CANDICE HOLLUB
Can you tell us a little more about you and your styling background?
What started as being the girl that everyone went to for prom and banquet hair in high school turned into a professional career doing wedding hair 12 years ago. I went to cosmetology school my junior and senior year so I was licensed when I graduated. At the time everyone told me I could never make a career out of just doing updos and it’s been the best motivator to prove them wrong. Three years ago I transitioned from full time bridal hairstyling to educating full time and taking on select weddings each year.
What bridal trends are you loving right now?
The softer the better is what is speaking to me right now – waves so soft you want to touch them (but don’t!) all night long and updos so effortless and chic. The less fussy the better: clean lines, classic shapes, and the texture of hair still looking like hair will always be the name of the game for me in hairstyling.
What new trends can we look forward to?
I think down hair is having a moment right now, allowing the simplest shapes to stand out and compliment the total beauty look.
How do you stay inspired?
I take breaks. That might sound counterintuitive but doing this professionally for over a decade has taught me that your creative lights will shine the brightest when they are given some time to rest and recharge.
What advice would you give to a bridal hairstylist just getting started?
People are the best and hardest part of the industry. Best because when you please them or even surpass their expectations, it’s an exchange unlike any other. Hardest because people are hard on themselves, so sometimes making them happy has more to do with them than you but it’s difficult to make that distinction in the moment. You won’t win them all but the key is taking pride in your work and caring as much about serving people as creating beautiful work.
Best advice to a bride regarding her hairstyle?
Book the trial run. Find inspirational photos of people who have similar hair to you. If you feel most beautiful with your hair up, go for an up style. If you’re at your most confident with hair down, choose a down variation style. It’s your most special day but sticking to what you feel best in is so important in your whole beauty look.
What is the one product/tool you can not live without?
Dry Texture Spray by Moroccanoil
Best advice you have ever been given in the hair industry?
I assisted Stephanie Brinkerhoff at a hair show when I was pregnant with my first baby and she talked to me about balancing working and motherhood. She told me it was hard but you’re constantly learning and you get better at it as you go. Those conversations about the struggles of being a working mom helped my expectations when I became one.
What do you love to do outside of work?
Decorate my house…and bake! It’s like a part time mission of mine to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe and I’m working on perfecting mine all the time.
Guilty pleasures?
Chocolate chip cookies (see above) and the Real Housewives.