20 Fixes for Even the Worst Hair Problems

There is nothing worse than feeling like you're stuck in an episode of The Twilight Zone: waking up every single morning to a bad hair day worse than the last. But before you start blaming your mother's thick hair genes or the fact you weren't #blessed with the ability to do Pinterest crown braids — or even a cool-girl messy bun (same, girl, same) — you first have to find out the root of what is causing your peskiest hair problems.

Now, we don't like being the bearer of bad news, but you're most likely doing a few things all-wrong and would never know it. For starters, are you struggling with really dry, damaged ends? You might be doing a number on your hair simply by towel drying with terrycloth instead of cotton, or maybe you've been rushing in the morning and using hot tools on your wet hair — a major healthy hair no-no. Guilty? Don't sweat it! Be ready to tackle even the most tedious hair problems with these easy ways for getting hair game on-point. Next thing you know, you'll be making like Beyonce and waking up like this, and by this, we mean to your best hair ever (NBD or anything).

You Brush Your Hair While It's Still Wet: Use A Wavetooth Wet Comb

The Wet Brush Wet Comb , $7, Amazon

Instead of compromising your healthy ends by brushing them post-shower (known to cause serious damage over time), run this magic tool through any hair type — it has a wavetooth design that prevents any set of locks from breaking or snagging when wet. Use it to work in a leave-in conditioner or detangler before styling.

You Shower And Snooze Without Treating Hair First: Use A Moisturizing Styling Creme To Fight Frizz

Argan Oil Curl Cream, $18, Amazon

Avoid waking up with flat, frizzy hair in the AM by using a product fortified with Argan Oil. This creme is perfect for people with color-treated hair who shower at nighttime, and it uses a formula that won't leave your strands feeling greasy. (Pro Tip: Let hair air dry for at least 20 minutes before sleeping, and sleep with it down to prevent next-morning creases or breakage.)

You Don't Deep-Treat Your Hair: Use An Intense Conditioning Hair Mask

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie , $16, Amazon

Once a week, treat your locks to a little extra R&R with this hair smoothie that packs olive, shea butter, cocoa and buriti into one formula that leaves no pesky knot untangled. Your hair will be shiny and more manageable in no time! Plus, users praise this cream for its delicious vanilla scent that will linger throughout the day.

You Shampoo Daily: Use A Reviving Dry Shampoo Between Washes

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo , $19, Amazon

The more you wash your hair, the merrier — right? Nope. Try washing hair only every other day and using a fragrant dry shampoo in between to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh. This spray perks up any hair type and users love that they never see powdery residue, like some other dry shampoos. Next-day hair not only allows your hair to hold on to its essential oils, but hair stylists say it is easier to work with and style — making that cool Pinterest 'do that much more possible.

You Expose Your Hair To Chlorine: Fight Damage With A Replenishing Deep Conditioner

UltraSwim Dynamic Duo Repair Shampoo And Conditioner , $12, Amazon

While the glamorous women of the '40s pulled them off gracefully, swim caps aren't for all of us. After taking a dip in the water, this shampoo and conditioner duo will remove copper deposits that can turn your hair an unwanted shade of green and cause your hair to feel like straw (yikes!). These products also remove that strong chlorine odor while nourishing with vitamin E and aloe.

You Skip Salon Appointments To Grow Out Your Hair: Take Best-Selling Biotin Supplements

HairAnew Unique Hair Growth Vitamins With Biotin , $28, Amazon

Don't cancel on your salon the next time you think about growing out your hair: Take biotin supplements, which support healthy hair growth. Each HairAnew capsule contains 11 essential ingredients to restore your hair follicles for healthy strands. Salon experts recommend getting your ends trimmed every six-to-eight weeks to keep your locks healthy, despite the fear of your stylist getting too scissor-happy. Just be sure to communicate with your stylist about your 'long hair, don't care' goals.

You Leave The House With Wet Hair In The Winter: Blow Dry With A Diffuser Before Heading Out

Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Universal Finger Diffuser, $11, Amazon

If it's winter and you're in a rush, have this nano technology diffuser on hand for a quick dry that won't result in a frizzy head the rest of the day. Its unique infrared heat results in a quicker drying process, so it's perfect for the chilly mornings when showering is a must — but so is being on time to your 9 o'clock meeting. Cold temperatures can actually freeze strands resulting in major breakage, and nobody wants that.

You Hide Your Flakes Without Treating Them: Use Coal Tar To Fight Dandruff

Art Naturals Coal Tar Anti Dandruff Shampoo , $15, Amazon

Dry flakes happen to the best of us, so instead of trying to hide them only to have them creep up later, use an organic dandruff-halting shampoo that contains coal tar. This ingredient, while sounding gross, helps skin shed dead cells, which relieves itchiness and scaling. It also works to add hydration to hair, resulting in volume and shine.

You Use Too Much Conditioner: Use An Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner Only On Your Ends

It's a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin, $15, Amazon

It's true: There can be too much of a good thing. When it comes to conditioner, use one that deeply penetrates your strands, so there's no need to overdo it. Smooth this protein-enriched conditioner on your hair focusing mostly on your ends, and rinse it out completely so it doesn't weigh your hair down. (Bonus: This product's formula will leave your hair feeling stronger and protects against sun damage. )

You Dry Your Hair With A Towel: Swap Terrycloth With Cotton

Hair RePear Ultimate T-Shirt Hair Towel , $22, Amazon

Who knew that your after-shower towel turban is secretly causing friction and damage to your hair? Using this T-shirt towel's smooth cotton surface helps your hair maintain life after you wrap it on your head. It'll dry hair better than terrycloth, which rubs against strands causing the oh-so-dreaded frizzy strands. Users saw an immediate difference after using the towels — one even said she'll "never go back to using regular towels again."

You Put Your Hair Up Every Day: Use Elastic-Free Hair Ties

S ephora Snag-Free Elastics, $12, Amazon

These ties won't snag your hair but are strong enough to keep your style in place — perfect for the girl who is constantly on-the-go. Sometimes, you have more important things to worry about than what your hair decides to do today, so you just throw it up in a ponytail and head out the door. If you're not willing to let your hair down (literally, not figuratively), then make a promise to use snag-free elastics to eliminate stress on your scalp and damage to your locks.

You Skip Heat-Protection Products: Spray A Powerful Thermal Guard Before Styling

InstaNatural Thermal Protector Hair Spray , $14, Amazon

This protective spray, packed with organic argon oil, castor oil, vitamin B5 and sunflower seed oil, not only undoes past damage from hours of flat ironing and blow drying, but it prevents future damage from breaking down and dulling your strands. With just a few spritzes before you start styling, you'll begin to notice a dramatic difference in your hair texture after you style and way less split ends over time.

You Touch-Up Hair With Boxed Color Products: Use A Color-Adaptive Root Concealer

Root Concealer by Style Edit , $12, Amazon

This No. 1 best-selling root concealer temporarily covers fading roots between salon visits. It contains a conditioning formula with natural pigments that adapt to your unique color. Salon experts advise taking color matters into your own hands, as it can be extremely damaging — not to mention almost impossible — to find your correct color match.

You Use Heat Tools On Wet Hair To Save Time: Buy A Quick-Dry Blow Dryer

Panasonic Hair Dryer , $130, Amazon

Instead of scorching your wet hair and risking burning off strands of hair, snag this three-attachment blow dryer that includes a quick-dry nozzle. This nozzle cuts down your drying time while the dryer infuses your hair with 1,000 times more moisture than other ion dryers. It uses nano technology that's known to eliminate damage and create a smooth and silky end result. You'll still save time in your daily hair routine, and you'll save your strands while you're at it.

You Don't Protect Against Sun Damage: Prep Hair With A UV Filter Spray

Fekkai Pr-Soleil Hair Radiance and Protection Mist , $9, Amazon

With all of the skincare concerns during the summer months, it's easy to put hair protection on the back burner. Before hitting the beach, mist your hair with this shine-inducing protective spray. It contains sunflower seed oil to prevent your strands from dehydrating and fading from overexposure. Bye, sun damage!

You Use The Highest Setting On Your Hot Tools: Keep Temperatures Below 360 Degrees With A Heat Safe Curling Iron

Jose Eber Curling Iron, $40, Amazon

This pink iron contains ceramic heating elements that won't suddenly increase your iron's heat between curls. This prevents your hair from burning and breaking off under too-hot temps and keeps your style consistent throughout your typical curling routine. (Pro Tip: For a typical curling iron, the recommended heat setting is between 275 and 360 degrees.)

You Go Crazy On Shine Serums: Use A Lightweight Oil Sparingly

Bumble And Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil , $36, Amazon

As tempting as it is to lather hair serums onto hair that feels dry or damaged, with these products, a little bit goes a long way. To prevent going 0 to 100 real quick and giving yourself greasy locks, use a small amount of this nourishing oil on your ends to remedy split ends. Take only the excess on your hands and run them over the rest of your hair to remove fly-aways, leaving your hair feeling silky-smooth.

You Don't Embrace Your Natural Hair: Go Heat-Free For A Week

DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam , $17, Amazon

I can personally attest to trying to fight against my natural hair in the way of every product, hot tool, and hair trick. Despite our usually irrational fear of letting our hair do its thing, give your mane a breather by taking a week off of heat styling. It will strengthen your hair and keep it healthy over time. Use products that will keep your hair holding its shape and staying lively all day — this humidity-resistant mousse keeps curls bouncy and frizz-free, despite the elements.

You Neglect Your Bangs: Trim Them Regularly With Precision Scissors

Sally Hansen Beauty Tools, Do Your 'do Styling Shears, $7, Amazon

By neglecting bangs during regular trims, they can give your hair a dry and brittle appearance. Just like the rest of your hair, they won't grow as effectively with split ends. (Pro Tip: If you don't have a hairdresser you trust, trim your own hair every few weeks to keep it growing.) These professional-grade shears have extra-sharp blades that are perfect for bangs.

You Let Flyaways Rule Your 'Do: Run A Scented Dryer Sheet Over Your Hair

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dryer Sheets, $6, Amazon

Don't throw in the towel on a good hair day every time static shows up. Running one of these aromatherapeutic dryer sheets over your head is one of the best ways to fight fly-aways. Plus, it's a quick fix you can feel good about — they're made from 99 percent natural ingredients.

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