Holly Edmonds
Can you tell us a little more about you and your styling background?
My name is Holly and I am 34yrs old living in Buckinghamshire in the UK. I have been married to my amazing husband for eight years and we have a gorgeous four year old son, Sunny. Self-taught, I started my hair artistry journey about 6 years ago after getting my first dolls head for my 28th birthday and I haven’t looked back since. I have a passion for polished styles including Hollywood waves and power ponytails and I love designing. For me, hair artistry is a form of self-expression and relaxation and I love nothing more than putting on some music, shutting myself in my home studio and spending time designing, experimenting, and challenging my artistry skills.
What bridal trends are you loving right now?
It has to be the power ponytail! I love how versatile ponytails are and how playful they look. They can have a great amount of drama but can also look so effortless. I love changing them up simply by adding boho curls and dry texture spray or using waxy products to create clean ridges and glamorous bouncy waves. I am particularly obsessed with ponytails with a statement bridal headband, a match made in heaven!
What new trends can we expect to see this season?
More than ever I am being asked to create voluminous curly down looks for brides in a variety of textures. I think it is a knock on effect from the pandemic that styles are getting more relaxed and brides are not afraid to just be themselves. On the flip side, simple chic buns are very much in demand and Hollywood waves are just an all time favorite.
How do you stay inspired?
I think the best way to stay inspired is by having a keen interest in hair artistry as a whole. I love looking at historic hair styling and wigs as well as looking at hairstyles from different cultures. What us as hair artists are producing as popular bridal styles should always be challenged and developed in order to create fresh designs and new ways of thinking. I love following BTP and finding new artists, but I also love finding accounts from all over the world that challenge me or produce work that I wouldn’t ordinarily come across unless I searched them out. I try not to stay too much in my own lane or become narrow minded when looking for that injection of inspiration!
What advice would you give to a bridal hairstylist just getting started?
I would say that approaching your work with a sense of fun and curiosity goes a long way. Invest in training but remember it will only be worth your money if you take the time to practice and perfect it. A lot of what we do needs to become muscle memory so repetition and taking time to fully understand why something does or doesn’t work is key to finding design freedom. Try to set out clear goals (no matter how big or small) so you can start to work towards them. Remember to surround yourself with positive and supportive people who inspire you. But most of all, just do YOU and don’t worry too much about what others are doing. Who knows, your brilliant new design idea might be next year’s hottest trend.
Best advice to a bride regarding her hairstyle?
It is always a great idea to look for inspo pictures of styles that are in your own hair colour and texture where possible. Consider your dress and the neckline and if you would like to wear a veil or any accessories. Mostly I would just say to remember to choose something that feels authentic to you. It is all about feeling as well as looking like the best version of you on your big day.
What is the one product/tool you can not live without?
I only have cruelty free styling products in my kit and I am particularly fond of Maria Nila, Paul Mitchell and Moroccan Oil. I am obsessed with quite a few products but I am absolutely in love with the Power Powder by Maria Nila. It is a volume powder which comes in a little ‘puff’ style container. When pushed a puff of very fine lilac powder comes out which firstly looks like some sort of magic smoke (I love the drama) and secondly has amazing stiffening powder to keep your back combing in and build that volume. The colour is also perfect too as it melts into darker hair tones instead of leaving white powder everywhere. Genius!
Best advice you have ever been given in the hair industry?
The best advice I have been given would be to show styles you want to do more of. I got stuck creating styles that just didn’t feed my soul, waiting for a bride to book me for the looks I actually like creating. The penny dropped when I was advised to do ‘portfolio days’ to get these styles on my social platforms and website. It is such a simple thing but it allowed me to start creating a career I loved even more than before and get my ‘ideal’ brides booking me.
What do you love to do outside of work?
I am very lucky to have a wonderful family and friends. I can’t say that growing a business and being a mum leaves me with much time for anything else at the moment but catching up with my loved ones is definitely top of my list. I love animals (of which we have a few!) and singing in the car to musicals and Disney with my little boy. A glass of wine and going to the theatre is always a hit too!
Guilty pleasures?
Anything about antiques and going to antique and vintage fairs. I used to dress in vintage clothes most days and permanently wore my hair in victory rolls (I dyed it bright red at the time) so I am obsessed with charity shops and finding hidden treasures.