These tips assume that you are going to be using your regular hairdresser to plan your style and on your wedding day. However if you plan to style your hair yourself, you can easily follow the same timetable and I have added some extra tips for you.

1. Plan! Plan! Plan! The earlier you start to plan the better. This gives you the chance to get your hair into the best condition possible and to have practice runs with your hairdresser trying out different styles and colors as well as trying out veils, tiaras and flowers. Ideally start this process 6 months before.

2. Collect pictures of possible hairstyles from all different magazines not just wedding magazines and discuss them with your hairdresser at least 4 months before your big day.

3. Each time you go to the hairdressers to try out a potential wedding day style take photos to help you remember what you liked about it for future reference and take someone with you whose opinion you can trust.

4. Make the most of what you?ve already got, maximize your good points rather than going for a look that isn?t really you.

5. Start weekly conditioning treatments at least 3 months before your wedding.

6. Give you hair a break from harsh styling methods and equipment; this will help with getting your hair in tip-top condition.

7. If you are having flowers in your hair have a trial run with your hairdresser a couple of months before and make sure you have your appointment booked for the wedding day.

8. One month before have a trial run with your veil/ tiara and finalize with your hairdresser the style you have decided upon.

9. If you are having an updo on the day, wash your hair the night before as just-washed hair can be harder to manage.

10. Make sure you have an SOS kit on your big day, which you can give to the bridesmaid with the biggest handbag! - Plenty of hairgrips and pins in a matt color in a shade similar to your hair, hairbrush, tail comb, hairspray and shine spray.

Extra tips if you are doing your hairstyling yourself

1. As well as planning your style in the months before your wedding you need to try out various styling products so that you can be confident that the ones you are using on the day will make your hair look it?s best.

2. To avoid your hair being flat use most styling product on the roots.

3. Hair products from the same range are designed to work together.

4. Have a trial run with your veil and tiara on the style you have chosen. To fix them into your hair, use clear combs and matt grips in a similar shade to your hair. If it?s practical, keep them in your hair for a few hours to make sure they have staying power and to avoid having a slipping veil and tiara on the day.

Last but not least relax and enjoy your day :o)

Skye Irwin operates the website HairCare Made Easy, you can get her Hair Care Made Easy book from http://www.hairc aremade-easy.com/spage.html

Most women with curly or wavy hair have at some point coveted straight hair. If you are one of them and wish to try this, you should know that there are several great options these days and none of them involves a clothes iron. New methods, using state of the art technology, are safer and less harmful to your hair. You can opt for the chemical process to permanently straighten your hair and achieve a smooth, shiny, straight mane for anywhere from six to nine months. Or you can temporarily sport a straight hairstyle for special occasions. You may want to try this before you commit to a permanent change.

If you have the time and patience you can just use a good hair dryer and styling brush to blow dry your hair straight or you can try a straightening irons. There are several different types of straighteners available, from the older, most commonly used chrome-plated metal irons to gold-plated ones and of course the newest technology, ceramic. If you are short on cash try the regular metal or the gold-plated ones; gold is easier on your hair. If you can afford to splurge, purchase a ceramic straightening iron and your hair will thank you. The ceramic heats up more evenly and is gentler to your hair by helping preserve the natural moisture. It also results in shinier, smoother, healthier looking hair as it tends to glide through better. Ceramic is known to eliminate frizz and minimize static.

Things to look for in a straightening iron:

- Does it have adjustable and several heat settings? You will have to experiment with it to find your ideal temperature. Although a high heat setting will get hair straighter quicker, try to follow the general rule of using lower settings for fine hair and higher setting for thick or coarse hair

- Look for solid ceramic plates instead of a ceramic coating as the former will last much longer.

- How heavy is it? A lightweight one will be easier on your arms and make you task much more bearable.

- Does it have a swivel power cord? This feature can make your task go much quicker.

- There are now several cordless models on the market. If you are going to use it for quick touch ups or for travel; this option is great.

- Look for a straightening iron with a protective heat resistant case so when you are done you can move on without worrying about it cooling down.

- Get a smaller plate iron for short hair and a wider one for longer hair.

Tips

- Make sure your hair is totally dry before using a heated iron. Hair is most fragile and prone to breakage when it is wet and the straightening iron on damp hair will open the cuticle and damage the cortex. If possible, allow your hair to dry naturally instead of blow drying as this will reduce the amount of heat your hair has to endure at one time.

- Use a product like serum or protein treatment before straightening - specially on the ends. This will further help protect your hair and leave it shinier.

- If you are looking for pin straight hair, part hair into small sections and do a couple of passes with the iron on each section.

- If you are in a rush or are looking for just a smooth, polished finish; straighten just the top layer of your hair. No one will see the bottom layers anyway.

- Do not wrap the cord around the iron as it may fray or damage cord causing a hazard and giving your investment a shorter life.

Ann is a home based business entrepreneur who researches various topics and reviews internet products. For more information on total hair care visit her site Best Hair Care Guide

This section is ideal for those of you who do not want to spend so much time in daily hair care. Yes, it is not easy to maintain those lovely, full curly locks if time is so consuming.

Therefore, you can try some of the following techniques to keep your hair simple and elegant. Most importantly, use a shampoo which keeps your hair healthy and shiny. Avoid using those which leave your scalp itchy with dandruff, hair loss, dull, brittle with split ends. For conditioning solution, use a hair conditioner or softener after shampooing your hair to keep it soft and smooth, and easy to comb.

Once a week, apply hair masque all over your hair, avoiding the scalp, wrap it up with a shower cap or warm towel, leave the masque on for 20 minutes, rinse and towel dry after that. Use a hair dryer to dry your hair or just leave it to dry itself. Apply some hair cream or serum to keep hair moisturize.

Talking about straight hair, there are many styles of straight hair. You can try the U shape pattern, the V shape pattern, slightly layered at the sides, or just simple straight hair with some fringe in front.

Use a good shampoo and conditioner plus weekly hair masque to treat and repair your hair condition from exposure to changing weather.

You can tie up your hair for a change to look different. Try different kinds of pony tail, bun up, twist and clip. You may try to colour or highlight your hair to improve overall hairstyle.

If short hair matches your look, then it is great to stay with short hair. Try many short hair styles and you will not get bored. It is very easy to maintain, just trim the sides and back every few months to stay in shape. Shampoo, condition and treat your hair often. Try various kind of hair bands and clip to for extra style once in a while.

You may try to colour or highlight few strands to stay cool and up to date.

You like curls? Try the easy ones, go for soft perm with latest technique.

No need hair sprays or thick gels to stand your curls. Try soft perm at the hair ends, let your hairstylist know your requirements, so he or she will do something which you can still maintain your curls easily everyday without combing the ends.

Use a good shampoo and conditioner plus weekly hair masque to treat and repair your hair condition from exposure to changing weather.

You can tie up your curly hair for a change to look different. Try different kinds of curly pony tail, bun up, twist your curls and clip. You may try to colour or highlight your hair to improve your looks.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for medium hairstyles and bob hairstyles. She also writes articles on punk hairstyles.