Probably the best place to start is online. There are literally hundreds of photo galleries dedicated to updos and formal hairstyles alone. By browsing these sites, you can find numerous styles and print them out so that you can share them with your stylist. All you need to do to find these photo galleries is perform a quick search for updos in your favorite search engine. Many of these sites also have how to articles to help you do your hair yourself at home.
Another great way to find unique formal styles is to browse through your salon’s style books and portfolios. In most salons, there are stylists that specialize in different updo techniques. A salon might have one stylist who can create amazing braided and basket weaved updos whereas another stylist may be able to create sleek timeless classics perfectly. By looking through a portfolio and seeing each stylist’s actual work, you can get a feel of whether or not their style would suit your preferences. And you can get a glimpse of signature styles that you cannot find anywhere else.
You can also find photos and how to articles in many magazines that are geared toward wedding preparations. Hair style magazines also come out with an updo issue occasionally.
Once you have found a good source of formal hairstyle photos, you need to narrow your choices down to a few favorites. When doing this, pay attention to the model’s hair. If she has extremely thick hair, you may not be able to achieve quite the same look if your hair is thin and fine and vice versa.
After you have narrowed down your choices, begin experimenting with the different styles by pulling your hair up in mock positions. Find one or two combinations that you think would look the best and take them to your hairdresser for a trial run.
Granted, finding a style this way rather than letting your stylist have his or her lead may take a little bit of time, but when you help in the planning process, you will ensure that you get a perfect formal do that will be the envy of the party.
