Wedding season is in full effect and every hair stylist can benefit from the extra cash that doing weddings can bring in.
Doing hair at a wedding can be a high-stress situation. I've had to lock mothers out of bathrooms, comfort crying brides, silence catty bridesmaids - you name it, I've seen it. But being prepared in these situations can make all the difference in the world.
Below you'll find 10 essentials that every stylist should have in their arsenal of beauty tricks.
1. Toothbrush
No wedding day kit is complete without a toothbrush. Not for the mouth, for the head. A toothbrush packs a mighty punch when ran over those pesky stray hairs that like to peak out of the neckline and hairline of up-dos.
Simply spray hairspray over the toothbrush and then run it over any stray hairs. The fine bristles will catch what a brush or comb cannot.
2. Small Envelopes With Hair Pins and Bobby Pins
Before your client's wedding day, find small envelopes and fill them with a dozen hair and booby pins. You could even add a mint or stick of gum, make a little evening survival kit. Hand them out to the bride and each bridesmaid so they can stash them in their purse in case any loose hairs come out. They'll be thanking you after they've been head banging the night away.
Another great touch is to personalize the envelopes with your contact info and a stamp or little drawing. It's a great way to start branding yourself and clients will definitely take notice at the extra effort you've put in.
3. Dry Shampoo
This one is a big must. Dry shampoo makes a great foundation for up-dos. It adds texture and creates a base to absorb moisture all night long. My favorite dry shampoo is the cheap and fabulous 'Pssssssst'. You can find it at the drugstore for around seven bucks. They even make it in a handy travel size.
4. Feathered Razor
Nothing ruines an up-do like a wily hairline. Everything look beautiful until your eye moves down to the neck (which is one of the most elegant parts of a woman) to see a wild mess of cowlicks, and if your hairline is anything like mine, creeps dangerously close to the side of the neck.
The quickest fix? A feather razor. If you're familiar with using a razor you can go for the straight blade, but even the most seasoned stylist doesn't want to be caught dead nicking the neck of a bride on her wedding day.
5. Hair Extensions
What girl doesn't want a little more hair? On their head, that is. When doing up-dos, an extra weft can always come in handy. Use pieces of hair to pump up a pony tail or fill in gaps in a knotted up-do.
The color should be similar, but doesn't need to match perfectly. You'd be surprised how a color that looks off out of the style, can blend once it's added to the hair. Keep four shades in your kit - Dark brown, medium brown, dark blonde and light blonde. Remember to use human and not synthetic hair which you can pick up for around $25 a pack.
6. Sewing Kit
7. Hair Donuts
These guys can be huge time savers and the effect always looks great. Hair donuts are used to make fine hair look big and full and they act as a foundation in the same way backcombing the hair would, only this is much easier!
Simply gather the hair into a low or high ponytail, slip the pony tail through the donut, and then style the hair around it, tucking the loose ends into the donut with bobby pins.
You can buy these foam pieces in multiple shapes, or just cut the donut down to use in different styles.
8. Business Cards
Make sure to pack extra business cards when doing a wedding. You'll be interacting with a lot of people that day and a wedding is a great opportunity to bring in new business.
If you're serious about wanting to do a lot of weddings, you could print up something more formal like a postcard that has several images of other weddings you've done and a link to your website.
