Every bride wants to look their best on their wedding day. For summer brides especially, it’s super important to make sure your hair doesn’t go haywire during the hottest time of the year.
So, what can you do to ensure beautiful locks for your big day? With the proper hair care methods and treatments, you’re sure to shine for your summer nuptials. Here are the top tips for caring for your hair before you say, “I do!”
Stay healthy
One of the best things you can do to keep your hair healthy for your wedding day is by eating nutrient-rich foods and taking the right vitamins and supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon or natural supplements) are great for keeping your hair healthy.
Vitamin B (found in eggs, nuts, and fish) provides your hair with a natural shine. If your hair starts to look dull, it may mean that you’re deficient in Vitamin B.
Keep hydrated
Time to drink up…and we mean good old H2O! Staying hydrated allows your hair to strengthen, plus it encourages it to grow faster and healthier. Without plenty of water, your hair will become dry and brittle (and nobody wants that—especially a bride-to-be).
Watch your sun & sea intake
It may be tempting to soak up as much sunshine and pool time leading up to your wedding day, but we strongly encourage against it. Too much sun can lead to a sunburnt scalp (ouch), plus your hair naturally absorbs water and will dry out faster.
If you are going to spend time outside before your wedding, there are some things you can do to prevent dull, dried-out hair. Going for a dip? Rinse your hair in cold, freshwater first! If you enter the water with already wet hair, it won’t absorb as much chlorine or saltwater.
Did you know that hair sunscreen exists? There are several products that provide extra UV protection like special conditioners, sprays, oils, and hair masks.
It’s also best to cover up—adding a cute hat to your beach attire is a no-brainer if you’re looking to protect your scalp. This will help prevent wind damage and ensure your hair doesn’t get tangled up in a knot.
Cut back on washing
One of the best things you can do for your pre-wedding hair is cut down on washing (a good rule of thumb is about 3 days a week). Daily washing can lead to color fading and dryness. Cutting down on washings will prevent stripping your hair of natural oils. Another hot tip: switch from hot water to warm to prevent your hair from drying out.
If you feel like you really need a wash in-between days, try dry shampoo! The powder will absorb any grease on your scalp while giving your hair body and texture.
For your wedding day, make sure that you wash your hair that morning or the night before. Your hair needs to be fully dried without any additional oils, creams, or products before it is styled.
Condition like crazy
Shampoo and conditioners go hand in hand, but conditioning is especially key to protecting your summer hair. Look for conditioners that are rich in moisture. Live-in conditioners will give you an even deeper level of moisture.
Want professional help? Many salons offer deep conditioning treatments that restore silkiness and add a healthy shine.
Say no to excessive heat & styling
We’ve already talked about limiting sun exposure before your wedding day, but it’s also best to avoid excessive heat like curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers. Over-styling your tresses could lead to hair breakage, frizz, and dullness.
The best thing to do is let your hair dry naturally and leave the styling to a minimum. If you feel like you still need to towel-dry your hair, use a microfiber towel to blot your hair dry. This will help avoid frizz and breakage as well.
Go chemical-free
Another way to protect your pre-wedding hair is to choose chemical-free products. Switch to shampoos and conditioners that are free of silicone, sulfates, and parabens. If you have colored hair, switch to color-protected products if you haven’t already (even better if they’re organic).
If you’re planning to travel leading up to your big day, be sure to pack your own products—hotel shampoos and conditioners vary in quality so it’s better to be consistent (and safe) and use your own products.
Keep up with your cuts
Now more than ever, it’s best to stay on top of your regular haircuts, touch-ups, and trims. Getting small trims every 6-8 weeks will ensure that your hair is staying healthy while preventing breakage and split ends. Plan your final haircut and coloring about 2-4 weeks before the big day, and a final trim about a week before the wedding.
Stick to what you know
While we’re talking about haircuts, now is NOT the time to try something totally new or different (for example, do you know what’s in your hair products?). You never know how your hair will react to a dramatic color change (especially if you’ve never colored your hair before). A super-short cut with a ton of layers may not look good depending on your hair type and level of thickness.
You know your hair the best, so don’t push your own limit—including how you choose to style your hair on your wedding day. We’d hate for you to have hair remorse and not have enough time to fix it.
Pamper up
Finally, treat your hair! A weekly hair mask will keep it moisturized and nourished. Plus, it will make your hair strong and silky. Oils are another great way to stay moisturized—whether you use coconut, avocado, or olive.
In the final month before your wedding, schedule a scalp massage. This will help stimulate hair follicles and it’s totally relaxing. (A win-win in our book!)