Our Top Hair No-No’s

When all the shea butter and coconut oil in the world can't revive your broken (or frizzy or dull or...) hair, it's time to start looking at your beauty routine. There are many things we do every day that can cause damage to our hair, here are our top No-No’s.

Brushing Wet Hair

Hair is at its weakest and most elastic when it's really wet. The tight pull of a brush can overstretch the hair shaft and lead to breakage. A better detangling strategy: Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to work through knots while your hair is coated with conditioner in the shower. Start from the bottom up. If possible resit brushing your hair until it is dry.

Blow Drying Wet Hair

So you shouldn’t be brushing super wet hair and you definitely shouldn’t be blow drying your wet hair either. You should always minimize your hair’s exposure to heat. Starting when it is really hot just means that you will be blow drying even longer. Start blow drying when your hair is at least 50% dry. You hair's pattern is set when you're taking it from just slightly damp to dry. So squeeze out excess moisture with a towel and then air-dry as much as possible. The end result will be exactly the same as if you started with wet hair.

Blow Drying Too Hot

One more time: Heat damages your hair. We're not suggesting you swear off it completely, but you need to keep temperatures in check. If your blow dryer hurts your scalp, it's too hot. Your best bet is to use one with at least 2000 watts and set it on medium heat. That way, you're relying more on airflow than on heat to eliminate moisture. And never, ever turn your flatiron above 350 degrees.

Using the Wrong Brush

Natural-bristle brushes are great for grabbing thick, slightly damp hair and smoothing it out during a blowout. But they create too much tension on fine or damaged hair. Vent brushes are a gentler option. Their rubber-tipped bristles glide through the hair, and they have open backs that allow air and moisture to pass through for a quicker blow dry. Remember, less time means less damage! When you buy a brush, check the teeth for seams or roughness (there shouldn't be any) and run your brush along the inside of your arm. If there are any scratches, toss it. If it harms your skin, it's going to harm your hair, too.

Going Overboard with Hair Treatments

We all want the best for our hair and there are a plethora of hair treatments out there that promise nutrients for shiny, lushes locks. But be aware that too much of a good thing can have the opposite effect. Hair treatments often have all kinds of chemicals and nasties. Organic and natural, doesn’t mean that there aren’t other ingredients lurking in the product! So be an informed consumer and follow the recommended dose and frequency of the product.

Skipping Sun Protection

Sun goddesses take note: You need to protect your hair as well as your skin from sun damage. The sun can fade color-treated hair, so invest in a good, large hat that will protect against hair damage. Chlorine in swimming pools can dry out your hair and is particularly bad for blondes. A retro beauty tip: Consider using a bathing cap in a chlorinated pool or rinsing your hair thoroughly right after swimming.