Renowned hair stylist for brides Ritika Kadam still remembers the first hair styling she did for a star. ‘It was for [Bollywood actor] Sonakshi Sinha in the movie Dabbang,’ says Mumbai-based Ritika.
It did not take long for her talents to be recognised and soon offers from Bollywood started pouring in. ‘I used to do Malaika Arora’s hair and then for Daisy Shah in her debut movie Jai Ho,’ she says.
Ritika of course, did not begin her career in Bollywood. Hailing from a modest family in Mumbai, she started off as a helper in a small salon, washing the hair of clients and preparing them for the main stylist to work on. ‘That salon in Mumbai was extremely popular and was frequented by several celebs. I saw how the stylists would work on their hair and began learning a lot from them.’
Soon Ritika graduated from cleaning the salon, to helping the stylists by blow-drying clients’ hair. ‘I became a master in that,’ she says.
Ritika firmly believes that hair needs to be managed and styled by a professional to bring out the best in you. ‘You need the best hairstylist for your big day,’ she says.
Passionate about her profession, she enjoys experimenting with different styles. ‘I did [Salman Khan’s sister] Arpita Khan’s wedding braid which went viral at the time.’ She also remembers doing Ranveer Singh’s sister Ritika’s hair. ‘I did a twist bun with a cockscomb of velvet flowers; that too went viral.’
So what are the 5 big trends today? ‘First, it is open hair with soft waves.
For the sangeet, hair with volume is what can make you stand out in style.
A boho hairstyle with a string of diamonds is also a trend now.
Another popular style is a sleek bridal bun with flowers.
The fifth trend is big ponytails, she says.
One piece of advice to brides?
‘One thing we don’t have control on is the weather on your wedding day. Just as it’s important to pick a hairstyle that complements your face and your outfit, it is also important to pick a style that will last all day.
‘So consider the weather on your big day before getting your hair done. If you are getting married outdoors on a humid day and your hair is prone to frizzing, I suggest going with a style that ensures you are wearing your hair up,’ she says.
