Hair Up vs Hair Down with Katelyn McCullough

Hair up or hair down for your wedding? We will talk through all the great and not so great reasons to choose wearing your hair up versus wearing your hair down. And the same for your bridal party. We'll also talk about how you dress your accessories, the weather and environment, and your personal comfort and style should all influence your decision.

Katelynn kicks us off by discussing more about her business and what they do. “My business I want to cast is what we described as a beauty concierge. So everything is personalized to each and every client. We essentially match each client with the hair and or makeup artist that is best suited to their needs. And that includes things like the style that they're going for, where they're located, if they have an ideal investment in mind, all the way down to the nitty gritty of like personality, hobbies, that sort of thing. So that the overall day, especially if it's a wedding, or a special event or anything like that, is that people have a really enjoyable experience, and not just pretty hair and makeup. So it's really just that personalized experience from start to finish. Okay, got it. And with that, you are able to find stylists and artists, anywhere in the country or around the world. That will do it. So I work with clients all the way West Coast, East Coast and anywhere in between.”

Katelynn continues that the general process before she ever recommend an artist for a client is that I go through the whole process as if she was the one that was going to be a client with them. She says, “I check out all of their work, whether it's on social media, their website, I asked for specific photos from them to see like what is really their style, and what is best suited to them. And then I'll have conversations with them on the phone and things like that to get a sense of their personality prior to meeting or having a trial done. And then either have them do a trial on myself or on a colleague or something like that. So I can see from the moment they arrive. to doing the services to when they leave how the whole experience goes.”

And this process goes beyond just pretty hair and make-up. She shares with us a few more things she looks for. “ How do they show up? How are they dressed when they come? Like how do they approach you? How do they talk through the makeup? Are they talkative? Are they not talkative, which either way is fine, but it's good to know those nuances because some clients want someone who's like super energetic and like in the moment and excited with them, and other ones are nervous and just want someone calm and maybe doesn't talk a lot. But so it's important to know those items, so you can work well together and find a good match.”

There isn’t a one size fits all answer, but one thing is for sure — it is a personal decision for each and every person. You can be matched with a hair and/or a makeup artist that is best suited for your needs. Some stylists book by location, personality and their experience in relation to the kinds of style you’re looking for. Finding a great fit is important to getting the look you want on your wedding day. 

Your Wedding Dress
The style of your dress can help in deciding how you should wear your hair for your wedding day. If you buy a dress with a beautiful open back, then having your hair up to display that part of your dress might be the best bet. You may also consider the vibe or overall style of the dress. Is it more romantic, classic, bohemian, modern? Does your hairstyle compliment that look? For example, a modern dress goes great with a chic updo, as it will allow the dress to shine. Generally speaking, a bohemian vibe would call for loose, flowing hair. 

The Weather
Weather can be a huge factor as to how you wear your hair on your wedding day. If your wedding is inside or in colder weather, then you can wear your hair any way you prefer without too much thought. However, if you are getting married outside or in the tropics, then you will want to factor in wind and heat. As you can imagine, it is often best to wear your hair up or have a partial up-do. For hot and humid weather, having your hair up will likely keep you most comfortable. Katelyn says, “When the hair is down, it has more opportunity to absorb water causing it to expand. This can be especially challenging if you have naturally frizzy or curly hair.” 

Wind is always a factor when it comes to coastal areas. If you have a particular look in mind, consider what could happen on a windy day. Have a backup “hair plan” for outside weddings on a windy day. Be sure to let your stylist know at your trial of the possible weather conditions, so that you start off on the right foot. The hair stylist can then try a couple different looks that might work best for that weather if and when that happens. It’s a great idea to leave your trial with a great plan A and plan B, so there are no surprises on your wedding day.

Budget
Price points typically aren’t a factor when it comes to selecting an updo or down style as typically both take the same amount of time. Prices come down to the amount of time a particular style takes but more importantly the expertise level of the stylist. As with other industries, pricing scales with the level of training, experience and expertise.

Comfort
As for comfort, Katelyn believes that taking into account how you feel with your hairstyle is one of the most important aspects to consider.  “You want to feel comfortable in front of the camera because any uncertainty will show”. Be sure to “select a hairstyle that feels good to you and not brand new”. Trials are helpful for checking how you feel wearing a particular style. In the end, we want you to be your most beautiful self.

In summary, once you are able to work through these factors, then you and your stylist can work to narrow down the best wedding day hair style for you. Most importantly, be sure to ask your stylist questions before and during your trial. The last thing you want to do is to leave your trial disappointed. For more tips and ideas for your upcoming wedding decision, check out our podcast and follow along on Instagram for Kelly McWilliams or This Vs That Wedding Podcast.