Wedding Hair-Dos.

Bridal Hair Style and Hair Dos

In and about the other preparations for your wedding day, it may be tough to choose the perfect wedding "do," but a little careful planning will go a long way toward making sure your hair is beautiful on your happy day. When selecting a wedding hairstyle, some brides go for a dramatic, impressive up-do. Others choose to let their hair fall enhancing, naturally their style with subtle curls and waves. Whichever option suits you best, the tips and steps outlined below will help to make your hair shiny, strong, and lovely on the day of your wedding.


General Wedding Hair Opinion

Think about the season and climate in which your wedding will be taking place. Will the ceremony be indoors or outdoors? If your wedding is scheduled for a hot, humid time of year, think about an up-styled hairdo to help ward off frizz or limp locks.


Start Wedding Haircare Beforehand

Depending upon the length of your hair, you should begin to think about your hairstyle three to six months in advance of your wedding. Are you thinking about dyeing your hair or getting a perm? Now's the time to experiment. The last thing you should want is to try a brand new color the week before your wedding and have it not work out, leaving you stuck with a shade of blond normally reserved for lemon sherbet. As you begin to consider your wedding day 'do, also think about your wedding dress and the style of veil you'll be wearing. A formal gown might pair well with an up-style, whereas a more casual dress may compliment a loose and flowing hairstyle. Think about your gown's neckline, as well, as this may help to determine which hairstyle will be right for the day of your marriage. During this time period, follow your normal hair care schedule, keeping your tresses healthy and clean.

Wedding Hair Pre-Run

If you're having a stylist do your hair for your wedding day, be sure to schedule a "pre-run" about a month in advance of your marriage. If you know exactly what kind of approach you'd like to take, try to bring pictures from magazines as a reference for your hairstylist. Keep time in mind, as well - your run-through should not take more than an hour and a half, as you probably won't have more than this amount of time to set aside for hair on the day of your wedding. If you've picked one out, have your hairstylist practice with your veil or tiara. If you'll be doing your own styling, gather all the stuff and tools you'll need in a basket for easy storage, and try your hairstyle out! Use a well-lit room, preferably with a large vanity mirror. If you're going for an up-do, consider using hot curlers or rollers, just like Grandma did. Lightly blow dry your hair with the curlers still in. After you remove them, spritz with a bit of hairspray - just enough for your curls to hold their shape. Then, twist your hair up in your favorite style! The curls that rollers create will lend class and beauty to almost any up-do. And, remember that messy is in - it's ok if your wedding hair do isn't classically austere, as long as you think it's beautiful and you love the way it looks.

Wedding Hair Coloring and Trim

Schedule a hair appointment for about two weeks prior to your wedding day for a final trim and color touch up, if appropriate. About this time, you may also want to begin an intensive conditioning regimen, such that your hair will be healthy and full of shine on your wedding day.

Don't over-dry your hair the week before your wedding! Wash your hair every other day, and make sparing use of the blow dryer. If you've got some split ends, use a leave in conditioner on the days you wash your hair. If you're having your nails done, consider scheduling this appointment for the day before your wedding to save time.

Your Wedding Day

Unless you're sure of your product, do not use conditioner the day of your wedding, as it will make your hair limp when it should be full-bodied. If you're doing your own hair, think about where you'll be doing it if it's not in the place that you practiced, will there be sufficient lighting, mirrors, and power outlets for all your tools and accessories? Consider adding a power strip and extension cord to your hair care basket, just in case. If you are working with a stylist, be sure he or she has accurate directions to wherever they will be doing your hair. If a team of hairstylists is working with your bridal party, be sure you clearly communicate exactly how many people's hair they will be doing and how much time they'll have to do the 'dos. Rather than assuming that a stylist will be able to fit one extra person in, check with them beforehand - they may be able to show up a half-hour earlier, saving everyone from a hectic race to beat the clock. Whether you are going for an up-do or a down-do, doing it yourself or working with a hairstylist, planning in advance will help to make sure your wedding hair looks as it should - absolutely you and absolutely beautiful.

Having Your Hair Cut: It really isn't a nightmare!

I know most of you don't want your hair cut. But you HAVE to. Honestly, it took me many years to learn that you need a trim regularly to keep the breakage from traveling up the hair shaft. Especially if you have fine hair, prone to breakage. It just has to be done, period. Besides, damaged long hair looks downright nasty!

• Above-the-Shoulder Cuts: This is best for just about every woman of every age group, but is especially beneficial to woman who have fine, limp hair. Add layers around the face to create the illusion of more body.
• Bangs: This is a good haircut for those of you that may have a high or large forehead. It is especially beneficial to those of you that have have a long face and want long hair as well. It balances out the look.
• Long Hair: This is great if you have a heart shaped face or a round face. Make sure you get regular trims to keep breakage at bay! You should go no longer than 3 months without a trim!
• Cutting Your Long Hair Short: Tell your stylist to cut off half the length you wish to cut, ease into it. It is easier to cut off a little more than to grow a lot out. You may just shock yourself into a depression!
• Curly Hair: If your hair is long and thick - great! If it isn't - your hair is going to look straggly. Fine, limp curls should be kept above the shoulder to minimize the appearance of well - fine, limp locks!It just isn't flattering. And if you have limp or fine hair, don't over layer your hair, it does not give your style body, it looks unkempt. A few around the face with a few highlights, or lowlights will benefit you.
• Short to Long: Oh how glacial this process is! And you just hate to trim the ends to add to the fullness. But you must. Your hair needs to be trimmed to stop the damaged ends in its tracks. I know it may look short at first, but it will grow, I promise. Your hair will look fuller in the end.
• WARNING! Apply to an experienced stylist, and one who is open to YOUR desires. No matter what you and I think, A bad haircut does not justify homicide. Even if it is in the heat of passion -- with his or her own scissors! Know before you go. Also, you get what you pay for! And for goodness' sake, don't upset your stylist!

Some more details of hair care.

Shampoo

Everyone is aware of it and everyone uses it: hair shampoo. But what is their effect and from what are they made?

A hair shampoo usually consists of water, sodium laureth, sulfate, polyquaternium-10, coloring substances and aromatic compounds.

To have healthy hair, a person does not need more than a mild and careful cleaning. Of course, using mild shampoos carefully does not mean that a person does not need to daily wash his or hair. For the appropriate care of hair, the usage of shampoo must complement the type of hair.
Not every product is suitable for every kind of hair.

A good shampoo would not harm the skin, nor would it burn the eyes. Rather, it would degrease the hair, it would lend abundance and shine to the hair's surface and, most importantly, it would clean the hair. Since many people produce too much testosterone (a male hormone), which causes greasy hair, most people need to clean their hair regularly.

Water

The type water that people use also plays an important factor in the health of their hair. Sea water and water containing chlorine (such as the kind that will get into hair after a person goes for a swim) should immediately be washed out by clean water because water has a long-term hold in hair.

Drying

Another aspect of healthy hair is drying. It is important that the hair is NOT rubbed dry with a bath-towel since rubbing harms the hair and its structure. One should wrap the towel around the head by winding the towel tightly and carefully tapping the hair dry.

After washing the hair, shampoo must be rinsed out thoroughly. If this is not done, the remaining shampoo will detract from the gloss, fragrance and fluffiness of hair.

Hair combs and brushes

Wet hair should be combed or brushed as little as possible. The better thing to do would be to wait until the hair is entirely dry before beginning the smoothing process with a brush or comb.
After washing and drying, the hair is usually untangled with a brush or comb.

For the best results, hair knots should not be pulled. Instead, the tangled hair should be carefully combed out, starting from the tips and moving toward the roots (from down to up). But which is better, brushing or combing? In most cases, brushing is unfavorable, as it is more harmful to the hair. Combing can be more favorable, but using a comb can be either damaging or profitable to the hair. A horn comb would probably be the best choice when deciding what to use. It is made out of keratin, a material similar to that of hair. A horn comb reduces the electrostatic, or electrical charging in hair. Unfortunately these combs are very expensive and demonstrate sensitivity to both heat and chemicals. Remember to choose combs with blunt-edged points, as all sharp points and edges harm the hair.

Thus, in order to take good care of hair, everyone must never forget to always be aware of his or her needs, whether choosing shampoos, washing the hair, rubbing the hair dry, or combing it out...

Finding a Haircare Regimen For YOU

• Normal Hair: If your hair is not too oily, not too dry, not to thick or thin nor damaged from over processing you have normal hair. If you must wash your hair every day you should use a moisturizing shampoo like TIGI Bedhead moisture maniac shampoo or better and a finishing rinse or light conditioner like TIGI Bedhead moisture maniac conditioner. It is not too harsh nor too light -- kinda inbetween. If you spend a lot of time in the sun or riding motorcycles (or horses) or if you lead an active lifestyle that tosses your locks to the elements you should use a clarifying shampoo once a month or whenever you feel like you have build up and a good protein pack left on for 10-15 minutes.
• Dry Hair: If your hair is brittle and frizzy or lacks shine then you probably have dry hair. I wouldn't recommend washing your hair every day but if you must, you should use a moisturizing shampoo like TIGI Bedhead moisture maniac shampoo and an instant conditioner. Use a good leave in conditioner on the ends if possible. Once a week leave the instant conditioner on for at least five minutes while you do other things such as shave or whatever. Once a month you should use a good protein pack treatment.
• Oily Hair: If your hair seems to over produce oil and your roots just seem greasy you , my dear, have oily hair. You should use a shampoo for oily hair and concentrate on the scalp. You don't necessarily have to thoroughly wash your hair from roots to ends every day. You can instead scrub the scalp gently with the shampoo and when you rinse your hair, both the shaft and ends will be washed by the suds cascading over it.
• Fine/Limp Hair: If your hair seems thin, straight and flat you may have fine/limp hair. You should use a volumizing shampoo and every other day use a light conditioner or finishing rinse, only on the ends. Once a week, especially if you use a lot of styling products, use a clarifying shampoo. You can also try having your hair professionally colored to add volume.
• Thick/Coarse Hair: If your hair feels rough and is pretty thick, resembling horse hair you may have thick/coarse hair. You should use a moisturizing shampoo like TIGI Bedhead moisture maniac and an instant conditioner. Use a clarifying shampoo about once a week in addition to a heavier conditioner or protein pack for chemically processed hair. About once a month, use a protein pack left on for about 30 minutes.

Products: Shampoos, Conditioners & Hair Masques. Advices how to use them

Like I have said before, everyone has something to sell. There is ever feasible product imaginable out there just waiting for you to either benefit from or spend your money on. Here are some basic tips and problem-specific solutions. Your hair is a direct reflection of what's going on in the inside. And since it takes so unbelievably long (half inch a month growth average) treat it well once it does grow out.

Shampoo: The main function of a shampoo is to remove the oils secreted by the scalp. It also should easily remove product build up without stripping the hair of its natural oils completely. Here the many different types and their specific functions:
Baby Shampoo: These products are very soft and do not contain any harsh chemicals that may irritate the skin and eyes. BUT! my friend told me that these shampoos have a pH of 8, same as the eye, and that is why it doesn't sting your eyes. However, she said leave it for the babies. It doesn't give your hair what it needs. You need a shampoo that has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5
Violet Shampoo: These shampoos contain pigments to filter out the yellowing in gray and blonde hair. I use one of these to take the "brassiness" out of my hair between colorings. They can be drying if they contain lighteners, which most of them do.
Clarifying Shampoo: This is a good product to remove product build up and excess oil. It contains no conditioning agents so I would advise to condition a little after if you want to get a comb through your hair without damaging it.
Pigment Containing Shampoo: you can be familiar with Henna containing shampoos for brown hair and Violets for blondes. Along the same lines as the Violet Shampoos but for darker hair to enrich the color or lengthen the color between salon visits.
Conditioning Shampoo: These products contain added conditioners to simplify the washing showering process. Great for men and children but I don't use these. I need heavier conditioners.
Moisturizing Shampoo: These products contain agents that moisturize rather than stripping. I use TIGI Bedhead moisture maniac PLUS a moisturizing conditioner by ABBA, called Moisture Scentsation. And even a few times a week I use a Lange protein additive with the ABBA conditioner. I also like a detangler, but we'll get to that later.
Dandruff Shampoo: These are coal tar shampoos and medicated products that ease the flaking and itching of this condition. I find this product to dry out the hair. I had to use a Neutrogena coal tar shampoo for about three weeks due to some winter itching. My hair got so dried out. Also, I have heard that if you accustom your scalp to the constant use of this product it can become "addicted" to it. This has not been proven.
Volumizing or Body Shampoo: This product contains agents that cause the hairshaft to swell. It will not give you added thickness however. It contains little or no conditioning agents.
Conditioner: The function of a conditioner is to coat the hair shaft to smooth down the damaged hair shaft, provide protection from curling irons and environmental elements. It can tone down frizziness and ease combing wet hair or brushing dry hair. Personally, I can NOT function without some sort of conditioner. I have fine hair so I can't use a really heavy product or it weighs down the shaft. I have to use a moisturizing conditioner and a protein complex once or twice a week. Here are some typical conditioning formulas.
Instant Conditioner: This is really good for normal or slightly damaged hair. It is a light formula that quickly conditions the hair leaving it looking healthy and protected. This is not a good choice for fine hair. It can weigh the shaft down creating "flatness" and build up resulting in the need for a clarifying shampoo. Do not over condition.
Finishing Rinse: This product is good for very fine, limp hair. It does not weigh down the hair shaft unnecessarily and doesn't have a high build up rate. Although it will not provide enough conditioning properties for overly damaged or dry hair.
Conditioning Packs/Masques: For excessive damage from over-processing or wind and sun damage, chlorine damage and heating elements. This is a good choice to provide deep conditioning for extremely damaged hair or for an every once in a while pack to treat dry hair. If you're hair is breaking you may need moisture although from too much protein you can have breakage as well. Additionally, too much moisture can make the hair feel soggy and really stretchy. But then again so can damage from harsh chemicals. I know this seems confusing so visit a knowledgeable stylist to help you with your hair woes.
Pigment-containing Conditioner: These are additional to the pigment containing shampoos for added depth of color. I use a violent based conditioner very rarely. The formulations for darker hair are better than the ones for lighter shades as the lighter formulation may be drying. Henna conditioners are a good start for deep brown tones whereas walnut is better for darker shades.
Detangler/Leave-in Conditioner: Life'd be very difficult for me if it were not for detanglers. As a child I always had a detangler and even started using the Johnson&Johnson baby detangler in the last two years all over again. It is cheap and I only use a small amount. It does not irritate the scalp and is gentle enough for a baby. It helps for that extra oomph when I need the additional detangling properties without the extra expense. Good for the gym and after swimming! Although my stylists hates when I use it, she will have to live with it - or give me free products.

Hair Loss, Baldness. Diet/Food Therapy.

A wholesome diet, rich in silica, calcium and iron, will help reduce or prevent hair loss. Green, leafy vegetables, sea vegetables especially, are good mineral sources. Raw oats provide silica. Dried fruits and cherry juice are rich sources of iron.

For women, thinning hair or hair loss can be a sign of a problem in the gastrointestinal tract. It could be a sign of insufficient stomach acids; It could also mean a deficiency of protein, zinc and other nutrients. Taking two acidophilus pills after or between meals (four to six tablets per day) for two months will help. For men, balding process can be slowed down by taking a low-fat diet. Some scientists postulate that the male pattern baldness is tied to increased testosterone levels during puberty. A high-fat, meat-based diet raises testosterone levels, and that may adversely affect hair follicles. For example, in Japan, male pattern baldness was very rare prior to World War II when the diet was lean and healthy. The Japanese now consume a more fatty, Westernized diet. Baldness is now increasing substantially among Japanese men. Eating low-fat foods may not stop hair loss; but it might help slow down the hair loss.
Anemia is one of the most frequent causes of hair loss. Eat plenty of iron-rich foods, like liver (Avoid while you are pregnant) and other organ meat, whole grain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, dates, and raisins.

The hair is comprised mostly of protein. To encourage hair growth, adhere to a diet rich in protein. A recommended diet for this purpose includes calves liver, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, and two tablespoons of granulated lecithin. Along with protein, these foods are also high in B vitamins, an important nutrient for hair.
European studies have found that soy protein reinforces hair and stimulates its growth. In one study, The hair growth increased by 15 percent. Tofu and soy milk are good sources of soy protein. Other good sources of protein are: low-fat beans, fish, cheese, eggs, brewer's yeast, yogurt.

Other important nutrient for hair health is silica. Studies in the former Soviet Union have shown that silica therapy slowed hair loss. Organic silica added to shampoo was found to help prevent baldness, stimulate healthier hair growth and assure beautiful shine, luster and strength. Some scientists claim that they have effectively stopped further hair loss by adding silica to their shampoo. This can be applied externally to regrow already lost hair.
Silica is found in the outer coverings of potatoes, green and red peppers and cucumbers. Bean sprouts are also high in silica. Eat whole foods including sprouts.
Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron.Include a good serving of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Vitamin E is important for healthy hair growth.Eat avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil on a regular basis.

If hair loss is due to thyroid dysfunction, eat more foods rich in vitamin A and iodine. Eat vegetables such as carrots or spinach in unrefined, cold-pressed seed oils such as flax, walnut or pumpkin seed and sea salt. Take turnips, cabbage, mustard, soy beans, peanuts, pine nuts and millet if there is a deficiency of iodine.

Caution: Excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause hair loss.