Updos & hairstyles for your wedding, prom or formal event

Bridesmaids Hairstyles & Updos

The style chosen by the bridesmaid, handmaidens and matron of honor is almost as important as the hairstyle for the bride.

Whether you're having your bridesmaid hair style done at the salon with the bride, or you're putting it up at home yourself, it's important that you create a look that will complement the bride herself.

If the bride has asked you to wear flowers in your hair or a simple headdress, a salon stylist will help you choose the right cut and style to flatter you.

There are also a whole bunch of hairstyles and updos that you can create at home, by yourself or with the help of another bridesmaid.

Bridal Updos for Short Hair

An updo is a traditional and elegant style that'll look great in the wedding photos. It's possible to create one, even with short hair, if you speak to your stylist in good time and take advice.

In order to create a bridesmaid updo with short hair, follow this advice. If your hair is about 3 inches long, a very fashionable length right now, then you should go for a soft curled and twisted look.

The look at a wedding must be very soft and romantic to fit in with the whole mood.

In order to create this, follow these instructions:

Dry your hair using a round bristled brush and a hairdryer on a medium setting.
Take the hairdryer next to the brush whilst going through hair, to start to get it to curl. It is also a good idea to just run your hands through your hair a few times with your head upside down to get some volume in it.
Find some flat irons or a curling tong, and go over each strand of hair, curling them, in whatever tightness you prefer. It is best to choose a larger curl as this will look softer and much prettier.
Accessorize with a quite diamante clip or a flower.

It would be a good idea to try this out a few weeks in advance with the bride present, so that she can say if she likes it or not, and it is also important to try it with the dress you will be wearing to check it matches (and of course don't forget about the accessories such as tiaras or bridal veils.

Longer Bridesmaid Hair Styles

Whilst it's easier to style long hair, it's important to choose a look that will match and blend with that of the bride. Right now, the big fashion tip is that curls are IN!

Fashion magazines are tipping the natural look, with tumbling, big curls as the one that is going to be popular at weddings this year.

To create these big, bouncing curls you can do it two different ways:

Firstly, you can use a large barrelled curling iron.

Start by spraying your hair with a heat protection spray, then tie up two thirds of your hair.
Pick a section of hair about 3cm by 3cm and wrap the hair around the curling iron.
Hold for about 10-15 seconds, and then leave.
If this has not worked, wait for the irons to heat up even more, and try again.
Do the whole head with this method, and then cover with light natural-looking hairspray to keep it in place.

Secondly, you can use large hot rollers.

Choose sections of about 3cm by 3cm to create the perfect look.
Work from the top downwards, curling the wet hair onto the rollers, and secure with a grip.
Wait until the hair is dried and then remove the rollers.
Set with a light shine hairspray