Not everybody is blessed with healthy, gorgeous locks, which is why most of us have to make do with what we have, style it in whatever ways we know how, and hope for the best.
There are many practices when it comes to styling hair, but are they actually beneficial, or are we just making things worse? In some cases, you could be doing more harm than good.
Here are some of the worst pieces of advice people have been given about hair styling, which should be avoided at all costs.
Wash your hair very frequently.
If you wash your hair every day, you’re overdoing it. A little bit of grease in your hair is actually a good thing. Plus, if you’re wearing hair extensions, the grease will help secure the clip-ins to your hair.
There isn’t a hard and fast rule when it comes to the number of times you should wash your hair in a week. Everybody’s hair is different, and this largely depends on the texture of your hair and the oil production of your scalp.
Take cues from your hair. If you’re experiencing breakage, flakes, or frizz, you could reduce the number of washes. Use dry shampoo instead for the days when your hair feels extra oily.
Once you’re done washing, avoid using a cotton towel and rubbing your hair roughly with it. Instead, reach for a microfiber towel or even a soft t-shirt to blot down the excess water.
Brush your hair while it’s still wet.
If you are in a hurry, you might be tempted to brush your hair after you’ve just stepped out of the shower. However, hair is at its weakest state when wet and is more prone to breakage.
What you can do instead is to brush your hair before you hop in the shower so it’ll be easier to style once it dries out.
Use any trendy styling product.
Gels, pomade, mousse, hair extension volumizer, serums, texturizers, and sea salt sprays: there are so many products available today, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which product to use.
First, know your hair type and what it needs. Do you want volume, shine, or frizz control? Evaluate your hair’s needs and from there, you’ll be able to determine the right product for your unique concerns.
Load up on styling products.
If you’re blessed with thick hair or if you’re wearing volumizer hair extensions, you might think you’ll need to load up on styling products. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth. Whether you’re going for a simple or elaborate hairstyle, using too much will result in product buildup.
This could in turn lead to dryness and shedding. Thus, moderation is key here. Use a nickel-size amount when applying gel and a dime-size amount of serum. And, if you use styling products everyday, use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove the buildup.
Heat style as desired.
If you frequently use a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, try to dial it down a notch. Using heating tools to style your hair can severely damage it. You can air dry your hair instead of blow drying it, or use one-piece clip-in hair extensions to give your hair some volume.
You can also use a heat protectant spray or lower the settings of your tool. Make sure to use a nozzle on your blow dryer to disperse the heat more evenly, and don’t concentrate the heat in one spot for too long.
Of course, styling is also possible without the aid of these tools. For instance, you can braid your hair before going to bed so that when you wake up in the morning, you have naturally wavy hair.
It’s OK to put your hair up in a tight bun every day.
Sweeping up your hair into a tight bun might be convenient for sleeping or working out. However, this could create tension and lead to breakage.
Make sure to loosen up the bun or create a low ponytail so your hair can breathe, and swap tight hair elastics with soft hair ties that don’t damage the strands.
Skip a salon appointment whenever you need to.
Trimming your split ends prevents flyaways. When you stop trimming your hair, it becomes harder to style and manage. Schedule a trim with your favorite stylist every quarter to keep your hair healthy and strong!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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