Tips from the Pros: Frank Barbosa on fresh wedding hair styles

Frank Barbosa, celebrity stylist and go-to wedding hair guru at Frank Antonio Hair & Makeup in Newport, RI, recommends that you go beyond scoping out the looks you see in magazines and connect with what expresses your own individual style. “In fact, whether you go for an up-do, chignon or wear your hair long and loose, the trend now is moving away from formal styles to more relaxed, romantic looks that show the real you. The modern bride does not want to be overdone—her style should look effortless. I’m seeing hair worn down with playful but polished waves. Even hair that’s pulled back or worn up has a softer, care-free feeling.”

Here are Barbosa’s on-trend tips for achieving the perfect summer bridal ‘do:

• Do your homework. The person who cuts your hair may be handy with scissors, but may not be as skilled at styling the bridal look you want. Find a hair pro who specializes in creating wedding-worthy styles.
• Put together a look book with pages torn out of magazines and print-outs from wedding web sites. This works as a handy reference tool for you and your stylist.
• A few weeks before the Big Day, schedule a trial date with your stylist. Trying out your bridal look ahead of time eliminates stress, letting your stylist fine-tune your style until it’s perfect so that all goes smoothly on your wedding day.
• One week before the wedding, have your hair trimmed. If you highlight or color your hair, book your color appointment at the same time.
• Invest in the best styling products to take to your wedding hair appointment. You want your hair to look healthy and shiny so that it will look fabulous in all your wedding photos. Two mainstays in Barbosa’s own in-salon and travel wedding hair kits: René Furterer Fioravanti Shine Enhancing No Rinse Detangling Spray for touchable hair with a healthy sheen, and Styling Finishing Spray Instant Hold, which helps hair stay in place all day, from your walk down the aisle to the last dance at your reception.

Images provided by Frank Barbosa.
For salon services at Barbosa’s RI location visit frankantoniohairandmakeup.com.