TOP 10 HAIR MISTAKES (Thanks to my homegirl Andrea Rothstein)
All my life I wanted what every little gay boy wants; fabulous hair! I was always messing with it, but never satisfied. It was frizzy, hard to control, I could never get it to style like I wanted, you name it! After awhile, I gave up and kept it
super short because it was the only way to get it to look how I wanted.
Thanks to my close friend (and celebrity hair stylist) Andrea, I've learned it's so much more than a good cut. A great head is all about how you care for your hair, using top quality style tools and finding the right products. In my 30s, I thought my naturally fine hair would start to creep back and thin out even more, leaving me in a hopeless situation. Instead, I have the most amazing hair of my life (and thanks to Propecia my hairline is totally intact)!
10) Over-washing: The reason you don’t want to over-wash is that it can strip your hair. “Washing your hair every day is not the best thing,” Andrea says. “But the real key is using the proper shampoo for your hair! If you use several thick, heavy products and need to shampoo daily, use a really good moisturizing or hydrating shampoo.” These usually have a lighter detergent so you don’t over-wash.
9) Under-conditioning: As you take away dirt and product residue, you also take away your hair’s natural oils. “Your hair loses its natural nutrients from things like shampooing, environment, thermal styling, and so on,” Andrea adds. “You should condition daily whether it’s with a daily rinse-out conditioner or a leave-in. If you have chemically treated hair, use hot tools often or have naturally dry hair, you should deep condition at least once a week.”
8) Wrong products: There are thousands of products with just as many different ingredients; it is a matter of finding the right combination per individual. “The right products make all the difference in how your hair looks and feels,” Andrea says. “If you’re unsure, your best bet is to ask a professional [who’s done YOUR hair] for recommendations.”
7) Breakage: We all have casual days where we don’t feel like styling, but if you’re worried about hair loss, don’t perpetuate breakage! “Wearing hats all of the time will increase hair loss,” Andrea warns. Anything tight on your hair can cause breakage; for girls hair bands/ties, barrettes, clips, etc.”
6) No protection: Practice safe hair! Andrea advises: “When using thermal tools (hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, etc.), use a heat-protectant. Nowadays there are lots to sample from - sprays, serums and creams - so try a couple to see what works best for you!”
5) Hair color maintenance: “Before coloring your hair, decide how big of a commitment you want to make,” Andrea advises. “All require maintenance and commitment!! Highlighting is typically less committal than all-over color and using a semi-permanent color is less committal than permanent or bleaching/lightening. Whether covering your gray or wanting a more sassy color, grown-out roots are never cute!”
4) Wearing the wrong cut: Find the right style for you, your face, and your hair type! “This is a very common mistake,” she says. “Bringing pictures to your stylist is great to use as a jumping-off point, but your haircut and style should be designed specifically for you! Chances are you don’t have the same type of hair or the same shaped face as that celebrity. Please take the advice of your stylist when they tell you that you don’t have Taylor Swift’s hair. She’s not trying to be hateful, just steer you in the right direction!
3) Over processing: “This typically happens when you over-bleach or chemically straighten your hair,” Andrea warns. “There are many elements and chemicals that can ‘fry’ your hair so be careful and make sure you do what's needed at home....CONDITION! CONDITION! CONDITION!”
2) Wearing the wrong hair color: “There are a few things to consider when coloring your hair but one of the most important things is skintone,” she advises. “Pale blonde hair and pale skin will wash you out, etc. “Make sure you are wearing the right color for you!”
1) Self-service: “The #1 hair mistake is performing chemical services on your self!!!” Andrea says emphatically. “Chemically straightening your own hair is definitely not the best idea as this process uses the strongest chemical hairdressers use, so a lot of things can go wrong,” Andrea says. “By far the most common mistake is coloring your own hair with a box you pick up at the grocery store or pharmacy. Your hair will NEVER come out like the picture on the box!”