We all want what’s best for our hair, but as our busy lives take hold, it’s easy to neglect our locks. From wearing our hair in an unforgiving bun day in, day out to yanking a brush through it in frustration at the discovery of tangles that weren’t there a minute ago, we put our hair through a lot. There are so many hair mistakes that we’re all guilty of making. Let’s see what the main ones are and what we can do to ensure we’re back in our hair’s good books.
Washing too often
No-one wants greasy hair but washing your hair more than you need to can strip away the natural oils that keep it healthy. With this protection gone, your locks are more prone to breakage. Try and limit your hair washing to just two or three times a week. If you do notice your hair getting oily, you can soak it up with some dry shampoo like the one we featured in our ‘Beauty buy of the week’ article. Using a boar bristle brush is also a good idea as it distributes the oil from root to tip and acts as a natural conditioner.
Not caring for dyed hair properly
Dyeing your hair can dry it out so it’s imperative to take the proper steps afterwards to make sure your coloured hair is properly cared for and to ensure your new shade stays looking radiant for as long as possible. If you’ve bleached your hair, this new look requires even more care than other colours because the process requires colour to be literally stripped from your hair strands, which can leave your hair looking limp and dull. This article reveals how to properly care for bleached hair.
Skipping heat protectant
Heat protectants don’t only help protect your hair from the damage caused by appliances such as curling irons and straighteners, but they also help your hair look smooth and shiny. Heat protectants add a barrier between the styling tool and your hair and smooth down the cuticle to ensure moisture is locked in. It’s not worth skipping the heat protectant to save a few minutes in the morning as this could end up damaging your locks and making them harder to manage and style.
Hair up too often
It’s easy to throw your hair up in a bun when you don’t have much time to get ready. Doing this every now and then is fine, but too often and this could lead to broken strands due to the hair bobble being in the same place each time. Our article on trendy summer hairstyles may give you some inspiration for easy styles that ‘free’ your hair. If you would still prefer to tie your locks back every day, then at least try to change the fastening point each time to give your hair a break. Alternative a high bun/ponytail with a low bun/ponytail.
Brushing wet hair
When your hair’s wet, it’s heavier and more delicate, which is why this is definitely not a good time to pull a brush through it. The best way to go about knot-free hair is to brush it before you get in the shower so that it is less tangled afterwards. There are specific brushes for detangling wet hair, which are a lot gentler on your locks. Here is more information on wet brushes if you’re interested in knowing more.
While we’re on the subject of wet hair, it’s also not a good idea to go to bed with dripping locks. The old wives’ tale is that you’ll get ill from it, but what you should be more worried about is the damp environment leading to fungal infections as well as hair breakage from friction. If you really don’t have time to blow-dry your hair or let it dry naturally before bed, then consider purchasing a silk pillow, which can help to reduce hair breakage. Leaving your hair loose when it’s wet instead of pulling it into a tight hairstyle is also recommended for less stress on your hair.
