December 31, 2009
Video Tutorial – Choosing and Applying Eyeliner
How-To Video by Aisle Style Beauty
Choosing and applying the correct eyeliner
December 29, 2009
Bridal Beauty Merger
Katie hard at work!
As any of you that maintain a blog know, it is hard to keep up with it! Especially when you own a business AND have kids. I started this blog with all the best intentions of blogging on a monthly if not weekly basis. Ummm, as you can see by my last post in June, that didn’t happen! But, I now see a light at the end of the tunnel and I am hoping to recommit to you, the bride, and to my blog. My blog will now become OUR blog.
I am very excited to be launching a new company on January 4th, www.AisleStyleBeauty.com, with my good friend and long time colleague Katie Vollmer, owner of Beauty and the Beach. She is an amazing bridal hair and makeup artist and a wonderful person!
Beauty and the Bride will now have two contributing editors and our goal is to continue to research and bring you the best in everything bridal beauty to help you plan your big day!
THANKS- Gina Ludwig
Contact Gina: Gina@HairComestheBride.com
Contact Katie: BeautyandtheBeach@cox.net
June 19, 2009
Love It!- Cake Stands by “Raise the Cake”
Although these cake stands are not technically “beauty” related, they are so beautiful, I had to tell you about them. They look like a gorgeous piece of jewelry! What did people do before? Put their cake directly on the table? After seeing these stands, I can’t even imagine that! Check out their beautiful designs at www.RaisetheCake.com. Choose from a pre-designed collection or have them custom design a cake stand for you. On-line ordering and shipping is also available! LOVE IT!
May 31, 2009
Bridal Purses, Shoes, Accessories and More- 50%-80% OFF
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- Bridal Purses
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- Bridal Jewelry
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- Bridal Shoes
We have decided to discontinue carrying anything that is not “hair” or “beauty” related on our site www.HairComestheBride.com. Visit our clearance section right now to find amazing deals on shoes, flowergirl accessories, jewelry, just added bridal purses and more! www.haircomesthebride.com/09SALE.htm
May 7, 2009
What to Look For In a Wedding Stylist
Brides have many more choices nowadays than they did when I started Hair Comes the Bride in 1996. Back then, brides were typically asked “Is someone doing your hair and makeup?” Where now the question is “Who is doing your hair and makeup?” I talk a lot about the bride being the most important part of the wedding day and I think over the past ten years or so, brides are finally getting it. Although I still meet brides who are willing to pay $200.00 on a pair of shoes and bargain shop for their stylist. Who’s going to see your shoes???? 
Now I understand that times are tough right now and more and more brides are having to cut corners. I am just saying, you should think long and hard about where you cut those corners. Most of your guests won’t even end up taking home the wedding favors that you had custom matched to your bridesmaid’s dresses or eating the wedding cake that took you five separate tastings to choose, but I will guarantee you, they are all going to be looking at you! Not to mention, when all is said and done, what you are left with is the wedding photos and when you look back at the photos, do you think you are even going to notice the bouquet? It’s is all about the bride and groom. Especially the bride!
Ok, so in case I haven’t convinced you yet to hire a professional and to not skimp on the bridal beauty budget there is one more point I want to make. Your wedding stylist is typically the first vendor you come into contact with on the wedding day and the last vendor you see before all the 
craziness and excitement of the day begins. So, you want to make sure you hire someone who is not only going to give you the perfect hair and makeup but who is also going to be on time, prepared, professional, personable, calm, calming, caring, put your needs first, be pleasant to work with, be able to handle your cranky Aunt Vera and your overbearing mother AND get you done on time so that your day can run smoothly. Phewwwww! Big shoes to fill, huh? Well, these stylist are out there and I am hoping to give you some great tips and things to look for when interviewing and hiring the perfect bridal stylist.
Referrals- What better way to know if a potential stylist possesses all the qualities you look for than to find out from someone who has had a personal experience? Getting a referral from someone who has personally used a specific beauty vendor is great. They have first hand knowledge of the stylist’s or company’s work, personality and work ethic. Getting a referral from a wedding vendor is even better! If your coordinator, photographer or any of your vendors are personally referring another vendor, their name and reputation are on the line so chances are their experiences have been extremely favorable! Getting a referral from several different sources is ideal! If you get a referral for the same company from several vendors and/or individuals, you have struck gold. Or, once you narrow down your options, start asking your vendors and friends if they have heard of the beauty vendors you are interested it.
Do they specialize in weddings?- Like I mentioned before, there is so much that goes into being a great wedding stylist. It is NOT just about doing great hair and makeup. They should do great hair and/or makeup AND be familiar and comfortable with the unique aspects and pressures of a wedding day! Are they going to know how to schedule timing that day? Do they have enough experience to know what time to start and if they will need help or not? Or maybe it’s just them and they don’t have help? Well, if that’s the case then be prepared to start getting ready at 5am for your 5pm wedding! I will guarantee you, even if you hired the most talented stylist that has ever walked the earth, if they make you two hours late for your wedding, you are not going to care what you look like! Book with a company that specializes in weddings and you will lesson your chances for this kind of disaster.
Do you like their work?- Beauty is subjective. What is dramatic to one person is a Wednesday afternoon for another. Start browsing the web and looking at different vendor’s work and you will see many different looks and different styles. One vendor, you may notice, most of the photos of brides are very trendy and cutting edge. Is that you? Or, are you more classic and timeless? Another stylist’s work may include mostly dramatic makeup; dark lips and smoky eyes. Too much or just your thing? Or, vice versa, their work may be very soft and natural and you are more dramatic. There is no right or wrong. No reality, only perception. Look for those vendors whose work really appeals to you.
How is their work ethic and personality?- I honestly think that your stylist’s personality and work ethic is just as important as his or her skill as a hair stylist or makeup artist. Are they willing to educate you on your options and let you make the decisions? Or, are they going to dictate what you SHOULD do because you are a bride? Or, make you feel bad for questioning their styling job because THEY have been doing this for years and THEY know what looks good! Is their personality so big and boisterous that you are going to feel like it is THEIR day because they won’t shut up about themselves? Or, are they going to blend into the background, do their job and keep the entire focus on you (as it should be)? If you book with a reputable company, they are going to make it a priority to ensure that their stylists are easy to work with and that their clients come first! Again, who cares what you look like if your stylist makes you two hours late, refuses to change your lipstick color because SHE thinks it looks great and hurts your bridesmaids feelings when she tells her she doesn’t have the face to pull off a chignon?
How is their follow up?- If you email five different vendors and only one gets back to you, take note! This is how they respond BEFORE they have your business, what is going to happen after they have your deposit. When it comes to planning your wedding, you want to know what is going on and you want to know now! As you should! And, a true professional is going to understand this. They are not going to stress you any further by leaving you hanging. And, on occasion when you do leave 12 messages between the time your vendor closes on Friday and reopens on Monday, they will have a good chuckle with you about it on Monday morning and assure you they didn’t mind at all, it was nice to hear your voice!
What are their policies and procedures?- If they don’t have any, RUN! You need systems and structure to be successful. Whether you are having your hair done by your neighbor, Mildred, down the street or a nationally known company. I know it has been said over and over but, this is one of the most important days of your life! Don’t leave things to chance! You need to know that you are covered. You need a contract, you need an emergency number, you need to know what their backup is if something happens. A great vendor is going to make all of this easy for you by already having a successful system in place.
Price- You will notice that I put price last. I almost didn’t put it at all. If this had been a year ago, I probably wouldn’t have. But, we all know things have changed. We all have the same taste but less money! So, I will first reiterate what I said earlier. PLEASE do not use price as your first or especially not your only determining factor when booking your stylist. I am not against saving money. I LOVE saving money. As a matter of fact, I am going to be covering the topic of doing your own hair and/or makeup or having a friend do it in another article I am working on. I know that sometimes that is the only option. I am talking now to those brides who have in their mind one budget for hair and makeup only to find when the begin researching, they were way off the mark. If you have the money to spend you just didn’t WANT to, please reconsider. Really, in comparison, you are talking about one of the lowest priced services you will book for your wedding but in my opinion, one of the most important! Again, I don’t want to step on any other vendor’s toes here but do you really need purple roses flown in for your bouquet because they aren’t in season where you live? Maybe that’s your priority and if so, that’s totally cool, go for it. My point in all of this is that I have seen too many brides who thought, “It’s JUST hair and makeup” who ended up regretting that they booked their stylist based solely on cost. Weigh all the factors, take all other things into consideration first, THEN go with the best price.
Comments or Questions on this Article? EMAIL US at gina@haircomesthebride.com
May 4, 2009
Shopping Online for Bridal Shoes
Brides are busier than ever these days and more and more are turning to the ease and convenience of online shopping, especially for accessories including shoes. The best known and most popular site for bridal shoes is for sure, MyGlassSlipper.com and BridalShoes.com. As a matter of fact, it was because of these sites that we decided to discontinue carrying shoes on our site. These sites have a huge selection, quick shipping and returns, none of which we could offer. I felt bad selling something on our site that I knew brides would be better off getting somewhere else. We are clearing out all of our shoes BTW, so, check out our site www.HairComestheBride.com for some great deals.
So, I have done a little research and I have come up with some of my favorite sites for finding bridal shoes online. I do have to tell you, it was very hard to find average priced shoes. I found a LOT of high end bridal shoes and a some really inexpensive choices but not too many in the middle. If you know of any great sites for bridal shoes that are not mentioned, please email me at gina@haircomesthebride.com and let me know.
- www.MyGlassSlipper.com
My Glass Slipper- Designer brands including Grace, Something Bleu, Bagley Mishka and more. These gorgeous wedges are by Kate Spade. Expect to pay $150.00-$300.00 shopping on this site.
Bridal Shoes- Owned by the same company as My Glass Slipper, they have over a hundred bridal shoes to choose from at under $100.00. Everything from super high heels and wedges to these super cute beaded flip flops.
Steve Madden- You will find several of Steve Madden’s signature sexy, super high-heeled shoes to choose from as well as more modest options such as this adorable ballet flat. This was one of the best mid-range options I found with prices ranging from $50.00 to $100.00.
Nordstrom- You can always count on Nordstrom to have great quality and a nice selection. Online you can also find quite a range of prices on their special occasion shoes. Starting at $50.00 all the way up to $350.00. Look for some of your favorite designers like Stuart Weitzman at this site.
- www.ShannonBritt.com
Shannon Britt- I had not heard of this designer before but I thought I would add her because she has some really unique, dramatic styles. The price is up there though, ranging from $200.00-$400.00. You would really have to fall in love with a pair to pay that kind of money without a designer label.
- www.KateSpade.com
Kate Spade- Visit this sites bridal section and you will find classic, sexy shoes by this well known designer. You can also find more styles from Kate on sites like Zappos.com, Nordstrom.com and MyGlassSlipper.com. Expect to pay $250.00-$300.00 if you have your heart set on a pair of Kate Spades.
- www.StuartWeitzman.com
Stuart Weitzman- These designer shoes have gained steady popularity in the last few years. Where we are in Southern California, these are the most popular brand of bridal shoe. That is, for those who can afford it. Styles range from $250.00-$450.00
- www.JimmyChoo.com
Jimmy Choo- Ok, you fashionistas visit this website to shop a gorgeous selection of very classic and clean bridal shoes. Choose from about a dozen styles that will typically set you back at least $500.00!
Neiman Marcus- Now for the peice de resistance! For those brides who don’t have a care in the world, or probably a budget for that matter. Visit NeimanMarcus.com to shop from designers such as Valentino, Manolo Blahnik, Prada or how about these gorgeous Christian Louboutins (Oprah’s favorite). This pair will only set you back about $1100.00! Ok, I know that most of us in the real world will never own a pair of thousand dollar shoes but this is a really fun site to browse and dream!
www.Target.com
Target- Ok, now back to the real world. This is more my speed. Unlike most women, I am NOT a total shoe FREAK! I would be more likely to spend $200.00 on makeup then shoes. It’s just not my thing. So, chances are, I would be browsing good old Target for some super cute and super cheap shoes like these peak-a-boo pumps for only $19.99! That’s right $19.99!
- www.Payless.com
Payless- This site is going to be hit or miss. They do have a special occasion section but their styles change constantly so you need to check back often. I found this cute pair that is identical to a pair that we used to carry in our shop for $98.00! This version, HELLO, $24.99! Most styles are from $19.99-$24.99.
Kmart- I definetly don’t consider myself a snob but I would never have thought to look at Kmart for bridal shoes. Fabric softener, cheese puffs, maybe sporting equipment but never bridal shoes. But I am telling you, they have some really cute shoes and get this, they start at $11.00! Almost every style is $19.99 or under! Who knew? Well, now you do! So, get some super cute shoes at Kmart and spend the money you saved on a really great hair and makeup artist! Maybe Hair Comes the Bride? 
May 1, 2009
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Day Hairstyle
I can’t think of another decision more important than what you, the bride, will look like on your wedding day. I don’t care what anyone else says, the wedding is all about the bride. Your dress, your accessories, your flowers and of course, your hair!
Like most decisions you will make while planning your wedding, when it comes to your hair, there are many choices and it can seem overwhelming. To add even more to your possible indecision, everyone you know has a different opinion on what you should do with your hair. And for some reason, when it comes to planning a wedding (or having a baby, by the way), everyone feels as though they are obligated to give their opinion. Whether asked for or not.
That being said, I urge you to please stay true to yourself and your own personal style with all your wedding day decisions but especially your wedding day look! I have seen many a bride fall into the “bridal trap” feeling as though they have to wear their hair a certain way because that is what a brides does or looks like.
Every bit of advice from anyone, even me, should come second to what makes YOU look and feel beautiful. That is, hands down, the most important thing!
Listen to advice (especially mine), be open to it, take it into consideration but at the end of the day, ask yourself “Do I feel beautiful in this hairstyle, dress, earrings, etc.?” “Do I feel like me?”
Below, I have listed what I think are the four main factors you should consider when deciding on what “basic” hairstyle might be best for you. When I say “basic” I mean for instance, a sleek updo, 1/2 up 1/2 down with curls, loose waves gently pulled back, etc. Once you decide on what “basic” hairstyle would be best for you, there are still many details within the hairstyle that you will want to finalize. That is when you may want to start looking through photos of hairstyles and Bridal Looks as well as gather information specific to the hairstyle you are leaning towards. This is also when using a hairstylist who specializes in weddings will also be very helpful. Your stylist should be able and willing to walk you through the different details of a hairstyle and educate you on your options.
#1 Do you want to wear your hair all up, all down or 1/2 up and 1/2 down?I think the first thing you want to decide is whether you want to wear your hair all up, all down or 1/2 up and 1/2 down? This is going to give you a good starting point to begin making the decision about your ultimate style. Again, you should go back to what makes you feel beautiful. If you really have no idea and you are open to either an up or down hairstyle, keep reading. I am sure the other factors will help you make your decision.
#2 What is the style of your wedding?
I absolutely love when I see a bride whose look really comes together, when everything flows. Is your wedding an evening black tie affair or a casual morning garden wedding. You would imagine that those two looks might be completely different. Is your wedding romantic? I would imagine a hairstyle with soft flowing curls. Is your wedding very modern and minimalist? Then a clean structured chignon would be more in order.
#3 What type of hair do you have?
Being a hairstylist for many years, I have certainly come to learn that woman often suffer from “The Grass is Greener” syndrome. Those gals who have gorgeous naturally curly hair are the ones who bring me a photo of a shiny, sleek, straight hairstyle and vice versa. If at all possible, your wedding day is the day in which you want to make nice with your hair and choose a style that is within your hair’s natural tendencies. With photos and the ceremony and reception, your wedding day is one of the longest days of your life and one in which you want to look your most beautiful all day and night!
#4 What is your face shape?
Ideally, in beauty, we strive for an oval shape. Our hair frames our face and ultimately the objective is to have our hair enhance the look and the shape of our face. If you have a round or square face, you typically want to have a style with more height to it. If you have a very narrow face, you may want to have some fullness on the sides. Look at these photos below. The only thing that has been changed in either one is their hair.
Look how much thinner she looks just by changing her hair!
This one is the opposite. By changing her hair, her face is filled out and even her features look softer!
April 28, 2009
Hello Brides!
I am Gina Ludwig, owner of Hair Comes the Bride. I have been helping brides to look and FEEL beautiful for over thirteen years! I feel honored to be a part of such an important day in a bride’s life, if even in the smallest way. I am as passionate today about what I do as the day I started. I love beauty and I love brides! I am hoping to bring you some exciting and useful information and inspiration and I appreciate any questions, comments or suggestions you may have! Feel free to email me personally at gina@haircomesthebride.com. And, don’t forget to check out our website at www.HairComestheBride.com. THANKS!
