The most interesting bridal hair and make-up trends of this season are shortlisted by Melissa Nazareth. Whether you’re a romantic, vintage, unconventional or modern bride, we have you covered.
Winter marks the onset of wedding season in the Gulf region. The weather cools down drastically, making it the perfect time for a garden or beach reception with family and friends. Moreover, the atmosphere all around becomes festive and merry, giving off celebratory vibes.
While that’s the good side to planning a wedding, there’s a flip side too. Organising an event such as this, no matter the size of your guest list, can be a nightmare. In the middle of all that, as the bride, you’ve got to take care of yourself, so you look gorgeous on your special day. Our beauty team at OHLALA understands this. Whether you’ve decide to hire a hair and make-up artist or do it all by yourself, we recommend you bookmark this feature for an overview of some of the best bridal trends this season.
THE ROMANTIC
The romantic girl has been dreaming of her wedding day since forever. She is feminine and, in a way, traditional – no coloured gowns here! The perfect hairstyle for this bride is the half-up and half-down look, with delicate beach waves or soft curls. It will bring out her natural beauty and feel like an extension of her flowy, Cinderella-inspired gown. We recommend accessorising with a fresh flower crown, seen on the bridal fashion runways this season, or fresh blossom studs to adorn her cascading tresses. Dramatic eyes characterise the romantic bride; having an autumnal solid aesthetic, the soft smoky eye, with voluminous lashes, is perfect for a daytime wedding and, perhaps, more intense for the night. Luscious, rosy lips complement this look, balancing the dreamy eye make-up. Floral and sweet fragrances vow to magnify the romantic bride’s aura. Viktor&Rolf ’s Good Fortune scent merges floral and vanilla aromas, a great pick for the girly bride.
THE VINTAGE
Characterised by a classical aesthetic, the vintage bride dreams of a Bridgerton-inspired wedding. Think gowns with balloon puff sleeves and corset bodices, which are trending this autumn. Complementing her traditional dress are hairstyles such as elegant ponytails and buns or braids. You could bring the best of both worlds together; braid the hair on either side of your head or tie one braid in the centre, starting right under the crown of your head. Then, connect the loose ends as a low ponytail or twist them into a bun. You could even braid your hair first and then knot the braid as a bun. Embellish with bejewelled hair accessories such as rhinestone and pearl-studded hair pins, exaggerated headpieces or veils, and even feathers for some retro glamour. The vintage bride doesn’t shy away from full-coverage make-up. She gracefully flaunts a bold red lip, which brings the entire look together. Intense, sweet-smelling scents complement her aesthetic. L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain was created in 1912, the perfect fragrance for girls that like retro scents. Its top notes are anise and bergamot.
THE UNCONVENTIONAL
Standing on the other side of the spectrum from the vintage bride is the unconventional bride. She doesn’t care for tradition; she makes her own rules. Move over, voluminous skirts, ruffled hemlines and tiered tulle! Hello, bridal suits. Whether you go for an oversized silhouette or a tuxedo-inspired fit, wedding suits for women are back. Sleek hair is the way to go here; the Dior-inspired centre-parted Dutch braids are a great option, accessorised with a beaded headband that replaces the veil. Ribbons and bows are this season’s popular bridal accessories and will go well with bubble braids, where you bring your hair together in a high ponytail and then tie it at multiple points across the length. If you have curly hair, the pineapple style or high ponytail on the crown of your head is a great way to show off those tendrils. Embodying the unconventional vibe are quirky winged eyeliners, metallics swept across the eye, and Simone Rocha-inspired face jewels. If you want to highlight that pout instead, a pop of bright neon pink could easily seal the deal. Unisex perfumes continue the non-conformist pattern. Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724 fragrance brings the freshness of bergamot mixed with white musk for a scent for all.
THE MODERN
The modern bride is minimalist. While she believes less is more, she is all up for making a statement. It could be by wearing a piece of jewellery, a family heirloom handed down across generations, or a gown with asymmetric hemlines or sensual cutouts – very much this autumn. Keeping the focus on one thing at a time, the modern bride isn’t afraid to let her hair down, literally and figuratively. Embrace this look sans accessories or continue the asymmetric theme by gathering your loose hair on one side using decorative hair slides. Another option for hair is the messy updo or messy bun, which has an easy-going, contemporary vibe. The modern bride swears by the barely-there make-up look. It includes sun-kissed and glossy finishes. Accentuate your best features and stick to earthy pallets – warm peaches, beachy blues and sage green. Leave a trail wherever you go with For Her by Narciso Rodriguez, which has an irresistibly light, sensual scent.