EAT RIGHT
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Like with your skin, having great hair starts with your diet. Some key nutrients include:
See also: WANT GLOWING SKIN AND HAIR ON YOUR WEDDING DAY? INCLUDE THESE 8 FOODS INTO YOUR DIET
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SCALP
It’s literally at the root of your hair condition, so having a healthy scalp = healthy hair.
Consider scalp masks – these are different from hair masks and target scalp health, as well as regular deep cleansing treatments.
When washing your hair, massage your scalp for a couple of minutes, without aggressively rubbing or scratching (no nails!), in a gentle circular motion. This helps boost blood circulation for better delivery of nutrients.
USE THE RIGHT & QUALITY PRODUCTS
Again, like your skin, there are various hair and scalp types. Fine hair, for example, has significantly less protein than thicker hair, so you’ll need a gentle product that strengthens and adds volume. For coarser or curly hair, think hydrating products as well as hair oils for softer and more manageable locks. Go sulphate-free if you have dyed lengths so your hair isn’t stripped of its colour. (See also: Colouring your hair? What this hairstylist wants brides to know)
Kevin Murphy Smooth Again Wash smoothing shampoo
GET REGULAR SNIPS
Even if you’re planning to grow out your hair for a specific do, a regular trim will help get rid of split ends and flyaways, and also improve the look and feel of your mane. Gun for every one or one and a half months to keep your tresses healthy.
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GO COOL
While you might have heard that washing your tresses with hot water might damage them, most of us don’t actually shower with water that’s actually scalding enough to do damage. Instead, warm water separates the overlapping cells of the hair cuticles, letting shampoo penetrate the hair’s shaft deeper and get rid of excess oil.
So when do you go for a cool rinse? After you’re done conditioning. It closes down the cells so water and moisture is retained, instead of letting your conditioner go to waste, which it may very well do so with hot water. Hair cells also lay more smoothly, which means better light reflection, and in turn, a shinier mane.
IGK Blocked Water-Resistant Hair Shield, $43, from Sephora.
USE PROTECTION
It’s not just heat styling tools that can wreak havoc on your hair – so can UV rays. For the former, consider reducing or completely forgo using them in the months leading up the big day. Either way, use heat protectors to shield against damage, even when you’re using your hairdryer.
GO FOR A GLOSS TREATMENT
Also known as a glaze treatment, this gives your hair shine, revitalises dull and lifeless hair and helps tame flyaways. According to Chester Wong, founder of local hair studio Hair Philosophy, this can last up to 28 washes.
See also: 11 SIMPLE, PRETTY BRIDESMAID HAIRSTYLES FOR MEDIUM TO LONG HAIR LENGTHS