Online ShopHair Q&A
Let us sort out your hair dilemmas
Q. I have fairly long hair and can't decide whether to wear it up or down on my wedding day? Help!
A. This is the question on every bride's lips. The answer depends on the condition of your hair and whether you can cope with a high-maintenance wedding day style.
Sexy, tousled hair worn over your shoulders can look fantastic but to carry this look off your hair must be healthy and shiny and you've got to be willing to maintain the “naturally” messy style throughout the day.
Alternatively, for fuss-free hair, sweep it up and back elegantly for a glamorous look that lasts all day long.
Q. How can I make sure my hair really shines?
A. Get your hair in tip top condition for your special day by following these top three tips:
- Look after yourself -- yes, this means eating well, sleeping well and exercising. Good health will radiate from every hair follicle.
- Use a regular conditioner with nourishing oils after every shampoo to smooth down the hair cuticles and help each strand reflect light.
- Treat your hair gently. When possible, leave it to dry naturally and give hot brushes and straighteners a rest as your big day approaches.
Q. I'm getting married on a beach in Mauritius and am terrified my hair will go frizzy with the sun. Any suggestions?
A. Hair frazzles in tropical heat due to the lack of moisture in the air, so make sure you moisturise your hair carefully with deep conditioning treatments in the run-up, to keep you hair more supple.
There are lots of heat protecting and de-frizzing products on the market, so it's well worth packing a few in your suitcases. It’s probably best to opt for a simple “up” style on the day (you'll feel cooler and your hair will be more manageable if it's out of the way).
Q. My mum thinks I should grow out my short crop for my wedding day, but I love my look! How can I convince her that I'm right?
A. Absolutely. It's a myth that brides should have long hair -- short styles look every inch as glam and can be accessorised with Alice bands, diamanté clips or even dotted with fresh flowers to add interest. The main thing is that you feel comfortable with your style -- if you feel happy, you're guaranteed to look fantastic.
Q. I want to make my hair shinier. What can I do?
A. There are a host of products in chemists and pharmacies that can stimulate shine.
Or why not take a tip from your grandmother's beauty handbooks and tip your head your head upside down and give your hair a good brush?
Q. Do you have any advice about how to match my make-up to my hair colour?
A. As a starting point try:
- Blonde -- use soft pinks, salmon or peach.
- Brunette -- use light to medium colours such as rose, raisin, brown and mahogany.
- Redhead -- use rich brown or brown-red on your lips; apricot or muted pink blusher, brown mascara and camel shadows.
- Dark brown/black -- use deep lip colours -- chocolate, blackberry, plums, burgundies and reds.
