With summer quickly fading away and fall approaching,  it's time to start boosting your color care. Here we share the top 16 most surprising ways you're ruining your dyed strands (and wasting money) without realizing it.

1, Styling Your Hair Every Day
Andrew Carruthers, director of education for Sam Villa, warns that excessive heat, which usually comes from styling, can destroy the molecules in hair color. “Color fading increased dramatically as the industry introduced higher heat irons,” he says, adding that you should look for tools that only reach a safe temperature for color-treated hair.

2. Washing Your Hair Too Often
Because the chemicals in hair color make your hair more vulnerable to water, Maddison Cave, colorist at the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City, explains that you should avoid excessive rinsing. “Try washing your hair every other day or even every three days if you don’t get oily,” she says, also recommending using dry shampoo in between washes to keep it feeling clean.

3. Using Harsh Shampoo
Nelson Chan, celebrity stylist and founder of Nelson j Natural Salon in Beverly Hills, explains that the ingredients in shampoos and conditioners that contain sulfates and salts are often doing a number on your colored hair. “The solution is to look for sulfate-free and color-safe shampoos,” he says, adding that co-wash shampoos and non-foaming hair cleansers will also be the best for colored hair. “Try to mix conditioner with your shampoo to create a milder cleanser.”

4. Not Using a Thermal Protectant
Jim Markham, celebrity stylist and founder of ColorProof, says that heat protection is an absolute must if you’re using hot tools. “Heat styling can fry the cuticle, leaving hair frazzled, dry, damaged and broken over time.” Be sure to reach for a heat protectant every time you style to keep your color from fading and your hues looking bright.

5. Not Applying a Deep Conditioner Before Swimming
John Barrett, celebrity stylist and owner of the eponymous salon, explains that while wetting your hair before jumping into a pool filled with chlorine is a good option to prevent absorption and color fading, he says that applying a deep conditioner to your whole head before swimming is a great way to maximize color protection and stop any color altering.

6. Not Sealing Your Cuticles Before Washing
“Besides using sulfate-free/co-wash shampoo, apply coconut oil on the ends of your hair before shampooing to protect harsh water and shampoo from stripping your hair color,” advises Chan.

7. Never Using a Hair Mask
Celebrity hairstylist Ricardo Rojas says that after your hair has been exposed to the sun and/or chlorine, it's crucial to nourish it at it's most fragile state. "I like to do a nourishing jasmine or coconut hair mask every three weeks for my clients during the summer months.”  If you don't have enough time to dedicate to a mask, reach for a hair oil formulated with argan oil for the same effect minus the time commitment (apply it to damp or dry hair and style as usual).

8. Not Rinsing Chlorine Out of Your Hair Before Drying
“Chlorine must be removed from hair before it dries,” says Carruthers, adding that once it’s dry, the chlorine bonds to the hair and it very difficult to remove. “If possible, hair should be rinsed with clean water before the chlorine water has a chance to dry.”

9. Dying Your Hair Red
“When considering which hues to dye your hair, maybe reconsider red,” advises Cave, explaining that while it’s glamorous, if it’s not your natural tone, the artificial red pigments tend to leave strands the fastest.

10. Failing to Apply a Leave-In Treatment Before Outdoor Activity
Chan explains that outdoor activities will fade hair color just like heat styling will, so creating a custom leave-in treatment to seal cuticles to lock in hair color before spending the day outdoors or styling is your best bet. “Mix 2 ounces of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of coconut oil and 0.25 ounces of your favorite conditioner,” he says, adding that we should apply this treatment on hair before and after we go in the sun, and before we start heat styling to keep color intact.

11. Washing With Hot Water
“Even if you are using the perfect shampoo for your hair type, water is a big contributor to fading,” explains Cave, adding that when washing your hair, the cooler the water temperature the better.

12. Using Alcohol-Based Products
Cave warns against using styling products with alcohol listed as one of the main ingredients, explaining that it can quickly dry your hair out, making the color fade much faster.

13. Not Applying Sunscreen to Hair
“The sun produces harmful UVA/UVB rays, which can burn and damage hair drastically while also fading your color,” explains Markham. Chan adds that to keep strands and color protected, you can either wet your hair in the shower first and apply skin-grade sunblock, or you can use a mixture of 2 teaspoons of zinc with 6 ounces of coconut oil. Apply either one of these solutions to hair before exposing it to the sun or going swimming to keep color safe and thriving.

14. Not Soaking Your Hair Before Diving In
“Human hair is one of the most absorbent materials around,” says Carruthers, who says you should think about a dry sponge versus a wet sponge when it comes to soaking your hair. “When that dry sponge is submerged into chlorine-filled water, how much more of that chlorine will it absorb versus a sponge that has already been saturated with clean water?” Because of this absorbency, Carruthers says to thoroughly soak hair with clean water before jumping into a chlorine-filled pool to keep your hair color vibrant.

15. Not Using a Clarifying Shampoo
Markham explains that once a week, or as often as needed, you should use a clarifying shampoo to give hair a deep-clean of all the impurities your normal shampoos have missed that may cause color fading. If you’re a swimmer or find yourself in chlorine or salt water more often than not, be sure to use this formula two to three times a week. Plus, Markham explains that clarifying shampoos work well for removing hard water minerals, chlorine, medication and unsightly swimmer’s green.

16. Using Shampoos With Pigment
“Shampoos that have color pigment or color-depositing products can alter your dye-job and leave you with less-than-desirable results,” explains Barrett.

This article first appeared on Newbeauty

Over the past five years or so, “parabens” and “sulfates” have become huge buzzwords in beauty—but it seems like nobody ever tells us the reason. Why are parabens bad for you?

We know we’re supposed to avoid them like the plague and tons of beauty products now include that in their marketing, but we’re still not sure if we should give in to the “sulfate-free” and “paraben-free” hype.

Here’s the real down-low on parabens and sulfates

1. They’re chemicals found in beauty products

Parabens are chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to prevent bacteria and act as a preservative in deodorants, lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs, and more. Sulfates are effective cleansing and foaming agents that can be found in toothpaste, shampoo, and body washes, among other products.

2. There’s a chance that they’re harmful

Studies have shown that some parabens can mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in the body’s cells, and while estrogenic activity is associated with certain forms of breast cancer, parabens have been found present in breast tumors. Sulfates are concerning because they were found to break down proteins, which can lead to a degenerative effect on the cell membranes. Sulfates were also found to leave residue in the heart, lungs, and brain.

3. But, it hasn’t been proven

However, so far there is no scientific evidence to prove that parabens have any link to cancer, and The Cosmetic Ingredient Review recognizes sulfates as safe up to a maximum concentration of 50 percent if they are properly rinsed off the skin.

4. You can still take the “safe not sorry” route

If you’re weary about taking a chance using products that contain these chemicals, then don’t! There’s a wide range of beauty products that are paraben- and sulfate-free—even at the drugstore.

5. Sulfates are bad for your hair

They can cause a number of problems for your hair including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your color, and even hair loss.

6. However, sulfate-free products aren’t necessarily better

Sulfates are really good at getting rid of any build up in your hair, and with that they also take away natural oils  and can leave your hair rough and dry. However, just because a product is sulfate-free, doesn’t mean you still won’t run into these problems. Many beauty companies have swapped out sulfates for other chemicals, which can sometimes even be worse. To ensure that sulfate-free products won’t further damage your hair, look for products that use fruit or vegetable-based cleansing ingredients.

7. Sulfates can be easily identified

Sulfate is the ingredient that causes shampoos to lather. If your shampoo lathers, it contains sulfates. For a foolproof way to know if your product contains sulfates, you’ll see “sulfate” listed pretty high up on the ingredients label.

8. Parabens are a little trickier to notice

While the most common parabens also have “paraben” in their name—butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben—they can also be listed as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.

9. There are alternatives

If you’re looking to steer clear of products that contain parabens, opt for ones that use ingredients such as ethylhexylglycerin (which is plant-derived) or phenoxyethanol, another alternative to parabens, a naturally derived ether alcohol.

10. Use in moderation

No matter what, chemicals are chemicals. Everything is best used in moderation so it’s always a good idea to switch up your beauty routine and rotate between different products.

Originally published October 2014. Updated May 2017.
 
This article first appeared on StyleCaster.com

You’ve been extra protective of your hair since your little brother cut it with his blunt-end scissors in the fourth grade and made you look like one of your experimental Barbies. So why, pray tell, are you still washing your locks with sulfate-ridden products? Enter L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Shampoo. With claims that it’s gentle on color-treated and fine hair, doesn’t strip your strands and still keeps the satisfying suds (and even more satisfying price), the shampoo seems like a worthy contender for your tried-and-true formula. In the name of healthy hair, I volunteered my locks for the cause for a whole month to find out for sure. Here’s what I learned.

My Ends Looked a Little Less Like Straw
Full disclosure: It’s been about seven months since I’ve had a haircut. Needless to say, my ends have seen better days. Which is funny because I am actually obsessed with having super-soft, fluffy hair. Hair masks and serums are only a temporary fix, though, which is why I was genuinely excited when, after a month of using L’Oréal Paris EverPure, my hair just felt…better. It certainly didn’t reverse my split ends, but it did make them a lot less brittle. How did I first realize this? Within a few days of making the switch, someone at work asked if I had gotten a fresh blowout. (I may have cried a little.)

I’m Planning to Push My Hair Color Appointment
Fun fact about me: My natural hair color is a flat, mousy shade of brown, so I dye it to get that extra dimension and general oomph. Normally, I get it touched up every six weeks. (I should actually do it at four, but I stretch it as far as I can because professional dye jobs ain’t cheap, y’all.) That said, I got my hair done a week before going sulfate-free. That was five and a half weeks ago. And I don’t feel like I need to go back anytime soon. Of course, the color is not as vivid as day one, but holy highlights, it is brighter than it usually is by this time. This is probably a good time to mention I’ve also been using the coordinating sulfate-free conditioner, which has an anti-fade formula. Double whammy, I guess.

Shocker: I Didn’t Miss the Suds
Mostly because when I lathered up, it produced the same level of froth I know and love from regular shampoo. The first time I used it, I loaded up because I thought I’d need the extra amount to feel clean. (I’ve tried cleansing conditioners in the past, and even though I knew they weren’t supposed to lather much, I always felt like they weren’t really working.) Not the case here. I had suds for days. The next time I washed my hair, a couple nights later, I used a normal amount and still had the same soapy results.

So You’re Probably Wondering If I Live a Sulfate-Free Life Now
The answer is yes—mostly. I’ve always kept a nice, full shower rack, so I still have some other shampoos in there that I’d feel guilty throwing out. But once they’re gone, I’m planning to make the official swap for good. L’Oréal Paris EverPure smells good (it has a rosemary scent,and I got another herb-smelling body wash to match) and it’s not salon expensive. So, yeah—see ya later, sulfates.
This article first appeared on PureWow

Good for Your Hair – From thinning hair to dryness, there are countless of reasons which can cause hair issues, mainly by not taking care of your health. Even if you do take care of it, ironically many of the hair products in the market actually cause more damage than said. One of the more popular uses of black seed oil is for hair restoration and promoting overall hair health. Although it’s really not concrete as to why exactly black seeds help with hair growth, one can assume that it stems from its potent antioxidant properties. Those properties are also combined with healthy fatty acids such as omega 3,6, and 9, that have shown to improve hair follicle production and strength.  Black seed oil has also proven to be useful as a natural remedy for premature gray hair.

Improves Beard Growth – Studies have shown that black seed oil can improve the thickness and quality of your beard and increase the growth rate. Although not its primary benefit, you can apply it directly on your beard and it will provide moisturizing benefits as well.

Dandruff – Not only is black seed oil great for your hair, but it also promotes hair follicle growth and even prevents dandruff. All you need to do is apply some to your hair and leave on for 30-60 minutes.

Here's a couple links for you to check out.

101 Black Seed Oil Benefits to Consider While Undergoing Life’s Wear & Tear

7 Proven Black Seed Oil Benefits & Cures

So you’ve found the perfect shampoo and conditioner, and have a slew of hair masks and leave-in conditioners to help hydrate your pretty precious stands. You think you have the whole showering thing down pat–but did you know the most important thing comes after your bathe?

Turns out, how you let your hair dry majorly affects the health of your hair. Chances are, you reach for a terry cloth or cotton bath towel and wrap your hair up in a turban. Or perhaps you’ve heard wrapping your hair in a turban is no good, so you press and pat the water out of your strands with your towel instead?

While the latter is the better of the two evils, the real root of the problem lies with your towel of choice. But to fully understand why a terrycloth towel is bad for your mane, you need to understand what water does to your strands. Water, especially warm water, causes the hair cuticle to swell and open up, leaving your strands prone to frizz and damage. Besides cutting your shower short, the quicker you remove excess water from your hair the better.

Enter: microfiber towels, a surefire way to absorb water faster, be more gentle on your hair, and ensure a frizz free air dry. A microfiber towel takes the moisture out of your mane way faster than a regular terrycloth towel. Additionally, the course, dry texture of cotton or terry cloth towels can damage your delicate, wet hair and can worsen split ends.

But there’s more to it than just swapping out your towel–the drying technique also comes into play. While it might seem second nature to wring or rub, gently press the water out of your hair with a super absorbing microfiber fabric towel.  

Then, wrap your hair up in the microfiber towel for 10 – 15 minutes to get the rest of the water out of your mane. This process causes the least amount of friction and allows the hair to dry quickly without damaging the shaft or the cuticle.

So now you know – ditch your cotton or terry cloth towels for microfiber towels and dry your way to healthier, stronger hair.
This article first appeared on Mane Addicts