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SEARCHThe wedding industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Bridal hairstylist, Nikia Chanel reveals her road map for beauty and business success in 2021.
Hair: Nikia Chanel
MUA: Christine Adedayo
Photography: OM Images
2020 led to a boom in things like bread baking and hand sanitizer sales, but it had the opposite effect in the wedding industry. Last year resulted in a mass cancellation and postponement of weddings, hitting those with bridal beauty businesses hard. It will take some time before the industry fully recovers – micro guest lists and delayed dates continue to present challenges – but we are on the cusp of what appears to be a busy wedding season, permitting a small sigh of relief. We spoke with Nikia Chanel, a Georgetown-based stylist, about what business and beauty trends to anticipate.
Be prepared to work with texture.
Chanel’s top piece of advice for successful bridal styling in 2021? “Make sure you know how to style all hair textures,” she states.
Chanel has been working with textured hair since 2009. “Brides of Color” – her recent hair collection – came about from the lack of styled bridal shoots for women of color, and she wanted to showcase the beauty that all skin tones and hair textures have. The collection features soft, feminine shapes and loose braids in Chanel’s favorite old Hollywood style.
When a bride sits in your chair, you need to be ready to create any style on any texture, from boho braids to curly updos. Visit @nikiaedu on Instagram for all the inspiration and a full look book of ideas!
Keep the scalable packages.
Bookings have changed because to-be-weds are hesitant to commit and end up out a deposit. One way to make sure that everything goes according to plan, despite your clients’ double-if-not-triple postponements, is to keep your packages flexible and scalable.
Chanel offers two key packages, the Bridal Deluxe and the Bridal Experience. Each includes a hair trial and wedding day hair, and one includes a makeup trial and wedding day makeup. Offering adjustable services can help accommodate shifting budgets, without leaving a gap in your calendar.
One other idea is to offer virtual education to brides who want to do their hair themselves – think demonstrating a simple low bun or clipping in extensions.
Don’t be afraid to branch out.
Chanel shares that she was able to keep her business afloat during the pandemic by expanding into new areas. “I transferred my hair styling skills to other platforms, working on editorial shoots, music videos and television/film.” Just because COVID might have thrown a wrench in her clients’ plans, didn’t mean she was going to be any less busy! Plus, Chanel was able to stay sharp practicing on mannequins and styled shoots.
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