I bloody am, that's for bloody sure.

Why: Because I know it will be a shittonne easier to style and will be far more obedient than if I wash it tomorrow before Derby Day, in the same chunk of time I need to also dry it, tong it, style it, pin it into place and headpiece it, (not to mention do things to my face), it will not only mean about a 5am start, but my hair will be slippery, fluffy, too-clean, and won't hold.

So, for the love of light-hold hairspray, wash your hair today, (or Monday if you are Melbourne Cup-ping.)

And don't stop there, fruits, sweet baby GEESE don't stop there! You're only just getting started.

How about, an hour before bed, while you apply some gradual tanner and a face mask (it's fun, this make believe world where we have time for all this, isn't it?)

• Apply some kind of mousse/thickening spray/surf or beach spray to damp hair for grip, body and hold
• Blow dry it through until dry
• Tong it, or use your styler on it – whatever you need to for the eventual style (which, for most girls wearing a hat/fascinator/headpiece/small pile of tropical fruit on their head, will be up or back)
• Spray all over with light hairspray or hold

This means you wake up with that awesome Second Day Hair that is impossible to create on First Day, and because of all the body and texture and lift and grip, you should be able to roughly tie and pin it up or back and it will look rather fantastic indeed. Like D. Kruger here. Just pop your headwear on, (right side of your head) and you're done.

The exception to all of this is a slicked down, deep side-parted, low bun or low ponytail, ala T. Banks here, which absolutely can be created on the day, but which I STILL think looks better with second day or blow-dried hair, because even though it's slick and neat, there is a certain… polished look you get when there is structure in the hair and it's been blow-dried, as opposed to the flatness that can seep in when you don't take the time to dry and style it.

Bottom line: Do your hair the day before.

Line below the bottom line: Have fun and be sure to bet every dollar you own!!

Line below the line below the bottom line: Ignore the line above this one.