I was perusing the articles in Real Simple Magazine and came across the absolute cutest summer hair styles. Clients are always asking me how to make a messy “looks like I did it myself” upstyle. Over my next few post I’ll introduce several styles that take not much more than day old hair, some pins and some hairspray. There are a few items that you’ll want to acquire to be upstyle ready. I use a small tackle box with the little compartments to keep all of my pins, clips, ect in line. That way if I’m off for the weekend or at home, I have everything I need.

Tools and Products

1. Bobby Pins: bronze bobby pins are the way to go. No matter where you put them in blonde, brown or highlighted hair they blend in.

2. Hair Pins: People are often confused between bobby pins and hair pins. Bobby pins are for securing or anchoring large pieces. Hair pins are for gently securing small sections of hair for a more wispy look.

3. Hair ties: I use the clear stretch elastics as rubber bands. They are easy to disguise and more manageable than their chunky brown counterparts.

4. Texturizers/Spray Gel: Depending on the type of hair that you have you’ll need to prep it before you blow it out. There are several ways to do this. You can use day old hair, it has enough grit to it to help hold to style. Or you can blow out clean hair with a texturizer or spray gel. I like Redken Fabricate or Redken Blown Away. Both have enough hold to give the hair some substance without making it too difficult to work with.

5. Hair Spray: Hairspray is the best tool in your arsenal. No need to aquanet an upstyle to death. Use one layer of a workable hairspray. Redken Quick Dry, for example, as a foundation for your upstyle. It will give you hair that is easy to work but not stuck in one place.

6. Curling Iron: A one inch curling iron is the perfect size for any length of hair. It is big enough to give a relaxed curl but small enough for more intricate work. I prefer the Hot Tools one inch spring iron.

Saturday Night Style: The Messy Side Bun

This is the the easiest summer style. It’s so cute for a movie night or can be dressed up a little for a cocktail party. The less time you spend perfecting the more beautiful and effortless it will be.

How To

1. Spritz a light layer of hairspray all over your hair.

2. Divide the hair into four vertical sections. Using your curling iron; curl your hair away from your face. Roll the iron no higher than ear level. If you roll the hair all the way up to your scalp you will achieve a much fuller, curlier look.

3. Part your hair using your fingers at your natural part. Pull your hair back into a  low side ponytail at the nape of you neck BUT do not pull the hair all the way thru on the last tightening of the rubber band. (You will leave what looks like a U in your hair)

4.  Using a bobby pin pull sections of the ponytail out and pinabove or below the ponytail. What you are trying to do is criss cross or basket weave the hair over the bun creating a “nest”. The more hair that slips out the pin the more relaxed the look is. Use a hair pin to secure small sections for a more complex look.

5. Sweep your bangs either behind your ear or secure them back with a bobby pin or hair pin.

6. Spray with a light finishing spray.

In the bridal world time flies. Six months is over like one. Six weeks is over like a weekend and days, well those are just a blur. I started blogging and planning my wedding at the same time. Guess who won, yep, you got it. The wedding! And I wouldn’t change it for anything. It was such a fantastic day! There were no meltdowns or drama. I remember looking around throughout the day and feeling incredibly blessed. To have all the people that love us in one room, celebrating our decision to be Husband and Wife. I also felt a huge sense of accomplishment for putting the whole shindig together. There were a lot of decisions to make a long the way and each one paid off big!

I have a great guy that let me run the show but was still there to calm me if I need it. I also got incredibly lucky and hired a fantastic team of vendors to help me. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: hire vendors you trust, hire vendors you like. It’s not worth saving 200$ if you aren’t sure if your lighting guy is going to show or skimping on a limo driver that doesn’t know the area. Being late to your own wedding is a no-no. It stresses the guests out!

Here’s a some shots from what I think (biased? no!) to be the best wedding I have ever seen…

Wedding Day of Coordinator: Carole Grogan at Simply Natural Events

Wedding Photographer: Gabriel Ryan at Gabriel Ryan Photography

Venue: Sunset Tower Hotel

Flowers: Justin Howard at Flaming Flowers Production

Without Further Ado…(trumpets sounding in the background)

I looked out the window this morning to see a blustery, cloudy, gray day with the tiniest sliver of sun peeking through the clouds. While the house is still quiet I’m sipping my morning coffee thinking about all the people that helped Miss Mary Mac get here. I finally (thanks to much prodding) have finished my beautiful website with design by QM Design Group and web building by WSI. It’s filled with awesome photos from the talented Rachel Whitty Hajj and Chelsea Elizabeth Photography.
I myself am getting married and have started interviewing dj’s, officiants, venues, caterers and of course stylists. I am becoming familiar with the nagging feeling in my gut that I have heard other brides talk about. The one that makes me wonder… is this good fit? I want a stylist that is reliable, yet fun; someone who compliments my style; someone who would never dream of standing me up or disappointing me on what is to be the biggest day of my life.
Through the process I have compiled a short list of questions that I used to select a stylist that I want to share.
1. How many weddings do you do in a year? Wedding do’s are different than a prom do or hair for a girls night. Emotions run high, people run late and the stress level is through the roof. You want to make sure that your vendors are used to navigating through a wedding day.
2. Do you bring all of your own tools? The bride shouldn’t have to provide anything but herself, a chair and a mirror. A professional stylist should have all of their own tools and backup irons just in case.
3. Do you have photos of your previous work? There is no better way to find out if you’re going to like the stylists work than to look at what they have done in the past.
4. Do you charge for mileage or travel time? This should be discussed in advance. Events outside of your stylists area could incur extra charges; know specifics before booking.
5. Do you have a backup plan? Things happen, we all know that. Vendors should be prepared should an emergency occur. Leaving someone to scramble on their event date is unacceptable.
No matter where the planning of your special event takes you keep in mind the true meaning of the day. You are there to celebrate, to enjoy and maybe even… let your hair down a little!