Should I wash my hair before getting it styled for a wedding?

Author: Dr. Gia Nolan II  |  Last update: Thursday, June 5, 2025

Despite the myth that dirty hair is better for day-of styling, it can actually do the opposite if your hair has too much oil and dirt buildup. "For most hair types, you should wash and air dry your tresses the night before your wedding," says Davis.

Should I wash my hair before getting an updo?

Arrive at your appointment with clean and DRY hair. There is only so much your professional hairstylist can do with oily, post-hot yoga sweaty hair or never been brushed hair. With a freshly shampooed and conditioned head of hair, your stylist can create a custom cocktail of products to help achieve the perfect look.

Should you wash your hair before getting your hair styled?

It is almost always a good idea to wash your hair before going to the salon. If you cannot do it the morning of the appointment, the night before. This will give your hairstylist a clean slate so the color is fully absorbed, and highlights can fully lift.

How to prep hair for wedding styling?

Wash your hair the night before your wedding day and blow dry it either upside down or preferably with a round brush, elevating everything at the roots. This will ensure your hair has natural body going into the appointment, which is easy for a stylist to build off of.

How long before your wedding should you get your hair styled?

Brides ask me all the time when they should have their hair cut and colored before their wedding, and usually recommend about 2 weeks before your wedding. This ensures enough to time to fix any color if it's not exactly what you wanted, and it's not too long so there won't be any grow out at your roots.

How to Prepare Your Hair for Styling | Wedding Hair

Should I wash my hair before wedding hairstyle?

"For most hair types, you should wash and air dry your tresses the night before your wedding," says Davis. This rule also applies if you have wavy or curly hair that you want to heat style.

What not to do before wedding makeup?

Don't Try Out New Beauty Treatments

While these treatments can be beneficial to the skin, the truth is that they can be harsh and everyone's skin will react differently. It's never a good idea to try out a treatment that is brand new to you right before an important event.

How do I prepare for a hair styling appointment?

Prep Your Hair Before You Go

Arrive with clean, dry hair so your stylist can work their magic. Clean hair ensures even color application and better results. Avoid heavy products like gels or oils, which can create barriers during treatments.

Should I shower the morning of my wedding?

Take a shower

Even if the morning workout isn't a step you see yourself doing, showering the morning of your wedding still needs to be an essential step you take. If you wake up anxious or nervous for your day, showering in the morning can help you calm those nerves.

How do I prepare my hair for styling?

Before you start styling your hair, it's important to wash and condition your hair thoroughly. Use a mild shampoo that matches your hair type and a moisturizing conditioner. This will prepare your hair for styling.

Is clean or dirty hair better for styling?

Potempa recommends showing up to your appointment with clean hair. “I love styling clean hair because you can totally control the prep and products that are being used in the hair to help get the best results without having any leftover product from days prior,” she says.

Do hairdressers like washed or unwashed hair?

Your hair stylist will appreciate it if you come in with clean hair, and it's not fair to make them work with dirty hair. Secondly, wash your hair before going to the salon so that your hair color will look its best.

Can you style hair without washing it?

With the right products, you can keep your hair looking clean, voluminous, and styled without the need for a full shampoo session. Dry shampoo, styling mousse, and hair mists are just a few tools that make this possible.

Should I wash my hair before a hair styling appointment?

Short answer: Clean hair please! While we want you to feel pampered and enjoy the experience of a relaxing shampoo, it's ideal for first time clients to visit the salon with clean hair.

How to prep hair for updos?

Prepping the Hair

A good updo starts with properly prepped hair. Begin by washing the hair with a volumizing shampoo and follow up with a light conditioner to avoid weighing it down. They should ensure the hair is completely dry and add a bit of texture with a volumizing spray or mousse for better hold.

Should I get my hair done the day before my wedding?

Day of: Wash and blow out your hair the day before your wedding and the day before your trial run. Style it however you want it and use the products you typically use. On the day of the wedding take a body shower and leave your hair up to your stylist.

Is it rude to go to a bridal shower and not the wedding?

In short, yes, it is rude to be invited to a shower but not the wedding. A few exceptions to this rule include elopements, micro weddings and destination weddings.

How many hours before a wedding should the bride be ready?

When should I start getting ready for my wedding? For the bride and a bridal party of four, we suggest starting to get ready four to five hours before the ceremony begins. This will provide ample time for hair, makeup, and photos.

Can I wash my hair the morning of my wedding?

Washing your hair on the morning of your wedding will leave you with fresh, clean locks that are ready to be styled exactly how you envision!

What not to do before a hair appointment?

Before You Go

It's generally not ideal to arrive with heavy product build-up from styling your hair the day of your appointment, especially if you're getting a dry cut or highlights before washing. It can cause hair color to go on unevenly and affect how your hair stylist evaluates your pre-cut hair type and texture.

Do hairstylists like when you bring pictures?

Bringing a picture helps clarify exactly what you want. Describing a hairstyle verbally can be tricky—one person's “soft layers” may mean something completely different to someone else. By showing a picture, you're able to provide your Solihull Hairdresser with an exact idea of the look you're going for.

How much to tip a hairdresser?

A 20% tip may be standard, but the percentage can vary. More complex jobs or a stylist that went above and beyond might merit a bigger tip. If service was poor, a little less might be appropriate.

How do you prepare your hair for a wedding?

DO: SHAMPOO AND BLOWDRY YOUR HAIR THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING: Shampooing your hair the night or day before the wedding will ensure your hair is clean and free of oil or build up. If your hair is very oily, you can wait until the morning of, to complete this step. Your hair MUST be blow dried after shampooing.

What to wear when getting hair and makeup done for a wedding?

What to Wear to Get Your Wedding Hair and Makeup Done
  • A Robe. Robes are adorable, come in lots of styles, colors, and can be embroidered with “Bride” on the back, and can even be cutesy and floral. ...
  • A Button Down. The typical go-to tradition is a button-down shirt and shorts. ...
  • Oversized Tees.

Should you have hair or makeup done first for wedding?

In general, getting your makeup done first is just a suggestion, and if it works out better for you to do your hair at the beginning, don't sweat it. As long as it gets done and you're happy with the final result, that's all that really matters.

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