Please help me with hair

[basil]

I''m kind of at a loss. When I got engaged, I thought I''d start growing my hair out for the wedding. Now, a year and a half later, my hair is down to my waistband. I normally wear it up and in a low bun. I''ve thought about cutting it but I always wanted an updo with some volume to make my head look bigger, and I figured the extra hair would help with that. My hair is not particularly thick or thin or straight or curly. It has a tendency to be slippery, though.

Anyway, I am shying away from a traditional updo or bun type of thing because it seems too close to my everyday look. I kind of like the vintage look of 1930''s finger waves (I think that''s what they''re called) but they are always with short cuts. And I still want the volume in the back of the head. I want something loose and natural, rather than sleek and modern.

I''m planning to wear a veil for the ceremony and then take it off. Should I get a flower to wear for the reception? I don''t really like crystal pins or tiaras or whatnot. What type of flower should I order?

Attached pictures of how I think I''d like the front to look. How should the back go?

 

[basil]

Hate this crazy make-up, but I like the hair.

 

[Sabine]

Basil, have you ever seen pictures of a faux bob? They kind of pin the hair up under in the back to make it look short, and they can do the front in the finger waves...just something to consider if you want more bulk in the back and that look from the front. I can''t find any pictures, but I know they did on on teh second episode of the show "Cashmere Mafia."

 

[Italiahaircolor]

As a stylist, I wouldn't recommend having too much length. Esspecially if you're seriously considering the finger waves/vintage style. Usually, a nice compromise when it comes to hair for an updo, is hair right around the clasp of your bra - give or take an inch.

When hair grows very long, it becomes finer at the end. Which, when you're talking about creating a strong updo--fine ends aren't a positive thing because it is hard to make them look completely polished or finished.
I would suggest a romantic flower to marry the vintage style. Something like a gardenia, orchid, or magnolia would be fantastic...

ETA: This past summer I worked with a bride who had a completely drool worthy silk rose for her hair. It was tucked white silk which was shaped to be a full rose with a crystal sprig...it was awesome!

 

[basil]

Thanks for the input, guys! Just to clarify, I don''t really want my hair to look short like Keira''s, but I do like the way the front looks. I still want some sort of big old bun thingy back there, but I''m just not sure what it should look like. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the tip about the hair, Italia! I think I''ll go ahead and cut it to the length you suggested then, if it''s not going to do me any good. I''m actually really surprised it got this long - I had short hair for a long time, but I had long hair as a kid and it never got below mid-back length.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

As far as marrying the fingerwaves with the bun, it will totally depend on the execution of the design by your stylist. Since, generally speaking, buns are normally seen with sleeker hair in the front and sides. Finger waves are done by pushing wet gelled hair into waves with a comb and finger...this is done to create volume. Once dried, the style is still very fragile. A bun is usually the end result of hair being pulled firm and taught against the scalp to create a mass of hair at the crown, nap or back of the head. It would be complicated to "pull" the hair back if the front needs to treated with care.

I would decide, prior to your trail, which design element you want more so you aren''t "hemming and hawing" if your stylist lets you know she doesn''t think that the hair style will work.

 

[basil]

Thanks, Italia! It''s painfully obvious I know nothing about hair...

Is there any way to adapt the finger waves with some sort of updo? Or am I looking at a haircut or choosing a different style?

 

[surfgirl]

basil, I''ve said this before but honestly, I''m not a fan of doing something totally different on one''s wedding day. To me, people who go over the top or way different than they usually do, look different and do you want people noticing YOU or your hair style? Just something to consider. I know one thing Mr. Surf begged of me was to please not do crazy bride hair or makeup because when he married me, he wanted me to look like ME, not like someone he didn''t recognize...Just something to think about.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Okay, I really have the stretch my mind here. Personally, I don''t like finger waves and I don''t do them for my brides because I don''t like the way they relax over time and on a day where pictures are taken, I think that its not worth the risk.

But, a good idea could be to use finger waves and have the rest of your hair curled and pinned back in a romantic updo...

I''ll try to think of more...

 

[basil]

Italia - Oh, I didn''t know they were prone to relaxing like that, either. Maybe I should really get back to the drawing board and pick something different. I definitely don''t want something that is prone to falling out or is a difficultor new style for my hairdresser.

Surfgirl - I agree that I don''t want to look that different than my everyday self, but I do want to look at least a little spiffed up. I normally wear my hair side-parted and pulled back sleekly and then twisted into a low bun...so I thought maybe I could add some fun vintagey curls to make the front more interesting - but still parted on the side and still pulled up in back. But if it turns out that is logistically difficult or risky, I''ll search for something new.

Does anyone have any ideas to make the front of the hairdo interesting/fancy? I''d like to still have a side part though.