How-to achieve Steph Claire Smith’s stunning bridal hair for your next formal event

The 25-year-old influencer was a total vision on the big day, letting her natural beauty shine through with minimal makeup. As for her hair, Steph went for a gorgeous bridal upstyle that was equal parts polished, and effortlessly undone.

If you’d like to replicate Steph’s stunning ‘do for your next special evening out or formal occasion, we’ve got excellent news…

Steph’s hairstylist of five years and Eleven Australia Education Ambassador, Rachel Vitullo, has given us the full step-by-step guide on how she achieved Steph’s artfully tousled low bun.

#1 / Prep with products to add body and texture

“I asked Steph to wash her hair the night before with Eleven Australia I Want Body Shampoo and Eleven Australia I Want Body Conditioner and let it dry naturally overnight. 

On the day, I applied Eleven Australia I Want Body Volume Foam onto the roots first, then again from the roots to the ends of the hair.

Next I applied Eleven Australia Sea Salt Texture Spray from the roots to the ends. The cocktail of the two products creates expansion and texture in order for her style to last through being up and also down. Prepping with the correct products makes any style last the length of time!”

#2 / Blow dry roughly

“Next up I rough dried the product in and blow-dried her fringe, keeping in mind when drying not to over stretch the hair because once you stretch the hair too much, when creating a curl it doesn’t last as long.” 

For a hairdryer that will quickly give your locks a shiny, frizz-free finish, try Parlux 3200 Compact Ionic and Ceramic Hair Dryer.

#3 / Curl the hair using a curling tong

“Once the product was dried in, I took horizontal sections starting from the nape of the neck and tonged her hair keeping the tong horizontal. This insured that not only did I create a curl but I kept volume in the hair. We wanted to step away from a beachy lived-in style and create something more polished and structured as that’s where the trends are moving at the moment.”

“Once I curled and set all the hair (using pin curl clips), Steph went off to make-up which allowed her hair optimum time to cool down. Once her make-up was done, we unpinned all the curls and assessed how the movement was looking because the reception was going to be hair out.

Once we approved the curl, we started to put the hair up. Keeping the outlook in mind I had to be very strategic in regards to placement of hair not to redirect or change the movement I created and set, so I split her hair from the centre down to the nape of neck and divided it into two sections.”

To create big, bouncy, natural-looking curls like Steph’s, we love ghd’s Curve® Soft Curl Tong.

#4 / Styling time

“Next up, I applied Eleven Australia I Want Body Volume Powder to the crown area which created expansion and texture.

Then I twisted one side of hair inwards towards the centre and back down to the nape of the neck. I then repeated on the opposite side, securing with an elastic band. This technique gave a really beautiful curved shape to the head-hugging at the neck. 

I then split the ponytail into two, twisted each side, created a double knot technique and pinned in. Once secure, very gently, Steph and I worked together pulling out the hair around the face to frame, we wanted to have a lot of hair framing her face for the illusion that her hair was pulled back and secured.”

For some other volumising powder options, try Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder Spray or for a great budget-friendly version, we like L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.art Super Dust.

#5 / Set the look with hairspray

“I then set the hair with Eleven Australia Give Me Hold Flexible Hairspray, tweaked her fringe and face framing with a soft cushion brush.

#6 / Change up your hair as the night goes on – if you wish!

For her wedding, Steph had not just one bridal hairstyle - but two! To get into the party spirit for the post-ceremony reception festivities, Steph unpinned her updo and let her hair down - both literally and figuratively!

“After the ceremony was complete, Steph had an outfit change, paired with a hair change. With that, we simply took out all the pins and elastic securing her hair up, flipped her hair forward, shook out all the structure and off she went! Because the hair was strategically placed in the up do, her hair fell out  exactly the way it was supposed to.”

So there you have it! Keep this guide on hand for your next evening soirée. 

If you’re looking for more updo inspiration, check out the celeb-approved upstyles currently trending. 

What do you think of Steph Claire Smith’s wedding day hair? Will you try the style yourself? Let us know in the comments.

Main image credit: @stephclairesmith