Q&A Fashion & beauty Look the best version of you with our expert advice HAIR GOALS How can I ensure my hair is in healthy condition before my wedding day? Healthy hair is not just about its appearance but also its behaviour. Whether you’re planning an up-do, mermaid waves or something in-between, your hair will be more manageable and versatile if you invest in its health in the months leading up to your wedding. Healthy hair that is not prone to breakage will also grow longer and faster, giving you more styling options. Firstly, get a trim to remove any split or frayed ends. This gives you a healthy base from which to start. Split ends will keep splitting the hair shaft further causing more damage. It’s also important to be aware of the potential damage that straighteners and tongs can cause. The high heat can singe and weaken strands, leading to substantial breakage and changes in texture. To protect your hair, stick to a low to medium heat setting on your blow-dryer, avoid holding it too close to your hair and always use a heat protector – air-dry whenever possible. When brushing your hair, detangle starting at your ends and gradually work your way up, easing through tangles. If you start from the top, you increase tension on the strands and are much more likely to snap them. It’s easy to overlook our hairbrush’s role in our hair’s health. However, a harsh hairbrush can cause a lot of wear and tear as a daily tool. Since our hair doesn’t have nerve endings, it’s hard to know when we’re causing damage until it’s too late. To avoid this, test your brush on the back of your hand. It’s too harsh for your hair if it leaves marks or hurts. Look for brushes with rounded, plastic prongs and avoid metal-ponged brushes and rough boar bristles, which can damage the outer hair cuticle. Use a pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment one to two times per week. Pre-shampoo conditioners are amazing as they intensively moisturise and strengthen hair without weighing it down – any heavy excess residue is washed away. Wash-off products also allow for a higher concentration of active ingredients, meaning the impact is greater than leave-on. I love our new Elasticizer Therapies Sicilian Lemon and Bergamot treatment, formulated with olive, castor oils and hydrolysed elastin. If you’ve chemically process your hair, also use a bond-strengthening mask. There will be some damage to the bonds that hold your hair together if you colour your locks. To help strengthen, use a bond-building pre-shampoo treatment once weekly, a few days before or after your intensive pre-shampoo conditioner. Anabel Kingsley | Philip Kingsley | www.philipkingsley.co.uk Unsplash via Karen Willis Holmes BOWTIFUL! I love the current bow trend and would love to incorporate it into my hair. What advice can you share? As an alternative to a traditional veil, opt for a bridal headband or headpiece with a bow to add detail to your hair without overwhelming the focus from your wedding dress. Depending on the level of statement you want to make, choose a headband with a bow visible from the front or a clip-in bow visible from the back of your hair. A smaller size can add a subtle touch of elegance, while a larger bow can create a bold and eye-catching look from the front. Ensure you coordinate the colour and style with your wedding dress and other accessories for a cohesive look. Wear a back necklace with a bow diamond detail to create a statement at the back of the gown and an unexpected alternative to a traditional veil. Back necklaces, also known as backdrop necklaces or back jewellery, are chains connected to the clasp of your bridal necklace that is perfect for making a stunning statement on the back of your wedding dress. This option adds a touch of drama and glamour to your bridal look. Keep the front of your bridal ensemble simple and minimal to allow the piece to shine, creating a stunning look as you walk down the aisle. If you’re faced with choosing the perfect hair accessory, opting for a bow with an up-do hairstyle offers a twist on incorporating a veil. As an alternative to traditional veils, bridal bows with veils come in a variety of styles, from delicate pearls to diamonds and from full-length drapes to shorter accents. These variations work seamlessly with an up-do hairstyle, cascading elegantly down your hair and gracefully across your back. This dual-purpose style gives you the charm of a traditional veil and the versatility to transform it into a stunning look for evening activities. Aimee Howlet | Diamonds Factory www.diamondsfactory.co.uk 65 ASK THE EXPERTS
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