The things you do every single day that are damage hair
If you strive to have glossy locks a la Kate Middleton then a few simple changes to your daily haircare routine could make all the difference.
GLAMOUR UK has called on some of the best hairdressers in the industry to share the vital mistakes people make every single day that could be wreaking havoc with their locks to ensure you don't make the same mistakes.
From the frequency of brushing your hair to your shampooing method, following their haircare steps will make all the difference to your beauty regime. You can thank us later.
Brushing your hair too much
Over brushing can weaken your hair and lead to split ends, with Jay Birmingham maintaining you shouldn't brush more than twice per day – and should instead stick to once in the morning and once in the evening.
It is also crucial to brush your hair extra gently when wet as it is super vulnerable; use a wide tooth comb and start from the bottom to avoid pulling any hair follicles out at the root. Never drag your brush through tangled hair either as this can cause breakage and leave your hair looking and feeling frazzled.
Not washing your hairbrush
Katie Allan, Creative Manager at Charles Worthington Salons, advises washing your hairbrush regularly with shampoo and clearing the old hair out of your hairbrush. Leaving old hair can cause your hair to become oily as you're brushing the old hair over clean hair.
Tying your hair up
Wearing your hair in a pony tail may be bang on trend at the moment but it's also very damaging to locks. As Jay explains, wearing your hair in a tight ponytail or bun for long periods of time can put strain on your hair and leave it damaged.
Use an Invisibobble to reduce pulling on your hair when it is tied up and opt for that undone/off duty look if your hair will be in that style all day and night. This will put less pressure on the strands of your hair and mean less damage is caused over time.
Washing your hair every day
Most people do it but not only can this strip your hair of its natural oils but it can also make it look and feel dull and brittle. If your hair is oily and you feel like it needs washing every day, Suzie McGill suggests using a dry shampoo to freshen it up or just use a conditioner when you go in the shower to clean the hair and keep it looking and feeling soft and shiny without stripping it of its natural oils.
Leaving the house with wet hair
According to Elsa Forbes White, Creative Director at Taylor Taylor London, leaving the house with wet hair is one of the worst things you can do. Wet hair will attract environmental pollution, as the hair dries naturally it will be pulled into the hair shaft.
Not using a hair mask
Our hair and nails are the last place to receive the benefits of vitamins and we rarely eat as much of the good stuff as we need. As hair is 91% protein, in order to repair it from the inside out, a regular hair masque is the solution.
Touching your hair too much
Lee Stafford said plenty of women have a subconscious habit of playing with their hair but excessive hair touching and twizzling can be damaging for your strands.
By constantly touching your hair you’re transferring oils and dirt from your hands onto your hair strands, which upsets the moisture levels affecting the hair's elasticity making you more prone to breakage. If you know you have a habit of touching your hair try tying it up in a low chignon to avoid temptation.
Best hair mask for fine hair
Moroccanoil Hydrating Mask Light, £31.25, Look Fantastic
If you've tried the original Argan oil from Moroccanoil, you'll already know this brand is sent from the haircare Gods. As an extra treat, smooth this on for a mere 5 minutes to take yourself to hair heaven.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best three-step hair mask
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector,
£26£19.86, AmazonThe third step in their game-changing treatment plan (the first two are in-salon only), this re-builds broken bonds in damaged hair. Best used on top of the first two, but also brilliant on it's own.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Space NK discount codes.
Best mask for afro and textured hair
Dizziak Deep Conditioner, £22, Cult Beauty
This deeply nourishing mask is enriched with Quinoa protein to boost repair, Babassu oil to restore elasticity and coconut and argan oil to safeguard against frizz making it especially effective on Afro and textured hair. Plus, it is completely free from parabens, sulphates, silicones and is cruelty-free.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best hair mask for an at-home salon treatment
Davines NouNou Nourishing Repair Mask, £23, Cult Beauty
Buttery and thick, your hair will feel better just looking at this tub. For optimum results, slather it on and wrap your hair in cling film while it gets to work. Makes for a hilarious selfie too.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best smoothing hair mask
Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque, £62.50, Space NK
We could bang on about how this nourishes, smooths and adds shine to hair (because it does) but instead we have to talk about the smell. It's simply heavenly. You will be sniffing yourself all day. Strangers will be sniffing you. You won't care because you'd sniff a stranger if they smelt like you did.
Best anti-breakage hair mask
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, £34, LookFantastic
This cult favourite is renowned for its rich formula, which moisturises hair deep down into the cuticle, making it perfect for damaged hair as well as coarse and textured hair to add silky, supple bounce and shine.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best hair mask for dry hair
Coco & Eve Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque, from £15.90, Cult Beauty
A triple whammy of naturally nourishing ingredients (virgin coconut oil, argan oil and shea butter) will transform your hair in one application, eliminating dryness and frizz. Plus, it comes with a handy brush helping you to distribute the mask evenly.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best hair mask for bleached hair
Blond Absolu Masque Ultra Violet Treatment, £29.10, Kerastase
Grey, silver and platinum are the icy cool tones topping the bleach charts right now, but such shades require maintenance. To neutralise brassiness while drenching brittle hair with hydration, this mask is tinged with violet and packed with nourishers.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best coconut hair mask
We Are Paradoxx Game-Changer Multi-Task Hair Mask, £27.60, Amazon
An exciting eco option, We Are Paradoxx are organic, natural and use 90% less plastic. This thoroughly smoothing mask contains strengthening kelp seaweed and nourishing argan oil, coconut oil and avocado oil, getting to work on conditioning hair in as little as five minutes.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Feel Unique discount codes.
Best conditioning hair mask
Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, from £8.50, Briogeo
This rich formula gets straight to work on parched locks in desperate need of hydration. The avocado oil seals in moisture while the B-Vitamin Complex helps to repair split ends. The large pot also goes a long way so the cost per hair is easily justified. Say hello to silky smooth hair!
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best weekly hair mask
Banana Truly Nourishing Hair Mask, £12, The Body Shop
This weekly treatment from The Body Shop won’t break the bank and will instantly ramp up the gloss. It includes banana puree and nut oil to nourish hair, meaning your locks will be left looking significantly less frizzy and instantly shinier.
Best hair mask for frizzy hair
John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Conditioner,
£6.99£6, AmazonSoothes and adds shine to often troublesome curly hair, without weighing them down. A steal at only £6.99, we'd pay double that for the results. But don't tell John Frieda that.
Best strengthening hair mask
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask, £28, Cult Beauty
This contains Alpha Keratin 60ku, a protein almost identical to the keratin we find in our own hair which allows it to bind directly to areas of damage and strengthen weakened hair. The result is stronger, healthier looking strands each time you use it.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best Argan oil hair mask
L’Oreal Professionnel Professional Mythic Oil Masque,
£15.05£13.45, Look FantasticTeeming with nourishing Argan Oil and Myrrh extract, your hair will literally drink up this mask, leaving your hair looking its shiniest and healthiest yet.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best overnight hair mask
Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery, £20, Percy & Reed
When washing, applying, waiting (and waiting), then washing out a hair mask seems like a bit of a chore, turn to this genius product. Apply to wet or DRY hair (seriously?), sleep in it without the worry of it soiling your sheets (whaaaaa?) and rinse out in the morning without having to use conditioner (yesss gurl). Snaps for Percy&Reed please.
Best spa-like hair mask
Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment, £37, Marks and Spencer
Healing and strengthening without weighing hair down, this hard-working treatment works to rebuild from the inside out. If you need convincing, bear in mind the brand was co-founded by Jennifer Aniston (and her trend setting, head-turning, Brad-Pitt-dating hair). Need we say more?
Best hair mask for fine hair
Sachajuan Overnight Hair Repair, £37, Cult Beauty
The name might be complicated (it's pronounced sash-ah-wan. We think...) but the application isn't. Simply slap it on wet hair and leave it on overnight. No need to wrap (it won't stain pillows), no need to rinse. Light enough to use on fine hair too.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best sheet hair mask
All Soft Mega Sheet Mask, £10.34, Amazon
Not only is this one of the funnest hair treatments we've ever tried, but this innovative sheet mask tackles frizz and deeply nourishes each strand.
Cheapest hair mask
3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner, £2, Superdrug
Silky smooth, sweet smelling locks for under a fiver? Sign us up. The best the high street has to offer.
Best vegan hair mask
Pureology Strength Care Superfood Treatment, £21.40, Look Fantastic
Superfood ingredients like goji berry extract and olive oil make this a delicious remedy for dry and dehydrated hair - and it's 100% vegan to boot.
Save when you shop for the best hair masks with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best hydrating
Evo The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask, £21, Amazon
Not only is this mask a wonder for colour damaged hair, but it also contains UV protectors to shield from sun damage. If you're going on a 2 week beach holiday take this with you, and not too many smug Instagrams please.
Best do-it-all hair mask
Josh Wood Colour Everything Mask, £19, Boots
The ultimate in multi-tasking, this locks in colour, prevents fade and leaves your strands positively silky thanks to a blend of nourishing Amazonian butters, soy amino acids and nut oils.
Best mask for styling
Color Wow x Chris Appleton Money Mask, £38.50, Color Wow
Think of this mask like the primer for your hair styling - it will make the finished look better, and make it last longer, while nourishing and protecting hair.
