Hair Today: Can ‘Do’ You for Tomorrow

 Let the rejoicing begin! This season’s wedding hairstyles finally have incorporated glamour and reality into an unbeatable combination. There is finally some hope that the hair you have on your wedding day, won’t meld into a stiff helmet, or (gasp!) become a tangled bird’s nest that will shock your groom on the morning after.

What is so refreshing about the 2009 hair season is that we are seeing a lot of inspiration come from Old Hollywood.  Flirty finger waves, sleek pageboys, and eye dipping bangs are just some of the styles resurrected from those glamour days. What is equally nice to see are that these do’s are being done in loose, less shellacked ways with styling products that are actually good for the hair.

To get some inspiration yourself, do a little on line research and look at hairstyles spanning from the Flapper girl of the 1920’s to Betty Grable’s famous pinup pic from the 1940’s. Look at your gown, your wedding day theme, and, again, look at yourself and you can find that one great style that will ‘do’ you for the day and well afterwards.

You will notice many of these looks are imitated on this year’s red carpet. Even Drew Barrymore’s Academy Award hairstyle (love it or hate it) came with some back combing  a là the 1950’s combined with a lightly tousled look that was as modern as could be.

Gone- well, at least going – is the tight high chignon of the past few seasons. Hair is being wrapped in low buns with a loose tendrils waving softly against the cheeks. Hair is once again being sectioned off and braids being used to wrap around a low bun, or artfully coiled around soft curls.

While you are looking at this season’s hairstyles, look at this season’s hair accessories for some inspiration as well. The high tiara is being replaced by a low set tiara – more of a band or hair wrap actually that compliments the hair rather than competes with it. Stones, crystals, and embellishments have been added this year to glisten prettily against the gloss of your healthy tresses. Even retro-inspired hair clips and pins show a trend towards less is more. That’s not saying that if you find a great glamorous pin or clip you want to wear, you can’t use it.  You can. Just make that piece your signature piece and try forgoing or modifying your hairstyle, veil, or hat to incorporate the piece easily and naturally.

Flowers – always popular – are following the hair accessory trend. More single flowers are being strategically placed as signature pieces, while some are being enhanced with crystals and pearls. Forget rosebuds and wreaths; think more calla lilies, gardenias, and Gerber daisies.

So don’t worry your pretty head over your wedding day hairstyle. Just work with your hairstylist to create a style high on glamour and low on day-of maintenance and you’ll be the bride you want to be.