There are few days bigger in a woman’s life than the day when she stands before all of her family and friends, offers and takes her vows from her partner, and begins what should be a lifelong journey together. And even though we live in much more casual and “relaxed” times, her appearance is still of the utmost importance to her. One of the most important aspects of that overall look is her hair, and how to make sure it looks its best for that monumental occasion. Here are 5 tips to help ensure that your hair shines on your wedding day:

Rinse With Cool Water

Hot water can strip your hair of essential oils and vitamins, especially if you do it every day. Choosing to use cooler water can help to keep all of those natural moisturizers in place and doing their job. In this spirit, it is also best if instead of washing your hair every day you just try a rinse or a dry, natural shampoo a few times a week.

Minimize Heat Styling and Treatments

In the same sense that too much hot water can damage your hair, so can heating tools such as blow dryers, irons, and straighteners. Using the cool dry setting or even just letting it dry on its own will help to preserve the health and look of your hair. Another helpful suggestion is to wash your hair before you go to bed and then put it in a loose, easy styling such as a ponytail or bun.

Improve Your Diet and Vitamin Regimen

This is a huge factor in the overall wellness of your hair and follicles. While it’s recommended that a person make healthy eating and vitamin consumption part of their daily routine, it can be especially helpful to kick it up a gear when you are closing in on the big event. Omega rich foods, particularly fish and avocados, can do wonders to increase the sleekness and gloss of your hair. Vitamins such as C, D, iron, and vitamin H (biotin) can also help tremendously.

Get Plenty of Sleep

This suggestion cannot be overstated. Even if you followed every other tip on this list, as well as several others, if you aren’t getting the proper amount of rest it is going to negatively affect everything from your mood to your energy levels to your appearance, hair included. 

When people don’t get enough rest, it throws their circadian rhythm completely out of balance. This internal body clock regulates basically everything that our body does on a daily basis. This includes when we are hungry, when we are tired, our body temperature fluctuations and dozens of other biological processes.

Use Oil Treatments and Supplements

Another helpful solution is to incorporate some beneficial oils into your hair care routine. These can help to do things such as increase the strength and vitality of your hair, the softness and shimmer, as well as to keep it thoroughly hydrated and moisturized, even in dryer or colder weather.

This post was written by guest-blogger Krista Harper.