bride-to-be

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Wondering how to stop frizzy hair? We’re with ya. Whether you have fine or curly hair, chances are you’ve experienced out-of-control texture at some point in your life. The good news? It’s totally possible to prevent frizz from becoming an unwanted wedding crasher. Before you say “I do,” check out these frizzy hair remedies that will help you get rid of unwanted flyaways and battle humidity on your big day.

What Causes Frizzy Hair

The first step in solving any problem is understanding it. Simply put, frizzy hair is “any hair type that has a naturally uneven cuticle that doesn’t lay flat,” says Tim Rogers, creative director of Living Proof. “Additionally, hair that has been damaged by heat styling, chemical treatments or UV corrosion can experience frizz.”

Start With A Healthy Diet

If your frizz is due to dryness and damage, stop it at its root (literally!), beginning with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Incorporate superfoods such as spinach, salmon, blueberries, and dark chocolate to your meals, which will stimulate hair growth, combat dryness, and strengthen those strands. Beyond making you feel your best, what you consume in the engagement months could pay off in the form of lovelier locks on the big day. And if you want to be extra sure you’re getting all the necessary nutrients, a daily multivitamin containing iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and biotin will help your hair (not to mention your nails) grow fast and strong.

Communicate With Your Stylist

Honesty is always the best policy. When you get your hair cut, clue your hair pro in on your concerns so she can use techniques that combat frizz. “Always tell your stylist that frizz is a concern, so layering can be managed and minimized—no shags—and the use of a razor can be managed or avoided,” Rogers says.

Re-think Your Wash & Dry Routine

Though some will tell you that it’s best to cut down on your washes to prevent dry, damaged hair, Rogers says that it depends on the shampoo you’re using. “Washing the hair often with astringent formulas can damage the cuticle layer over time,” he says. Instead, look for one that fights frizz and blocks humidity, like Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner, which contains a patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA). “It’s more effective than other ingredients due to the fact that it creates an invisible shield around each strand, which works better than oil and silicone formulations at repelling humidity and stopping frizz before it starts,” Rogers says. Basically, the bottles are superheros in the shower department ($24 each).

Once it’s clean, don’t yank a brush through it. Instead, run a wide-tooth comb through your hair while it’s still conditioning. And rather than aggressively scrub-drying your ‘do with a towel, which raises the cuticle, use a gentle blotting motion. “Diffusing is fine if a wavy, natural look is desired,” Rogers says. “Otherwise, I recommend gently stretching the roots and mid-lengths with a flat Denman brush as blow-dry prep.”

Style It Right

When it comes to styling for the wedding, Rogers says it’s always best to start with clean hair: “One urban styling myth is that you shouldn’t wash your hair on your wedding day because the hair will be too ‘flyaway’ or ‘soft’ to style,” Rogers says. “With the styling technologies we have available to us, we can synthetically create great styling results without having to rely on ‘day-old hair’.” After all, “if you’re putting the work in to blow dry from scratch, don’t you want it to last as many days as possible?”

Avoid the Heat

Try to cut down on hair dryer, straightener, and curling iron use in the months leading up to your wedding, but don’t let it stop you from doing you. “We all know that high heat can damage hair,” Rogers says, “but if you need that extra bit of insurance against frizz and general ‘style failure,’ go ahead and use a flat or curling iron to lock in your shape. Just be sure to use both a great heat protectant and limit the heat setting to 350 degrees.” John Frieda Frizz Ease Original 6 Effects Serum is another tried-and-true favorite of brides and pros alike (it’s won three consecutive Big Day Beauty Award titles for the best frizz fighter!), that’s seriously clutch at controlling frizzy hair ($8).

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