Beth Furgurson photos
Hair and makeup: These elements transform ordinary women into starlet material on their wedding days. We enticed four brides-to-be from the Richmond area to play model to stylists and makeup artists from Ahead of Hair; Diva's Hair & Day Spa; Austin's Salon Day Spa; and Red Door Spa by Elizabeth Arden. These professionals provided the women with two possible makeovers for their big day; let these looks inspire you, too.
Natural Glamour
Stylist and Makeup Artist: Natoshia Carraway and Allison Leary | Ahead of Hair | 1201 Sycamore Square, 794-2837
Shatia Henry has fresh, youthful beauty, so stylist Natoshia Carraway and makeup artist Allison Leary used a light touch wth her. For the first look, Carraway curled Henry's straight hair and tucked the curls up underneath for a romantic style that would be wind-resilient at Henry's beachfront wedding. Makeup in pink tones brightens up Henry's delicate facial features.
The second look incorporates cascading spiral waves; darker purple tones and plum lip gloss accentuate this more-dramatic evening style. Henry loved the second makeover, in part because she prefers to wear her hair down. "Also, I love the loose waves, and I love how they have a natural look," she adds, describing her personal style as "natural and glamorous."
Summer Romance
Stylist and Makeup Artist: Lisa Rine and Amy Harlan | Diva's Hair & Day Spa | 605 England St.,
752-7958
With porcelain-like skin, expressive eyes and full lips, Allison Rollison describes herself as a woman with a mix of traditional and modern styles. For her wedding, Rollison envisions looking the part of the beautiful, youthful bride — with some quirkiness, too. Her wedding dress is "not very Richmond," with different types of vintage lace sewn onto it here and there, and the wedding day will be whimsical, not matchy-matchy.
So makeup artist Amy Harlan used peachy-pink shades to create a romantic, blushing-bride daytime look for Rollison, and Lisa Rine, master stylist and salon manager, completed the effect with side-swept, gently curled waves finished off with a crystal comb and earrings. The look is classic and, perhaps best of all, it's easy to maintain through a long day of wedding festivities.
For a bolder evening look, Harlan and Rine pumped it up: bright-red lips, false eyelashes and smoky lids for strong impact, paired with a sexy, modern, makes-a-statement hairstyle.
"I like the first hairstyle and makeup better — it's a bit softer and more romantic, more ‘me,' " Rollison says. "Ours is a garden wedding in June, and I feel like that look would be better suited for that time of year."
Allison's hair comb and earrings courtesy of Bella Rosa
Me, Only Better
Stylist/Makeup Artist: Ken Langston | Austin's Salon Day Spa | 15 S. Auburn Ave., 359-6060
When Ken Langston, co-owner and master stylist at Austin's Salon Day Spa, started Kathrine Montanz's first hairstyle by taking a curling iron to her already-very-curly hair, she wasn't sure what to think.
Next Langston pulled some of the curls into a high ponytail and sculpted waves, weaving pieces of hair in and out for an elegant half-up/half-down style.
For the second style, Langston used inspiration from Montanz's Puerto Rican heritage to create an artistic topknot that radiates Latin flair with a modern twist. Throughout, Langston kept the makeup natural-looking with an emphasis on Montanz's eyes.
Montanz preferred the first style; curls are a big part of her personality, she says. It will add to the drama of her gold wedding gown and sparkly accessories, while helping her achieve her style goal: "Me, only better."
An Up-Do With Personality
Stylist and Makeup Artist: Alexandra Gaudino and Ana Gonzalez | Red Door Spa by Elizabeth Arden | Short Pump Town Center, 360-1239
Ashley Marratta exudes athleticism and a no-nonsense approach to life. A teacher and coach, this pulled-together woman seems to have everything under control, including her upcoming wedding in March. The details are in place; the gown, a fitted, trumpet-shaped, strapless dress, is ready; and with help from stylist Alexandra Gaudino and makeup artist Ana Gonzalez, now Marratta can choose an up-do to set off her bridal look.
Gaudino began by curling Marratta's pin-straight hair; she then sculpted waves to evoke elegance. Then Gonzalez blended custom foundation from Elizabeth Arden and used plum tones on Marratta's eyes with a hint of black eye shadow to add drama. Soft blush and light, glossy lips added to the effect.
The second hairstyle is half-up/half-down, and a decorative barrette adds sparkle.
So which look did Marratta like? "I preferred the half-up hairstyle because I think it better reflected my personality," she says. "I felt the up-do, while gorgeous, was more conservative than the style of my dress."
barrette courtesy of red door spa
Tips From Our Pros
- Bring both families together by adding something old or borrowed from your husband-to-be's family to your bridal style.
- Book appointments early to ensure that your stylist will be available. Many salons can accommodate large parties and can close off part of their facility or allow you to book the place for a day of pampering and lunch with your bridal party.
- Look like yourself — just a refined version. All of our stylists warn against dramatic changes right before the wedding day.
- Consult with your stylist and have a practice session for hair and makeup to ensure that you get the wedding-day look you desire.
- Timeless styles work best.
