"I'm there not only as a vendor, but as a friend to guide you and encourage you on your overall beauty plan and make you feel comfortable and beautiful in your own skin." Isabella - Isabella Jane Hairstyling
Isabella started an hairdressing apprenticeship back in 2009 at Oscar Oscar Salons, however realised quite quickly that her natural skill and passion for styling kept her columns booked over cutting and colouring. "I had some great opportunities throughout my apprenticeship to style hair for major Australian fashion awards, photoshoots and fashion shows and this was the area of hairdressing that I most admired and aspired to be in: editorial, fashion and Bridal hairstyling. I finished my apprenticeship in 2012 after working at Toni & Guy and Mieka and straight away started my own business, focusing on these key areas of interest and passion." Isabella has awesome advice for Brides-to-be and talks about her favourite styles....
What can ISABELLA JANE HAIRSTYLING offer a Bride to-be for their Wedding day? Besides my 10 years of expertise in hairstyling which is obviously important, beyond this I can guarantee my patience, understanding, warmth and utter dedication in the lead up to and on your special day. Honestly, still 'til this day, despite how many hundreds of Weddings I have been a part of, I feel so grateful that each of my Brides choose me to look after them! I don't take this responsibility lightly, and always go above and beyond to help you, laugh with you, chill with you... I'm there not only as a vendor, but as a friend to guide you and encourage you on your overall beauty plan and make you feel comfortable and beautiful in your own skin. This is the part of Bridal hairstyling that I am most passionate about. YOU! I love to have a giggle, little dance and sometimes a little cry (when I see you walking out in that dress!!) with my Bridal parties and from the moment I arrive to the moment I leave, I hope to bring you positive, joyful vibes on the most special day of your life.
Did you always know that you wanted to be a Hairstylist? No I didn't actually! I was actually a bit of a business wannabe prodigy as a child however, creating 'businesses' from the age of around 5 and making all my family members and friends participate (laughs). Since I could speak, I've wanted to be a business owner, with my first real business starting at age 11 with one of my best friend's at the time called 'Belbay' (encompassing babysitting, car washing and selling cookies/sweets). I guess from this moment onwards, I always kept this in the back of my mind and once the end of Year 10 approached, I knew I didn't want to stay on to finish school; I was hungry to work and started putting all my creative ideas into action. At the time, I was really into the whole alternative/emo/hardcore scene, which if you aren't aware of it, involves quite a unique approach to hairstyling with extensions, lots of teasing, and crazy colours and fringes. I found that no hairdresser could do my hair the way the wanted, cutting it too short and not colouring my hair to the shades I envisioned. I thought that if I could become a hairdresser, I would do so in valuing what people ask for and delivering on their needs, and I loved the concept of truly giving people the service they wanted. So I left school and began my apprenticeship and the rest is history!
Do you have any stories that you would like to share from your experiences? I actually got married myself to my partner of 10 years last September 2017. While this was such a special day for us and our loved ones, it also allows me to relate better to my Brides as I have recently been through all the Wedding planning and organising. I am asked to give insight by my Brides regularly to help them with certain decisions. One moment through the planning stands out in particular. It was our final styling meeting at our venue and I was so prepared with a Pinterest board and notes about every small detail and was quite OCD ensuring everything went with everything. I remember I sent through a big run sheet of ideas and confirmation on all the table settings etc and at the time (as you do) you think every small detail throughout your Wedding is crucial.
Well, I thought it was a 'cliche' when people said 'Don't sweat the small stuff' but seriously I couldn't agree more. As I walked into the reception with my husband and Bridal party, I did not once look at the table arrangements. It's so easy to get caught up in the Wedding planning bubble but honestly, as long as your family and friends are there and you have your dress, really, nothing else matters as you think it does in that moment. I promise that whatever small things don't go to plan, or slightly different tones of pink sit across tables, at the end of the day, you won't look back on these moments and remember them, but you will think of you and your husband and your loved ones and all the memories you shared that night. Take a deep breath, have a laugh to yourself and make the choice. It will all be fine.
 |  |
Advice: I have so much advice (laughs). I don't think it is often thought about, but your hair and makeup artist spends most of your pre-wedding preparation with you and your Bridal party, so it is important to choose someone that you feel comfortable around and get positive vibes from! If you don't feel much warmth in your pre-wedding communication when getting quotes, perhaps do a few trials and meet some of these people in person first if you are concerned. I think looking at a lot of their photos on their social media pages as well as their website is a good indication of their quality of work overall too. Remember, social media often shows what these artists have been producing lately which may reflect more accurately on their current skill set/style, where website images could lie dormant from years ago. If you find you are looking through the photos and you are liking a lot of the hairstyles in which they are posting, chances are it could be a match. I would recommend choosing someone where you enjoy most of their work, not just a few photos from last year for example. If it is an option, try to watch some of their Instagram stories to get a vibe for how they work and an insight into who they are as a person as well as a stylist. Lastly, try to book at least a 12-18 months in advance if you can as popular bridal artists like myself get booked very quickly!
Do you have a personal favourite style? My hairstyling revolves around romantic, boho inspired hairstyling that is soft, whimsical and textured. This the vibe my hairstyling usually takes on as it is what comes most naturally to me as I style hair. Think waves, twists, braids, textured low buns and my signature power pony! I suggest using clip in hair extensions for fine hair (I use
Medusa Hair Extensions) to give volume to braided, textured downstyles and waves for that effortless hair you always see on Pinterest and Instagram. I also LOVE to pair my styles with flowers such as baby's breath or some of my favourite signature pieces from
Ulyana Aster Bridal.
Please tell us about the best part about what you do: Without a doubt, the moment that I take my client to their nearest mirror to show them the front and back of the hairstyle and the big smile they give once they see themselves! That smile that shows complete confidence and joy really makes my day every time!!
Isabella Jane Hairstyling
Facebook |
Instagram
