Your hairstyle is another feature that will be on display on your wedding day besides your makeup and dress. Throughout history, a woman’s hair is viewed as a symbol of allure and appeal. Here are some of my tips on how to beautify and care for your locks!
Can you guess what the first step is?
1. Know your hair type/scalp situation
Much like most things in life, awareness is the first step. Is your hair/scalp prone to be oily, dry, or damaged? Has it gone through coloring or chemical treatment? Do you have thin hair that needs a volumizing shampoo or frizzy hair that you want to tame? Find shampoos that are pH-balanced and sulfate free (and maybe even paraben free, though the science isn’t in on that one yet).
For the DIYers, you may want to check out rye flour shampoo, coconut milk & aloe vera shampoo, and apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
2. Washing
Once you have the appropriate hair products, you need to apply them wisely. Shampoo no more than three times per week (maybe more often if you live in a hot climate/lead an active lifestyle) so your scalp is not dried out by all the washing. Use lukewarm water, not hot. Lather up the shampoo before you apply it to your hair. Use your fingertips (not nails!) to gently massage your scalp. I find that flipping my hair over and doing this upside down helps my arms not get tired (#spineproblems) and helps me get to the lower half of my head without as much difficulty. Rinse and apply conditioner only to the ends, or if you have long hair, just farther down from the root. When you towel dry, pat gently, or squeeze gently; never rub. Even better, use a t-shirt to dry your hair. For more general hair care tips, check this out.
3. Everyday Styling
Try reducing the frequency at which you apply heat to your hair. Constant blow drying, hot/flat-ironing will damage your hair. Do not brush wet hair; use a wide-toothed comb or gently run your fingers through your hair if you must. If you have long hair or hair that tangles easily, start from the ends and work your way up to the roots. Check out some detanglers, leave-in conditioners, serums, or oils to further lock in moisture and smooth out your hair. Try not to braid or tie up your hair too tightly when wet, as it will cause breakage. For straight-haired girls, if you can’t live without making your hair curly, try these no-heat curl ideas. If you must blowdry your hair, wait (if possible) until your hair is mostly dry before styling.If your hair is naturally curly, use a diffuser attachment to your blowdryer. Use proper hair ties instead of rubber bands to reduce damage. In the months before your wedding, try decreasing the amount of styling products (e.g. gel, hairspray, mousse) you use and chemicals (perming, straightening, dyeing) in order to let your hair restore its natural health.
4. Length & Cut
If you are a bride, most hair stylists would probably suggest you grow out your hair to make it easier for an updo, but in these postmodern times, anything goes! The key is to know what you want beforehand, so you’re not left with a limited amount of hairstyle choices and regret (e.g. wanting on an updo but not having grown out your pixie cut). As you plan for your wedding, think about the mood and theme so you can match your hair to the style (more on this in a future post).
If you are going to try a new haircut, give it at least 6 months to grow out if you end up not liking it. If you are growing your hair, trim it regularly to keep the ends healthy. If you are coloring your hair, do it about 2 weeks before your wedding. Similar to skincare, avoid using any new products (especially without doing an allergy test) or making any drastic changes too close to your big day. Use hairstylists and products you trust.
5. Treatments (DIY & Otherwise)
Similar to my previous skincare post, there is an endless array of options to go above and beyond to pamper your hair. One of the simplest things I did was to purchase a set of V05 Hot Oil Therapy treatments(old school!). It takes about a couple of minutes to heat up, and 1 min after application, you rinse it out in the shower and shampoo & condition as usual. I also got the Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Mask and only applied it to the lower half of my hair (I had hair down to my waist). After only a couple of applications (maybe once a week), I could tell my ends were conditioned and not as dry!
Here are several DIY hair masks you can make from items in your kitchen. For those of you feeling splurge-y, here are some suggestions for professional treatments.
6. Extra Pro Tip for Brides!
On my prewedding photoshoot with VIVI Bridal in Taiwan, I was taught an amazing 2-part trick:
- The day or so before the wedding, you may wash your hair, but do not use conditioner. This will help your hair create more grip and volume for styling. (Generally, second day hair is best.)
- When you wash your hair after the wedding, use conditioner first, and then shampoo. This helps get all the hairspray out and prevent breakage from all the tangles.
Good luck and let me know if any of these tips helped you! What are your favorite hair care secrets?
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or dermatologist. The steps and products here are found from web resources, research, and my own personal experiences which may not work for everyone. Please check with your doctor before starting any serious regimen that may affect your scalp. People may develop allergies at any time, so please try products and check ingredients before purchasing.
Lillian Louie Makeup 