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?
Image via Imaxtree
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Mistake No. 10: Incorporate before and after care
In addition to keeping your strands protected during your heat styling, you're also going to want to treat your hair extra nice — which means indulging the occasional luxury. To start, apply a shampoo and conditioner with a built-in heat protectant, such as Amika's Velveteen line. Celebrity hair stylist Kendall Dorsey's best kept secret is to sleep on a silk pillowcase like Slip Silk Pillowcase, $85. "Satin silk maintains the moisture in your hair and helps protect hair from continuous usage of the hot irons," she says. She also likes Drybar The Morning After Shower Cap, $16, for preserving your heat-styled 'do in the shower.
