If you type "bridal" into your social media search bar, the suggested searches aren't related to one's actual wedding day—they're things like "bridal arms workout routine," and "bridal glow up." Of course, wanting to look beautiful on one of the most important (and most photographed) days of your life is understandable, but bride-to-be Nina Davuluri has a deeper wedding day goal: Confidence.
Davuluri knows a thing or two about exuding confidence: She's the first South Asian woman to win Miss America, and she's a successful author and filmmaker. When she's not at work, she's hanging out at home in NYC, filming the best beauty and curly-hair tutorials for her 100,000 social media followers, including wedding day looks.
When I spoke to Davuluri, I expected to walk away with some incredible beauty tips for brides-to-be, but our conversation quickly turned into a deep dive on self-esteem and self-care.
Congrats on your engagement! Can you tell us more about your upcoming wedding?
Davuluri: We're getting married this spring on a charming island in Michigan called Mackinac Island! I'm South Indian, and my fiancé, Ryan, is half-Chinese, so our wedding weekend is basically a beautiful cultural explosion, and I am here for it! To prepare, I'm just trying to stay in my normal routine—Pilates workouts and eating meals that make me feel good in my body! Learning to intuitively listen to my body has been game-changing in my preparation, both mentally and physically!
That feels like a really healthy approach! What about beauty routines for your nuptials? You're known for your curly hair tutorials, so I'm particularly curious about that.
Davuluri: I have naturally curly, thick South Indian hair—we're talking 3B curls with a mind of their own. I used to hate my hair [texture], but now I love it. If you give your hair love, it will love you back! My routine starts with using hair oil overnight, then cleansing with a scalp scrub, a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, curl mousse, and diffusing. If I'm wearing it straight, I'll use a heat protectant and a leave-in conditioner before blow-drying. In the past year leading up to the wedding, I got a lot more intentional about scalp health and started introducing a hair serum into my routine, which is when I discovered Nutrafol! Attention to my scalp totally changed the game for me, especially as I've noticed more shedding.
Hair represents different things for different cultures, but there's a specific emphasis on having strong, long, shiny hair for your wedding day. Do you have any preexisting beliefs about what it means to have "good hair?"
Davuluri: Oh, absolutely! In South Indian culture, thick, long, straight hair is the beauty standard. My mom and grandmother always oiled my hair growing up, but it was more than just trying to meet a beauty standard—it was a time for us to truly connect. They're truly some of my favorite memories! Having thick, curly hair certainly affected my self-esteem. I had always dreamed of waking up with long silky strands to the point where I would beg my mom to let me chemically straighten it or get it thinned out (she never agreed to this, which I'm so grateful for)!
Over the years, I've embraced my curls (I even got engaged with my hair naturally curly, which I loved)! That’s why it caught me off guard when I started noticing more shedding than usual as I got further into my 30s, my curls started to wilt, and it was the first time it hit differently. It wasn't just a cosmetic thing. It felt connected to something deeper.
Of course. Not recognizing yourself in the mirror goes beyond aesthetics; it can really affect your self-esteem. Can you speak to how your hair health will play into your confidence as you walk down the aisle?
Davuluri: When I was noticing more shedding, it affected my confidence in a way I didn't expect. I found myself feeling so self-conscious of my [thinning hair], especially when pulling my hair back into a ponytail. I felt my curls looked sad and wilted, so I would mostly wear my hair in a small bun. I cried when I felt how thin my ponytail had gotten at one point, which is when I decided to start being proactive about this. Walking down the aisle, I want to feel fully like myself. And for me, that means knowing I'm doing what I can [to support my hair now], so I'll have confidence walking down the aisle!
I love that approach! Do you know how you're wearing your hair for your wedding to help tap into that confidence?
Davuluri: I have always dreamed of a traditional South Indian flower braid for my Indian ceremony! It's so beautiful, and going into my wedding, all I want to see is thicker, fuller hair. I really wanted to target support right at my scalp. If I were going to introduce a new product into my routine, I wanted something that was clinically tested and physician-formulated, not another product that promised overnight miracles, which is why I chose Nutrafol's Hair Serum.
What are your initial thoughts on the serum?
Davuluri: I was genuinely surprised by how lightweight it is—it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any residue, which was my biggest concern. I also appreciate the convenience: I just apply it with a dropper and go. What I love about it is that it helps cut down breakage-related shedding. This is exactly what I needed, especially since I was already trying out so many different hairstyles for my wedding! It's so simple, and I knew I needed something that would easily integrate into my routine that wouldn’t take up more time—consistency is key in the hair game. I'm not a 20-step girlie, and I knew I needed something that I could easily stick to. Plus, it's not irritating and doesn't cut into my styling, so I'm here for the long game.
Any last tips for brides-to-be about feeling confident?
Davuluri: If I've learned anything from my time as Miss America and beyond, confidence isn't about looking perfect—it's about feeling present. It's about appreciating that you're exactly where you're supposed to be in any given moment. On my wedding day, I want to be fully present, not in my head. And taking care of myself before the wedding helps me not get preoccupied with how I actually look on the day of the wedding. I want to be able to let go and enjoy, knowing that I did everything I could, and be able to have fun! The braid, the traditions, the ceremonies—those rituals ground me, especially when I'm with my family. They are threads that tie back to what has made me the person I am today. They remind me that this day is so much bigger than how I look. What actually gives me confidence is knowing that this day is about building something new with someone I love, while carrying forward everything that has made me who I am!
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