Jo's Tips To Finding Your Best Wedding Hairstyles

I love browsing the web for hairstyles.
Brides.com has a great library of hairstyles, which was my to-go page when I started doing bridal makeup and hair. Here's a screen shot of their page, this one has tips for your trial session.

Read it? It is true - at least the bit about wearing your hair out after a trial. I always tell my clients to keep wearing their hair and makeup after the trial, and then tell me after how it went. We'll know then if anything went wonky, or they prefer certain things differently, or hey! that the false eyelashes are actually really comfortable (I use the Princess Lee eyelashes from Taiwan ;] )


Another thing I advise my clients to do, is to search out pictures online about what styles they like. Sure, I do give recommendations and suggestions, but when I meet my client for the first time, I don't automatically know their real style.
I am not psychic. I can't read minds, and I can't quite imagine the exact wedding dress from verbal descriptions (lace, tulle, ivory, princess, mermaid... ).
The best way to communicate with your makeup artist? Pictures. Hell, it actually is THE best way to communicate with any of your creative suppliers, be it your wedding planner, designer or florist.
Because "natural" may mean different things to different people, and so does "casual". There are 1038462 different "smokey eyes" - ok, i exaggerate, but really, if you can be specific, do be specific. It'll save you alot of time and also help us get straight to the point and give you what you want.

And if you still have no idea what you want?
You can ask me , or you can also check out ELLE's list of The Best Wedding Hairstyles, and then give me a call :)

Born This Curly Way: Making The Most With Texture

Growing up, I used to hate my curly hair. Well, who wouldn't? As a kid not knowing any better, I would brush it till it got big, frizzy, uncontrollable. The only time I liked it was right after my shower, dripping wet, sleek and straight.

For 10 years in my life, from when I was 15 till 25, I tried everything, from relaxers, rebonding, flat irons, and even the Brazillian keratin straightener (did not even last more than a week!). Finally, tired of endless visits to the salon, curly root regrowth, damage from the heat and chems, I let my curls grow out.

Today, I have a curly bob and I'm totally loving it!

Most people think I've used a curling tong, or permed my hair, but all I did was embrace my curls. Here are my shortcuts to getting frizz-free curls in this crazy weather (where humidity goes up to 90% on a normal day! )

1. I use shampoo and condition for curly hair 

The Luscious Curls range by Fekkai  with grapeseed extract and moroccan oil, helps define curls and control frizz. Available at Sephora in Singapore 


2. Once a week, I use a deep conditioning treatment

My hair has been coloured, dunked in chlorine when I swim, and suffers UV damage whenever I'm out playing (sorry, I mean working on a shoot ;P) in the sun. Although it contributes to the whole "surfer vibe", the ends of my hair do really take a beating. So once a week, especially after swimming, I use L'Oreal Absolut Repair Cellular hair masque to restore moisture and it does help to soften and smoothen my hair.

p.s. I think surfer Rob Machado could use a little of this, but whatever it is, DAMN, I love his hair!!! And I love surfers :)

3. A curling cream really helps to enhance and define curls

Where was I before using Moroccanoil? Pretty much living in frizz.. Seriously though, only this curl cream does it for me so far. Although I like to use Redken Ringlet 07  for work as it is perfect with a curling tong, for my own hair, Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream  both conditions and defines curls. Sometimes I mix in a drop of Moroccanoil Treatment for more shine. And you know what? It smells perfect too, no yucky ol' hair gunk situation here. 

4. Some wax and styling products won't hurt

In fact, they'll help hold your hairstyle, add volume and polish. I use Hoyu 3210 Neutral Wax, which I bought at the salon (more details next!). It has a natural, matte finish. 

I rub it between my palms and fingers, then finger curl sections of my hair, which helps enhance the curls, making them more spiral, bouncy, and prevents them from frizzing and messing up throughout the day. 

Sometimes if I want lots and lots of volume, I scrunch it all in, pushing my hair from the bottom up. 

5. A good haircut is essential 

Without my hairstylist, Ivan from Insquare Salon, my hair would probably still be an unmanageable mess. I first met him at a photoshoot back in....2007? But it was only in 2010 when I went to him, with my hair half grown out from a rebonding, that I saw the possibility of having curly hair again.  

With decades of experience, Ivan is still amazingly humble, friendly and gives excellent suggestions. Unlike hairstylists who insist on chopping off inches of hair, Ivan respects his client's styles and wishes, which is what I really, really love about him. If you would like a creative cut, leave it in his stable, precise hands, and you'll always walk out of his salon always feeling beautiful, with a cut that always grows out well. 

Andrew & Kenny, the awesome designers of Depression, also trust Ivan with their hair! 

In Square Salon also stocks Hoyu, so give them a call if you'll like a makeover for your hair, then follow my easy, easy, easy steps and start loving your curls :) 

In Square Salon 

24 Sin Ming Road 

#01-39

Singapore 570024

Tel: 6554 0916 / 6554 0917

http://www.facebook.com/InSquareSalon

Her World Brides Editorial (issue Mar- May 2011)

I'm so glad to have worked on this new, gorgeous issue of Her World Brides with stylist Janice Seah & photographer Toon Liang.

Here are some of the tear sheets from the bridal fashion spread we shot in The Club Hotel @ Ann Siang Hill

Photography: Toon Liang/ Lightspade
Styling: Janice Seah
Hair & Makeup: Joanna Koh using Redken & RMK

Scroll to the end for my tips on recreating this look :)






























The Hair & Makeup

We were going for a more glamourous / hollywood kind of feel, but without too elaborate makeup or stiff hair.

Here are some crops.. the resolution isn't too good from the scanning but hopefully you'll be able to make it out!


The makeup:
I used muted, brown and nude tones for the eyeshadow, but still played the eyes up with a soft kohl and lots of mascara and lashes.
For her cheeks I contoured them with a matte bronzer, and lips in a complimenting satin nude shade.




The hair:
The model actually had long hair, but I was requested to give her a more glamourous bob. So I had curled her hair into tight ringlets, then gently brushed them out with my fingers to create volume. After that I pinned them into shape close to the nape of her neck. For her fringe I had lightly twisted it back to give it definition and then pinned with the rest of her hair.

Your Tropical Beach and Garden Bridal Hairstyle Solutions

Getting married in a tropical climate such as Singapore (or Bali! LOVE! ) can be a beauty nightmare for most. Curly hair gets frizzier, straight hair refuses to curl, your makeup starts sliding off.. well, I've got some simple solutions for you to have the best hair(and makeup) day at your tropical beach or garden wedding.


1. Be practical
If you hair is really straight and heavy, and no hairstylist has ever made your curls last for more than the time you stick around in the salon, don't expect any different on your wedding day, especially if you're having your wedding outdoors.
The weather in Singapore can go up to 34 degrees Celsius during the day, so you are bound to sweat (unless your bridesmaids are fanning you ala cleopatra!). If your shoulders are showing and your hair is down, be prepare to have it stick to your neck and back. These things show in pictures- and they don't look good. Opt for a classy updo instead and you'll be keeping your cool much more easily.




2. Work with your hair texture
For those of us who have curly hair, work with this texture to bring out your luscious curls and waves.
Try KMS Sea Salt Spray to add texture to your curls for that beach babe vibe.


Spray it in, diffuse dry, scruch a little wax in at the ends and set it with hair spray.
Pop in a pretty hair accessory and you're good to go in less than 30minutes!
Also, you'll be the envy of your counterparts who are going for option (1) above.




3. Explore your options with beautiful tropical flowers
Flowers can make amazing hair accessories that bring you back-to-nature. They jazz up your hairstyle, and can even be used as a wreath for yourself or for the flowergirl. Here, we are blessed with the perfect weather for cultivating Orchids and Frangipanis, which i hear are cut-throat expensive temperate climates.
You can choose flowers which compliment your hand bouquet or theme in terms of colour, but choose a different species to avoid looking too matchy-matchy. Good quality fresh flowers can last between 5 to 8 hours. If the type of flowers you choose can be dried and kept (eg Roses or Forget-Me-Nots, they will last even longer). Keep them in their wrap or in a vase until you're ready to have them pinned to your hair.




4. And for the girls...
Your bridesmaids too will be wanting to look their best for your wedding. One great way to stand out from them is to have a completely different hairstyle. So, if you're having an updo, request that they leave their hair down, or at least in a half-updo. A simple yet pretty way to have them do their hair is to add braids, a little french braid across the crown or to pull back their fringe can add uniformity to all your "jie meis", or bridesmaids. It's quick and they can do each other's hair too if they don't have a hairstylist to themselves.
Here's one that I did for a photoshoot with Jeff Chen




Once your hair's set and you're ready to go, just SMILE and have a great time. Believe me, you ARE the most gorgeous girl at your wedding. :D