There’s nothing quite like a great haircut. That feeling when you can’t stop catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror or running your hands through your new layers is priceless. Unfortunately, a bad hairstyle can cut through all that confidence and leave you looking older than you are. We asked some of our favorite hairstylists to share the biggest mistakes they see women making with their hair.
Mistake #1: Too Long
Long hair can sometimes act like gravity in that it pulls your facial features down, and we definitely don’t want that anti-facelift. Split ends can also lead to thin and unhealthy-looking hair, so it’s best to keep it trimmed regularly (every 6-8 weeks).
Mistake #2: Too Short
Super short, that is. If you make sure to keep your hair healthy, there’s no big rush to get a short cut, as so many women think is necessary once you reach a “certain age.” Instead, focus on getting flattering cuts that use layers and the right color tones to keep your hair a little longer and still appropriate.
Mistake #3: Too Dark
As we get older, very dark, dyed hair can look too harsh. The monotone look of dyed-dark hair that’s necessary for fully covering gray strands ages you because it lacks dimension and can look dull and life-less.
Mistake #4: Too Light
If you’re still going bleach blonde, it’s most likely not the right move. Not only can light hair wash out your complexion, but it can make your strands look way damaged. Add dimension with lowlights to give life to your hair and darken the overall tone a bit.
Mistake #5: Getting The Wrong Cut
Length aside—the actual cut is important too. As we get older, anything too blunt won’t flatter our features. Likewise, hair that is all one length is not flattering because it pulls down your features and lacks movement. Layers are your best friend—they add movement, color dimension, and face-framing.
Mistake #6: Using The Wrong Products
There’s a delicate balance when it comes to using hair products. You don’t want to use too many different products at once, as that can lead to product overload and build-up in your hair that weighs it down. But we do understand the power of a few key, high-quality products to help boost your ‘do. We’re huge fans of the power of oils.
Mistake #7: Ignoring Heat Damage
We know it’s downright crazy down here in the South with our pesky humidity to not (at least, sometimes) use hot styling tools to tame your hair. But after a long time of usage, your hair can suffer from heat damage that increases split ends and makes your hair look fried. You can invest in pre-heat product to protect your strands or splurge on a high-quality deep conditioning treatment to get your hair healthy and smooth again.
Mistake #8: You Go All In On Gray – Without A Plan
Whether you’re letting your gray hair grow out because you’re courageous, rebellious or just exhausted by the tedium of coloring, it can be a gorgeous look that might just change your life. One thing to watch out for, though: The texture of your gray hair is probably not the same as the texture of your former color, so you’ll need to care for it in a different way. Many grays are wiry and dry, yet can look youthful, shiny and sleek if you give them the proper attention. We recommend first sitting down with your hair stylist and assessing the grays: Your hair might be lacking elasticity (protein treatments can help), or moisture (try a hydrating mask). You may also want to treat your grays with a clear gloss to seal the cuticle layer for added softness and shine.
