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You've probably heard that you should start a special skincare regime to prep for your wedding, but you shouldn't forget about your hair either. Sure, you can hire someone to create your 'do the day of, but it's up to you to come in with healthy hair and a vibrant color. And since these changes don't just happen overnight, you should start focusing on your mane several months before.
To make the most of your time, I spoke with Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of his eponymous haircare line. As a go-to stylist tending to the Kardashian-Jenner tresses, Fitzsimons knows exactly how to take hair from drab to dazzling for a big event. I thought he would recommend elaborate creams and serums, but surprisingly, all it takes is a few key products and a couple lifestyle changes to whip your hair into its best shape.
A good shampoo like Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo will keep your blonde looking like it came straight from the salon while a multi-tasking leave-in conditioner like AF1 Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner provides TLC for all hair types and colors.
No matter if you'll be walking down the aisle or red carpet, these hair products will give you tresses worthy of the spotlight.
Andrew Fitzsimons AFI Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner
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Ulta
Price at time of publish: $14
This 10-in-1 leave-in conditioner is the only styling product you need to detangle, reduce frizz, and repair dry hair and split ends. "It's formulated with the patented AF Bonding System, which is a protein building complex designed to repair your hair from the inside out, giving you softer, shinier and more manageable hair before the big day," says Fitzsimons.
It's A 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin
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Courtesy of Amazon
Price at time of publish: $17+
Fitzsimons recommends using a deep conditioning mask weekly to keep your hair hydrated and resilient. I've tried many hair masks, and this formula from It's A 10 is the best I've found. The combination of different plant oils and keratin brings my bleached hair back to life. Every time I use it, my strands look healthier and brighter, as if they just got a gloss.
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
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Amazon
Price at time of publish: $12+
Whether you have blonde or silver hair or even just some highlights, you want a good purple shampoo in your arsenal to keep brassy tones at bay. This one has nourishing argan oil and is sulfate-free, so it won't fade color-treated hair.
"Rub it onto the scalp as you would a regular shampoo, but let it sit," says Fitzsimons. "The longer you wait to rinse it out, the softer your blonde becomes." If your blonde is really brassy, Fitzsimons recommends leaving it to the professionals and getting a toner treatment at the salon.
Andrew Fitzsimons Body Volume Boosting Shampoo
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Ulta
Price at time of publish: $14
If you color your hair, it's crucial to use a sulfate-free shampoo to prevent stripping the color every time you wash it. I've been loving this sulfate-free formula from Fitzsimons' line. Not only does it smell divine, but it as caffeine to help stimulate hair growth and thicken hair.
Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements for Women
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Amazon
Price at time of publish: $34+
Unfortunately, the stress of planning a wedding can potentially lead to excessive shedding and hair loss. If you feel like you are losing more hair than normal, you can consider a clinically proven supplement like Viviscal. According to Dr. Gary Linkov, a New York City-based board-certified facial plastic and hair surgeon, it can take 3-6 months to see results, so don't wait until the last minute to start.
Lilysilk Silk Curling Headband and Scrunchie Set
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Lilysilk
Price at time of publish: $20
In order to get your healthiest hair possible, it's a good idea to put down the heat styling tools (at least for a bit). "If a bride is looking for the healthiest hair possible, I would recommend styling with as little heat as possible about 3-4 weeks before your wedding," says Fitzsimons. "Cutting down on heat will help your hair be softer and reduce the risk of breakage."
To give your hair more shape while air drying, you can use a curling headband like this one from Lilysilk. Even though I'm not preparing for a wedding, it's my latest beauty obsession—it gives me the smoothest, heatless curls that actually last.
Meet the Expert
- Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of his own haircare line. He counts Bella Hadid, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox, Joan Smalls, and Shay Mitchell as his regular clientele.
What to Look for in Products for Healthy Hair
Hair Type
Before creating your bridal haircare routine, consider your hair type and your biggest issues to tackle. If you have dry or damaged hair, invest in a good hair mask like It's a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner to repair your strands. If you want to pump up the volume, try a shampoo with thickening ingredients like Andrew Fitzsimons Volume Boosting Shampoo. And if hair loss or slow hair growth is your concern, consider a supplement, like Viviscal Hair Growth Supplement.
Sulfate-Free
It's a good idea in general to avoid sulfates in shampoo, as the cleaning agent can potentially dry out your hair and irritate your scalp. But if you color your hair, it's especially important to skip the sulfates and avoid stripping your hair of its new color. To keep highlighted hair extra bright, stock up on a sulfate-free purple shampoo like Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo.
Nutrients
From moisturizing to strengthening to promoting hair growth, vitamins and minerals help your hair all around. Fitzsimons suggests looking for haircare products with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, proteins, iron, carotene, and amino acids. His Leave-In Conditioner has castor oil, which is rich in vitamins and amino acids.
Why Trust Brides
Emily Cieslak is an Assistant Commerce Editor and writes about all things beauty. Having dyed her hair all kinds of shades—she's currently blonde—she knows all about restoring hair health and maintaining its color. For this article, she interviewed celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons for his secrets to getting his clients red carpet-ready.
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