Most of us lather up in an almost zombie-like trance, but shampooing properly is far from a no-brainer. A crucial step in our hair-care routine, washing hair & body correctly can make a world of difference. Start the transition to stunning tresses and learn what top mistakes people make while shampooing & bath so you can stop yourself in your study tracks.
Unfortunately, both are breeding grounds for bacteria. You should only use a washcloth three or four times before throwing them in the laundry. And to make sure they're really clean, wash them in hot water. That will also eliminate any leftover musty smells that are caused from body oil and soap buildup. You should also toss your every three to four weeks.
2. You exfoliate every day:
You might think that daily exfoliation is the best way to remove dirt buildup and oil. But it's not. Over-scrubbing can actually cause your skin to become oiler, and therefore trap more dirt and bacteria. Instead, use a gentle scrub just a few days a week, or even better, once a week and at night.
3. You wash your hair without combing it first:
To avoid breakage, give your hair a quick comb through before showering. This helps you avoid tangles and damage later. And if you're hair is prone to tangles, use a wide-tooth comb after you add conditioner to keep things smooth. Then rinse thoroughly.
4. You brush your teeth while showering:
Since you're multitasking, you're probably not giving your teeth the attention they need.at least two full minutes of brushing with an electric toothbrush if possible.
5. You shave your legs first:
We know how it is: You're in a rush so you pull out the razor right away. Well, if you don't have time, it might be better if you didn't shave at all. To get really smooth legs, you should wait at least 15 minutes so the heat from the water softens the hair and opens up the follicles.
6. You wash your hair every day:
Who knew? The more you wash it, the oiler it will become because your scalp starts to overproduce oils to overcompensate. Instead, shampoo your hair every other day or every third day that way, your natural oils can penetrate down to the ends, leaving your hair shinier and healthier.
7. You shower in hot water:
It's cold outside and we get it a long hot shower sounds like the best thing in the world. But too hot water can exacerbate skin conditions like eczema and dry, itchy skin. So stick with warm water.
8. You're too rough with the towel:
Intense towel drying can ruin your hair follicles, which can lead to damage and breakage. And, it can also worsen skin conditions like dryness and itchiness. Pat dry whenever possible and avoid wrapping your hair up in a towel.
Mistakes You're Probably Making When You Straighten Your Hair:
Everybody wants to have great-looking hair. Some even go to great lengths to improve the appearance of their locks. However, all the hair products and styling in the world won’t make your hair look its best if you’re making the following mistakes in the shower.
When it comes to beauty, there are few things more covetable than long, sleek, shiny, straight hair.
1. You're not starting in the shower:
Let's get one thing clear: no shampoo or conditioner will give you straight hair. But hair care items labeled "smoothing" may be able to help prepare the strands for the process by providing major moisture. "Take a paddle brush to comb the conditioner through," suggests stylist "then rinse your hair gently. Once you're out of the shower, don't towel dry like crazy! That will enhance the natural curl. Instead, pat downwards gently." As an alternative to traditional terrycloth, which promotes frizz, try the super-soft DevaTowel to promote sleek strands.
2. The blowdryer is in the wrong direction:
"The blowdryer is what's really the most damaging to the hair," says Tim Rogers, the creative director for Living Proof. "So that makes all the difference when you're trying to get a sleek finish." If you do use a dryer out of the shower, Potempa suggests rough drying (which is a technical term for shaking the dryer back and forth over the head) until it's 80% finished. "But it's important to keep the nozzle facing downwards the entire time, otherwise the hair will frizz," she notes. The next 20% is up to you: You can apply your product then let it air dry, or, "Blow it out smooth for the best result," Rogers says. "It gives the hair more direction and shape." Potempa insists on using her boar bristle and nylon mix brush: "Nylon would cause static on its own, which is why plastic brushes are difficult to use," she explains. "The boar bristle helps to smooth and polish.
3. Sizzle is the enemy:
"If you see steam or you hear the sizzle, stop and evaluate the situation," stylist to top models like Miranda Kerr . "Hair should be bone dry when you straighten." If you're certain that the hair is dry, it could be that product build-up is the culprit. "You need to be selective about what products you use before you flatiron. "You should avoid applying anything to dry hair, which is what makes straightening different than curling. Because the iron clamps down on the hair, there's nowhere for the product to go. You're essentially boiling the product into the follicle, which isn't a great idea, especially when it contains alcohol."
4. You're not using a thermal protectant:
OK, so you don't want the hair to sizzle. But how are you supposed to get runway-ready strands without the help of a little something? "Living Proof's Straight Spray coats the hair with a molecule we patented known as OFPMA,"."You can use it on damp hair, which is great, and it protects up to 450 degrees and resists humidity, so it dramatically reduces the frizz factor." Plus, it's made without oils and silicones, which could ultimately weigh the hair down. If you have thicker or coarser hair, you could still use an argan oil.
5. You cranked up the temperature. "The 450-degree setting was designed specifically for in-salon, professional keratin treatments," Rogers says. "It wasn't meant for consumers. But now, everyone can use it, which makes the at-home process faster." Obviously, this comes at the expense of your hair's health. "Coarse hair does need a higher heat," says T3 stylist Jeanna Pizzollo. "But fine hair and especially damaged or color-treated hair should stay in the safe zone of 300 to 350 degrees."
6. You're not sectioning. "You shouldn't be randomly grabbing fistfuls of hair," says Potempa. "The iron won't be able to get to pieces that are too thick, and you don't want to unnecessarily reapply heat." Instead, she suggests creating sections so you can easily track your progress: Split the hair in the middle at the back and then bring it forward. This will give you two sections to work with, but if your hair is thick, you may consider clipping it into four. "Sectioning will save you time," Pizzollo adds. "The reason everyone complains about straightening taking so long is that they're working off random bits of hair!"
7. You're repeating yourself. Passing over hair with the iron more than once won't kill the hair, but you need to find out if it's necessary. "Tension is essential," Josh notes. "Create your tension, then pull the iron downward starting from the root." Obviously, curly styles will find it necessary to pull, straighten, and repeat a few times, but pulling the hair taut while you straighten will help immensely.
8. Your finish is damaging. If you have the kind of hair that may frizz or curl up, finishing products are your friends, not your enemies. But we've already learned to avoid silicones and oils, found in most shine agents, so what's left? "A light hold hairspray is a good idea," Potempa says. "But it's best to wait for the hair to cool down first. Think about spraying a hot pan—it'll sizzle and steam. Your hair will do the same thing!" She suggests spraying a boar-nylon brush with product, then combing it through for even application. "It's the best way to make sure your hair gets hold that isn't sticky or stiff," she notes. Try Leonor Greyl Spray Structure Naturelle. Thicker or coarse hair types could benefit from a Living Proof Satin, which comes without silicones, reduces frizz, and adds shine.
10. You're only straightening long hair. "If I have someone in my chair like Coco Rocha, who has very thick hair, but wants that surfer boy hairstyle, I'm going to use a flatiron," Rogers says. "It's less damaging than blowdrying wet hair with a brush, actually, and it will even give an added polish."
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