I know we have all done it. Gone to the grocery store and, without really thinking, picked up a bottle of Pantene and our favorite box of Garnier Fructise hair color. Perhaps we have even walked into a Mastercuts because our own stylist was on vacation, or picked up our husband's small mustache scissors to trim our own split ends. But, these feaux pas are as offensive to a hairstyle as ordering ketchup for our filet mignon at a five star steakhouse. It simply is not nice manners. So, in honor of every hair stylist, including my dear best friend, I have compiled a list of no-no's we never, ever let our stylist know about.
1. Don't let him/her catch you with Herbal Essences, Aussie, Garnier, Pantene, or, heaven forbid, Suave in your beauty line up. Why? Turn that little bottle around and, chances are, alcohol, sulfates, and various other chemicals we could not begin to pronounce will be the main ingredients. Why is this bad? Well, that equates to dry hair and dry hair means damage and breakage. Cheap products, cheap results. Sure, $30.00 shampoo may hurt your feelings a bit, but, it actually lasts longer because it is sulfate free (usually) and works a hundred times better. Trust me.
2. Do not admit to box coloring your hair, doubling if you did so over the beautiful highlights they put in your hair a few weeks ago. Deciding to go dark from summer blonde does not involve picking up those evil boxes. Take yourself down to the salon. The developers in those devilish boxes are like trans fat preservatives. Designed for a longer shelf life, this could mean serious damage. And don't be upset if you picked the wrong shade and those red undertones come out full force, even when you didn't want them to. And, don't be mad when your hair turns a lovely shade of orange, green, or dishwater gray, and you end up back at the salon for color correction. That means expensive, mmkay?
3. While we're talking about boxes, do not use home perms, color oops kits, or DIY hair straighteners. Bad idea. Same rule above. We don't want our hair to fall out do we? Of course not.
4. While on the subject of losing hair, don't let them catch you twirling your hair, intentionally pulling it, or picking at the dead ends. Bring on the lecture, trust me.
5.If you are losing your hair, that is unfortunate, but don't buy Rogaine. It will cause more harm than good. It's kind of like using blood pressure medication. Once you use it once, you kinda have to use it forever. There are salon brand shampoos and treatments that are better.
6. While on the subject of salon brands, don't admit to your stylist you bought your Redken or Matrix (or what have you) at a drugstore,grocery store, or Wal-Mart. Walks like a duck, talks like a duck, but it may not necessarily BE a duck. Product redistribution happens, we can read about it on the Redken website for perfect example. And, on the back of the bottle, in plain English is the phrase the product is only guarenteed if bought from a stylist or salon. Hmmm. I wouldn't skim the ten dollars. You may be putting laundry soap in your hair. It does happen.
7. Don't use rubber bands from the office desk drawer because you forgot your hair ties at home. They are not the same.
8. Don't ever let your favorite stylist you stopped in by Great Clips or Master Cuts because she was booked or you were in a hurry. Five dollar haircuts will get you...well. Feel free. You'll see.
9. Don't use a clothes iron to flat iron your hair. They did it in the 70's. We don't do it now.
10 And finally, don't attempt to cut your own hair, trim your own hair, or anyone else's hair. Even if it is to give your kid bangs. And whatever you do, do not use kitchen or office scissors to do so. You may end up with crooked that can only be fixed with time. I know you'll cry.
