Break This Rule: Switch up your shampoo so your hair doesn't "get used to" it
It's a common problem: After a few weeks of using a shampoo and conditioner, your hair just doesn't look as good as it first did and it seems like your hair has gotten "used to" the products. In reality, hair doesn't actually get used to anything, says New York City hairstylist Danielle Irene.
What really happens is one of two things: Either your shampoo has too many surfactants (foaming agents that consequently dry out your hair), or it has ingredients that are coating your hair. Umberto Savone, creator of the Umberto Beverly Hills hair care line, says that if you often deal with flyaways, your shampoo is likely over-drying your hair; if your hair is flat it's being coated.
The solution is not to switch off between shampoos but rather to switch completely. Savone says that a good shampoo will do neither of these things to your hair, no matter how many times you use it. Look for sulfate-free products to minimize dryness and steer clear of silicone, which can coat your hair. Or, if you really can't give up your current products, Irene suggests using a clarifying shampoo every few washes to clear off any product build up.
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Break This Rule: You should get a trim every six weeks
"You are just wasting money going in every six weeks to get a 'trim,'" says celebrity hairstylist Joshua-Myles Ristaino (he styles Elizabeth Olsen's hair). It may seem crazy, but "a beautiful haircut should last a minimum of three months. Period. If you are fussing with your hair just a few weeks after your cut, something is off," says Ristaino. In order to get that three-month cut, he suggests talking with your stylist in depth about what you want, how you take care of your hair, and any issues you've had with past cuts. Ristaino adds that stylists want to keep their clients, so they should be willing to work with you so you can get a cut that lasts longer than six weeks.
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Break This Rule: Blow dry your hair from the back to the front
So many blow drying how-tos say to section your hair and start with the bottom/back section first. And while that may be the most convenient method, it won't get you the best results. Jan Spagnulo, Master Stylist at Rossano Ferretti Hair Spa in New York City, says that since the front and top of your hair is the first part everyone sees, it's the most important and therefore should be styled first. This way it doesn't "have a chance to have any frizz, curl, or other change before the blow dry process," says Spagnulo.
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Break This Rule: Skip conditioner if you've got greasy hair
Don't blame your conditioner for your oily hair, blame your scalp. "Greasy hair is caused by a problematic scalp," says Savone. "The cure for greasy hair is to cleanse the oil and buildup that is clogging the pores of the scalp. Use a stimulating and exfoliating oil to remove build up [since oil attracts oil] and then shampoo with an exfoliating shampoo and lightly condition." Try jojoba oil, says Ona Spa therapist Angelica Sepulveda, as it most closely matches your natural hair oils.
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Break This Rule: Always comb hair from the ends up
Technically, this rule is still true for some people. If you have thick hair, you should start combing at your ends and work your way up, adding extra conditioner if necessary, say Piero and Luigi Pirri, salon owners in Connecticut and New York and creators of Pirri Element Products.
But they add, "When you are working with thin hair texture you can start from the top because fine hair is fragile and weak. When brushed at the bottom it is more likely to get split ends."
Are you sick and tired of hair that falls flat, frizzes at the first sign of rain, or has ends drier than Seth Meyers' wit? Join the club.
As fellow card-carrying members of the bad hair day club, we know the feeling. Which is why we tracked down a ton of leading experts and stylists to find out why our hair disappoints on a regular basis.
The consensus? We're still following these so-called "hair rules" that are actually just really bad advice. Turns out some of the hair tips we think are no-brainers -- like conditioning after shampooing, blow drying from back to front, and combing hair from the ends up -- are actually wrong. Who knew?
Check out this list of hair advice you should completely ignore. And in case you're wondering just who is turning your hair world upside down, rest assured we talked to the best in the biz. People like celebrity hair and scalp expert Philip B., Pantene Principal Scientist Jeni Thomas, and celebrity hairstylist David Babaii (he does Kate Hudson's gorgeous hair).
Thankfully, our experts didn't just crush our hair reality. They also gave us plenty of hair advice to rebuild our world -- a new world full of amazing hair every day. So go ahead -- be a rebel and break these rules for your best hair ever.
