The Mistake: Wearing Too-Tight Ponytails All the Damn Time
A ponytail is an easy fix for a bad hair day, and you can even rock it as a statement look. However, wearing a tight ponytail all the time can take a toll. "Tying it too tight can put too much pressure on the follicles which can lead to something called traction alopecia," warns Adel Chabbi, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Adel Atelier in NYC. "This may even lead to hair loss and, over a long period of time, cause a receding hairline." If you like the look of a sleek ponytail, she recommends using products that'll work to your advantage instead of torturing your hair and scalp. Try Miss Jessie's Hold Me Down hair gel, $7.99.
It makes sense to want to lock-in your look after creating the perfect 'do, but don't go too crazy with the hairspray, warns Marshall Lin, a celebrity hairstylist in New York City. "Using too much hairspray will create product build up and weight for your hairstyle and limit its flexibility. To make your blowout last you have to start with a clean scalp, use good styling products, and create some extra tension when blow drying. When you're all done, gently apply a dry shampoo to keep hair fresh and finish off by evenly spraying a lightweight, flexible-hold hairspray." We recommend Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray, $26.
The Mistake: Tightly Wrapping Hair in a Towel After Washing
"Hair can stretch up to 50 percent of its length when it's wet, and it's much more fragile than dry hair. When you put a lot of tension on wet hair with a towel you can get major breakage on your hairline, as well as any parts of your hair that are being pulled," warns Mondo.
He says if you absolutely need to wrap your hair — versus gently pressing hair dry — that it's best to buy a special towel made for this. "It'll be a much softer fabric and will make sure you don't have to twist your hair to death in the towel because they are much smaller." Try the Aquis Rapid Dry Lisse Hair Turban, $20.99, which is made from microfiber and actually expedites the drying process.
The Mistake: Trying to Brush Tangled Hair While It's Wet
In addition to torturing your hair with a towel after washing, one of the worst mistakes people make is brushing their hair right out of the shower. This is especially terrible if you have curly, kinky, wavy, or tangle-prone hair, warns Chabbi. "You should only use your fingers to detangle. I recommend using a styling lotion [or detangling product] and then letting your hair air dry or diffuse." If you must brush your hair while it's wet or damp then use something like Tangle Teezer's The Ultimate Detangler, $14. It features 325 patented "teeth" that are long and flexible, which minimizes the potential for breakage or cuticle damage.
"Some people think that the longer you leave a curling or flat iron on your hair, the longer the style will last. That couldn't be further from the truth," warns Lin. "The longer you leave a hair iron on your hair — or in one particular spot — the more damage the heat does to do your hair." Whether curling, adding light texture, or straightening, you should always keep your iron moving. When you feel your hair is hot, that means it's done." This might be a no-brainer, but he says you must also use a heat protectant — no exceptions. Pai-Shau's Something To BeLeave-In, $24, is a winner.
