Kendrie Coonan Chick Flicks

 We girls all know how fabulous it feels to go to a good hair stylist that just ‘gets’ our hair and cuts, colours  and dries it so it looks like a better version of ourselves! The freedom,  the boost of confidence, the feeling that you’re on top of the world – you can’t beat that! So to have your hair styled to be the perfect complement to your wedding dress, allows you to feel like a princess – even if just for a day.  Today’s Expert is Kendrie from Chick Flicks She lives in Melbourne and describes her business as ‘A mobile service that brings glamour to your door….’  And who could resist that on their wedding day?

When did you first dream of becoming a hair stylist?

I first dreamt of becoming a hair stylist as a young girl. As a little dancer I was accustomed to having my hair and makeup done for performances, and I loved to learn the tricks of the trade and apply them on my friends and family. As an early teen I was the go to stylist for our friendship circle, offering some pampering in my mum’s kitchen!

Where did your career start?

My Career began in Melbourne at the award winning Salon ‘Vanity- Hair and Beauty.’ I was lucky enough to hone my skills under the wing of Carmel Kazanis who has a wealth of hairstyling knowledge. To this day I am still affiliated with the salon and always recommend my clients head to Vanity for their colors and cuts!

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Image courtesy of Ryan Coonan

Are there particular challenges in styling ‘wedding hair’?

Styling wedding hair can have its challenges! Essentially a wedding day is the most important day of a bride’s life. She wants to look her absolute best, feel fantastic and confident, and a lot of that falls on to the shoulders of the stylist. Finding a beautiful balance between what the Bride wants, what will suit her dress, her face and also style of the wedding is key. I make it my job to ensure those factors align and my brides feel and look a million dollars!

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Image courtesy of Ryan Coonan

Do you style hair for other sorts of events?

Chick Flicks style hair for all occasions! Parties, Functions, Debutantes, formals, girl’s nights out- everything! I even style period wigs for theatrical productions and those skills have really come in handy with the return of the ‘Vintage’ look sweeping the scene. Being mobile is what people love, coming to your home or hotel and styling you up a treat before you head out is an affordable luxury. I’ve found the ladies love my group discounts, enjoying private styling with some good friends and some champagne!

If we are having our hair coloured for the wedding, how long before the day should we do this?

I always encourage my clients to color their hair 7-10 days before the wedding, depending on their color and desired look. I like to achieve the desired shade and vibrancy, but just slightly worn in and just before re-growth rears its ugly head.

What are your secrets for great looking hair?

It has probably been heard a thousand times, but a good shampoo and conditioner and regular trims are paramount. Salon quality products can be fantastic, but are not accessible to all. I truly believe there are some excellent products available in your supermarket aisle – it’s all about trial and error. Not every product suits every head of hair; you just need to find what works best for you! Trims are simply a necessity, as is an excellent heat protection product.

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Image by Teddy Tan

Are there any products you particularly recommend?

If money is no issue I can never look past Kerastase. The range is simply divine – luxury with practical purpose! The months before my wedding I bought myself numerous items from their red range to pamper myself as the wedding grew nearer – there is no denying the quality of my hair was the best it had ever been. For those on a budget, I find Tresemmé products a great, cheaper alternative. Their heat protectant spray is fabulous and excellent value for money.

Do you recommend a hair trial before the wedding day?

I think a hair trial is a must, not for me, but for the bride! Relieving any apprehension about the hair style before the big day makes for a more relaxed bride on the day of the wedding. It’s a different story for regular clients, I have lots of Brides who I have styled for occasions for years and they are more than happy to say “just do it on the day!” It is all about trust.

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Image courtesy of Chick Flicks

As a bride, how do you decide whether your long hair should be ‘up or down’?

There are lots of factors that need assessment in deciding the hairstyle of a bride. What makes the bride comfortable and happy, what suits her, what suits the dress etc. My tip is collect images you like, choose some up and down and in between and be open to ideas. Most importantly play around at a dress fitting with what looks good. I was sure I wanted my hair swept up for my wedding, it was what I always assumed I would do and I was to wear a strapless gown- had to be an up-style right? Wrong! When my dress and veil were on I was completely thrown, It looked all wrong! We let down my hair into loose waves and everything changed- it was perfect!

How do you style short hair to look chic?

There is a common misconception that there is not much to do in the way of styling short hair, but I believe there is a lot you can do with short styles! Following the natural growth pattern really helps, working with the hair and how it wants to sit is a real trick with short hair. Adding a nice curl and some volume can really add a wow factor to a formal style. Slick vintage finger waves and a vibrant red lipstick is an excellent way to inject retro class to an outfit. Don’t be afraid of some teasing and some hairspray!

Should the bride and bridesmaids conform to a ‘theme’ when considering hair styles for the wedding?

Theme should always be respected, but that doesn’t mean regimented conformity! A loose through line, a subtle nod to theme is enough- for essentially the individual looking their absolute best is more important. A smart stylist can have numerous bridesmaids complimenting each other and the bride, but differently.

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Image by Luke Lornie

If you could style anyone’s hair for their wedding, who would it be?

I would love to style Emma Stone for her wedding. She is effortlessly chic` with a vibrant and endearing personality. I can imagine she would choose a classic style and then give it an edgy twist! One of the things I love to do is breathe new life into a classic look, so I think Emma and I would get along famously!

What is your favorite thing to do on a weekend?

When not cuddling up on the couch with my Husband, two kids and two dogs, I do enjoy a simple night out. Good food, good wine, great company and I am in heaven! As a mum now, just a night out with adults is a welcomed event! A date night of dinner and a film may seem lack luster, but for me, it’s just perfect! I am also not opposed to the odd girl’s night out! Every now and then I need to slip on a dress, step into some heels and hit a dance floor with my best girls – its therapeutic!

Thank you Kendrie for joining us today. To find out more about Kendrie and her mobile hair styling service visit  Chick Flicks or contact her on:

Phone: 0403 682 530

Email: [email protected]

Headshot courtesy of Chick Flicks