December, aka party season, is the time to dress up in glamorous outfits and create hair-flip-worthy looks. However, simple haircare mistakes can be a dealbreaker—especially if you don’t play attention to nourishing your hair while lusting after elaborate hairdos.
That’s why we got hair expert Vaishakhi Haria—L'oreal India Ambassador and founder of Splash The Salon and Mantastic Barbers—to share the most common hair care mistakes you must avoid this party season.
1. Heat styling without heat protection
It's not heat tools that cause damage to the hair; rather, you’re damaging them by applying heat without using heat protection. This can leave you with frizzy hair that is also brittle. Skipping this simple step should be avoided at all costs if you want to protect your hair. "Usually, November to February is full of festivities, and hair goes through a lot of damage because of heat styling. Heat takes away moisture from the hair making it dry. Heat protectors help the hair by creating a thin film on the strands, and have good moisture-retaining capacities," says Haria.
2. Not washing your hair and using dry shampoo excessively
Skipping your shampoo session can lead to product buildup, which will weigh your hair down and make them look limp. Product build-up also clogs the scalp and can lead to dandruff, infection, and hair fall. Using dry shampoo instead of actually shampooing can work for a day to extend your blow-dry—but don't just rely on it every day. "Excessive use of dry shampoo can cause the scalp to choke with product deposition. This can lead to hair fall, so use dry shampoo as a last resort or just for styling."
3. Undernourished, over-styled and over-processed hair
“If your hair goes through a lot of styling, it is important get proper hair conditioning treatments done by experts at a salon. Home remedies usually don't work in the case of dry, heat-damaged hair. These treatments have nourishing ingredients and infuse moisture back in the hair," explains Haria. If you don't have time for salon appointments, follow your weekly home deep conditioning and masking rituals religiously.
4. Super tight hairdos
Wrapping up your hair in a tight pony or bun can be an easy way to cheat your way through a non-shampoo day. But it can also damage your hair when done regularly. "As glam as it looks, a tight pony can also create stress on the hairline. Most of us have brittle hair around the hairline and super-tight ponytails cause the hair in the front to start thinning. This kind of styling is good once in a while, but don't make it a habit," says Haria.