Stylists often are miracle workers, but some of the things we do at home — and in the salon — aren’t helping our hair look its best.
Stop looking at your phone or magazine.
There’s a reason hairstylists try to be super chatty, says Dawna Jarvis, a master stylist and business strategist at The Canyon Salon in Westlake Village, CA. “Constantly looking down at a phone causes clients to hold their heads in a position that is not only challenging for performing precise haircuts and color applications but also leads to physical discomfort for the stylist,” she says. Ideally, your head should be in a neutral, stable position to achieve the best results, whether you’re getting a haircut or color.
Stop ignoring their retail suggestions.
“No, we’re not suggesting that you purchase the professional hair products just to help us earn a commission,” says Jeimy Flournoy, master cosmetologist and CEO of Salon 809, a Dominican franchise. The high-end products sold in salons tend to be formulated with paraben and sulfate-free ingredients and contain a higher proportion of quality ingredients that protect your hair rather than stripping it of its strength. If you don’t trust your salon’s recommendations or don’t want to spend more after paying for your cut and color, try these professional-grade products: Olaplex, Pureology, OUAI and Adwoa Beauty.
Stop using home treatments.
Sure, they’re accessible and affordable, which is why home treatments like hair growth repair masks, detoxing oils and color-refreshing glosses have become popular. But that doesn’t mean they’re all helping your hair, according to Sarah Roberts, a licensed hair and beauty consultant and the founder of A Beauty Edit, a digital beauty publication. “If used incorrectly, they can often cause more harm than good,” she explains. A professional’s presence ensures appropriate application. Without it, the risk of using improper quantities, application and inadequate post-procedure care increases. “The absence of professional oversight may escalate a simple beauty routine into a severely damaging activity,” adds Roberts. She’s seen at-home treatments cause excessive hair loss, severe scalp irritation and detrimental alteration in hair texture.
Stop pretending you love your cut.
Stylists would rather you communicate clearly so they can fix issues before you leave the salon unhappy. You may feel embarrassed and upset when you don’t like your cut, color or blowout, but this is the time to speak up. “Clients should be explicit about their preferences and concerns to ensure satisfaction with the final results,” says Flournoy. Speak up — something can most likely be done to adjust your hair to your liking.
Stop overusing your heating products.
Hair stylists can help with the brittle, dry, split and damaged hair that comes from abusing and misusing your heating products (we’re looking at you, blow dryer and straightening iron), but they’re not miracle workers. Ongoing abuse can lead to breakage, split ends, thinning hair and even the loss of natural sheen, resulting in lifeless-looking strands, Roberts says. Realistically, you only use your flat iron on heat-protected hair no more than three times a week, max.
Stop showing up in a ponytail.
Arriving at your appointment with your hair up can make it difficult for your stylist, as it changes its natural texture, says Yvey Valcin, a master stylist and founder of Yvey, a salon in Seattle. This is especially difficult for stylists who like to cut dry.
What do you think of the above? How many of these things do YOU do when you're getting your hair done? Let us know in the comments below.
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