8 Things These Hair Stylists Would NEVER Do
Hair hacks are easy to come by on social media, but salon experts have actually seen (and fixed) it all. Check out these eight DON'Ts from hair stylists — and what to do instead!
From not washing your hair every day to blasting it with cold water before you get out of the shower, we all have a litany of hair hacks we’ve learned over the years — from our moms, magazines, friends, and social media. Some work, some don’t, and it’s tough to know which tips are the real deal.
Fortunately, stylists have seen (and fixed) it all. We reached out to trusted experts in the Nashville salon scene, and these were the don’ts that quickly emerged, plus what to do instead!
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They Don’t Use Heat Without a Heat Protectant
“Heat from your blow dryer and styling tools can be so damaging for hair — especially colored, weak, and sensitized hair,” says Rosa, a stylist at Escape Day Spa and Salon. “We would never, ever put heat on someone’s hair without using a heat protectant after washing and conditioning.”
Sam Finan, a stylist at Element Salon, echoes that sentiment. “I would never use heat on my hair without a heat protectant, even just to diffuse my curly hair,” he adds. “Heat can cause damage to curl patterns and fade color much faster. After every wash, I use a lightweight heat protectant while diffusing to protect my curls without weighing them down.”
Sam recommends Discipline Fluidissime from Kérastase for protecting hair from damaging heat.
They Don’t Air-Dry Their Hair
This one may surprise some of you! “One common mistake I often notice people making is air drying their hair. This practice can not only result in a flaky and imbalanced scalp but also lead to moisture loss in the hair over time,” explains Krista Hatcher, senior stylist at Style House Salon.
To help mitigate those issues, she recommends using a high-quality thermal protectant and blow-drying the scalp until it’s dry and the rest of the hair until it’s about 50% dry. Krista says, “I swear by the Kérastase Nutritive Thermique Spray as my go-to thermal protectant. It nourishes the hair and boasts a lightweight formula that can be evenly sprayed all over for optimal results.”
They Don’t Leave Hard Water on Their Hair
“I would never leave hard water or calcium build-up on my hair,” warns Sam of Element Salon. “I always recommend a monthly treatment to combat the effects of hard water, which can be dry, brittle hair, and damage to curl patterns.” He recommends using Premiere Pre-Shampoo Treatment from Kérastase to remove damaging calcium building that can lead to dull, lifeless locks.
They Don’t Swim in a Pool Without Protecting Their Color
This is one to keep in mind as temperatures heat up and pool season begins! “Never swim in a pool without protecting your hair color,” says Tami Sprintz Hall, owner of Escape Day Spa and Salon. “We all remember the girls with green hair in high school; it’s scary to think of all that money you spend on your hair color, only to have it turn after swimming.”
She explains that harsh chemicals like chlorine can damage hair — especially hair color — and recommends applying a conditioner, such as Kérastase Lait Vital or Chroma Fondant, before diving in the pool. “And don’t forget to always, always, always wash and condition your hair when you come out of the pool or ocean,” adds Tami.
They Don’t Apply Color to Dirty Hair
CJ Asselin, a stylist at Eric Marshall Salon, says, “I would not apply color to really dirty hair. To avoid possible scalp irritation and help ensure the even distribution of color, try to cleanse your hair and scalp so it’s free from dirt and product build-up.”
With that said, you also don’t want to overdo it trying to get your hair squeaky clean. “Never scrub your scalp vigorously right before your appointment,” explains CJ. “Try to arrive for your next color appointment with clean, dry hair to avoid an extra shampoo.”
They Don’t Skip the Conditioner
“I would never skip conditioner on my hair,” explains Stephanie Trail, owner of Salon Nfuse. “I often hear things like, It weighs my hair down, I didn’t have time, and I don’t need it all the time. Whether your hair is fine, straight, frizzy, or curly, you should always follow up with a conditioner and a cool rinse. Conditioners give your hair what it needs by closing down the cuticle, which reflects shine. It makes your hair easier to comb through and increases the effectiveness of your styling products.”
Stephanie recommends salon-quality conditioners like Oribe or R & Co. and applying conditioner only from the mid-shaft of the hair to the ends.
They Don’t Use At-Home Box Color
“Our number one wish at Escape Day Spa and Salon is that no clients would ever do box color at home,” says Tami. “Not only are they easy to mess up and go horribly wrong, but they are also so hard on one’s hair and can change hair integrity.”
She says they have higher levels of ammonia than the dye used in salons, which can cause hair to dry out and break — especially when used repeatedly. “If you leave the color on too long or not long enough, it can have disastrous results such as orange roots or over-dyed, blocked up color,” adds Tami.
They Don’t Rely Solely on Their Fingers for At-Home Washes
To achieve that deliciously long-lasting salon shampoo at home, add this simple tool to your shower routine. “I would never use my fingers to shampoo my own hair,” says Eric Marshall Wright, owner of Eric Marshall Salon. “I would use the Denman Bebop Scalp Scrubber so it feels like you’re getting a salon-quality scrub at home.”
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Heather Bien
A Virginia native and professional writer of over 10 years, Heather is passionate about home decor, cooking and entertaining, travel, ballet, and coffee. You can find more of Heather's work in Southern Living, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, and Virginia Living.