Beautybymayo

One of the most requested bridal hairstyles I receive is Hollywood Waves.

A lot of times brides sit in my chair and say, "I just want waves," without realizing how much work goes into creating this look.

Hollywood Waves are one of the most technical and time consuming styles I offer. The hair needs to be curled, set, cooled, brushed out, shaped, and refined until every wave flows seamlessly together. For brides, I often allow up to two hours for this style alone because every section needs to be carefully sculpted into place.

Another common misconception is that this look works on everyone. It depends on your hair length, density, texture, and ability to hold a curl. Many of the inspiration photos brides bring in feature extensions or significantly more hair than the average person naturally has. In many cases, extensions are needed to create the fullness and structure required for this style.

This is why I always recommend a trial.

A trial is not about whether you like my work. It is about testing your hair. Can it hold the style? Do you need extensions? What products work best? How much prep is required? How long will the service take on the wedding day?

Every head of hair is different. While I will always prep and style your hair to the best of my ability, a trial allows us to identify potential challenges before your wedding day instead of trying to solve them on the spot.

My bride Isabel understood this completely. We did a trial beforehand, tested the style, adjusted the products and techniques, and created a plan that worked specifically for her hair. By the time her wedding day arrived, we knew exactly what her hair needed, and the result was beautiful Hollywood Waves that lasted all day.

If Hollywood Waves are your dream hairstyle, my advice is simple: do not skip the trial. It gives both you and your stylist the confidence that your hair can achieve the look you are envisioning and that it will last from the moment you walk down the aisle to the last dance of the night.

Today I had the chance to do Sandy’s hair and makeup for her intimate celebration before her wedding in Mexico. She told me she doesn’t usually wear much makeup, so we kept everything soft, fresh, and true to her. What you don’t see is where we started. Her hair was short and fine, sitting just above the shoulders. We built this look using two packs of extensions to create volume, structure, and that effortless finish.
The goal was never to transform her into someone else, but to elevate what was already there. And I think we did exactly that.