Please tell me y’all are having as much hair-envy from these photos as I am! The elusive “Southern Bump” is my favorite hair do ever, after all. Not familiar with the SB? Why, it’s the style with the perfect amount of sweet and classic mixed with just the right amount of pouf (to make it sassy!). When I got married, of course, I asked my hair dresser for the Bump, and to make me look like a vintage Bridget Bardot and not like Marge Simpson. And yes, it is a very fine line!

Credits, from top to bottom: clip from Tessa Kim, photo by Harwell Photography, unknown, Jasmine Star via Style Me Pretty, Adam Barnes via Southern Weddings

Achieving the perfect Southern Bump does not happen by chance – oh no. It takes practice and the right tools! On your wedding day, I would advise leaving it to the professionals, and bringing in lots of photos the show what you want. Also, be sure your hair is longer than you think you’ll need, because the teasing needed to get that perfect bump will eat up the length of your hair quickly.

If you’re brave enough to try the bump at home, I suggest investing in the right products. I am a HUGE fan of Big Sexy Hair’s What a Tease – this stuff really works. You flip over the dry hair you want to pouf, and spray this super sticky hairspray-like concoction on the underside. Let it dry, then flip the hair back over. Viola! Instant backcombing without the damage. If you want more bump or hold, I suggest teasing before spraying in the What a Tease. Also in the big hair arsenal? A teasing comb and good dry shampoo.

Credits, from top to bottom: Heather Kincaid, Crystal Genes via Southern Weddings, Justin & Mary, and The Youngrens via SMP

Once last tip that one of our dear readers shared with me: if you have fine hair, using big ol’ hot rollers instead of a curling iron helps create the initial volume needed for just the right amount of pouf.

Have you got the Southern Bump down to an art? Share your secrets with us in the comment section below! Please! I am always looking to learn how to better work this hair!

P.S. If you’re looking for a how to video for teasing, hop over to Katie’s blog (that I’m obsessed with) here for a quick tutorial! Happy teasin’, y’all!

Harwell Photography and Adam Barnes are fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!