5 ways you are damaging your hair
<p>We all know the joy of having a really good hair day, but if you’re doing any of these hair no-no’s you might end up with fewer GHD’s than you’d like.</p>
<p>Whether it’s a wonky fringe trim after one too many wines on a Friday night, or overuse of heat, we’re nearly all guilty of some of these hair faux pas.</p>
<p><strong>1. “I’ll just trim my fringe myself”</strong></p>
<p>We all think we are perfectly capable of cutting hair in a straight line, but the truth is you’re probably not. Not only do most homes not have the right scissors, a wonky fringe is very difficult to fix, as you can only go shorter which isn’t ideal. You can go to the salon for a fringe-only cut, and it’s well worth leaving some things to the professionals. Your fringe really frames your face, so it’s worth the investment.</p>
<p><strong>2. “My hair is dry enough to straighten now”</strong></p>
<p>That sizzle sound you hear when your hair straightener hits slightly damp hair? That’s the sound of your hair crying. Well actually it’s your hair burning. No moisture can be present when you use heat tools, as the burning of hair is irreparable. Don’t rush it – dry it completely with a hair dryer (or let it air dry) so that you don’t risk damaging it. This might mean thinking ahead and washing your hair in the morning if you know you are going to straighten it that evening for instance.</p>
<p><strong>3. “If I just turn the heat up to 11 it will be much faster”</strong></p>
<p>You’re busy, we get it. But some things can’t be rushed, and whacking your straightener or hairdryer up to the highest heat setting is not going to help. First of all you might burn it, second of all the heat dries the hair out quickly which can cause the dreaded fluffiness or flyaway hair that only super-strength hairspray from the 70’s can fix (and that stuff is hard to come by).</p>
<p><strong>4. “I can save loads of cash if I colour my hair at home”</strong></p>
<p>There’s a reason a salon colour looks so good (and costs much more than a box of dye from the chemist). It’s because the hairdresser has spent hours and hours learning about hair, colours, matching skin tone, application procedures, and even damage control. A dye in a box is a one size fits all approach to hair colour, whereas a salon colour is tailored just for you. You could end up with hair that is not only very dry but also the exact same colour all over which never looks great.</p>
<p><strong>5. “It’s OK to hit the salon with dirty hair”</strong></p>
<p>Is there anything better than sitting back in that comfy chair and having your hair washed by your stylist? Doubtful. But if you let your hair get beyond dirty before your appointment you’re not doing yourself any favours. Your hairdresser needs to see your hair in its natural state while they discuss your hopes for your cut (as well as your hopes for any nice holidays coming up). They also don’t want to be putting colour on hair that’s had to be scrubbed squeaky clean, as this can affect the final result. So wash your hair the day before if you can, as this gives your head a chance to produce the natural oils to ensure it’s ready to co-operate.</p>
<p>Are you guilty of any of these hair no-nos? We would love to hear your hair horror stories in the comments.</p>
