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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

#BEAUTY WITH GUEST AUTHOR TR FISCHER

Author TR Fischer and her husband live in the Denver area. They raise buffalo, cattle and take in the occasional stray cat. Each day is an adventure, on and off the page. Learn more about TR and her books at her website. 

Diaries of a Bridal Stylist

I don’t really keep a diary of my on-location hair-ventures. Where would I find the time? I’m a buffalo rancher, a novelist and an on-call stylist, for goodness sake!

It’s never dull doing hair at weddings. On top of whatever family fun (read: drama) unfolds, there is always at least one member of the bridal party or the bride’s family who needs my help after I’ve finished the pièce de résistance on my bride. They materialize out of the hairspray mist saying things like, “Can you help me? My curls won’t stay.”

Maybe they’re enthralled with the fabulous hairstyle I’ve just created, but I suppose it’s possible they killed too many brain cells the night before, if you get my meaning. As in too many toasts during the rehearsal dinner.

Suffice to say, I’m the first responder to all hair related wedding emergencies when I’m on location. And I love it. I did a wedding last August where I was just going to do the bride’s hair. One of her bridesmaids came up to see how things were going and she looked like her head had been dipped in shellac. I pulled the bride’s sister aside and asked if it would be okay for me to offer to help. I mean, that poor girl’s hair was going to be memorialized in photos for posterity. Long story short; I put on my cape and flew in to save the day. Well, the hairstyle, anyway. She was happy. The bride was happy. Ahhh. All’s well that ends well, right?

What about you? Are you engaged? Would you like a few tips from an old pro for your big day? If not, skip the rest of this blog. But if you do, read on sister:

1. Do a trial run, even if you have to pay for it. Everyone’s hair is different. Don’t leave your big moment to chance. It’s likely someone’s going to drop a wad of cash on the photos. Oh, and bring your veil and any additional bling you want to wear in your hair. Think of it as a dress rehearsal without the dress. My brides often take off their veil for the reception and want to add a pretty comb or a clip for the party. The stylist needs to take that into consideration when planning your ‘do.

2. Use photos rather than relying on a verbal description to let your stylist know what it is you’re after. That includes a photo of your dress, so he/she can get a feel for your style. Share a little about the venue, as that can also play into things.

3. Bear in mind that your hair may not be suited to a particular style. It may be much thicker or a different texture than that in the photo you like. If you can isolate what it is about the particular style you’re drawn to, a good stylist can find a way (barring the need for a bonafide miracle) to get a similar effect. For example, if you want an updo that voluminous, but your hair is thin, your stylist can use a hair donut to create a fuller look. We have all kinds of tricks up our sleeves.

4. Pad your time. I just did a wedding last month, and I had to drive through a snowstorm to get to the location. I planned in extra time to get there.

5. As things come down to the wire, set aside some personal time to decompress. Reading a good story can do that, so be sure to take a look at mine. Okay, that was just a shameless plug.

Whatever they may be, I hope your dreams come true. May your life be blessed with love, laughter and a double-shot of adventure.

Changing Sky
After walking away from her job as a teacher, Skylar Biondi drives a brown truck and delivers packages. It keeps her busy and out of the bars. Skylar closely guards the painful truth about why her romance with a Colorado Rockies pitcher ended suddenly. She relives the past in her dreams, only to wake to the brutal reality of being alone.

Former army medic, Enrique Avalos, keeps his distance from Skylar, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his ex-wife. When she sets up a contest to name the cat he rescued from a dumpster behind his motorcycle repair shop, new business begins to flow in, forcing Enrique to bolster his armor.

While on her route, Skylar comes across nine-year-old Mia and knows she’s in peril. When Enrique spots Skylar skulking around at night, he assumes she’s casing the neighborhood. Can Enrique and Skylar set their differences aside in time to help Mia?

In this warm, sometimes heartbreaking tale, an extraordinary confluence of events leads three people from different worlds to the doorstep of a journey none of them could have foreseen.

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2 comments:

Angela Adams said...

Gorgeous hairstyle. To be able to do that is an "art."

TR Fischer said...

Thanks, Angela!