The big day is fast approaching and if you're going to have that beautiful vintage updo you've always dreamt of for your wedding day, you need long hair. Fast.
The question is, is there anything that can be done to speed up the growth process? And once our hair reaches a satisfactory length, is there anything that can be done to avoid split ends? From eating the right foods to giving hair a boost with a serum or oil, the good news is, the answer to both those questions is yes.
Making changes to your diet or taking supplements might not make hair grow inches in a week, but certain foods will improve the health of the hair. This will lead to fewer split ends and with any luck, less visits to the hairdresser. Hurrah!
When it comes to eating your way to healthy hair, foods rich in protein, vitamin D and essential fatty acids are a good start. Salmon, avocado, walnuts are particularly rich in these nutrients, but to fight hair breakage, foods with a high vitamin C content, such as kiwis, strawberries and blueberries, shouldn't be forgotten.
It's not all down to eating berries though. Stylist Michael Van Clarke suggests trimming ends regularly ("3 - 8 weeks"), using a deep treatment once a week and throwing away your hair dryer nozzle. "Unless you have thick wavy hair that you need to dry dead straight, your nozzle unnecessarily concentrates heat and can lead to excessive damage. Keep a one inch gap between your hair and the end of the dryer", he says.
And his biggest no-no? "Always protect your hair in the sun. Hats or scarves are best, protective treatments come second. The UV rays of the sun break down the molecular structure of hair, which unlike skin doesn't recover its appearance within a few weeks. Long hair can take years to renew".
So, when you're not wearing a sun hat, here's our pick of the best serums, oils and shampoos to keep hair looking long and healthy: