10 Bad Hair Habits to Stop Now

A mane that looks healthy and full of life—that’s the ultimate hair goal, right? Well, what if something is holding you back from that goal? As it turns out, certain hair care habits could be doing a number on your strands. When it comes to caring for your hair, it’s all about treating it well and using the right hair styling and hair care products to help ensure your locks are happily hydrated. (Hint: It might be time to reexamine your shampoo technique and conditioner practices!) Below, learn about ten common bad hair habits and find out how to get your hair care routine up to par.

BAD HAIR HABIT #1: SHAMPOOING ROUGHLY

As far as shampooing goes, you don’t have to scrub-a-dub-dub aggressively. That may feel like the only way to truly cleanse your hair, but you may actually be doing more harm than good. Instead, gently massage your shampoo onto your hair and scalp, focusing mainly on your roots, before rinsing out and moving on to conditioner.

BAD HAIR HABIT #2: SHOWERING IN TOO-HIGH TEMPS

It’s time to turn down the dial! Although it can feel relaxing, extra-hot water can strip your hair (and your skin) of essential oils, which is not what you want. After all, the goal of any healthy hair routine is to keep moisture in your strands, not to zap it out of them. The next time you’re ready to hop in the shower, make sure to do so in lukewarm water. While it might not be quite as satisfying, we promise your hair will thank you!

BAD HAIR HABIT #3: SKIPPING OUT ON THE CONDITIONER

Don’t just hop out of the tub after you’ve rinsed out your shampoo! No matter what hair type you have—frizzy hair, curly hair, thin hair, color-treated hair, et cetera—everyone can benefit from conditioning their strands regularly. Better yet, use a system of shampoo and conditioner that work together and are formulated for your hair’s specific needs. Here are some of our best options:

If you have processed hair…try the L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Conditioner.

If you have thin hair…try the L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Conditioner.

If you have dry, damaged color-treated hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Intensive Protecting Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Intensive Protecting Conditioner.

If you have wavy to curly hair…try the L’Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Conditioner.

If you have frizz-prone hair…try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Conditioner.

If you have oily roots…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Conditioner.

If you have flat hair… try the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Conditioner.

If you have very dry hair… try the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner.

BAD HAIR HABIT #4: TOWEL DRYING HAIR

When you step out of the shower, what’s the first thing you reach for? Chances are, it’s a towel. But that’s not the best idea. Cotton towels tend to be rough on hair, which can lead to extra breakage and damage down the road. Instead, keep a soft T-shirt nearby so you can gently blot excess water before moving on to styling.

BAD HAIR HABIT #5: BRUSHING YOUR HAIR WHILE WET

Your hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet, which means brushing it at this stage is a hair care faux pas. If you must, use a wide tooth comb to help detangle knots—and make sure to spritz on a detangling spray beforehand to help make the process easier.

BAD HAIR HABIT #6: OVERDOING IT WITH THE HEAT TOOLS

Hot tools like blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling wands are certainly good at what they do—but excessive heat styling can lead to damage. You don’t have to ditch your beloved heat tools altogether, though—just give them a rest from time to time. Try air drying your hair for a pretty textured look that’s perfect for summer. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray to wet hair, then let it dry. You’re good to go, no heat tools necessary!

BAD HAIR HABIT #7: TYING HAIR UP TIGHTLY

Sweeping your hair off your neck and into a tight updo may be convenient for sleeping or working out, but it can also cause stress on your mane. Too tight of a pony can pull at your strands, not to mention feel uncomfortable. Give hair a break by opting for low ponytails and swapping out elastics for soft fabric hair ties.

BAD HAIR HABIT #8: not using a deep conditioning treatment regularly

If you don’t already swap out your regular conditioner for a deep conditioner or hair mask every so often, it can go a long way in helping to keep your strands healthy. When your hair needs a little extra love, reach for one of the following deep conditioning treatments in lieu of your usual conditioner. Not only do they work overtime to keep your hair hydrated and soft, they also work in very little time—just 60 seconds!

If you have color-treated hair…try the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner.

If you have very dry hair…try the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner.

If you have damaged hair…try the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner. 

BAD HAIR HABIT #9: not caring for your scalp

Don't forget about your scalp—it needs care, too! To start giving your scalp the attention it needs, add a scalp scrub into your hair care routine once a month to help slough away dead skin cells and any lingering product build up. Try the L'Oréal Paris EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, which works to gently remove impurities, flakes, build-up, and excess oil that can cause hair to become weighed down.

Editor’s note: For a complete scalp care routine, pair our scalp scrub rec with the L'Oréal Paris EverFresh Antidandruff Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverFresh Balancing Conditioner.

BAD HAIR HABIT #10: blow-drying your hair when it’s soaking wet

Like we said earlier, too much heat on your hair isn’t a good thing. So, the longer it takes for you to blow-dry your strands, the worse it is for your hair health. Instead of blasting your strands as soon as you get out of the shower, wait until your hair is just a little damp, then begin to blow-dry. Not only will it help keep your hair looking and feeling better, it will also speed up your blowout and save you some time.

Okay, now that you know what not to do, it’s time to brush up on what a proper hair care routine looks like. Here’s Your Post-Winter Hair Care Routine.