"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.
The Mistake: Over-Styling Your Hair with Tight or Labored Curls
Not only is over-styling your hair potentially damaging, it's also becoming a dated faux pas. "The tight curls or waves are just so not the thing anymore, and over styling can age you. It's all about the effortless style nowadays. Think sleek, sexy, but undone," advises Mondo. "The key is to just do less. Take a second to look at yourself in the mirror after styling and make sure it looks as if you just woke up with perfect hair. If you did too much curl or wave, than bust out the blow dryer and pull the wave down hard and blow dry to release some of the curl in order to give you that lived in look."
