Bridal Hair Stylist, Sally-Kate Duboux of HAIR BY DUBOUX shares her tricks of the trade, shortcuts and top secret hair hacks exclusively with us…
Hair extensions
Hardly a trick and not very sneaky BUT they are the saviours that perfect the fullness, body and length of a style. Hollywood waves for example requires thick hair that’s cut to one length, extensions will give you thickness, the length but also mask any layers disguising those wispy flyaway giving the illusion of sleek voluminous full-bodied waves. With a textured up do or detailed braid the extensions add thickness and depth in turn giving the illusion of thicker hair. With the aid of extensions, it can often bring a dream hairstyle to reality.
Two very simple and understated tricks to hide a ponytail elastic.
So you’ve got your ponytail, its perfect apart from the ugly hair band that doesn’t match the look you were hoping to achieve. Take a fine section of hair from the underneath of your ponytail. Wind it around two times (depending on length of hair) secure underneath with a grip going up into the base of the ponytail. Second way and how I do on clients, as you’ re putting the elastic round the last time loop a section of hair from the ponytail around and back through the elastic. Manoeuvre the hair until the join/twist is underneath.
Padding
Every bridal hair stylist has padding in their kits. Whether its made from hair and hairnets to cut up malleable donuts (not the edible variety). Padding is a life saviour for helping to achieve a desired shape without adding too much backcombing. Whilst working independently or alongside clip-in hair extensions. Padding creates a foundation to pin into securely for many up-do hairstyles.
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Have you ever wondered why there’s a cool button on your hairdryer?
Well, its important to set your blow-dry or blow-dry roller set. Keep to your regular setting, however once you’ve completed a section, roll your hair up in the brush and switch to the cool setting and ’Set’ your hair. By using cool air on your hair it sets the curl in place making your bouncy blow-dry last that little bit longer. This same method applies when your having your hair curled using tongs. As a bridal hair stylist I always keep the shape of the tong and secure with a sectioning pin. This gives the hair an opportunity to cool in the shape of the barrel (known as a barrel curl) naturally which adds to the longevity of your chosen style.
Ever wondered how those voluminous big messy buns are created without them sliding towards your nape by lunchtime?!
A little cheat that I apply to many of my clients. Take a section ear to ear (over the top of your head) and pin out the way. Do the same ear to ear only this time around the back of your head and pin out of the way. The locks that remain brush through and secure into a ponytail making sure the elastic is taught. Lightly backcomb the hair at your nape, smooth over and join to your pre-secured ponytail. Using a light elastic secure, your able to pull at this layer to give texture and depth whilst also enabling you to get your desired shape. Repeat this process for the front. I tend to do the front section in three, top and two sides. By changing the level of tightness on the sides you are able to alter the look from severe to relaxed. Again secure using an elastic, leaving tendrils out around the face softens the look. To complete the hairstyle, you can apply sneaky trick number two for a voluminous ponytail or for the bun I’d recommend separating the ponytail into two even sections rope twist them securing the ends with an elastic. Wind around the base of the ponytail and finalise using pins and/or grips to hold in place. Pull at sections to achieve a looser free spirited messy bun.
Our thanks to Sally-Kate for these fab tips. See more at hairbyduboux.com.
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Main image credit: Katie Ingram Photography(c)
