How soon before an event should I wash my hair?

Author: Reinhold Hirthe  |  Last update: Saturday, September 6, 2025

With a freshly shampooed and conditioned head of hair, your stylist can create a custom cocktail of products to help achieve the perfect look. Instead of washing 2-3 days prior, we suggest shampooing/conditioning the night before at the very earliest. Even better, shampoo and condition the morning of the wedding!

When should I wash my hair before an event?

In fact it needs to be very clean so washing your hair the morning of your wedding or the evening before is your best bet to get the most from your wedding hairstyle. If you know your hair is particularly slippery very soft or silky you can skip the conditioner when you wash.

Is it better to have dirty or clean hair before coloring?

It's best to color your hair on clean hair. If you have too much product buildup or oil. or any sort of environmental stress in the hair, it could prevent the color from. fully penetrating your cuticle and covering.

Why does my hair look better 2 days after washing it?

Also, the longer it is after washing, the more oil is produced on your scalp and starts distributing down your hair. Therefore, my hair looks better 2nd and 3rd day. Around the fourth day, my scalp starts becoming too oily and it needs to be washed.

Should you wash your hair the night before or the morning of your wedding?

We always recommend brides and bridesmaids to wash their hair the day before the wedding. Its nice to have the hair clean and dry morning of, but not FRESHLY clean if that makes sense. It will hold curls and Bobby pins much better if the hair isn't freshly washed.

The Secret to Fixing Oily & Dry Hair

Should I wash my hair the night before the hairdressers?

It depends. If your client's hair is very oily then, yes, they might want to wash their hair around 24 to 48 hours before colouring. However, they don't need to head to the salon with super squeaky clean locks, so tell them not to wash on the day of their appointment.

How far in advance should I get my hair done before wedding?

Three to Four Weeks Before

For healthy-looking hair, you should get trims every 6 to 8 weeks to help keep the dead ends at bay. Your last haircut and color should be 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding.

What day does your hair look best?

Now, the second day after washing our hair is when things get really good. That slinky, just-washed feel lives on, the intoxicating shampoo scent remains, and there's not a strand of greasiness in sight. Our hair just looks so much better and styles so much easier.

What is considered day 2 hair?

WHAT IS SECOND-DAY HAIR? As the name suggests, second-day hair refers to what your hair looks like the day after you wash it. Since freshly-washed hair is typically voluminous, with tons of body and movement, second-day hair doesn't quite live up to the same expectations.

How to style your hair in the morning?

Speed up the process by gathering your hair up into a ponytail and split it right in half. Then, take a curling wand or curling iron and curl each section. This will give you loose waves that look effortless and best of all, this technique is so much quicker than curling your hair in small sections.

What not to do before dying hair?

Along with washing your hair right before dyeing it, avoid applying any styling products, like dry shampoo or leave-in conditioners.

Do hair stylists prefer clean or dirty hair?

Additionally, it's also a matter of courtesy; clean hair is usually more pleasant for stylists to work with. However, if you're going for a haircut, a little natural oil in your hair is acceptable, as it can help the stylist understand your hair's natural texture and style.

Can I dye my hair if I haven't washed it in a week?

The general rule of thumb is to not wash your hair the day of coloring or even the day before coloring if your hair washing routine allows. You might hear colorists say a second (or even third) day hair is best. Why is that so? Unwashed hair produces a natural oil protective layer.

What not to do before a hair appointment?

However, try not to shampoo your hair the same day you go to the salon, especially if you want to get your hair dyed. You don't want to over-wash your hair, especially as they will usually wash your hair for you at the salon. Washing your hair before going to the salon removes the natural oil from your scalp.

How many days should you leave your hair unwashed?

Your scalp and your strands need moisture to stay healthy, so try to cleanse once a week if possible. If you're working with fine or thin hair, or you have an oil-prone scalp, you may need to suds up a few times a week, every other day, or even daily (if you're, say, running a marathon in scorching heat every morning).

How many days before an event should I get a haircut?

For Wedding Guests: 1 to 2 weeks in advance

Alternatively, If you know the stylist you're seeing and they've cut your hair before, if you're not doing any major changes, or if you like a freshly cut look, then you'll want to schedule your wedding haircut closer to the wedding day.

What is the 2.5 hair rule?

Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.

Why does my hair look best 2 days after washing?

Don't be surprised if you notice that your second day hair looks and feels better than right after washing it. On the second day, your hair has had time to fully dry, your hair's natural oils have returned, and your hair's natural shape is restored.

Is it bad to leave hairspray in your hair for 2 days?

Is leaving hairspray in your hair bad? Ideally, you shouldn't leave hairspray in your hair for longer than a day. It's recommended that you wash your hair in the evening after wearing hairspray for a day. (Don't worry, washing your hair daily won't cause hair loss — that's just a myth.)

Is it better to shampoo in the morning or at night?

Anyone with fine and/or oily hair may also benefit from washing their hair in the morning and should apply shampoo at the roots and let it lather through the ends. Thick and curly hair is best washed at night, ensuring it is mostly dried before bed.

What time of year is hair thickest?

We can normally expect to lose anywhere from 50 - 100 strands of hair per day but it is also proven that people do shed more at certain times of the year and several studies have suggested that hair grows thicker in the spring and starts to thin late summer while being at its peak in Autumn.

Should you wear your hair up or down for a date?

If you want to keep the focus on your clothing, like you're a model or walking a red carpet, then go updo. If you want your face and outfit to flow together for a first date or casual days, then let your locks hang low.

How early should you get your hair done for an event?

Cutting Your Hair

It is important to know that it depends on various factors. If you will keep the same color and style for your hair, two weeks will work. However, if you plan to switch it up and go for a drastic change in hair color and style, it is best to get your hair done about four weeks before the event.

When should I wash my hair before my wedding?

For the cleanest possible hair, you should plan to wash it on the morning of the wedding—but not too close to your appointment, since you need your strands to be dry before styling.

Is it better to get hair or makeup done first?

Getting your makeup done first is a great way to start getting ready, however, there are a few things to keep in mind for the best results: Hot styling tools: If you're opting for a heat-free wedding hairstyle, getting your makeup done first is a great option.

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