A twist of Vintage Style

"I am a hair and make up artist initially trained in TV, Film and Theatre. I started working out with filming projects and utilising my SFX skills, but after assisting on my first wedding I knew immediately that bridal styling was my calling! There is nothing more rewarding than making people look and feel fabulous! The excitement and sense of achievement working with your client combining their ideas and yours, finding them the perfect style and amazing them that their hair CAN actually do THAT is actually one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever experienced. The fact that I get to do this as a career and on a daily basis is just fantastic. I didn’t actually get off to the greatest start with hair, as I was not used to dealing with it so I always preferred make up, but one day at a bridal trial it just clicked and my creativity was in full swing... it was as if the hair was talking to me and when I finally learnt that you can’t really make hair do something it doesn’t want to do and learnt to work WITH the hair, I was creating beautifully finished styles and bringing lots of smiles to peoples faces!"

Camilla’s favourite style:
“This is one of my favourite styles that I

have ever done. It was one of my earliest and every time I look at it I smile :)

The lovely bride allowed me full reign of hair and left me to my own devices, which is always fab to be allowed to do! I had no idea what I was going to do when I started apart from that it needed to be up and this is what I felt to create... my signature swirls (which I tend to include in most styles now if the client allows) were born...”

Vintage styles are becoming an increasingly popular choice for brides - whether it’s a complete vintage make over or perhaps a more subtle look of a popular style with a vintage twist, I have been working with my clients to create some lovely styles for their big day!

1920’s finger waving is a fantastic technique that really gives a sense of old fashion elegance, team it with a beautiful vintage accessory and you will really create a very glamorous look. Finger waves don’t always have to be bold and crisp and if you don’t fancy making too much of a statement then you can brush the waves out to give a much softer look. As the 1920’s was very much a flat hairstyle, the finger waving aspect can be used only in part and you can use it combined with another more modern style to create a beautiful style with a vintage twist! With a 20’s hairstyle you can get away with fantastic statement pieces of jewels and feathers or with a softer look you can allow the subtle waves to speak for themselves...

The same can be said for the 40’s victory rolls. Be it a few rolls on top with gorgeous curls tumbling down from them or a more structured style, it is a fantastic technique to play around with as it can create such an impact. Another great thing when creating these rolls is that there are no rules - the rolls can pretty much be formed anywhere and don’t have to be symmetrical to create a stunning vintage look.

As for the 60’s well, we all love a bit of back combing! Beehives are a fantastic style and provide the perfect support for a gorgeous tiara! If you want to soften your style you can always trade in that french pleat for a softer updo with loosely pinned curls.

The “vintage swirl” (as I like to call it) is present in almost all my hairstyles! The swirls can be layered up to create a style in itself or alternatively just one or two softly placed at the side to give you that vintage feel on a rather modern style.

There are so many accessories out there to chose from so don’t be afraid to go for something bold if it will compliment your style. If you’d rather have something a little more understated, pearl pins or diamante pins are perfect for scattering through a loose waved updo or even up one side of a french pleat...

All featured hair images courtesy of Camilla J Collins