Any woman who has fine or thin hair knows how difficult it can be to style. When you’re a bride (or bridesmaid, for that matter), the problem of fine hair becomes even more pressing, because most formal hairstyles are full and lush. However, that does not mean that a bride without hair has to resign herself to having a bad hair day for her wedding! Here are practical tips on wedding hairstyles and bridal hair jewelry for fine hair.
There are several things you can do to add more fullness to fine hair, depending on how much time and money you’re willing to spend on your wedding hairstyle. Brides who want to make a big difference find that having extensions woven into their natural hair can create a lush effect that no styling product can rival. Extensions are used not just for length (although they can certainly be useful for that too), but to make it look like you have more strands of hair. When done right, the results are very natural and last about three months, depending on how fast your hair grows.
If you’re more inclined to work with the hair you already have, there are still some beautiful looks that can be created for your wedding with fine or thin hair. Sweeping back smoothly at the front of the head will provide lift at the crown of the head, which in turn will create a fuller look. To prevent hair from falling out, use hairspray after backcombing. This style will work best if the front section of hair is pulled back and secured so that the weight of the hair does not pull down on the section that was teased. A small clear plastic headband works great on fine hair. For a classic half up hairstyle, cover the plastic band with a small section of hair wrapped around it.
Updos can also work wonderfully for brides with fine hair. As with a half-up, your stylist will likely start with a small slick back to add more volume at the crown of your head. The back of the hairstyle can be made to look more voluminous by using a curling iron in sections of hair before styling. You’d be surprised how “big” your hair can look with this technique! In the 1960s, it was common for women to wear pads over which they wrapped their hair to create the dramatic beehive hairstyles that were so popular. A small pad can be hidden under the back of the hairstyle to give a natural boost to volume; just no bump-its please!
The one style that is best avoided for any bride with fine hair is to wear it loose. No matter how much volumizing product you use or how carefully you curl your hair, the style is sure to fade long before the end of your wedding reception. If you have at least the front section of your hair pulled up in a style, it will maintain a more polished look, even if the loose section begins to fade. You’ll also find it virtually impossible to secure a veil on fine hair without some sort of hairstyle to anchor the comb into.
That brings us to one of the top concerns for brides with fine hair: what kind of bridal hair jewelry and veil will work with their hair texture? The best bridal hair jewelry for fine hair is a headband. Since it’s shaped like your head, instead of being tucked into your hair, it will stay in place much better. There are many beautiful options for jeweled headbands available these days as it is a very popular fashion trend. A double headband can be even better, as you can tuck the veil comb between the two bands, giving it something to catch instead of slipping off. A small crown is another style that works with fine hair, if the woodland fairy effect is your style. Pins can work in an updo, as long as they are on short enough pins (long pins will stick out the other side of your hairstyle!). Of course, if you have opted to get extensions, any type of bridal hair jewelry will work. While working with fine hair can be challenging for a bride, you will certainly be able to create a style that looks beautiful and lasts all day.