams, Halle Barry, Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder, Meg Ryan, Carrie Mulligan and Reese Witherspoon can all make short hair look fabulous on some of Hollywood’s biggest nights, so can you on your big day.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Photo: GetStunning.com

The Roaring ‘20s

There’s something wildly seductive about a well-placed pin curl. Take a cue from the Flapper days and embrace this incredibly romantic look. You can even jazz it up a bit (HA! Get it? Jazz?) with some sparkle or feathers.

 

Photo: HairArchives.com

Photo: TheWeddingManual.weebly.com

The Internet

Ok, so I know that’s a bit of a broad suggestion, but I promise if you Google “short wedding hair,” your head will spin with all of the incredible ideas out there. Also try searching on Pinterest.com and YouTube.

Photo: HairstylesImages.com

Your Stylist

Duh. But seriously, you’d be amazed at what we can do with some well-placed bobby pins and hairspray. AMAZED! It’s part of our job to stay on top of new trends and use our knowledge and some imagination to create magic with just about any head of hair.

Of course, if you find that even after all of these great ideas you still want long hair for your wedding, there’s always the trusty hair extension. : )

What are some of your favorite short hairstyles? Please share them in the comments!

Have Fun with Wedding Hair Accessories

It’s always so rewarding for me to help make a bride’s vision of herself become a reality on her wedding day. Of course, I have some of the most fun when a bride comes to me with an awesome hair accessory that I know is going to take her hair from “wow” to jaw-dropping.

An accessory can completely change the look of a bride’s hair and can be anything from elegant and sparkly to funky and colorful – it’s all in the details, right??

There are so many great online resources for finding out-of-this-world bridal hair accessories that the problem can actually become narrowing down the selection to find the one for you. A few of my favorite sites to help you get started include:

ban.do – The creative genius behind designers Jen and Jamie’s line of whimsical, playful and gorgeous accessories is delightful. While they do have a bridal line, I love the Black Label pieces for their unique, one-of-a-kind quality.

ban.do Black Label

Etsy – The mecca of all things hand-made and crafty, it’s incredibly easy to lose yourself for hours on this site. While there are many stores (like, literally hundreds) to choose from, Sibo Designs, Portobello and Untamed Petals all offer amazing selections that are oh so pretty.

Untamed Petals

Tiger Lilly Jewelry – This site offers an impressive selection with everything from tiaras to birdcage veils to limited-edition vintage finds. They even offer a Bridal Stylist service to provide inspiration and a Live Chat option if you have a specific question or need help choosing an item.

Tiger Lilly Jewelry

Remember, it’s always important to keep the tone, feel and setting of your wedding in mind when choosing how you want to style your hair. This will definitely help narrow down some of the accessory choices. Going for a laid back, beachy vibe? Perhaps a tiara isn’t the route you want to go.

Also, make sure you use your stylist! We’re a great resource and can help you narrow down some of the looks you like based on technique, trends and how your hair will behave due to texture and thickness.

What are some of your favorite places to find hair accessories?

Our New Blog!!

Welcome to the new blog for Paper Dolls Wedding Hair & Makeup! I’m going to use this forum to blog about all of the awesome weddings that I am blessed enough to be a part of. I plan on adding a lot of pre-wedding tips and pictures of all of my favorite things that I’ve seen at weddings! And of course lots of pictures of hair and makeup ideas!!