Even perfect curls or a bun can be ruined by an ugly accessory. A pearl, falling off a hairpin, or a hair clip that has bent out of shape will not ruin your wedding, but it can easily add unnecessary stress and frustration. Wedding stylist Ekaterina Mignery knows very well that brides often lose sight of these tiny details, simply forget about them or buy hair accessories last minute on a Chinese website with fast delivery.
In Paris, where Ekaterina lives, local production of things in small volumes, with partial or full use of artisanal work and authentic techniques is well-developed. In this article, you will get acquainted with several French brands (they all deliver internationally), as well as receive valuable advice on how to choose perfect and memorable hair accessories.
What to consider when choosing hair accessories?
Several times I have heard requests from brides to recommend shops or sites where they urgently, literally a week before the wedding, could buy hair accessories. In my opinion, there is no easier way to spoil the whole look than to add a wire hairpin and plastic beads to an elegant dress, carefully selected bouquet, and decor.
Now I have started to send a list of hair jewelry designers to each bride at the stage of discussing their look - so they have both a starting point and the time to choose to find the perfect accessory. It is important to take into account the shape and material of the dress, as well as the hair color, texture, and length. For example, if there are different shades in the hair, then the hairstyle can look interesting without any need for decoration. If the bride's hair is one color, the decoration will serve as a good accent to bring diversity into the look.
Les couronnes de Victoire, @lizeronparis
Decorations for loose hairstyles
You should not choose loose curls as a wedding hairstyle if you have thin hair. You will have to use a large number of hair extensions, but I'm not a fan of this: choosing the right ones, which, when curled and styled, will look the same as your hair, is expensive, troublesome, and difficult. There are winning hairstyles for every hair texture and type. It is much easier for both the bride and the stylist to follow nature than to resist it and try to transform what she has been given.
If the bride has thick, dense, shiny hair, the easiest way to highlight its beauty is to leave it loose. Beautiful curls can work well with any dress, except for dresses with a high and fully decorated neckline or shoulders. There are not many options when choosing an accessory for loose hairstyles. These are hairpins combined with an asymmetrical side parting or jewelry in the form of a tiara or headband. This is my favorite option, it never looks casual, and, depending on the materials, it can add romance or aristocracy to the look. Pay attention to the Maison Guillemette pearl tiara, a thin and delicate Lizeron Paris headband, and an absolutely fantastic piece from Les couronnes de Victoire — it looks as if it comes from a Botticelli painting.
Decorations for updo hairstyles
In the case of buns and braids, the choice of accessories expands significantly: these are hair combs of various lengths and sizes, hairpins, headbands once again, and flexible accessories that can be woven into your hairstyle. The main rule that should be followed is that the more complex the style and decor of the dress are, the more minimalist the decoration should be. Conversely, if the dress is of a minimalist cut, made of smooth fabric, then the hairstyle and decoration can be more bold.
Flowers will add lightness and a romantic mood to the look. They are easy to match with the color palette and seasonality of your wedding. Having natural flowers in a hairstyle is a rather troublesome idea, not all of them are able to maintain their freshness and attractive appearance for a long time. Sometimes special reservoirs of water are used for flowers, but depending on hair density, it can be difficult to place and fix them in the hair.
@maisonguillemette, @lizeronparis, @lescouronnesdevictoire
Therefore, I like the alternative options — flowers made from the finest silk. They are made by both Lizeron Paris and, of course, Les couronnes de Victoire, which create the widest range of accessories from natural, but stabilized flowers, use a technique that preserves the color and softness of the petals, but allows them to be preserved for many years. They offer pieces of any size, from miniature hairpins to tiaras with large, full-size roses, and in completely different styles, from traditional flowers to wild grasses.
Laconic dresses can be organically complemented with light, airy buns or hairstyles with lots of details. This will help you avoid unnecessary clashing. The delicate and airy Lizeron Paris jewelry, which is made in the very heart of Paris, on rue Saint-Honoré, will do a perfect job. Julie and Sidonie, the creators of the brand, hand make each piece themselves using porcelain, or metal.
Another Parisian brand, Maison Guillemette, is inspired by classical dance: ribbons, cream pearls, and gilded details are harmoniously combined in these pieces. They will be a good addition to both complex and more subtle hairstyles. If you don't want to overload your look with details, the best solution is a simple bun and plain hairpins. Sometimes, one or two are enough to add the finishing touches.
