12 Common mistakes we make when styling our hair
As much as we love styling our hair and keeping up with trends, we can’t deny the fact that there are a few mistakes we’re guilty of doing; from heat styling, products we use, to how often we wash our hair.
1. Heat styling
Whether it’s curling, straightening, or blow drying, we all use heat stylers. Just imagine what repetitive high heat can do to your hair. You can still achieve your desired style using the lower or medium heat setting on your styling tool and try blow drying your hair using the cool setting.
2. The right temperature
It’s important to know that different hair types need different temperatures for styling. Styling fine hair is different from thick hair. For fine hair, low temperature of 120–170 °C is ideal, for normal hair 150–175 °C, and thicker hair can withstand higher temperature higher, preferably from 205–230 °C.
3. Always use a heat protectant spray
Using a heat protectant before styling your hair can prevent it from getting damaged. It forms a thin protective layer on your hair which reduces water evaporation from strands, keeping the moisture in. It also helps distribute heat more evenly on your hair, which lessens direct heat exposure.
4. Wrong products
Using products that do not match your hair type can cause issues. Using a moisturizing shampoo, for example, on hair that doesn’t need an extra boost of moisture will make the hair look greasy.
5. Overusing products
Applying too many products on hair can weigh it down, causing it to lie flat, not to mention cause product buildup.
6. Using the wrong hairbrush
Every hairbrush is used for a specific reason and for a specific hairstyle.
- Wide-toothed comb is best to help you to detangle your hair.
- Boar-bristle brush helps to distribute natural oils from your hair throughout the scalp and along the shafts of your hair, resulting in naturally shiny hair.
- Paddle brushes help to flatten out frizzy hair.
- A Vented brush can speed up your hair drying time because it allows the air from the blow dryer to reach to your hair from all angles.
- Round brushes help you achieve a more voluminous blowout at home.
- Tail comb allows you to get that sharp hair part.
- A teasing brush is designed to make the back brushing easier without causing damage to your hair.
7. Washing your hair too often
This leads to stripping all the essential oils that the hair needs to stay healthy. Wash your hair every two or three days, and if you can pull it off, twice a week. Use dry shampoo in between days to eliminate the greasy look.
8. Brushing your wet hair
Wet hair is most vulnerable and more prone to breakage than dry hair. Brushing your tangled ends after a shower is big no, so instead, brush your hair before stepping in the shower. Using a wide-toothed comb, start brushing your hair from the ends working your way up. And if you are someone who likes to brush their hair in the shower, apply a considerable amount of conditioner on your hair and use a wide-toothed comb.
9. Blow drying your hair right after a shower
Hopping out of the shower and blow drying your hair immediately is understandable; you are in a hurry and want to get going. But doing so, your hair is exposed to hot air, making your hair extremely dry because all the necessary moisture that your hair needs is no longer there. It’s advisable to let your hair air-dry for at least an hour before styling it. If you can’t wait that long or you are in a hurry, blow dry your hair using the cool setting on the blow dry.
10. Wrapping your hair under the towel for too long
Leaving your wet hair wrapped under the towel for a long time can cause damage to your hair. This method causes friction which results in hair breakage.
Instead of a towel, use a microfiber towel or a clean old t-shirt, but leave it on for only 10 minutes.
11. Tying your hair too much
Wanting to tie your hair away from your face is a must, especially during the hot summer weather, not to mention saves up a lot of time from styling it. But tying up your hair regularly and tightly can cause damage. It puts pressure on your roots, causing breakage along your hairline. So instead, opt for half up-dos or loose hairstyles instead of tight ponytails for a minimal strain on the hair.
12. Ignoring a much needed haircut/trim
One of the biggest mistakes we can commit is either waiting too long between haircuts or trims, or completely ignoring the need to do so.
Waiting too long to get a haircut causes hair strands to look limp, damaged and unhealthy looking. Split ends are not a go-to look. When your hair has split ends, that split end will travel its way up the hair shaft, causing more damage to your hair. Get a regular trim every 6-8 weeks. This way you will get rid of split ends, preventing your hair from damage and getting tangled, while maintaining a healthy looking hair.