Bridal Style: Pretty British Roses – Uncomplicated and Natural Hair and Make-Up

This afternoon on the blog it’s all about hair and make-up, thanks to the incredibly talented Hair & Make-up artist Jenn Edwards. Jen has put together some amazing styles for all of you out there looking for something a little less structured,  a little less fixed and more natural and uncomplicated.
I am seeing loads of more natural styling coming though now, it’s less about the fixed ridged styles of old with tiaras and a million hair grips and more about soft loose waves, flower crowns and a whole lot less makeup!
Jen has put together some wonderful ideas for you if you are looking for a more natural look on your wedding day.  Banish the fake tan and bronzing powder and embrace your porcelain complexions.

I’ll pass the Blog over to Jen………

Pretty British Roses (noun an attractive British girl with a delicate, fair-skinned complexion regarded as typically British)

Uncomplicated styling With Fresh flower crowns, Seashells, pretty lace, Birdcage veil netting, and more……

The concept of the shoot was to demonstrate how simple it is to create a pretty British Rose look with zero fuss but lashings of wow factor. These looks suit a fairer skin tone perfectly and all the hairstyles showcased are easy peasy, even more so for those self confessed GHD addicts who are already making waves and donning the latest spring hair trends .

Before you scroll any further, I have to give a huge shout out to the beauties featured in the images.  All three are non-professional models in fact, both Sarah & Kerry had never set foot in front of a professional camera or had their make-up done professionally.   I purposely decided against featuring professional models for this shoot as I wanted to prove a point which I hope you realise and appreciate.

(A big thank you to Sarah Payne, Kerry Williams and Sarah-LeeReed for volunteering, giving up your time, and really pulling it off despite the nerves and apprehension.  I wish Kerry all the best in her new found modelling career and I’m so pleased we gave you the confidence and the enthusiasm to go for it – you will go far.  Congratulations to both Sarah Payne and Sarah-Lee Reed on your engagement, you will make stunning brides and I hope your hubby’s know how lucky they are.)

The Ballerina Bun

A stylish, chic and classic, up do for brides. They come in various shapes and sizes from sleek donuts to messy knotted styles. Perfect for destination or summer weddings when you want to have your hair off your Neck and shoulders or if you want to show off the detailing at the back of your gorgeous wedding dress.
I used a large donut for this style which are readily available from Claire’s accessories.

• Try positioning the hair over the donut in different directions to create a  more deconstructed  relaxed look.  Take a large section of hair from the front of your head and smooth with straightening irons. Using grips and pins, anchor the donut to your head, like it grew there, then sweep the front section of hair across your forehead and up around the donut, secure with grips. This softens your face shape and adds a feminine touch to your style.
• For this look I accessorised, firstly with a beautiful lace and diamante hair band, kindly loaned to us from Emily Bridal in Sheffield. We loved this for its delicate floral prettiness and just enough bling to give a subtle sparkle.   We then swapped the sparkle for two single white hyacinth pips wired and taped by the creative flower power Queen Tracey Campbell. These tiny, delicate blooms offered a lovely contrast to Sarah’s dark hair and had the most delicious scent too.  More loveliness from Campbell’s Flowers to come…

The Romantic Messy up do

This is a firm favourite with this year’s Brides and Maids alike.  Team your soft messy tresses with fresh Roses – perfect for a slightly more vintage styling. These beauties were provided, wired and taped by Tracey Campbell.

Beach curls

Next, we have a generous helping of tiny white daisies and gypsophila in the form of an incredibly delicate flower crown.  Tracey Campbell took my  brief for ‘beach curls’ quite literally by incorporating tiny sea shells into the design and finishing it with pretty organza ribbon trails.

• If you have a natural wave to your hair then this look can be achieved effortlessly.  Apply a little moose (golf ball sized) to damp hair and dry with your head upside down using a diffuser.  Sea-salt spray is super for adding texture and body to fine hair.
• You may want to remove your Flower Crown in the evening so, to avoid looking like you’ve been wearing a baseball cap all day, why not try a waterfall braid underneath your Flower Crown?  I recommend an inverted braid which sits flatter against the head and will prevent the delicate flowers getting tangled in the braid.   Two fabulous looks in one – TA-DA!!

Wear it down but dress it up

If you’ve been desperately growing your hair in preparation for your wedding day then ‘show it off!  Key advice here is to know your hair type and chose your products carefully.  Ask your hairdresser for advice and get them to recommend a good shampoo and conditioner.

• Apply a little mousse to damp hair before blow-drying to give body and staying power.  I love Catwalk Curlesque by TIGI to add definition to curls and I won’t be without TIGI’s Headrush for a beautiful shine.  Be careful when using shine spray though as you can easily overdose. Try spraying the fine mist up into the air then walking briskly through it.
• Pro Tip Do not use hairspray or other hair products on fresh flowers as this can cause them to wilt. Ensure you give your hair its final fixing spray before the flowers are put in place.

Net veil

This look was born out of a last minute moment of experimenting. Inspired by the screen siren’s of old, Tracey and I put together this ultra-glamorous look by combining vintage styled net with exotic orchids, wax flower and eucalyptus.

I think we deserve a Blue Peter badge for this one and the moral of the story is…….. be brave, have fun and mix it up.

Flower crowns

As I’m sure many of you know, floral crowns are really big news this year and so I was delighted when Tracey designed this gorgeous rustic piece which she tells me was inspired by the “Maid Marion scene at the end of Robin, Prince of Thieves”! Designed using a combination of dried and fresh flower materials, this pretty crown in soft, natural blues and purples uses blue thistles, wheat, scabious seed pods, limonium and crespedia – perfect for the quintessential, Summer, country garden party  wedding.

• I used Navy Mascara and Cobalt Blue eyeliner on Kerry to bring out her stunning blue eyes beneath the Crown.  If you’re going for strong, defined, eyes then make sure you keep the cheeks and lips soft and natural.

Laidback messy waves

Embrace your kinks, and shake out your tousles

• Sarah has naturally straight hair so we used large styling tongs to create loose waves then messed it up by scrunching the hair upside down whilst misting with fixing spray. We then added a lace headband for a bit of drama.
• To create Sarah’s youthful flushed glow I used a Bobbi Browns Pot Rouge in ‘Powder Pink’ and applied to the apples of the cheeks only.  A natural flush is always pink rather than peach.   I then teamed soft coral eye shadow with lashings of black mascara and used the Mac Fascinator white eye pencil on the waterline to brighten Sarah’s eyes and make them appear larger.  Avoid using black eye pencil along the waterline as this can make the eyes too heavy and appear smaller.

50’s vintage styling

This final floral design in hot, vibrant reds, was put together using Alstroemeria blossom to create a really strong ‘50’s vintage styling – just perfect with juicy red lips and victory rolls!

• If you’re going all out Red lips, keep the eyes soft and natural.  A top liner with subtle flicks is perfect for the classic vintage look. I love Bobbi Browns Gel liners.
• I created the soft waves using straightening Irons to give a smooth and polished finish.
• This look is perfect if you want a ‘half up’ do but don’t like the sleek look or the bouffant, or maybe you have a ‘not quite grown out’ fringe that you want to keep of your face?
• To create vintage rolls on  very soft or fine hair try using a little Dust It styling powder or dry shampoo before backcombing the sections to be rolled.

All this prettiness would not be possible if it were not for the very talented Jess Petrie Photography whose soft and feminine style I adore.  And a big thank you to Emily Bridal for trusting us with your stunning gowns which had us all running around like exited children in a sweet shop.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Hair & Make-up by Jenn Edwards
• Flowers by Campbells Flowers
• Dresses and accessories by Emily Bridal
• Photography by Jess Petrie

Thanks so much Jen, I hope you liked her ideas, which one is your favourite? Are you planning something less structured on your wedding day, are you going for the more natural look? if so I’d love to hear your ideas!