Mistake No. 5: Holding the iron on a section for too long
Let the infamous YouTube video of the girl who burns her hair off with a curling iron be a lesson: Don't make the same mistake she did. Instead, hold curling irons on the hair for no longer than 8-10 seconds to ensure that you're yielding results while causing minimal breakage. With a flat iron, do not let it rest anywhere on the hair — keep the iron moving along, says Brown. She sees this mistake all-too-often with clients and friends, and says that it's a sure way to leave your strands broken and sparse.
Image via Imaxtree
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Mistake No. 6: Not spending the money for quality tools
Most hairstylists agree that salon-quality tools are worth the investment, even though they come at a higher price than drugstore brands. "Whether it is the quality of the materials or the technology, you should feel confident knowing that your hair is being taken care of to the most efficient degree," says Laurie Heaps, LA-based celebrity hairstylist. She recommends investing in titanium irons, as they heat quickly and more evenly and retain the heat better, which allows for faster styling and fewer passes. Biosilk has a wonderful line of titanium straightening and curling irons," she adds.
Mistake No. 7: Not giving your hair the TLC it deserves
If you wake up every morning and reach for your hot tool, you might want to consider your go-to hairstyle. Applying this frequency of heat exposure to your strands every day is too much, according to experts. "Understand your hair's limitations and give it breaks when you can," says Lopez. He recommends switching to a gentler hair cleanser and amping up the moisture level with weekly hair masks so that you begin to like your natural flow. "If you're committed to heat styling, understand the stress you're putting on your hair and learn how to combat it," he adds. "Use a reviving, repairing shampoo and conditioner like the ones from Kenra Platinum Revive System — the shampoo, conditioner, treatment and oil work together to give you the right levels of moisture and protein to keep hair healthy and breakage at bay."
Knowing when to reach for your straightener, curling iron, or wand for a desired look is key, explains Lopez. "The finish of a wand is different than that of an iron — wands will always give you a fuller, more 'fluffed out' curl and wave, while a clip iron can also smooth the hair at the same time," he says. "Generally speaking, frizzy, coarse hair will benefit from using a clip iron if their main concern is achieving a smooth finish, and fine hair types will love the results of a wand." If you're looking for a good wand, you can't go wrong with 2018 TotalBeauty Award winner Drybar The Wrap Party Styling Wand, $165.
Mistake No. 9: Applying heat everywhere just because
Brown recommends using your hot tools sparingly as possible for each hairstyle. "If you're using a flat iron just go over the top layer, since your hair doesn't need to be flat ironed all around," she explains. "If you're using a curling iron, let your hair dry natural, especially if you have a natural wave, before adding curls in where needed." Besides, messy beach waves are so on trend — why not use them as an excuse to implement a more low-key hair routine in between heat styling sessions?
