7 things to consider before choosing your wedding hair cut and colour

The pressure to look perfect on your wedding day is immense—and that’s understandable, considering it’s the most special day of your life. While outfits, makeup and more will need your attention till the very last minute, there’s one thing that can be sorted well in advance to look and feel like a million bucks—your hair! Hair makeovers though can be tricky—especially so for big occasions like your own D-Day. “Should I try a new look? Or do I want something classic? When should I get this done?” We know every bride-to-be is thinking this and to help, we’ve put together a quick list of things to keep in mind before saying “I do” to your bridal cut and colour.

Plan well in advance

Give yourself at least two months to think about your dream look, maybe even create a new inspiration board on Pinterest. Visual references work really well to give your hairstylist an idea of the kind of look you’re going for. Some extra time on your side means you can even try a new colour or some layers and see how it really looks and feels on you (and change it if you need to!)

Find the right hair experts

Some say this is almost as important as finding your life partner—perhaps even a little trickier! Be sure to meet a few hairstylists before settling on ‘the one’—besides skill, it’s important to see if they understand your vision, can creatively elevate your look and are also enthusiastic to work with you. Choose someone you’re comfortable with, who can be patient through the many conversations you’ll have with them.

Think of face shape and undertone

We know the “butterfly cut” has gone viral and Hailey Bieber has new honey blonde hair, but that may not necessarily mean it’s a good idea for you to try them. Following trends blindly without considering your hair type and skin tone can be a big mistake. The wrong cut can make your hair look messy while an unflattering colour can totally wash you out. Personalisation is key and this is where skilled stylists step in—they’ll tailor the trend you love so much to suit your features and make it work for you.

Consider your bridal hairstyle

So you want a lovely fishtail braid for your mehendi ceremony but will bits from your layers oddly stick out of it? Or is it hard to achieve that middle-parted bun because of your side-swept bangs? Not every haircut lends itself to a nice bridal hairstyle, so it’s better to broadly narrow down on some that you like before committing to the snip. And if you plan on using extensions, it’s also important to match their tone to your wedding hair colour. If you’re booking two separate stylists—one for the cut and one for styling on the day of—it may be a good idea to get them to talk to each other beforehand, so that the pros can work out details and avoid any last-minute disappointments.

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Comfort is key

As a bride, you’ll obviously have all eyes on you even between functions, so naturally, you want to look your best throughout. Looking well put-together through all that exhaustion (and maybe even hangovers) can be tough, but low-maintenance haircuts can be a huge saving grace. Ask your hairstylist to work on enhancing your natural hair texture with the cut, so that minimal effort is needed for it to look presentable, making all your “I woke up like this” dreams come true.

Don’t try something new too close to D-Day

Everyone wants to look like the best version of themselves on their wedding day, and so trying something drastically different isn’t the best idea before a milestone event such as this. Consider what your future self will think when you open that wedding album a decade from now—if the colour feels true to you, go for it! If not, it’s best you avoid the experiment for now and stick to something classic. Choose something that feels true to you and makes you feel confident in your own skin.

Invest in the right home care products

Colour protect shampoos, conditioners and even a good bond-building hair mask are essentials in your home hair care kit to preserve the sheen and tone of your freshly painted hair through not just the festivities but even beyond. Plus, the right products will also maintain hair health and ensure your hair is soft, bouncy and well-hydrated throughout.

Kerastase Chroma Absolu Bain Riche Chroma Respect Shampoo & Conditioner, ₹2,800