“I feel blessed to love what I do and so thankful that bride after bride has trusted and loved having me create their perfect wedding day hairstyle.” – Nicola x

What’s your story? How did you get into wedding hair styling and what’s happened between then and now?
My business Hair by Nicola began 12 years ago and was the start of realising where my passion and love of hairdressing was – Bridal Hair! I was inspired into the industry after working on weddings while working and managing resort hair salons and day spas. Hair by Nicola evolved from an organic love of what I do – “creating beautiful hairstyles.” I often get lost in the moment when I am styling… it’s my time out and my creative outlet.

What is beauty to you?
Genuine happiness through a person’s eyes and smile.

What are your best hair tips leading up to a wedding?
Make a plan with your regular hairdresser about the hair you are wanting for your day. You may need to work on your colour, length or the condition of your hair. Use a good shampoo and conditioner in the lead up to your day. Book a hair trial with your bridal stylist anytime from 6 weeks to the week of your wedding.  Be prepared with some photos and ideas of what you want and also a picture of your dress. Take along anything you are wearing in your hair as well as your earrings.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I love watching anything red carpet… Also Instagram, magazines, online blogs and tutorials. I also keep my hairstyling skills updated with regular courses and workshops.

What do you love most about your work?
Being a part of a bride’s wedding day is such a privilege. From initial enquiry via email and photo to meeting at the hair trial and then seeing it all come together on the day.
So many beautiful moments and memories have been shared. Seeing a bride’s face filled with emotion when she looks in the mirror once her hair and makeup is completed and also the first look on her bridesmaids’ and family’s (especially Dad) faces then when she walks out of the room in the dress.

What does a typical wedding day look like for you?
Packing up my kit and driving to one of the many gorgeous locations I am lucky enough to work in with my take away coffee and good tunes. I arrive 15 minutes early to set up and be ready to start with the bridal party and makeup artist. Keeping the day flowing nice and relaxed. The wedding industry is a special community full of some wonderful suppliers so it is always nice to see people you know walk in (florists, makeup artists, photographers, videographers etc). It is an honour to be able to spend one of the most special days of a woman’s life with her and her family and friends.

What’s the most important beauty advice you can give to women?
I suggest to a bride at her hair trial that when she looks in the mirror she should feel like a beautiful version of herself. The wedding day is not a day to try something different as you are in a beautiful dress which should be your main feature and you don’t want to overshadow that with busy hair.
Plenty of water intake, good food and lots of wonderful night’s sleep with a beautiful smile and your natural beauty will outshine everything else.

What trends have you noticed in hair styling and how does this influence your work?
Natural looking styling rather than anything that looks too overdone. Hair still has to have movement and softness. My favourite styling range that I use is Kevin Murphy. They are amazing as they don’t make the hair look full of product but still maintains a beautiful hold. Plus they smell amazing! I love hairstyling that is naturally modern and fresh.

What are you most proud of to date?
My two beautiful children and wonderful husband and having a career I love that allows me to connect with so many lovely brides and their families and friends at each wedding I go to.
I have been awarded Queensland’s Best Wedding Hair Stylist for two years in a row which made me feel pretty special.

What would be your dream creative project?
I have worked on some amazing photo shoots lately with inspiring wedding planners. I love being a part of a vision with likeminded suppliers and seeing it all come together. A dream project for the future would be a runway bridal/fashion show.

Website / Hair by Nicola
Instagram / @hairbynicola1