Colleen Calder
Can you tell us a little more about you and your styling background?
I’ve always had an affinity for hairstyling. I was the one doing everyone’s hair! However, I decided to go to college and pursue a degree in history education. While I wouldn’t change that experience for anything, I did ultimately follow my dream and become a hairstylist. I packed my bags and moved to Maine, where I apprenticed at a couple of salons in the city. While I was apprenticing weddings became my niche as a lot of the stylists didn’t necessarily love doing them. I was hooked! I really felt like formal hairstyling was such a creative and beautiful way for me to showcase what I loved to do. Now, as a salon owner and in my fourteenth year of doing hair, I regularly style for weddings and also create beautiful dimensional and lived in color for my brides and clients!
What bridal trends are you loving right now?
I will preface this with- I’ll always love a lived-in look. Always. Right now, I love balancing that “effortless” look with a bit of polishing too!
What new trends can we expect to see this season?
The party ponytail is here! Also seeing a “softened” glam wave. For me, I love that look a bit more!
How do you stay inspired?
This community is a big one for me. I always love seeing who and what is featured. I’ll probably always be a sucker for a still photo, so I love seeing these styles captured in that way.
What advice would you give to a bridal hairstylist just getting started?
Is it cliche to say PRACTICE?! I’m going to say it anyway! Ask questions! Take as many classes as you can! Even if it seems like maybe those exact styles aren’t exactly what you love creating, you will likely learn at least one cool trick. Keep different techniques in your tool belt. Reach out to a stylist whose work you admire, see if they do one on one classes. Another piece of advice- if you are booking your own weddings, stay organized!
Best advice to a bride regarding her hairstyle?
Choose something that you will love looking at in 10 years. If you’ll say “that was a good choice” or “that looks like me” you have a winner.
What is the one product/tool you can not live without?
I’m a loyalist, so I stick hard to the brands I love. I have hairsprays that I’m a diehard for, but I’m going to go with a tool and say my Hot Tools Curl Bar set. Such a lovely, compact, companion for travel.
Best advice you have ever been given in the hair industry?
Do what you love and don’t compare yourself to others.
What do you love to do outside of work?
I have a wonderful 18 month old daughter who keeps me busy. I love going to the beach with her. I also am an equestrian, so I love horseback riding. Perfect day would be a beach day with my husband, baby, mom and our sweet Westie dog, Cregan.
Guilty pleasures?
Eating chocolate in bed while watching Netflix!