Silky Tresses
The perfect treatments for your crowning glory
On your wedding day, you want your hair to have its most shining moment. Whether your tresses are curly and coarse or straight and fine—or anywhere in between—there are pampering new treatments designed to make your locks lustrous and silky-soft. For the best results, try to do any of these within two weeks of the big day. Here are a few we especially like:
Essential Oil Treatment at Frédéric Fekkai Salon,
New York City, 212-583-3232
Because this treatment prevents as well as repairs damage, it's good for all hair types—and just take a whiff! Fragrant essential oils of lavender, chamomile, sunflower, and other plant extracts are blended to stimulate a sluggish scalp and nourish thirsty tresses.
Treatment: After hair is shampooed, conditioned, rinsed, and towel-dried, it is spritzed with a fusion of oils, which is gently massaged into your scalp and through your hair. Next, you relax while sitting under a bubblelike hood that releases a gentle mist of steam. "The moist heat opens up the cuticle of the hair, allowing hair to soak up the oils like a sponge," explains colorist and treatment specialist Gary Wagner. The heat also heightens the scent of the oils. "It smells like springtime," says Wagner. After 30 minutes of steaming, your hair is rinsed, then misted with Protein Rx Spray, a leave-in treatment and styling aid.
Treatment Time: 30minutes; 60 minutes for damaged or long hair.
Cost: $60; $85 for damaged or long hair.
Ionic Conditioning Treatment at Julien Farel Salon,
New York City, 212-888-8988
Intended to condition curly or processed hair and tame the frizzies, the salon's special conditioner is made with black crystals containing electrically charged molecules, or ions, which, when used in tandem with a flat iron that also emits ions, allow moisture and protein to sink deep into the hair shaft. The result—the roughed-up surface of the strands are smoothed out. This, of course, also makes the treatment good for processed locks and pumps strength back into hair that's gone limp from Japanese thermal-straightening treatments. (For information on other salons that feature the process, go to ishprofessional.com.)
Treatment: Hair is shampooed and dried, then brushed section by section with the ionic conditioner and finally smoothed with the flat iron. The treatment's extra-deep penetration moisturizes hair from within. After all sections are ironed, there's a five-minute cool-down. Once your hair is rinsed and styled, you're good to go. Results may last for up to a month.
Treatment Time: 30 minutes.
Cost: $100, which includes blow-dry.
R & R Deep Therapy Masque at Christo Fifth Avenue Salon,
New York City, 212-997-8800
If you color your hair, this treatment can restore the shine you may have lost. (The hair's keratin, or protein, sometimes gets damaged during the coloring process.) Curly locks in distress particularly benefit from this kind of pampering.
Treatment: After hair is shampooed and rinsed, it is saturated with Curlisto Deep Therapy Masque, a creamy blend of proteins, amino acids, and botanical extracts. A scalp-stimulating acupressure massage follows. "The massage helps to bring more blood flow to hair follicles, resulting in healthy hair growth," says Artistic Director Christo. Relax for ten minutes and you're done; the treatment requires no heat to penetrate.
Treatment Time: 45 minutes.
Cost: $85 and up.
Try Curlisto Deep Therapy Masque at home between treatments.
Cost: $30, curlisto.com.
Do-It-Yourself Treatments
Pavés Professional Flawless Undamaged Goods Deep Repairing Conditioning Cream ($5.99, walgreens.com)
This 60-second wonder is rich in nourishing ingredients such as coconut and Roman chamomile oil, yet won't leave hair limp, making it ideal
for fine hair.
Redken Extreme Rescue Force Fortifying Treatment For Distressed Hair ($12.95, for salons, 800-REDKEN8, redken.com)
Like rehab for overprocessed, brittle hair, this deep-penetrating conditioner builds strength from the inside out. Leave on for 5 to 15 minutes
as needed.
Philip B. Four-Step Treatment ($79.50, philipb.com)
This kit lets you duplicate Philip B.'s famous salon treatment at home. First, apply Rejuvenating Oil to dry hair; heat with a blow-dryer for 2
to 20 minutes, depending on how damaged hair is. Massage Peppermint and Avocado Shampoo into oiled hair; lather, then rinse. Condition with Deep
Conditioning Crème Rinse and spritz with Detangling Finishing Rinse.
Bumble and Bumble Deep Treatment ($20, 800-7-BUMBLE)
This weekly conditioner is a favorite of Donatella Versace's. Protein for strength, silk for conditioning, pro-vitamin B5 for moisture, and
scalp-soothing passion-fruit juice combine to pamper and protect hair.