Wedding hair tips

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With royal wedding fever taking over the country, those who are getting married this summer will have their own plans to make.

To wear your hair up or down or half-up half-down, for those tying the knot soon, deciding which hairstyle will work with your dress is no mean feat.

Crimper extraordinaire and wedding hair specialist Michael Charalambous gives his expert advice on planning for the big day.

“Gone are the days when your own hairdresser will be offended if you go to a wedding hair specialist,” says Michael. “You really need somebody who is an expert in this field.”

Courtesy of Michael Charalambous, Nyumba

Once you have selected your hairdresser go a couple of times for a trial to ensure you are ready for the big day. Michael suggests having it done in different types of weather to see how the style lasts.

Michael also suggests you have your hair done how you want, then ask the hairdresser what he thinks. “This way the bride-to-be will not feel as if she is being bullied into having a style she does not want.”

On the initial consultation, Michael says: “You need to tell your stylist about your dress. What is the fabric? What type of headdress you will be wearing. Let them know how high it will be. Inform them if you are planning to remove it for an evening party and change to a second outfit. Time will have to be allocated to tweak your style.

"A good wedding hair specialist will want to know everything about what you are wearing including your accessories and even the height of your future husband.”

He also points out that they should also be told about the venue. Is it inside or outside? What type of place is it? Whether it is traditional or contemporary will influence your hairstyle. If you are having a themed wedding, you need to make sure your stylist knows all the details. You also should tell them what flowers you will be having.

“Many clients think that they do not need hair pieces,” says Michael. “They not only make your hair look thicker but they can help to support your headdress and veil.”

Over the years, Michael says that he has heard so many women say that they do not like their wedding photographs because their hair looks transparent in the photographic lighting. So, if you had not thought of using pieces, you may want to discuss it with your hairdresser. You need to ensure that your hairdresser is experienced in styling and cutting wigs and pieces. After all this, hopefully, is a once in a lifetime occasion and you want to look as good as possible.

“Do not wash your hair on the big day,” says Michael. “It is better to wash and dry it the day before. Have it set with pin curls or set on rollers, dependent on how curly or straight you want your hair to be.”

According to Michael a proper wedding hairdo can last up to three-and-a-half hours and takes between two and half to three hours to style.

“When you have your trials done, you should wear white, take any jewellery you are wearing such as earrings and necklace with you and have the make-up artist to hand so you can see how everything works together,” advises Michael. 

A professional wedding hairdresser will video or photograph all the steps of the trial so that they time themselves accurately for the big day. It will also ensure they use the same products as they have in the run-up sessions.

On the subject of the Royal Wedding and Megan, he exclaimed: “It is both our loss that we have never met.”

By Daralyn Danns 

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Chic hair from coiffeur, Michael Charalambous

Over the summer my locks had really grown and were in desperate need of reshaping. I always put my tresses into the magical hands of Michael Charalambous, at Mayfair’s Nyumba. His cuts are amazing. Even though my hair hadn’t been trimmed for nearly three months, it still fell into place.

Michael took one look at my hair and said: “It’s time for a new look.” He is always updating and transforming my tresses. There is never any change of being stuck in a hair rut being Michael’s client.

Polished to perfection

“We need to reduce the layering which will make it look heavier but will still keep some movement in it.,” he remarked. “Autumn requires cuts that don’t need too much blow-drying, so that the hair can recover of the effects of summer. For healthy hair, I suggest, women should preferably forgo highlights until nearer the party season and tint only the roots and use a toner on the rest of the hair.”

Michael’s tip is to use products that contain little or no alcohol as they are less drying. He suggests ranges such as Aveda and Leonor Greyl – the Shampooing Reviviscence (£51.80) and the Masque Quintessence (£94.30), packed with nourishing goodies including Cupuaçu Oil from the Amazon work wonders on dry, parched hair.

Also a good treatment for restoring damaged strands to their former glory is Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme (£26.25). The new Dove Colour Radiance Range, which helps keep the colour from fading, is good value for money. I particularly like the Radiance Shampoo (£2.39) as it is kind on the hair. I’m a fan of Bumble and bumble’s Color Minded Conditioner (£25).

Another gem is L'Oréal Professional Mythic Oil Colour Glow Oil (£15.95) which also contains sun protection – even over the winter, it is worth having – and is ideal for calming the hair and adding shine after you have blow-dried it.

“Hair should look natural with hardly any volume,” said Michael. “If you have long hair which needs some extra body, plait your hair at night – leave a little conditioner in the ends – and roll it clockwise into a bun and sleep on it.”

My hair looked polished to perfection but didn’t look as if I had spent hours at the hairdressers. This is one occasion when I was extremely happy to have put on weight.

By Daralyn Danns

Nyumba (www.nyumbasalon.com)

A change of hair direction

Working with your hair texture always gives you a better result. So, with last season’s trend for big hair and plenty of waves, I decided to give it ago and grow out my bob and, as they say, go with the flow. And, I have to admit that I actually like wearing my hair slightly curly.

Now, I was back at Mayfair’s Nyumba waiting for the genius that is Michael Charalambous to give me his verdict on where I should be taking my hair this spring.

Michael said that we don’t need to take off any of the length – music to my ears. “Your hair is in good condition, so you can grow it,” he added.

It just shows that cutting down on using heated appliances and blow-dries (some hairdressers rip your hair) and not having so many highlights really does improve the health of your hair. 

Every time I wash my hair I like to use a deep conditioning treatment rather than a normal conditioner as it helps to weigh the hair down and prevent frizz. I like Wella Brilliance Mask for coarse, coloured hair (£10.49). Although my hair is fine, there is a lot of it, and I find this does the trick. Another good one, especially when you are in a hurry, is Pantene Coloured Hair 2 Minutes Colour Damage Rescue Masque (£4.49). 

“I am going to add some inverted layering to give the hair lots of movement and create that lived-in texture, so your hair will fall in soft waves, a key trend for spring,” said Michael. He styled my hair reasonably straight in order to check the cut. When I am drying it myself, I tend to dry it with movement as it is easier. I’ve just tried Bumble and bumble’s new straight line. I find the Straight Shampoo (£23) and Straight Conditioner (£25) help to calm frizz.

The quicker you dry your hair, the faster the cuticle is flattened and, therefore, the hair is less likely to frizz. I use my head like a giant roller, pushing the right side over my head to the left and back again until almost dry. Then I do the other side. The back, I brush forwards and backwards until dry. I use a Philip Kingsley Vented Paddle Brush (£23.20) which has been designed to reduce hair breakage and limit heat damage. If I need some lift or to smooth any pieces, I use a round bristle brush such as ghd Ceramic Vented Radial Brush (size 4, £17.50).

Hair is all about the cut. Michael’s always falls into place when I wash it, which makes my life so much easier. As for colour, which should always work with your cut, he is predicating russet browns, golden chestnuts and coffee blonds blondes. Could I be tempted?

By Daralyn Danns

Nyumba (www.nyumbasalon.com)