Hair: it’s hard. It just is! If it’s not too curly, it’s too straight, or too dry, or too frizzy — it’s just a pain in the butt.
So, what are we doing that contributes to how our hair drives us nuts? And what can we do about it? Let’s find out from a few stylists.
(Keep in mind that everyone’s hair is different, and no one knows your hair better than you!)
Washing too often.
If you have hair that’s on the dry side, washing it too often can do a lot of harm.
If you have greasy hair, washing it too often will actually just contribute to more oil — that’s your scalp trying to compensate.
Washing two-three times a week is best for most hair!
Your hair tools are cranked up way too high.
Heat may help with styling, but it can fry your hair.
“You can use heating elements regularly if, and only if, you use a heat protectant and a sufficient amount of it,” said stylist Kashmir Asvaraksh in an interview with Healthy Way.
Ceramic tools and heat protectant are your best friends.
You’re brushing your wet hair too roughly.
“Your hair is most fragile when wet,” said stylist Christy Stewart in an interview with Healthy Way.
Wet hair is vulnerable and extremely prone to stretching. Be gentle, go slowly, and work in small sections. Using a wet brush is best.
Tousling your hair dry.
Yup, you might be doing that wrong too.
You know how you would flip your hair upside-down and towel dry it as a kid? That was causing major breakage in your hair. If you’re still doing that as an adult, it might be time to quit it.
Avoiding the hairdresser.
You may want to keep your long hair, but avoiding the hairdresser altogether is doing damage to your hair.
“But the fact is, your hair is continuously growing, so if it’s been a year since your last cut and your hair is still the same length, you have breakage and you need a trim,” another stylist told Buzzfeed.
You’re washing it wrong: Part 1.
Firstly, people with curly hair can benefit from washing their hair less.
Secondly, don’t move your fingers in circles like you see in commercials. Instead, move your fingers vertically to get a lather that won’t damage your hair.
You’re washing it wrong: Part 2.
Do you rinse your hair with hot water? You probably do. However…
“Rinsing with cold water is better for your scalp than warm or hot — it helps preserve the color in your hair and it keeps it shinier,” a stylist told Buzzfeed .
You’re using the blowdryer wrong.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to not keep the dryer in continuous motion.
Don’t hold it in one place, and dry section by section. Keep the dryer moving and do it slowly.
You’re using the wrong brush for the wrong job.
As we established, a wet brush is best for wet hair.
For when you’re blow drying (or just in general), a boar bristle brush may be your new best friend.
At-home bleaching has some serious rules.
“Bleach doesn’t lather, so trying to evenly disperse it in your hair like shampoo will only lead to a patchy mess and a lot more money spent for us to fix it,” stylist Falicity told Buzzfeed .
Also, do your roots last!
You may need a curl specialist.
“They don’t teach us how to cut curls in beauty school, so the average hairdresser will take an approach similar to cutting straight hair — cutting while hair is wet for precise lines. But someone who’s had curl training will approach your cut differently, cutting while hair is dry and focusing more on the shape,” another stylist told Buzzfeed.
Quality > quantity.
“The reason your hair looks so great when you leave the salon is because of the products we use. It’s hard to re-create the look at home when you are using non-salon alternatives,” a stylist said to Buzzfeed.
Trying for crazy colors at home is a big mistake.
“They are damaging to your hair, and the only way to get rid of the colors is to cut the hair off or put a professional dye over it. Plus, we know what we’re doing with those colors. You don’t,” a stylist told Buzzfeed. Hard to hear, but the truth hurts.
Sleeping with wet hair.
Don’t do it.
“The problem is when you go to bed with your hair wet the cuticle is not quite sealed and with all the friction from moving around at night, it can cause frizz,” said stylist Nunzio Saviano in Style Caster.
Be careful cutting your bangs at home.
“If you’re going to cut your bangs at home, make sure your hair is clean, dry, and styled as you would wear it. NEVER cut in a straight, horizontal line. Instead, just cut up into them. That way if you mess them up it won’t be as noticeable,” a stylist told Buzzfeed .
