Long Hair Tips
5 Mistakes Every Woman With Long Hair Is Guilty of Making
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Long hair — so many women want it, but the ladies who are blessed with waist-grazing strands just want it out of the way (hence the popularity of the ponytail). Once hair grows past lob territory and hits the breast-grazing length, there are a lot of extra issues you have to deal with. Knotted ends, breakage, and limp curls are just a few of the #longhairproblems we've encountered. Before you decide to chop your hair in frustration, there are simple fixes you can make in your routine. RPZL Headmaster Stephanie Angelone breaks down the top five mistakes women with long hair are making every day (with solutions).
Mistake: Detangling Hair Dry
"Sometimes working with long fine hair can be very tricky; it tends to tangle a lot no matter how much you brush it out or add conditioner," said Angelone. "Your problem may be your shampoo and conditioner." She recommends Rene Furterer Absolue shampoo ($32) and conditioner ($52).
"After shampooing twice with the shampoo, apply the conditioner and comb through using a wide-toothed comb. Once fully detangled, rinse thoroughly out of your hair," she explained. "Brush your hair out using a Wet Brush ($9). Start your blowout when your hair is soaking wet."
Mistake: Using Dry Shampoo For Second-Day Hair Only
The great debate in beauty: should you use hair spray or dry shampoo?
"Hair spray tends to be dry and sticky and also damaging to the hair if not used correctly. An alternative option would be a dry shampoo," said Angelone. And it's not just for sweaty, second-day hair.
To apply, tilt your head back and dust your scalp and strands with dry shampoo. Massage the product into the roots with your fingers to give your style hold without a crunchy finish.
"You can use dry shampoo right after your blowout if you're looking for a little volume, hold, and texture," she said. "After applying dry shampoo, especially to brunettes, it sometimes tends to leave a white powder to the scalp if sprayed too close. Nothing to worry about, grab your blow dryer, put it on cool, and it will come right out of your hair."
Mistake: Working Out in a Ponytail
We know you love the quick ponytail for cycling or yoga, but a topknot is the better choice if you have long hair. And skip the hat if you're running outdoors because it will spread sweat from your roots to all through your hair.
"Take your hair as if you were to make a high ponytail and twist it tightly around until you create a bun, then pin it securely," said Angelone.
She recommends using bobby pins over your average hair tie, which will leave hair dented. You can also do a french braid. After the workout, release your style, spray hair with dry shampoo, and blow-dry the product in on a cool setting.
Mistake: Using Strong-Hold Hair Spray Before You Curl
There are two types of hair spray: a flexible formula and a superhold spritz. Any girl with long hair should have both stashed in her bathroom cabinet to keep ringlets from getting weighed down and stretched out.
Apply a light, working hair spray like R + Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray ($29) to the hair section by section before adding heat with a curling iron. Focus the product from midshaft to ends, and remember to hold the can about six inches away. This spritz will give you just enough staying power that your curls won't go limp at the end of the day.
"Using a light hair spray will create a soft, flexible curl that can be shaken out or brushed through," said Angelone. "If you were to use a strong-hold spray, it can cause breakage and dried-out ends. Strong hair sprays are topcoats and shouldn't be fried into your hair with hot tools." Save the more powerful product as a finishing product.
Mistake: Leaving Your Hair Down Under Your Winter Jacket
Many women with long locks have to deal with extra breakage during the cooler months thanks to the additional fashion accessories like turtlenecks, jackets, and scarves.
Before you put on your neckwear, brush out your hair with a soft-bristle tool like the Mason Pearson ($190). Once it's all detangled, pull your strands into a loose side braid or a high ponytail with a crease-free hair tie.
According to Angelone, it's important to make sure all your hair is secured into your style so none of the flyaways or baby hairs get tangled underneath your Winter gear.
