STYLE

Washing your hair is supposed to be easy–lather, rinse, repeat, right? Turns out, there's more to your mane maintenance than your shampoo bottle would have you believe. Taking the proper care of your tresses can have a drastic impact on their bounce, shine, and overall health, but if you're making these common mistakes, you may be damaging your 'do without even knowing it. 

Mane mistake #1: You wash your hair every day.

Whoever told you that you need to wash your hair every day in order to keep it healthy lied. Overwashing strips hair of its natural oils, making it dry and more prone to frizz. Giving your locks a few free days can really help retain some of that moisture. If you’re a gal that loves the feeling of fresh, clean hair, spritz some dry shampoo onto your roots between washes.

Mane mistake #2: You use the wrong water temperature.

It’s a tricky balance–washing your hair with warm water opens up your hair cuticles, allowing for a deep clean, but cold water closes the cuticles, allowing your hair to retain its moisture (and making it smoother and shinier). So go ahead and take a warm shower, but at the end, be sure to rinse your locks with cold water to avoid looking like a frizz ball. Also, make it a point to stay away from super hot water, which will dry out your hair and scalp.

Mane mistake #3: You brush your hair after you shower.

Most of us are guilty of brushing our hair as soon as we get out of the shower. It might be soaking wet, but it's usually more manageable and still soft from the conditioner, making us less likely to rip it–right? Wrong. Hair is actually weakest when it's wet, making it more likely to tangle and break. It's def better to brush before you shower.

Mane mistake #4: You don’t wet your hair enough.

Wondering why your hair isn’t super sudsy like the girls in a shampoo commercial? That may be because there’s not enough water. Stand under the shower for an extra minute before lathering up. This will make washing easier on the hair, and you’ll need less product (good for your hair and your wallet).

Mane mistake #5: You use silicone-based shampoo.

If your products contain ingredients like silicones or dimethicone, chances are you’re doing more harm than good to your poor locks. Silicone-based shampoos may give your hair a nice, silky smooth feel at first, but the chemical coating actually prevents moisture and oils from penetrating your scalp, causing it to dry out over time.

Are you guilty of any of these hair crimes? What keeps your locks luscious? Let us know in the comments.

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