7 Bad Habits That Are Ruining Your Hair

It's time to rethink your go-to ponytail.

"There are a lot of things you do on a daily basis that can wreak havoc on your hair," says celebrity stylist Harry Josh, who works with Gisele Bundchen, Rose Byrne, and a ton of other A-listers. According to Josh, here's what you're doing wrong.

1. Using the wrong hair ties.

"You might still be using an elastic with the metal fasteners that hold the hair tie together, or, God forbid, an office rubber band to put your hair up, but these types of hair binders will only rip out your hair when you try to take them out," Josh says. "Instead, get one that is made entirely out of fabric. And never use a rubber band to pull your hair up — they're your hair's worst enemy."

2. Doing your ponytail the same way each time.

"If you normally put your hair in a ponytail in the exact same spot every day, you can actually cause surface breakage in that area," Josh says. "What happens over time is that your hair will start to get weaker and break off in that spot, and you'll be left with a bunch of flyaways."

3. Pulling it back too tightly.

"Over time, this can cause breakage to the hairline, since you're essentially putting a lot of tension on your hair at the root," explains Josh. "If you have a frail hairline, opt for looser styles." 

4. Skipping using heat protectant spray when you style.

"These types of products nourish as they style and put a barrier between the plates of the hot tool and the inner core of your hair shaft, which keeps it strong," says Josh. "Some even contain UV filters, which help shield UV rays from sun damage, which makes it feel rough and look dry."

5. Brushing it with a boar bristle brush when it's wet.

"You always want to use a paddle brush or wide-tooth comb when you're trying to detangle your hair after you shower," says Josh. "Go for one with bristles set far apart; otherwise, using a boar bristle brush will yank your hair out since its bristles are so close together." 

6. Never brushing it at all.

"Brushing your hair invigorates the blood in your scalp, bringing it to the follicle," Josh explains. "And the healthier the follicle is, the healthier and more lustrous your hair will look."

7. Trying to fix your at-home dye job yourself.

"If you're trying to do the ombré look or give yourself highlights at home, and your hair comes out looking more yellow than what you were going for, call your stylist," Josh says. "If you go out and buy another box, thinking you're going to give it another go, think again. You could end up frying off your hair and making it fall out."