Fabulous hair, flawless make-up and statement accessories spell the ultimate in show-stopping bridal style. Hair stylist Craig Chapman and make-up artist Janine Bird offer their top tips on creating an effortlessly chic big day look...

Bridal hair for the coming season screams vintage, drawing on inspiration from the beautiful styles of the past. Whether its ‘40s silver screen sirens, literary icons or romantic legends, it’s all about defined curls, sculptured up dos and glamorous headwear.  

Look 1
All that glitters...

Hair: There is nothing more beautiful than long, well dressed tresses for your wedding day. Go with a romantic Wuthering Heights-inspired mane by softly curling your hair with a Babyliss Wand and gently teasing out with your fingers. Ensure you don’t brush it to keep a natural but defined curl. Use Matrix Vavoom Freezing Spray whilst wanding for extra hold and support. Soft back brushing at the root will give extra volume if desired. To finish, layer diamante encrusted headbands for a bold yet sexy and sparkly finish.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: If you are planning to wear a tiara or other diamante headdress, why not pick up some of the sparkle in your make-up to compliment the effect? A smoky eye using charcoals and black will really make your peepers pop. To create this soft romantic look, start with a creamy eyeshadow base that has a reflective effect; smooth this lightly all over the eye lid and brow bone area then follow with a matte black with shimmer shadow, such as ‘Black Tied’ by MAC. Press it lightly onto the lid and then blend softly into the crease. If you decide on a smoky eye for your big day, make sure you opt for soft cheeks and lips in complimentary tones such as pastel and rosebud pinks. Don’t forget a lip liner – a nude colour always gives soft definition to the lips.

Dress Art Couture, County Cream
Headpieces Flo and Percy

Look 2
La Bohème

Hair: Exude a stunning gypsy vibe by wearing a spectacular headdress intertwined with lace, beads and peacock feathers. This on-trend look is great for either short or long hair as the statement is all about the headpiece.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: For the bohemian bride who likes to make a dramatic entrance, the vivid shades of plum and chic vintage aesthetic of this creation will ensure you are the centre of attention. Plum and damson tones happily suit any hair colour, from platinum blonde to titian red and the rich brunette shades in between, and they compliment skin tones from alabaster to ebony. Brown and green eyes look fantastic in these shades as they bring out their natural golden lights, making them sparkle.

Dress Eternity Bride, County Cream
Headpiece The Princess and the Unicorn

Look 3
Lips say ‘I do’

Hair: Whether your hair is short or long, make a statement by wearing a modernist headdress. A vision of fresh flowers and beads, this gorgeous creation oozes romance with a contemporary edge. Ensure short hair is well groomed and glossy and long hair is beautifully rolled or pinned up.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: Your lips are a focus, so make sure they look their very best by exfoliating them with a baby’s toothbrush and moisturising twice a day. Lips have no natural moisturisers so drinking two to three litres of water a day will not only make your skin glow but also ensure lips look plump and kissably soft when you say ‘I do’. Our model’s lip colour, Nars ‘Funny Face’, is complimented by a sheer fuchsia lip gloss. If you opt for a statement lip colour, keep eyes defined but neutral. For cooler lip tones, such as hot pinks, Burgundies or cherry reds, try eyeshadows in shades of taupe. And if you decide to go with warmer lip tones, like brick reds, chocolate browns or burnt oranges, try soft beige or brown eyeshadows.

Headpiece: Flower Scene, Launceston

Look 4
Matte Simplicity

Hair: Veronica Lake eat your heart out! Give your hair a touch of silver screen glamour by creating a dual texture. Candyfloss curls combined with a slick, smooth crown leaves room for a statement flower to encapsulate this timeless style. Wand the length of your hair using Matrix Design Pulse Hair Lock as you wrap for extra manageability. Blast the curls out with a hairdryer for a wild, tousled look. Tightly brush from the hairline to behind the ears and just below the crown. Pin and spray for hold and pin your defining flower where you feel most comfortable. Finish with Hair Lock Spray and TIGI Headrush for extra shine.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: Anyone can wear red lipstick – it’s just about finding the right tone to suit you. To recreate the timeless elegance of our model’s look, use a matte shade of red teamed with the simplicity of well-groomed eyebrows, flawless skin and super sharp liquid liner. Whatever shade of red you choose, don’t forget to use lip liner to ensure your lips look the image of perfection all day.

Dress Art Couture, County Cream
Headpiece Sarah Drew

Look 5
Pride and Prejudice redefined

Hair: Try adding a new texture to your hair by micro crimping for soft yet form-building movement. Unlike traditional crimping irons, micro crimpers have a narrow crimp plate and give an ultra soft finish. Always spray you hair with Matrix Vavoom Gold Heat for maximum heat protection and Hair Lock for hold. Once finished, brush out and your hair will be ready to mould into any shape you like. To get that ‘40s look, pull the hair back with lift and a softly back-brushed side knot, keeping a clean, well-groomed finish with attitude. Add a modern headpiece for a 21st century edge.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: This gorgeous headdress is made using pages from that most romantic of novels, ‘Pride and Prejudice’: a story that bespeaks love, marriage and happily ever after. We chose a nude look for our model using soft plum tones. Even with the most natural wedding make-up, it is so important to create definition, particularly around the eyes. If you are going super nude, ensure the eye, cheek and lip shades have complimentary tones.

Dress Eternity Bride, County Cream
Headpiece The Princess and the Unicorn

Look 6
Be a ‘Glow-Getter’

Hair: Be bold with this daring Boudica look. Pile your hair high with soft waves for a skyscraper – and super feminine – finish. You can use padding to build your hair on, which will help support the style. Fill your hair with Matrix Amplify Mousse as a strong base to build your look. Always start by curling the hair, as it will make it easier to work with when building your creation. Remember, you don’t always have to wear hair bands in your hair – try placing them across your forehead for a more dramatic look.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: Anyone can achieve a healthy glow and, on your wedding day, it’s a must. If you have naturally fair skin that doesn’t tan, embrace it and stay away from the bronzer. Instead, use an illuminating moisturiser all over from head to toe. Michael Kors’ beautifully fragranced body lotion will leave your skin looking polished. Perfect the skin effortlessly with my favourite stick foundation by Bobbi Brown; this allows you very flexible coverage depending on how much or little help your skin needs on any given day. Enhance the flawless effect by using a highlighter on cheek and brow bones. Finish by dusting it lightly over your shoulders and décolletage.

Dress Art Couture, County Cream
Headpiece Sarah Drew

Look 7
‘50s Nostalgia

Hair: The ‘50s will always inspire beautiful hair with structure and form. Crimping your hair allows for greater manageability and helps to create strong rolls, as pictured. Tightly French pleat the back of the hair and add a statement flower piece for a ‘50s look with an Hispanic feel.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: Roses are perennial favourites and wearing them in your hair not only looks stunning, it has a symbolic meaning depending on the colours you choose. Our model is wearing red and white roses, which convey love, passion, innocence and worthiness. If you choose pink roses, then you are promising happiness and romance for your groom. Whichever shade you decide on, try to coordinate it with your lip and cheek colour; if you are wearing warmer reds in your hair, like our model, then choose a warm red for your lips.

Dress Eternity Bride, County Cream
Headpiece Sarah Drew

Look 8
Silk Gerbera

Hair: For a more casual on-trend look, simply scoop your hair to the side, softly back brush to a pony for volume and scrunch with TIGI Hard To Get for hold. Add a statement flower to create a summery vibe that will suit all hair types.


Hair and make-up Cornwall-Devon

Make-up: The soft bluish grey tone of this headdress is beautifully romantic and can introduce a soft colour accent into an otherwise neutral bridal palette. We used soft reflective light and medium shades of taupe on our model’s eyes. Try Nars eye duo in ‘Belissima’. Cheeks were softly enhanced with Nars cheek colour in ‘Dolce Vita’ and complimented by the matching sheer lip colour. The overall effect is refined prettiness.

Dress Eternity Bride, County Cream
Headpiece Sarah Drew


Hair Craig Chapman, Launceston
01566 775777 www.craigchapman.uk.com

Make-up Janine Bird
07747 461975 www.janinebird.com

Models Freya Edgley, Marina Dean-Francis, Signe Springe

Photography Barry Jeffery
07931 313136 www.barryjefferyphotography.com

Stockists
County Cream
1 Church Walk, Truro
01872 262271 www.countycreambridalhouse.co.uk

Flo and Percy
www.floandpercy.com

Flower Scene, Launceston
www.flowerscenelaunceston.co.uk
 
The Princess and the Unicorn
www.princessandunicorn.etsy.com

Sarah Drew
www.sarahdrew.com

Words Craig Chapman and Janine Bird
Photography Barry Jeffery

Copyright WED Magazine 2011