saira rahman

Bad hair days are something we’ve all been through at some point in our lives. Uncontrollable frizz, annoying kinks and mystifying cowlicks are bad enough on a normal day, but on your wedding day? No.
Bad wedding day hair is a Level 3 catastrophe, right there between a collapsed wedding cake (Level 2) and AWOL photographer (Level 4). It should be avoided at all costs. What's needed is an insurance policy; someone whose sole responsibility is to make sure every inch of your hair is flawless on a day when you have a million other things on your mind.

Who can you trust with your crowning glory?
Cool, calm and collected Saira Rahman is a superstar bridal hairstylist and bad hair day banisher all rolled into one. After nine years in the industry, there isn’t much she hasn't seen, from an ill-conceived haircut just before the nuptials to a home-dye of cataclysmic proportions. She’s transformed freshly-cut bobs into gently flowing locks and straw-dry strands into waterfalls of glossy curls, ensuring every last one of her brides makes her entrance with her head held high. We picked her brain on hair for the Big Day.

How did you get into hairstyling?
I started as part of a hair and make up team but decided to breakaway and specialise in hair. My passion lies in creating stunning hairstyles to suit the everyday woman, to be able to accentuate and enhance existing hair into a work of art. Hair should be a statement piece and the finishing touch to a perfect bridal look.

Is there a universal style that works for everyone?
A chignon is timeless and elegant and something I can pull together very quickly for the rest of the bridal party. It’s also an incredibly versatile shape; you can have it big or small, messy or neat. It's the front of the hair that I’ll style differently for each face. I always begin by assessing a person’s face shape, identifying their best features and accentuating them and tactfully disguising things they would like hidden, for example sticky out ears!  Sculpting bespoke hairstyles for my clients is essential as it's their personal work of art. It’s almost like contouring, but for hair!
What’s your signature style?
Glamorous, chic, classic. Every bride is distinctive so my end goal is to make her feel comfortable and confident in the hair she wears.

What can a bride expect from a Saira Rahman consultation?
Every woman has a vision of what she wants for her wedding day. It’s the biggest day of her life and having a consultation is part of an exciting journey to turn those visions into a reality. A private consultation gives me the opportunity to assess a client’s needs, their personality and their preferences, but most of all it helps us form a productive relationship.
We’ll discuss the outfit, jewellery, and everything else to work out an overall look. The trial is what it says on the tin - a process of working collaboratively to create a masterpiece that satisfies the brief and exceeds expectations! The consultation and trial is a taster of how special my bride will feel on her Big Day.

Any wear hair
Saira’s versatility and experience as one of London’s best bridal hairstylists means she can style the bridal party’s hair alongside the bride’s on the day of the wedding.
Her extensive portfolio of hairstyles, seen here and in previous issues of Khush?Wedding, are each perfect for special occasions such as engagements, wedding or even just a date night. From sleek and sophisticated up-dos to full-bodied volumes, Saira can create a look to truly make you stand out from the crowd.

Hair raising
Want to learn about all things hair? For all the tips, tricks and the secrets to beautifully crafted hair, look no further than Saira Rahman Hair Academy.
The school, operated and delivered by Saira herself, has two hair courses for those hoping to enjoy a successful career in Asian bridal hair artistry or creative hairstyling. Dates for the two-day courses in east London are released on social media, so follow Saira to stay in the know.

• Saira Rahman Hairstylist • +44(0)794 0985 999 • www.sairarahman.co.uk