5 Tips For Healthy Shiny HAIR The Six Week Bridal Beauty Prep

Photo by Luisa Brimble of Liv Lundelius

Do you want shiny locks and healthy hair for your wedding day (or just in general?) ? Here are my top tips on how to keep your scalp and hair naturally beautiful, enhance hair growth and prevent damage.

1. Deep Condition Once a week apply a deep hair conditioning treatment. You can use pure Coconut Oil if you are a purist or on a budget or you can use a luxurious store bought hair treatment. Always go for a toxin free hair product range! If you use coconut oil do this on a day off and sit in the sun, which will activate and heat up the oil. Protect your gorgeous skin in the sun though (with a natural zinc sunscreen) and be careful not to get burned before your wedding day. The trick with washing out oil treatments is to apply shampoo before wetting your hair then rinsing with water and then using a 2nd shampoo. Lather and rinse well. The use your regular conditioner.

2. Nourish from the inside Hair is protein discharge, and adding good quality protein to your diet will help encourage growth. Consuming enough healthy fat can aid in improving overall shine and texture. Eating more kale (vitamin C and Silica) berries (more C), onions, leeks, garlic or scallions (sulfur), mushrooms (zinc), almonds, brown rice (vitamin E), sunflower seeds (pantothenic acid – B5), and shitake mushrooms (copper) and a wide variety of antioxidant herbs like ginger, rosemary, and turmeric root, could benefit hair growth and make hair even more gorgeous! Eat WHOLE eggs (ALWAYS ORGANIC & FREE RANGE) . They contain biotin, folate, silica, and B-5, which are all universally known for helping promote lustrous hair.

3. Keep it natural Certain products can clog the hair shaft, and that will impede new growth. Many products contain alcohol, which will strip your hair. Choose natural, green products instead. I am a big fan of the John Masters Organics line because he uses a lot of essential oils and plant-based ingredients. I also love the Yarok Styling Products. If you are after a real super luxurious treat you can't go past Rahua products.

4. Be Gentle Many people break their hair when it is wet and most delicate by brushing to hard. Buy a high-quality professional hair dryer and use it at the medium setting, or don’t blow dry your hair at all. Use a wide comb or detangling brush and slowly work your way up, start at the ends. When using heating tools like a dryer, flat iron, curling iron, or hot rollers, be sure to use natural products for heat protection. Stay away from damaging heat tools if you can.

5. Protect! Braid your hair loosely or tie with soft ties to avoid any breakage, especially if you have dry or chemically treated hair. If you color your hair it's a good idea to wear a hat in the sun. It will protect your hair colour from fading or changing colour.