Countdown to Perfect Hair and Nails

A timeline to get your tresses and digits into ultimate nuptial shape

How to get the best head start on hair? we suggests you adhere to the following prenuptial schedule. And to make sure your digits are nuptial-ready,we added a few important nail dates.

7 Months Before

Go for a nail consultation, if you want to try artificial nails, now's a good time. If you change your mind later on, you still have six months for new nails to grow in. If you decide to go the wrap route, however, you should return to the manicurist every two weeks for maintenance, or else stock up on the necessary products so you can do your nails at home.

6 Months Before

Select a hairstylist, Powers says. This means either finding help for the first time, or if you're dissatisfied with the person you've already got, looking for someone new. Talk to friends, family, other recent brides, for references and recommendations.

Book a consultation appointment. Tell them you don't want a free five-minute quickie, but are willing to pay for a full 30- to 40-minute consultation to discuss color, cut, texture, style. Meet with several stylists, if necessary, until you find the one who creates the best "comfort zone."

Begin any deep conditioning or other vital treatments for your hair.

4 Months Before

Get hair cut and/or colored. If you want to test something new-a different style or hair shade-try it out now. As Powers points out, you still have enough time to go back to your old look in case you change your mind. And you'll want to try to get your hair to its wedding-day shade before you do your makeup run-through with a cosmetics pro.

If you want to grow out healthy, natural nails, book an appointment with a professional at least once, We advise. He or she can discuss variable and options you might investigate, as well as diagnose any specific problems-nails too dry, too brittle, split nails—and corrective products: hydrating or hardening bases, etc. Don't forget, though, that the best long-term solution for problem nails is a healthy diet.

2 Months Before

Have a Dress Rehearsal. Bring in your headpiece to the salon to make sure it will work with your hairstyle, and no last-minute adjustments will be necessary. This is also a good time as well to book the stylist for your wedding day, unless you plan on doing your hair yourself or getting a friend to help.

2 Weeks Before

Make an appointment for a final trim or coloring. This not only gets hair out of the way before the last crazy days before your wedding, but gives it time to "settle" and take its natural fall and shape.

The Day Before

Have a professional manicure and pedicure. Although you can have your nails done the day of your wedding, if the event's in the a.m., definitely go for the day before.

If you're doing your own digits, consider enlisting a bridemaid to help out, and remember that sheer, pale shades show chips and smudges less than deep, vibrant tones do.

On the Big Day

If a stylist is going to be crafting the coifs both you and the rest of the wedding party, make sure that the others go first. This is truly a case of saving the best for last!

Fast Fixes
What are the two things women worry the most will happen to their hair? That it will go flat or limp or- worse yet-do the reverse and coil up into the frizzies. Here's what to have on hand to combat these coif catastrophes:

To protect curl, stock up on Velcro curlers, curling irons, a blow dryer and round brush, and mousse, gel, spray gel or glaze-depending on hair type-to help create the necessary volume.

To fight off the frizzies, make sure you've got an anti-humectant product on hand-be it gel or spray-on-or flat iron device (even if it's just an attachment to your curling iron) to help you, well, straighten out the problem.