11 Ways To Make Your Wedding Hair The Best It Can Be
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Begin With A Timeline
“To map out your pre-wedding haircare routine, it’s important you start early – especially if thinning is a concern. You want to give yourself nine to 12 months to try and boost some regrowth; for enhancing condition and shine, it’s roughly six months – though it always pays to start a good routine early. Figure out your top concerns, then make a plan based on them. There are no quick-fixes when it comes to hair. Results take time – especially if you incorporate supplements like biotin into your routine.” – Syd Hayes, A-List hairstylist
Nourish Your Scalp
“Put simply, it’s your hair’s support system, so a healthy scalp will undoubtedly promote healthier growth and happier hair. The key is to shampoo regularly and use a targeted scalp mask once a week to address any concerns in the run-up to your wedding. This doesn’t mean heavy exfoliating shampoos – these can actually damage and weaken the integrity of your hair’s outer protective layer. Instead, look to masks that have gentler formulas which condition while exfoliating the scalp only – not your actual strands.” – Anabel Kingsley, Philip Kingsley trichologist
Don’t Neglect Trims
“Often brides like to ignore trims in a bid to grow their hair out, but a good cut can really help the overall health of your strands. If you don’t have a trim regularly, you’ll start to have problems with the hair’s condition and you’ll get more breakage further up your hair shaft. Try and book in at least twice before your wedding day to keep damage at bay and hair smooth. For your final cut, I recommend having this about a month before the wedding. This gives hair the chance to settle and enough room to grow a little if you aren’t happy with anything.” – Sam McKnight, A-List hairstylist
JESSICA FAVARO/UNSPLASH
Change The Way You Heat Style
“So many of us continue to aggressively heat-style our hair. Blow-drying our hair is something we’re all used to doing, but ditching the nozzle can work wonders. This is because the nozzle itself concentrates too much heat on what’s already likely to be coloured, bleached or tinted hair. You never want to rest a hairdryer on the hair itself as this guarantees over-drying and further damage. Keep a one-inch distance between your hair and the dryer. Likewise, try to heat-style less often, and air-dry as much as you can in the lead up to the big day. It will take time for you to see the benefits, but it’ll be worth it.” – Michael Van Clarke, celebrity hairstylist
Ditch Certain Products
“As our hair ages and suffers the onslaught of different haircare, the surface cuticle lifts and the internal structure starts to break down. This is most easily seen by feeling the hair at the root where it’s full, shiny and supple, then moving your finger and thumb down to the ends where it’s less so. Over 95% of hair products use silicone additives to smooth the surface and varnish over the cracks. Despite manufacturers’ claims, this isn’t haircare. It’s a cosmetic illusion. You want to use products that don’t contain these. Product ingredient lists won’t specifically say silicone, so look out for the scientific names: cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, trimethicone.” – Michael
Stick To A Healthy Diet
“You’ve heard it before, but hair growth and shine depends on the quality of your nutrition. Because hair is not an essential tissue, it’s the last part of you to receive nutrients, and the first to be withheld from them. This means any nutritional deficiency – even a small one – can negatively impact your hair. Eating at least a palm-sized portion of protein (which is what your hair is made of), alongside a serving of complex carbohydrates will provide your strands with the energy it needs to grow. Focus on upping the ante at lunch and at breakfast. For instance, try having poached eggs (protein) with wholegrain toast (complex carb) and avocado (healthy fats). You can also try quinoa porridge with nuts and berries; for dinner look to steamed or grilled fish which will deliver on omega 3s and also protein. Likewise, iron is essential, as it produces the very protein your hair is made of.” – Anabel
Plan Your Colour
“Finalise any colour at least six weeks before your wedding day. Like the cut, this gives it time to settle and ensures you have the exact colour you really want. If you’re going for the same colour you always do, you can have it done just a week before, but anything new requires some spacing. To keep it fresh, avoid washing your hair too many times – especially in the days leading up to your wedding as this can rinse out the tone. Glosses, masks and toning shampoos can all help maintain the pigment and keep it looking fresh. You only want to only use these occasionally, however, as too much can have the opposite effect to what you’re trying to achieve.” – Sam
PAUL SANTOS
Up The Treatment Ante
“Hair masks are essential for those whose strands need extra moisture, repair or strength, but they are also useful for anyone suffering with breakage and general dullness. You want to be masking at least once a week to help recondition your hair. I recommend using a mask on just-washed hair, combing it through for even distribution and letting it set for at least five minutes. Doing this regularly with the right formula will help reinforce your hair fibres and restore damaged cuticles. Over time, you’ll see hair is shinier, smoother and lighter from the root.” – Sam
Keep It Cool
“This is a simple thing, but try to keep the temperature of your water tepid when you wash your hair. Hot water can irritate and inflame your scalp, stripping it and your hair of any natural moisture. It’s one of the key causes of breakage and dryness – both of which create split ends and frizz. Switch up the temperature and try to maintain it as best you can. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes long term.” – Syd
Look After Your Colour
“I recommend asking your hair colourist to use Olaplex or WellaPlex when you visit them. They are incredible treatments that can be added into your colour, stopping the bonds in your hair from breaking and working to repair any damage. I swear by them for healthier-looking colour, but also well-conditioned hair that looks glossier and smoother. You can buy Olaplex now too, so you can continue the maintenance at home, using it as a pre-shampoo treatment for an extra layer of protection. This isn’t just hype; these products really do work.” – Syd
Don’t Underestimate Tailored Products
“Finding the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair is the secret to good-looking hair. But you shouldn’t just use the same one on repeat as your hair will get too used to it. If your hair is thick, look for dedicated shampoos and conditioners, and the same for finer, thinner hair. The one thing you always want to seek out is hydration: ingredients like quinoa, hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils will always be helpful for sealing in moisture. Try and avoid sulphates and parabens on your ingredients list – these will strip both your scalp and hair of moisture resulting in lank, lacklustre strands. You don’t want to do it too often, but occasionally try and double cleanse with your shampoo. The first wash will remove product and sebum buildup, while the second will give your scalp and hair the benefits it’s formulated for. Try doing this once every few weeks.” – Sam
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