Stacey created an elegant yet relaxed down style with loose curls for Neda’s marriage in Bridgehampton. The fabulous Christian Oth was behind the camera for the wedding, which had the charming backdrop of the Campbell Stables.
To see more inspiration pics from Neda and Taylor’s wedding, check out the feature in Carats & Cake.
Rebecca is a former dancer, so not only is she absolutely gorgeous, she’s extremely stylish too! Everything about her and Thibault’s day was beautiful, from Rebecca’s dress to Thibault’s suit to the florals.
Stacey set Rebecca’s hair in hot rollers to achieve a silky smooth style with body & curls.
Once the hair was set, Rebecca went to work with Stacey’s friend Katie Nova (who glams the Ladies on BRAVO TV). After make up Stacey took her set down and added a full set of blond extensions that were pre prepped for long lasting wear.This style was glamourous and lasted all night on Rebecca.
Photos expertly captured by Brian Hatton Photography.
We love our Destination Brides!
Adrienne & Florian, who currently live in Austin TX, met at work and during a company Christmas party, sparks flew over one too many margaritas. Adrienne is from Iowa and Florian from Germany. Florian always dreamed of going to NYC. He had visted when he moved to the states and loved it. He knew then it was the perfect place for a wedding.
Adrienne chose a perfect dress designed by Sarah Seven.
The bride and groom chose the amazing photographer Steve Moakley, who does the photography for the Texas state capital, to come to town and shoot the big day.
Hair and Make Up is by our master team Deanna and Nicole.
Working on weddings is magical because the day always tells the bride’s unique story.
Every year I like to do a small photo shoot in my salon that tells my story of the bridal season to come. I do it because I love to show my own personal style, which you might not get a chance to see otherwise.
A photo shoot of your own can be a great chance to experiment with styles as you narrow down options for your wedding day. I suggest hiring a photographer and getting together with a friend to have a day at play, with the freedom of trying all the styles you love.
For my shoot this year, I had photographer Joshua Zuckerman come in. I used hair accessories from Hair Comes the Bride, and just styled the day away. Hope you enjoy these shots of the looks I created for my model.
Jennifer and David got married at her parents’ gorgeous weekend home in Bedford, NY. Jennifer’s dress was Angel Sanchez, shoes were Manolo Blahnik, and hair and makeup were by Stacey & Sofia. Jennifer’s large bridal party had beauty services with our other top artists Destiny & Karen.
From Jennifer: One thing that I was anxious about all day while we were getting ready was that it’d been pouring that morning and raining since then on and off. I was so nervous that we’d have to find spots inside the house to take portraits and that everything I’d envisioned for our outdoor wedding would be ruined. Thankfully, it stopped raining just as the boys were getting to the house from the hotel where they’d been getting ready and when we’d been scheduled to start portraits. David and I were able to do our first look outside, and we were able to take bridal party portraits outside, and the night went off without a hitch. It wasn’t raining as we processed into the ceremony tent, started raining during the ceremony while everyone was covered, stopped raining in time for the outdoor cocktail hour on the patio and then rained a bit during the reception, which was tented. It was fate!
Photographer: Art Group Weddings
For their reception, our bride Dorie and her beau Chad picked one of the most magical wedding venues NYC has to offer – the American Museum of Natural History. I styled Dorie’s lovely long blonde hair in a classic down style, which was finished off with a circlet of spring blossoms. Keeping with the spring feel, makeup artist Sofia created a fresh, natural look with a pink lip. It all worked beautifully with Dorie’s light-as-air Oscar de la Renta gown. After Dorie and Chad exchanged vows at the Church of the Heavenly Rest on the Upper East Side, the 240 guests (who by the way included Dorie’s friend Emily Rossum) were treated to a black-tie dinner beneath the museum’s iconic whale. Truly a night to remember! The stellar Christian Oth took these photos. You can find more photos over at Carats & Cake, and click here to see a feature about the wedding in Brides magazine.
A summer wedding means beautiful weather, a relaxed vibe, warm sand, and crystal blue water. But for brides, it can also mean hair hassles and makeup meltdowns thanks to the wind, sun, and humidity. So Stacey recently shared her top 5 tips for making sure you have the perfect beach wedding hair and makeup over at New Beauty – a fantastic resource for brides for beauty products and services.
We had so much fun recently creating a modern bridal look for the wedding of super-stylish pair Holly and Andy at Liberty Warehouse, in Brooklyn’s Red Hook. A textile designer, Holly made the inspired choice of an opulent, bold and very hip black-and-white pattern for her gown.
I gave her the full brunette bombshell look, leaving her long hair down and bringing volume and sexiness with a loose, natural curl. Makeup artist Veronica made the whole look pop with smokey eyes and a bright splash of color with glamorous fuchsia lips.
“It was so great to have Stacey and Veronica there to make everyone look beautiful!” says Holly.
Andy, a graphic designer, was in on the style act, accenting his snappy suit with a flash of bright socks. And we love the colorful, spring-inspired touches to the outfit worn by the couple’s three-year-old son, Massimo.
“Massimo was the best man at our wedding, making it even more special,” says Holly.
Our thanks to Weddings by Two for these great shots.
Location: Liberty Warehouse, Red Hook
Photographer: Weddings by Two
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Fantastic news this week! I have been nominated for a daytime Emmy for “Outstanding Achievement for Hairstyling” for my work styling Bethenny on her chat show.
I am so thrilled to receive this honor for a job I simply love doing. I was born to do hair! It’s even more special that I’ve been nominated while working with people I adore — the whip-crack smart, hilarious and ultra-talented Bethenny, and all her amazing team behind the scenes.
The awards will be presented on June 22nd at the legendary Beverly Hilton. Watch this space to hear all about it! For now, here are a few of the fun moments from the past year of working with Bethenny on her show…
One lucky bride is going to win a complimentary hair and makeup trial at Once Upon A Bride, and it could be you!
To enter to win, just sign up for email updates about our latest discounts, salon news and the greatest hair and makeup products.
You need to love the look your artists are going to create for you on your wedding day, so I train our artists in my own protocol, which ensures that every bride has a successful trial. You will see variations of hair and makeup looks until we find the style that suits you best. Your artists will take detailed notes and photos so that they are ready to recreate the look on the day.
You are always welcome to call me for advice, because I want every bride to get the most from her trial and feel confident and relaxed that everything will run smoothly on her wedding day!
“After many years as a makeup artist for television and magazines, I specialize in bridal makeup artistry. My focus is always to exceed my client’s expectations, and to make sure she looks and feels her best on her wedding day.”
Veronica “RaRa” Pastoriza
You may know our makeup artist Veronica Inez Pastoriza as “RaRa” from Bethenny Frankel’s TV shows. Along with Once Upon A Bride principal Stacey Weinstein, Veronica is part of Bethenny’s glam squad, on hand to style the star for her shows and media appearances.
An accomplished and creative makeup artist, Veronica is exceptional at bringing out brides’ natural beauty.
From a very young age, Veronica has had a passion for the fashion and beauty industries. She studied Fine Arts at New York’s High School of Fashion Industries, and then went on to study Fashion Styling at The Fashion Institute of Technology. During these years, she honed her makeup skills on friends and family. She launched her makeup career as an intern for MAC Cosmetics in 2004 and then worked for Trish McEvoy for five years.
In 2007, Veronica began doing Bethenny’s makeup, and she has appeared on Bethenny Ever After. She has also been on the show My Fair Wedding and has worked as a makeup artist on Inside Edition, Selling New York and LX New York.
“I was thrilled to be the makeup artist for the wedding of Julie Plake, formally Bethenny’s assistant,” says Veronica. “While I have many years’ experience as a makeup artist, I have never done bridal hair in my life. Unfortunately, Julie’s hairstylist had a family loss and had to cancel at the last minute. Because it was a destination wedding, there was no-one but me available to do her hair. Stacey emailed me step-by-step instructions, and I’m happy to say that her hair was a complete success!”
We have been buzzing with energy this month! Our stylists have been in high demand by brides tying the knot in the busiest bridal month of the year, and by designers for Fashion Week. I got back from touring the country with Bethenny, whose new talk show launched this month, and I recently styled Bethenny’s hair for her People magazine interview. And we are offering some great discounts on nourishing hair treatments to repair summer-stressed hair . . .
Halo Hair Extensions Now Available
Halo hair extensions are the quickest and simplest way to give your hair a dramatic boost in length and volume. These high-quality, natural-looking human hair extensions fit perfectly thanks to an adjustable miracle wire. Simply place the halo on your head, pull your own hair through and over the miracle wire, brush the extensions through to blend with your hair, and you’ll soon see why the Halo has won awards for its design. We are excited to now offer these extensions — pop in and let us show you how they can work for you!
Fall Salon Hair Treatment — Special Discount
Fall brides, after a fabulous summer of sun and sea it’s time to nourish your hair with an Oribe hair treatment. Renew and revive damaged locks with a deep-conditioning treatment for 20 minutes under a heat lamp, followed by a gorgeous blowout. Come in and have a deep-nourishing Oribe treatment and blowout for the special fall rate of only $50.
Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color — 10% off in September
Add life and shine to your hair with the latest color-maintenance technology from Oribe. This intense, cuticle-enriching conditioning masque contains color-protecting UV filters and bio-polymers to tame frizz. Enhance your color and repair your hair for fall with this glossifying masque.
Stacey’s News
I just got back from an 11-city tour with Bethenny as she promoted her new talk show in advance of its launch this month. I had an awesome time making sure Bethenny’s hair looked great for all her appearances, including her People magazine cover.
You can see me behind the scenes of Bethenny’s national tour here in this video shot in Los Angeles. Bethenny discusses the best kale she had ever eaten in her life, which came from a restaurant that “massages” the kale before serving it — only in LA!
The premiere of Bethenny’s show was a hit — I hope you’ve had a chance to catch it on weekdays on Fox 5. You can soon see me and my salon, Loft 26, on the show. We’ll be doing a makeover for one lucky viewer, who will be featured in redbook.
And important news for those of you who have missed salon mascot Penelope Plum, my Italian greyhound: she is now back from her summer Florida vacation! I’m so happy to be reunited with her. As you can see, she’s back to working hard in the salon.
When our bride Lisa wed Jeff recently, a loose, romantic, and oh-so-feminine style seemed like the perfect look for her long brunette hair and classic veil.
To achieve this style, I set Lisa’s hair with electric rollers, used a set of extensions (so natural looking you would never know, right?), and used Oribe Volumista for extra luster and volume. Makeup artist Sofia brought out Lisa’s own glow with a natural blush and soft pink lip color, and accentuated her beautiful brown eyes with dramatic smokey makeup.
It was a team event for Once Upon A Bride, with Angela and Karen coming to help get Lisa’s big bridal party ready. By the way, we love the bold, chic black that the bridesmaids wore — very striking against Lisa’s amazing white sleeveless gown from Impression Bridal.
We also love the very cool backdrops Felix from Fred Marcus Photography used, like the bright graffiti on Houston St in SoHo, and the interior of the Soho Grand Hotel. And that view of the skyline is seen from Stage 6 at the Steiner Studios complex in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where Lisa and Jeff tied the knot.
I recently got together with some of the best talent on the New York bridal scene for an amazing photo shoot where we created a garden wedding, Brooklyn hipster style. The result? These beautiful images by wedding photographer Jessica Schmitt, which we hope will give brides plenty of inspiration for their own wedding style.
I created the look of the moment for our model Lilian — a romantic side braid — crowned with fresh flowers. I think it worked beautifully with the whole spring garden feel that floral design company The Wild Ivy achieved with the archway of flowers and petal-strewn aisle.
Here I am putting the final touches on Lilian’s hair style.
If you’re wondering why Lilian and her “groom,” Kayden, look so much like a real couple in the next pic, that’s because they are. It was great to work with them — they’re so cute together, don’t you think?
The setting was the garden restaurant Acqua Santa, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the designer and planner was Jove Meyer Events. The wedding cake was made by Sugar Flower Cake Shop, and the cake cups were by Alana Jones-Mann. Fashions were from Brooklyn Tailors, Hushed Commotion, Catbird, Chromatic Gallerie, and Comfy Clothing.
Bethenny always loves the way I do her hair, so she recently treated her sweet assistants Jackie and Leslie to cuts at my salon Loft 26. Jackie had let her hair get very long, so she needed some length taken off, while I gave Leslie face-framing balayage highlights. The girls were so happy with how their hair turned out — healthier, brighter, and ready for summer!
Ready, too, for life to get oh so busy when bethenny starts filming her new daytime talk show in New York — I’m looking forward to creating all of bethenny’s favorite looks before she steps in front of the camera!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCDxf8K2sNg
We love July, as our summer brides get ready to walk down the aisle. And at Once Upon A Bride’s home base, Loft 26 salon, we’re also busy getting girls ready for all the parties and events going on around the city.
Learn to style your hair like a pro
If you’re about to head off on vacation or your honeymoon and wish that you could re-create all your favorite hair styles even when you are far from your salon, Stacey is available for private one-on-one sessions. Whether you want to learn how to create your favorite celebrity style, do the perfect blowdry, achieve beachy waves, or do a quick but professional-looking updo for a night out, Stacey or Angela will break it down into simple steps for you. Learn which products are best for your hair type, and which tools to use and why. Each session is 1 hour long, personalized according to what you want to learn, and takes place at Loft 26 salon. Leave with a goody bag of products, notes, and step-by-step photos of the lesson.
Stacey: $100 for 1-hour lesson
Angela: $75 for 1-hour lesson
Featured Product: Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste by Oribe
Oribe products are flying off our shelves this summer. Many of you are popping in just to get Oribe at 10% off, and it’s always a pleasure to see you. Keep coming in and enjoying the free samples with products! This month we’re offering a 10% discount on the ultra-pliable molding paste Rough Luxury. It smoothly slips through hair before taking hold for definition, texture, and shine, lending a soft touch to short cuts and long layers alike.
July Special: $20 discount
Hope you had an awesome July 4th! We’ve declared the rest of the month a celebration, too, by offering $20 off your next visit to Stacey’s salon, Loft 26. Just mention “JULY SPECIAL” when you book. Call 212.414.2626.
Stacey’s News
Hot new social media site Archetype Me featured Stacey’s advice on the latest hair and makeup trends and tips for brides, wedding parties, and guests. For all the site’s “Fashionistas,” Stacey shared the lowdown on the big bridal look of the moment, braids, retro glamour à la The Great Gatsby, the latest in hair accessories, and the hair styling essentials you simply must have in your evening bag this summer. Check it out at Archetype Me.
Happy Hour
Summer has really only just begun, and Happy Hour is still going strong. Come get a sexy blowout or have gorgeous makeup done for your night out. Bring a friend and sip Skinnygirl cocktails while our professional hair and makeup artists pamper you.
July through August, Tuesday to Friday
4pm to 7pm
Price for each service: $40
Hot new social media site Archetype Me just featured my advice on the latest hair and makeup trends and tips for brides, wedding parties, and guests! So here’s the lowdown…
Braided updos
Adding braids to your updo is a trend that’s going strong, especially for more fashion-forward girls going for an unconventional romantic look.
Marion Cotillard and Jennifer Morrison going for unconventional romantic looks with braids. Photos: Getty Images.
Retro glamour
Thanks to The Great Gatsby, vintage-inspired hair is very popular. Girls who wear their hair down are going for stylized, Veronica Lake waves, and Art Deco hairpieces add a great finishing touch.
Jessica Chastain and Eva Longoria with Veronica Lake-style retro waves. Photos: Getty Images
Hair accessories
If you’re doing your own hair for the big day, add a hair accessory. It instantly makes your hair look special. Blow your hair out and fashion it up with a headband. My favorite designers are Jennifer Behr and Dauphines of New York. And check out Once Upon A Bride’s selection of gorgeous accessories.
Emmy Rossum and Lydia Hearst adding effortless touches of glamour to their looks with hair accessories. Photos: Getty Images
Dry shampoo and texturizing spray
No matter what style you choose, it’s usually best not to wash your hair on the morning of your wedding. Instead, remove grease and freshen up your hair with René Futurer Naturia Dry Shampoo, and have Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray on hand. You can use no other products, and this will make your hair stay, even if you’ve chosen an updo.
Nicole Ritchie and Naomi Watts going for flapper-era looks. Photos: Getty Images.
Be prepared
Stash an emergency packet of bobby pins and invisible hair ties in your bag, so if you get hot, you can pop to the bathroom and create an instant updo. And carry a travel-size hairspray to keep your hair in place all night.
Summer is here, along with great discounts on products and services at Stacey’s Loft 26 salon in Chelsea, known by our brides as the home base of Once Upon A Bride. Come in and get your hair in perfect condition for your wedding and honeymoon. (And all those summer party nights and beach days, of course!) We even have the guys covered this month, with discounted gift vouchers for men’s grooming and products to celebrate Father’s Day.
Seamless Extensions
The trend this season is for long-hair gals to go for organic balayage highlights, while those with short styles are opting for seamless extensions to create a bohemian look. Seamless extensions are the newest, and most innovative and unique, hair extension system on the market today. They are weightless, invisible to the eye, and undetectable to the touch. You get the length and volume you want, and no one will ever know you’re wearing extensions. We guarantee you’re going to love the experience! Call 212-414-2626 for a complimentary consultation.
Featured Product: Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray by Oribe
10% off in June!
Oribe’s Imperméable anti-humidity finishing spray prevents frizz on the sultriest of days (and nights), protecting sleek blowouts and perfect curls alike. Receive a 10% discount on Imperméable at Loft 26 throughout June 2013.
Father’s Day Special: Discounted men’s gift certificates
Treat your man to a gift certificate for grooming at Loft 26. He can come in for a great summer haircut and head home with new luxurious haircare products. Throughout June 2013, buy a man’s gift certificate for $60 and he’ll receive $80 value of services and products.
Happy Hour Continues
Girls are making the most of our summer Happy Hour services, getting ready for their nights out with shiny, moisturized blowouts and shimmery makeup. Come in, bring a friend, and sip Skinnygirl cocktails! Happy Hour continues through August, Tuesday to Friday, 4pm to 7pm; $40 for each service.
Stacey’s News
Hair this summer is all about headbands, hats, and barrettes that add the final touch to your outfit. Stacey, who is Bethenny Frankel’s longtime stylist, shared her top picks for this season’s hottest hair accessories over on Bethenny’s site. Check it out to get some inspiration for your summer look.
Schedule your next appointment now by calling the salon:
Loft 26 Salon
122 West 26th St.
New York, NY 10001
12th Floor
212.414.2626
info@loft26salon.com
Our bride Ashley chose a classic, romantic bridal look for her wedding at the elegant Sanctuary hotel at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Her gown was amazing, with a lace bodice and skirt with flowing, frothy ruching. A soft, romantic updo was the perfect choice to complement the dress and her veil.
A pearl brooch at the back of her hair teamed beautifully with her pearl bridal jewelry and the light, creamy tones of her bouquet.
On this October weekend at the South Carolina seashore, I knew humidity was likely to be an issue. So I went prepared with all my luxe Oribe products, especially the anti-humidity hair spray Imperméable, which prevents frizz in even the sultriest weather.
Ashley’s makeup artist was Veronica — you might know her better as “Rara” on “Bethenny Ever After,” as we work together as Bethenny’s hair and makeup stylists. Veronica went with a clean, fresh palette and light pink lip for Ashley, with a smokey eye for a bit of drama.
Because it’s so important that a bride’s hair is in perfect condition on her wedding day, we use Oribe luxury haircare products. Our stylists swear by Oribe’s line of conditioning gels, oils and sprays that hold, and skincare-grade shampoos are all lightly scented with specially commissioned French perfumes.
So we are honored that when Oribe wanted to find out the latest bridal hair trends and tips, they called upon Stacey. Now we’re letting you in on their Q&A session. Find out what to watch for in the coming seasons, and how to get your hair in gorgeous condition for the day you walk down the aisle . . .
What are some of the top bridal hair trends for summer 2013?
Braids are still really in, with fishtails being the most popular. Brides are opting for side parts over center parts and hair that’s clean, youthful, and smooth. We’re also seeing a lot of sleek updos that lie low on the nape and don’t have as much texture as in previous seasons.
How do you determine what style to do on a bride?
I first get to know her personal style—what she wears as an everyday look and what she does for the weekend. You don’t want to stray too far from who she is. I then look at the dress and figure out something that matches both the style of the gown and the bride’s personality.
What do you do if a bride asks for a look that you don’t think will work for her?
A style can look completely different depending on the person’s face shape, hair color, texture and more, so what works on a celebrity or a friend may not work for you. I ask my clients to only bring in pictures of people with at least their same texture and hair color. If they bring in options that won’t work, I try to present similar styles that I think would complement them and their dress.
What styles work best for various dresses?
If the dress has a high neck, hair should be up or off to the side. I suggest a low ponytail, chignon, or side braid. For a sweetheart neckline, I like to see the hair down to minimize the amount of skin showing–too much skin can distract from the beauty of the dress. When a dress has an asymmetrical top, it’s important to maintain balance. Contrary to what you may think, you want to style the hair on the side that has the strap or the most weight so that you don’t confuse the eye and force it to choose where to look.
How can brides inject some personality into a more traditional look?
Accessories can really help add a bit of the bride into the hair. Flowers or something meaningful like an antique brooch can add a special, symbolic touch.
What about bridesmaid hair? How can the bridal party’s style complement the bride’s?
The bride’s hair should dictate her bridesmaids’ styles. I like for everyone to have a similar vibe but with slight variations. For example, if everyone is wearing their hair half up, you can modify the look with braids, twists, and more.
What are some of your tricks for keeping hair in place from the walk down the aisle to the last dance?
First of all, brides should always arrive with day-old hair; styles stay in better when the hair has some oil, and overly washed hair can be slippery. If a bride’s hair is too silky, the stylist should use Dry Texturizing Spray to add some texture and cut the gloss. It makes it much easier to work with the hair and helps secure pins.
How can brides prevent helmet head from too much hairspray?
Everything should be done in prepping the style so that the hairdresser doesn’t have to “shellac” it at the end. Using the right products and tools while prepping the hair is essential to getting a style that looks natural and stays in all night. You should only need a light misting of hairspray at the end.
How can brides prep their hair for the big day?
I give the bride shampoo and conditioner samples at our initial meeting and encourage her to use quality products to get her hair into great shape for the wedding. If the bride needs cut and color services, I recommend doing those two weeks beforehand—that allows time for any necessary fixes and gives you time to re-book if your stylist or colorist happens to get sick and cancel your appointment.
How can brides prep for bad weather?
Always go into your wedding day with two options that you love—one for good weather and one for bad. A lot of girls will go for something slicked back out of fear that it will be humid and their hair will frizz, but it may not necessarily be the style they’ve been dreaming of. Make sure your stylist knows both.
How can brides touch up their hair throughout the night?
If hair starts to fall out or fall flat, have a few products handy to refresh your style. I like to give my clients Oribe purse-size sprays for touch-ups.
It’s important to look after your hair (and relax and have some fun!) in the months leading up to your wedding. Once Upon A Bride is located at Loft 26, Stacey Weinstein’s very cool salon in Chelsea, which is running some even cooler special offers during May. Come on in and let us take care of your locks so they are in perfect condition on your wedding day.
Happy Hours
Join us for Happy Hour and get a sexy blowout or have gorgeous makeup done for a night out. Bring a friend and sip Skinnygirl cocktails while being beautified by our professional hair and makeup artists.
Available May through August, Tuesday to Friday, 4pm to 7pm. Price for each service: $40.
Oribe Haircare Products
When you next visit for a service, your hair will be nourished, treated, and pampered with Oribe products, the brand used by those who are serious about their haircare. Oribe delivers truly original formulations: gels that condition, oils that hold, sprays that don’t flake or clump, and skincare-grade shampoos that prep hair for styling while protecting it from the environment — all lightly scented with specially commissioned French perfumes.
10% Off Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil in May
This luxuriously light oil from Oribe absorbs instantly to restore hair to its prime. It deeply conditions, strengthens and smooths, imparting intense nourishment and incredible shine. And Gold Lust works wonders on dry, damaged, and color-treated hair. Receive a 10% discount on Gold Lust when you come in to the salon in May.
Mother’s Day 20% Off Special
We are celebrating Mother’s Day by offering a special treat to all of our customers. Visit the salon and get 20% off all services during the whole month of May.
For Summer Brides
Our organic highlights and organic balayage services are more popular than ever — blonde hair has never looked so shiny, natural, and healthy!
Stacey’s News
Stacey Weinstein, founder of Once Upon A Bride and Loft 26 Salon, is the trusted stylist of entrepreneur, author, and TV star Bethenny Frankel. So when Bethenny was looking for a hair expert to contribute advice to her website, bethenny.com, naturally she called on Stacey. Recently on the site Stacey shared with Bethenny’s readers how to do the perfect blowout at home and how to create Bethenny’s favorite hairstyles.
Bethenny Frankel by Forbes
Planning a wedding is stressful enough; the last thing you need is a bad hair decision sabotaging your special day — one that will be documented for eternity. Do you go with an accessorized updo, a braided twist, or loose and luxurious curls? There are so many choices, but it needn’t be overwhelming if you follow my top ten tips for preparing for your hair trial and wedding day. I’m sharing this over at bethenny.com too — everybody deserves beautiful hair on their wedding day!
1. Show and tell.
On the day of your hair trial, bring anything you think will help your stylist understand the looks you love or the style of your wedding. Have a friend take a photo of you in your dress at a fitting. Bring a swatch of fabric if you think that will help. Bring pictures of brides, celebrities, models — anyone whose look inspires you.
2. Enhance your unique beauty.
When you’re finding pictures to show your stylist, try to find ones that don’t stray too far from your own look and style. If you are the kind of girl who loves having her hair down and flowing, maybe you don’t want to go for a sleek updo — and vice versa. I think it’s best to go with the look you normally go for when you dress up for an occasion, and then glam it up a notch for your wedding day.
3. Be open.
Your hair trial gives you the chance to live with a look and discover whether you feel comfortable with it. If your hair artist suggests looks that you hadn’t considered before, don’t feel pressured to follow their advice, but while you have their expertise at your fingertips, you may as well give it your consideration.
4. Accessorize.
There are so many great hair accessories available now to add a gorgeous accent to your wedding hair. It will depend on the look you’re going for. For a more classical look, you might want to wear a Swarovski crystal brooch. Jeweled barrettes can be great. Some of my favorites at the moment are bird-cage veils, feathers, and unstructured fabric flowers, which go beautifully with more flowing, playful gowns.
5. Extend yourself.
Don’t shy away from having hair extensions for your wedding day; it’s way less of a drama than it may sound. And no one needs to know — it can be our secret! Extensions are great if you want a little more length or fullness, or if you or your artist is worried about your hair holding a particular style all through your wedding day. Even if your own hair falls, the extensions won’t.
6. Keep having regular haircuts.
At your trial, your artist can give you guidance on whether you need to grow your hair. If your hair is very long or unlayered, it can be difficult to manage and style, limiting the looks your artist can show you at your trial. Because Once Upon a Bride is based at my full-service salon Loft 26, we can take care of your hair right up until your wedding day.
7. Don’t get your hair cut just before the wedding!
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so avoid having a cut too close to your wedding. Especially avoid a radical change of style.
8. Look after those locks.
Pay special attention to hair care in the weeks before your trial and wedding, so that your hair is shiny and healthy. If you’re unsure of the best products for your hair type, consult with your stylist.
9. Be product-free on the day.
On your trial day and wedding day, have clean, dry hair. Avoid using a lot of conditioner that morning, especially a leave-in one. Stay away from silkening products that weigh your hair down and make it slippery to work with.
10. Be flexible.
Say it rains or a wind suddenly springs up on your wedding day, and that down style you had your heart set on just isn’t working. Don’t worry — last-minute changes can be okay, so long as you and your artist are prepared. When you come in to Once Upon a Bride for a trial, your artist will show you a couple of styles and variations so that you have options on the day.
Girls ask me all the time how they can achieve the same looks as the gorgeous Bethenny Frankel, whose hair I have been styling for years for her photo shoots and TV shows. So I shared my secrets over on bethenny.com, and now you can create the same styles at home.
Photo: Forbes.com
I wanted Bethenny to have luxurious looking hair, so I went old school and used electric rollers. They are best when used on clean and dry hair. Take 1-inch sections, spray the section with a wet hairspray to dampen, and then put in the electric rollers. Spray the set with a strong hold hairspray and let the rollers stay in for 30 minutes.
Trick: The wet spray will allow the hair to form the shape of a large round curl while drying on the roller.
Favorite products for this look: Paul Mitchell Sculpting Spray, Sebastian Shaper Hairspray
Photo: Getty Images
On wet hair I applied a clear gloss so my basic blow dry would be shiny. I added a root lifter to give a slight lift at the root, so hair would not be flat. I dried hair 80% and then used a round wooden brush in large sections to achieve a smooth, basic blow dry.
To keep her trendy and stylish, I added hair extensions that were 2 shades lighter than her hair color.
I placed a few throughout her hair so I could achieve an ombre highlight (dark to light). This is a bit more edgy for Bethenny to wear on a regular basis.
Trick: Buy clip-on hair extensions (easy to use) one or two shades lighter, and only use a few pieces. You won’t harm the hair with bleach and can create a new look in seconds.
Favorite products for this look: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil, Oribe Shine Light Reflecting Spray, Oribe Root Lift
Photo: Bethenny/Warner Bros.
To achieve the best sexy waves, I always ask Bethenny to show up with day-old hair. Hair then has some texture already and will not be so clean, slippery and fresh. I spray hair with a hairspray to get the hair prepped and texturized. Add a dry shampoo spray at the roots for a clean boost.
I use my wand iron throughout the hair and alternate my section size. For instance, the first row, I take an inch section and then the next row I take a 2-inch section. This allows the hair to have more of a flow. I use a wand and not a regular clip iron to achieve waves because when using the wand you will not curl the ends. If you only have a regular iron, then you want to leave at least one inch from the bottom out of the iron so the ends are straighter and not curled. To achieve the prettiest waves, you want to remember to always wrap the hair away from the face on both sides.
Trick: Freshly washed hair and over-conditioned hair make it harder to get waves and won’t hold or last. Work on dry, one day old hair.
Favorite product and tools for this look: Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo, Sedu Blow Dryer, Sedu Wand Iron
Photo: ©PA Images/Scott Gries/Invision for Skinnygirl/AP
This style is great when you have time to indulge and pull out all of your tools. I start with wet hair, and apply a root lifter and gloss to the ends of the hair. I use a large round metal brush in big sections so I can achieve a full body blow dry. I use electric rollers on the top section to get a full voluminous look.
I then section hair in horizontal rows and alternate two sizes of curling irons. After I wrap each section on the iron, I wrap the hair up in a barrel curl and clip at the root and let sit in a set. Once I am done, I spray hair and let set for at least 30 minutes.
Trick: I use a 1-inch and a 2-inch iron.
Favorite products for this look: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Oil, Oribe Root Lift, Oribe Hair Spray
Exciting news: I’m now a contributing hair expert over at bethenny.com, offering readers my tips and tricks for gorgeous hair. On the site recently I shared some of my secrets to blow-drying hair like a pro. Fans of Bethenny’s shows know that I am all about creating styles that are easy to keep looking super sexy. Anybody can achieve a professional look — all it takes is a little product, a round brush, and a blow dryer. So for all you brides out there, here is my easy five-step system for blow-drying your hair at home so it looks like you just came from a salon…
1. Prep: Use the right products
If you need volume, use a volumizer shampoo. If your hair tends to be greasy, use a shampoo for oily hair. This gives you a great head start. Before blow-drying, apply only what you need, and nothing too heavy. Too much product can weigh hair down. For frizzy hair, use a gloss or relaxing balm. To increase volume, use a mousse or volume spray. Always use a gloss or heat protectant on the hair shaft.
2. Dry: Remove 75% of the water
Now that there is product in the hair for control, remove moisture before grabbing for the brush. Use your fingers and allow them to act like a brush by holding hair taut and pulling hair straight while getting water out. You can then use the blow dryer and tousle the hair dry to get extra water out. You want hair significantly dry before moving on to the next step.
3. Technique: Section hair
Separate hair into sections so you can have control over your hair and manage the blow dry. Separate hair into 4 sections using a ponytail holder for thick hair or a clip for fine hair. Each section will then be cut into horizontal, 1-inch sections starting at the bottom and moving up.
4. Tools: Move on to Blow Dryer and Round Brush
Pull the brush through the hair as you blow dry, pointing the nozzle downward onto the hair. The nozzle is important because it directs the heat so that it hits the whole brush and not just the center of the brush. Start at the root and work down mid-shaft while twirling the brush. Once dry, move from the mid-shaft to the ends. Hair ends dry fast, so don’t over-dry them; save those for last as they usually only need a little heat.
See how many times it takes you to dry one section, and then repeat this the same number of times on each section of the hair. This way you are not over-drying, and you create a system.
5. The Finishing Touch
Once hair is fully dry, you can do a last round for a truly professional look. First, apply a light serum or gloss if you still see frizz.
Take your round brush, grab 3-inch sections, and smooth hair again once or twice. Hold hair high toward ceiling and hairspray the root area, wrapping hair around brush to the root. Heat hair up for a few seconds and get hair hot, then lock in the style with the cool button and hold for 10 seconds. Going from hot to cold allows hair to set in a nice smooth shape. You can even replace the dryer with a 2-inch-barrel curling iron and clip each section to cool.
I am a total New York girl and love the city in any season — but it was really a joy to hop on the plane for Nicole and Steven’s outdoor wedding on the waterfront in Charleston, South Carolina. Nicole had chosen to go with bold colors for her flowers and her bridesmaids’ dresses. It may have been February, but those splashes of red, pink, and orange made winter seem far, far away.
Style icon Blake Lively was the inspiration for Nicole’s hair. I used Ombré hair extensions to boost length and volume. With my favorite tool, the Sedu curling iron, I created a flowing, natural-looking wave. And then I styled Nicole’s hair into a side ponytail with a stunning bright flower accessory.
Airbrush makeup gave Nicole a long-lasting and flawless look. We went with a pink lip and light eye shimmer in keeping with the springlike colors of the wedding. False lashes added a touch of glamor.
There were a lot of laughs as we got Nicole and her gorgeous bridesmaids ready in their cute kiminos, in the elegant suites at Lowndes Grove Plantation.
And don’t you just love the photos, by Aaron Lockwood, of Lockwood Studios? I think he did an amazing job of capturing the beauty and happiness of Nicole and Steven’s day.
I loved the style of our gorgeous bride Megan, who wed Bill on a crisp late summer day, wearing a crisp white strapless mermaid-style gown. Using all Oribe products and my trusty Sedu styling iron to set her blonde hair, I created a romantic low updo — my softer, more playful twist on a classic bridal style. I worked fabric flower hair accessories into the back, to complement the pearls Megan wore and the delicate floral patterned lace overlay of her gown.
Makeup artist Nichole accentuated Megan’s stunning blue eyes with a light champagne smokey eye, dramatic eyeliner, and a soft, natural light pink lip. To create this look, Nichole used a combination of MAC, Armani, and Make Up For Ever products.
Photographer Kathi Littwin did an amazing job of capturing the day, from the moment Nichole and I began preparing Megan, right through to the waterfront ceremony in the gardens of the Wainwright House in Rye, and the reception where the couple danced the night away.
Congratulations, Megan and Bill. Nichole and I are so happy to have been part of your perfect day!
Stacey styles Megan’s hair into a soft, romantic low updo (Photo by Kathi Littwin Photography)
Nichole puts the finishing touches on Megan’s makeup
This past weekend, I headed off with my stellar makeup artist Veronica – you may know her as RaRa from Bethenny Ever After — to that most elegant of wedding destinations, Charleston, South Carolina. (By the way, girls in the Charleston area: Once Upon a Bride has just opened a branch in your beautiful city!)
We were there to style Cagney for her wedding to Zack at the amazing Lowndes Grove Plantation, an historic estate on the banks of the river in downtown Charleston. I love that Cagney had two different hair looks for her wedding day: first I created a classic Southern belle look using long hair extensions with a wave. And when Cagney walked down the aisle we went with a side up-do that complemented her sheer white veil beautifully.
Veronica brought out the bride’s own glowing beauty with a couple of different makeup palettes, especially accentuating Cagney’s eyes with a dramatic look including luscious eyelash extensions.
My new friends at Southern Protocol wedding planners did an incredible job of making this a wedding to remember. The color scheme was exquisite — love the bride’s magenta Queen Anne sofa on the lawn and the flower girls’ tutus! And Paige Winn did a phenomenal job of capturing the whole event.
Thanks for making us a part of your day, Cagney and Zack — you are the sweetest couple. Congratulations!
We’ve freshened up our site, and we hope you love our gorgeous new look as much as we do! Here on the Inspiration page we’ll continue to bring you the latest trends in bridal hair and makeup. We’ll feature the weddings of our beautiful brides and keep you up to date with Stacey’s celebrity styling. And so you can get to know our team, we’ll also be showcasing a Once Upon a Bride artist each month, so stay tuned.
Stacey Lyn Weinstein and Once Upon A Bride salon mascot, Penelope
We’ve added some features to our site: Because we know there are a million and one questions on every bride’s mind, we now have extra info on the services we provide. There are details on everything from your trial and wedding day through to airbrush makeup, hair and eyelash extensions, rehearsal hair and makeup, and fun little extras like blowdry and makeup classes for you and your bridesmaids. (You’ll even find out about our special secret discount — shhh!)
Still have questions? Stacey is only a phone call away — and she might even add your question to our new Q&A section.
Check out some of our stylish brides on the new Looks page. We’ve also added some new videos. Take a sneak peek inside our salon, hear what brides have to say about us, and see Stacey styling the very smart, very funny Bethenny Frankel on Bravo.
Stacey styling Bethenny Frankel on the set of her talk show
Other big news: Ladies, if you live in Washington, D.C., Boston, or Charleston, South Carolina, Once Upon a Bride now has artists based in your city. Our home base remains downtown New York, where we were founded in 1999, but we thought it was time to spread the love to all of the major wedding hubs in the Northeast.
And our New York team continues to travel to weddings anywhere in the country and around the globe — because every bride deserves to look perfect on her wedding day!
