5 Beauty Bad Habits to Break: Hair Care Edition

I'm on a quest for healthier hair this summer, especially because I'm growing out my lovely locks. We're all guilty of being less than kind to our hair at times, but here are some of the biggest habits you can break to get gorgeous hair with less damage!

1) Being too vigorous with your hair after getting out of the shower

No aggressive towel-drying or brushing as it causes breakage and frizziness. Instead, gently pat dry your hair and let it air dry.

Wet hair = delicate hair. Let's treat it that way!

2) Dying your hair too often

At-home dyes can be very harsh, often leading to dry, brittle hair and breakage. Switch to a product that is less damaging, like Lush's henna dyes (review here), which contain moisturizing cocoa butter and no harsh chemicals, or take a trip to the salon instead.

3) Avoid ponytail nonos

Sometimes it's just easier to throw your hair up in a ponytail or bun, but next time you do, here are a few things to think about...

Does your pony tail holder contain a metal edge? This is damaging to your hair! Instead, try using a ponytail with no metal edge, wrapping some fabric around the metal edge, or using prewrap.

How tight is your ponytail? Have you ever got a headache from wearing a ponytail? Wearing too tight a ponytail is bad for you hair providing irritation at the scalp which can lead to temporary, and eventually permanent, hair loss. So if your getting a headache from your ponytail you should immediately tie your hair back in a more relaxed way. 

Do you always put your ponytail in the same spot? Constantly wearing your hair in the same position can lead to breakage, so switch it up! You hair and your style will thank you.

4) Not using a heat protectant spray before using heat styling tools

Heat from blow dryers, straighteners, and curlers are one the easiest ways to fry your hair, leaving you with split ends, which can't be fixed (except with a chop!). To avoid having to cut your locks more than you want to, use a heat protectant spray. My personal favourite is Tresemme Heat Conditions Heat Tamer Protective Spray.

5) Washing hair with extremely hot water

Although we all love those steamy showers, your hair doesn't. Hot water dehydrates hair, zapping it of it's oils. I've heard about the benefits of cold showers, but I don't know if I'm ready to take that step yet. Instead, warm showers with a blast of cold at the end seem like a good compromise, no?

Do you have any more hair bad habits you want to break? Let me know in the comments!