Bridal hair advice from miss world stylist andrew minarik

Miss World stylist and UK education artist for Sexy Hair, Andrew Minarik, provides bridal hair advice to help your boost your business. With 31 years in the industry and regular slots on television with Channel 4 and QVC, Andrew is also the current head of hair, beauty and wardrobe for Miss World annual; if anyone knows how to make a girl’s hair look good for a big occasion – this is the man! Here are his insights from the glamorous world of bridal styling. 1. A bridel can tell me what she wants, but I think it's almost more important to understand what she doesn’t like. When we first meet, I ask them to bring a scrapbook of hairstyles. Of course, I’m interested in the hair that they like – but the styles that they really don’t like is what gives me the framework. 2. Make sure you get plenty of information about the dress and whether they’re wearing a veil or other accessory too. 3. The number one consideration for me is to create a classy style which the bride and her family can look back on in years to come and not cringe at. Some girls want big and bold looks with stand-out colour but as far as I’m concerned, anything avant-garde needs to stay in a magazine photoshoot – it just doesn’t fit on a wedding day. 4. Keep the colour as natural as possible. That means no ombré, no panels of bright colours and no fashion hues. It may sound a bit old fashioned, but I think everyone would rather look back and be proud of the wedding album rather than look back in shock at their special day photos. 5. The general rule is that side buns or asymmetric cascading hair don’t work with a centrally placed veil and strapless and backless dresses can look really lovely with some loose hair covering the shoulders or some softness around the face to avoid harshness. 6. For high-neck lace dresses, hair needs to be up as it will catch on the fabric. But of course, it's all bespoke with the bride and we work together creatively to come up with something that will suit her beautifully. 7. My essential kitbag would contain the following: classic Denman brush, Pintail comb, wide Afro comb to pull strands out gently and tease styles into place, lots of volumising products, curling tongs in different sizes, straighteners, rollers or heated rollers. My absolute can’t-do-without product is hairspray! My favourite is Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable. 8. Building up bridal business is best done through word of mouth recommendation. Your work will speak for itself by the glowing bride and bridesmaids. 9. Build up your skills by practicing working with all different types of hair and different types of hot tools. It's also important to master the classics that form the basis of many styles - barrel curls, chignons, pleats, twists. 10. The most important qualities in a bridal hairdresser are to be able to work quickly, have lots of suggestions, have a sunny personality and to be able to remain calm in stressful situations if your bride turns into bridezilla on the day!