STYLE

No more towel-drying

Although you may think you’re being smart and efficient by quickly rubbing a towel against wet hair on the way out the door, you may be causing significant damage. Hair is at its weakest when wet, so by rubbing a towel against it you could be causing major frizz and breakage. Instead, try wrapping strands up in a soft microfiber towel after ringing it out lightly with your hands.

Turbie Twist Microfiber Super Absorbent Hair Towel, $7, walgreens.com

Work up from the bottom

There’s no point in rushing through those knots. Take your time so you don’t snap your strands. Instead of starting at the top and brushing straight down, which makes the knots bigger, try tackling the ends of your hair first and work your way up. If you’ve got stubborn knots, use a leave-in conditioner after your shower.

Knot Genie Detangling Brush, $10, amazon.com

Protect your hair

Every time you curl, straighten or even blow-dry your hair, you’re causin’ more and more damage. The heat from those gadgets can break and burn your hair, making it dry and frizzy. Before you fire up any heated styling tool, use a hair protectant and always use the lowest heat setting you can.

Tigi Bed Head Spoil Me Restyler Spray, $19, target.com

It’s good to condition

Rumor has it that you’re not supposed to condition the roots of thin hair, but as usual, that rumor is not true. If your hair is thin and delicate, it actually needs the support of daily conditioner to keep it from stretching out and breaking. Try a lightweight conditioner on your entire head that will help strengthen your hair as well as moisturize it. Ask your hair stylist for a good suggestion at your next cut if you’re totally confused at what to get.

Aveeno Active Naturals and Moisturize Conditioner, $6, walmart.com

Don’t wash every day

If your hair can tolerate it, try not to shampoo every single day. Washing it too often can get rid of the important oils, making it dry and weak. Skipping washes will also cut down on the number of times you have to style your hair with hot tools, which helps keep your locks from getting even more damaged. If you start to get a little greasy, try a dry shampoo on days between washes.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, $5, walmart.com