Top stylists dish on hair mistakes they witness women committing time and time again.
Mistake #1: Misunderstanding your hair type.
“A lot of women are using the wrong products for their hair because they don’t understand their hair type,” says Greg May of Greg May Hair Architects salon in Toronto. “Often they think they have thick hair, but what they actually have is fine hair but a lot of it.” And what happens? They use products created for thick, coarse hair and their hair gets weighed down and greasy. (The reverse happens often, too—women misreading their coarse hair when they don’t have a lot of it on their head).
How to resolve this mistake: Use that time at the salon wisely—rather than dishing on the latest celeb gossip, chat to your stylist about your hair type and what products will give you the best results.
Mistake #2: Going overboard on shampooing and conditioning.
Women often shampoo way too frequently, says Greg, and at times this can affect the sebaceous glands in your scalp—it gives these oil glands mixed signals when you shampoo too often (and this may result in greasy hair or dehydrate it).
How to resolve this mistake: “Shampoo and condition only when and where you need it,” says Greg. Women “Use your common sense: if you’re going to the gym every day, use a gentle shampoo daily. But the average person should only shampoo about once or twice a week,” says Greg. Also, your shampoo should focus on the bottom half of your hair, and conditioning should target the bottom half of your head of hair. Oh, and some good news? Those premium bottles of shampoo and conditioner will last you longer if you start using the proper amount because chances are you’re using too much. “If your hair’s shoulder length, a loonie-size worth is enough,” he says. “Any more and you’re just pouring money down the drain.”
When you should get a trim and how long do hair products last on the next page ...
