The Shoulds and Should-Nots of Haircare

What to do and what not to do in order to give your hair the best care.

There are so many shoulds and should-nots when it comes to the world of hair - it’s no wonder that so many clients arrive to their appointments perplexed and a bit apprehensive. 

When it comes to caring for your beautiful, salon-pampered hair, there are some (fairly opinionated) shoulds and should-nots that are vocalized when discussing things like:

*Washing your hair before a color appointment

*Switching shampoos

*What heat setting to use for your iron or straightener

*Whether to use a blow dryer, or a blow dry brush

Really, these are the questions that rattle around in the minds of millions of men and women every day… arguably. So, what are the answers to each of those topics?

The good news is that I’m here to share my wisdom on all four of those frequently asked questions with you, today. The bad news? I can be a bit long-winded. 

That’s okay, right? 

Either way, I’m sharing four not-so-brief answers to four of the most common hair care questions below! 

Should you wash your hair before your appointment?

Well, should you?

You’ve likely heard tons of opinions on the topic, from all kinds of people: your mom, your sister, your cousin, your stylist, and maybe even your friend from the dog park. But really, when it comes down to it, what even is the best thing to do for your hair?

Is it better to wash your hair before getting it colored, or should you allow some of your natural oils to build so that they coat and protect your hair? Well, I’m here to tell you that definitively, the answer is both.

Kind of.

While I wouldn’t recommend that you wash your hair on the day of your appointment (your scalp would be far too sensitive), I also wouldn’t recommend arriving with 5 day old hair, either. A good rule of thumb is to wash your hair 1-2 days before your appointment. This’ll allow a normal amount of natural oils to build up on your scalp, without hindering the hair color process through too much sweat and product build up.

When do you need to switch your shampoo?

Just like how the weather changes from season to season, your hair will, too. Ideally, you should change your shampoo seasonally! 

Of course, your stylist can guide you through what shampoo changes might be right for you at any given time, but here’s a good rule of thumb to follow:

• If it’s summertime and you’re swimming a lot OR if it’s winter and you live in a colder climate, focus on moisture.

• If you’ve recently lightened your hair, focus on products that repair.

• If you live in a high-humidity area, or are experiencing higher humidity during a specific time of the year, focus on frizz control.

Once you and your stylist find the products that work for you, you can simply rotate them as you move from season to season!

What temp should your styling tools be set to?

So yes, your curling iron and straightener do have the capability of going as high as 400 or 450 degrees - but that doesn’t mean that they should.

Simply put, it’s preferable to reduce your hair’s exposure to concentrated heat as much as possible. As with many things in life, it’s so much better to start with a low setting, and work your way up. You know - so you don’t suddenly hear a sizzling sound, and see a chunk of hair on the floor?

If you’re new to styling your own hair, start at a lower heat setting while you build speed. If you have fine hair, keep your settings low (300-350 degrees). Thicker hair types can build and add a bit more heat (350-375 degrees), if needed.

Again, it’s always better to be safe than sorry! Don’t forget to use a good heat protectant, while you’re at it. 

Are those new blow dry brushes I’m seeing on social media better for my hair?

Blow dry brushes (i.e., blow dryers with a brush head/extension on the end) are typically much harder on your hair, simply because of the repeated brushing and pulling that happens during use. 

But, if you’re loving the idea of a simpler blow drying process and want to take a blow dry brush out for a spin, make sure to allow your hair to get about 80% dry prior to use. Once your hair is about 80% dry, spritz a good heat protectant throughout your hair. You’ll want to treat your blow dry brush with the same level of concern and care as you would a straightener or curling iron - don’t use it on the highest setting, and try to be gentle as you brush through and dry your hair.

Revlon Blowdry Brush: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LSUQSB0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01LSUQSB0&linkCode=as2&tag=michaeladoesm-20&linkId=c899e74a42322fdacd16253a0c5982fd

All hair shares a common theme...

At the end of the day, the rules remain the same for all hair types: be gentle, ask (your stylist) questions, start low and slow, and have fun! 

If you’re ready to create the lived-in hair of your dreams, click here to book an appointment with me! And if now’s not quite the time, that’s okay - I’ve got a few more blogs for you to check out. 

Please Note: I will ONLY ever recommend products that I've tried myself and love. 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.