Earlier this week we announced through our social media channels this year's Bridal Stylist Awards' winners. Our talented judges - academy owners, celebrity stylists, and hair educators - have carefully studied all of your entries, and selected the ones that (according to their expertise) have been crafted the best.
As you may know, this year we had a bigger selection of looks for students, stylists, and apprentices to recreate - we have in fact added a few categories to feature our new products as well. It surely wasn't an easy choice, and we appreciate the time and effort that have been invested by all of the participants! Now, let's have a look at the best bridal looks that made it to this year's winning team.
1. Best Bridal Look: @weddinghairbykirsty
With over 9 years of experience in the wedding industry, Scarborough-based stylist Kirsty has absolutely smashed this year's competition. The look she recreated for the occasion was an over-the-shoulder, romantic braided look with added pearls, curls, and tendrils.
Every year, she travels around with her beauty-mobile to make someone's big day even more special with her wedding services and her hair styling expertise.
Kirsty is also co-owner of the Novia Salon / The Blossom Bar, where you can enjoy delicious cocktails whilst you get your hair done. You can find out more about her bridal hair and wedding services on her website: Wedding Hairdresser | Wedding Hair by Kirsty | England
2. Best Student Look: @byizzywallis
This Brushstroke Academy alumna will go places.
Isobel Wallis isn't just a hair stylist or a makeup artist, she is an overall beauty enthusiast, jam-packed with talent. For our competition, she decided to go for what is perhaps the most classic bridal hairstyle of them all, the bun. This classy, timeless updo has been delightfully crafted by Isobel to give the final look just the right amount of plumpness.
The bun, worn low on the nape of the model's neck, is adorned by hair jewels inspired by jasmines - delicate flowers with a characteristic fragrance - and the hair has been twisted on itself for an alternative, yet successful, take on this hairstyle. You can see more of Isobel's works on her Instagram: Isobel Wallis| Hair and Makeup Artist (@byizzywallis) .
3. Best Hair Down: @hairbylucie
Lucie is a home-based hair stylist. Given the times we live in, this choice is surely a safer option for many, and it reinforces the concept of a hairstylist is way more than just a hairstylist.
For our 2022 Bridal Stylists Awards, she decided to go with perhaps not the easiest choice after all: hair down. I say this is not the easiest choice exactly because making a hair-down style - something that you may likely be wearing every day - look bridal isn't that simple.
But Lucie knew exactly what she was doing, and she brought her model's hair to life with soft Hollywood waves and a single, beautifully bright piece of hair jewelry. Find out more about her works on Instagram: HairByLucie (@hairbylucie) .
4. Best Hair Up: @natalie_maxitup
Multi-award-winning (she won 5 categories in 2 years!) and Stylr Pro ambassador Natalie knows what's up when it comes to bridal hairstyles. Her signature ringlets are to swoon over, and her updos never, ever lack volume and support - so it was only natural that she would absolutely destroy this category with yet another perfectly realised updo.
Natalie isn't just a bridal hairstylist, she is also a hair extensions specialist - meaning that no matter the occasion, she will be able to work out a new look for you with the aid of real hair extensions that will blend in with your natural hair seamlessly, for thickness and length that you'll fall in love with.
For our Bridal Stylist Awards 2022, she realised a fluffy, twisted bun with floral decorations. Find out more about her works on her website: Award winning Wedding hair, Extensions, & Beauty Specialists (maxituphairandbeauty.co.uk)
5. Best Half-up, Half-down: @sophistic_hair
Kent-based Sophistic Hair is a stylist that knows the first rule of being a hairstylist: you never, ever stop learning. And after all, how to blame her? Hair, hair products, and styling techniques keep on evolving.
An ambassador for Bombay Hair and KB Hair Extensions, she's been featured in publications such as Bride Magazine and Your Kent Wedding, on top of online mentions by Pretty Punk and The Wedding Hair Company. Her signature styles? Tousled ends and textured hair, for movement and volume.
Sophistic Hair won the prize for the best half-up, half-down category with a tousled hairstyle twisted on the back, and finished with pearly accessories. You can see more of the work on her Instagram: Sophistic Hair (@sophistic_hair) .
6. Best Braid: @makeupbysianuk
Sian lives and breathes beauty. She is in fact both a makeup artist and hairstylist, and a Lookfantastic ambassador. Operating in Essex and nearby areas, she talks hair, venues and beauty on Facebook in her Brides To Be Lounge, and gives makeup lessons too.
Her signature look? Well, although she isn't advertising a specific characteristic in her works, I couldn't help but notice that all of her customers' hair is luscious and glossy... Well done!
Pairing her expertise with our hair extensions, she crafted an intricate, curly, twisted and braided ponytail. Perfect for a bride that feels fierce rather than blushing when walking down the aisle. Check out Sian's Instagram: Luxury Bridal Hair & Make Up (@makeupbysianuk) .
7. Best Ponytail: @carla.viljoen
Carla is London-based, and she works hard to realise screen-worthy looks on top of bridal hair. Yep, you read that right! She is in fact both a hairstylist and makeup artist, and when she's not making someone's big day even more special she works with celebrities and TV personalities for advertising, commercials, and television.
To win for the ponytail category, she crafted a gently tousled, voluminous ponytail with added twists and a floral decoration. Simple, romantic and clean - this hairstyle is perfect for a bride that may have wanted to keep things a little minimal, or for a rustic, authentically small ceremony.
Check out Carla's Instagram: Carla Viljoen| Makeup Artist & Hairstylist London, Richmond (@carla.viljoen) .
8. Conclusion:
I hope you enjoyed seeing our winners for this year's competition, and if you're planning your big day, hopefully, these hairstyles (and hairstylists) will provide you with the inspiration you need. Congratulations to our 2022 Bridal Stylist Awards winners and a massive THANK YOU to all that participated in the contest. See you next year!
