A. Begin with a ponytail, says Nikki Wang, an editorial hairstylist in New York City. Make sure it's securely held with a nonslip elastic band. This will give you a base on which to anchor your do (and headpiece)—plus, the elastic also helps keep your work from coming undone. Now, take the ponytail, twist it smoothly and work it in a coil around the base, pinning as you go. For a pro finish, use bobby pins that match your hair color. Or you could get even fancier and start with two ponytails, high on the head. Once you've twisted each section, experiment: You could coil them into two Bjork-like buns, or figure-eight the two together. (You might want to enlist a friend to help you with the trickier bits, if necessary.) Another tip: Consider shampooing your hair the night before your wedding, since same-day shampooed hair can be slippery, flyaway and hard to work with.

A. You should at least have an idea of how you'll wear your hair before trying on tiaras and veils. If you're stumped, talk to your hairstylist about different options. Generally, updos look best when adorned with small tiaras, hairpins or side combs, while jeweled headbands work well if you're wearing locks loose and long. Bring a picture of your dress when you go headpiece shopping so you can keep your overall look in mind. A heavily detailed gown calls for a simple headpiece; an understated dress can be accented with something more ornate.

A. Not if you want to spend your engagement looking less than your best. "Regular trims prevent split ends," says Giacomo Di Rado, owner of Giacomo & Rondi Salon, in Boston. "Just tell your hairdresser to snip the tips so it doesn't interferewith the growth." Even with trims every two to three months, you can still create an updo. "Hair grows an average of half an inch per month, so if you start at chin length, you'll reach your goal," says Di Rado. While your tresses may not be long enough for a French twist, you can still get enough height for a loose, wispy look.

A. Not if you want to spend your engagement looking less than your best. "Regular trims prevent split ends," says Giacomo DiRado, owner of Giacomo & Rondi Salon in Boston. "Just tell your hairdresser to snip the tips so it doesn't interfere with the growth." Even with trims every two to three months, you can still create an updo. "Hair grows an average of half an inch per month, so if you start at chin length, you'll reach your goal," says DiRado. While your tresses may not be long enough for a French twist, you can still get enough height for a loose, wispy look.

A. Highlights are an easy fix for ho-hum hair. "Shading individual hairs in a lighter color creates brightness and shine," says Nicholas Binion, a colorist at Privé Salon in Los Angeles. He suggests golden-blond or tawny-beige highlighting near the face for brides with dark-blond to light-brown hair; deep caramel or warm red strands for medium-to-dark hair. Light blonds who want to add dimension should consider lowlighting—painting strands in a darker shade. And if you're wearing an updo, remember that the underlayers will be exposed, so you'll want highlights there as well.