Common Hair Mistakes to Avoid in College

08.15.2021

School is just about to start – again. I don’t know about you, but this summer went way too fast! If you’re packing up to leave for college, now’s the time to make sure you pay attention to your hair and your hair care routine. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of fulfilling your social life goals, getting your classes in order, meeting new people, and learning what it is that’s important in life. 

College is an easy place to embrace a lazier approach to style and beauty. In fact, you might find that your strands start to suffer in all the excitement and stress of a new way of life. Not your fault! Learn from these common mistakes before you cause irreparable damage to your hair. 

Cut down on heat styling. Making it to your classes on time might mean a messy bun, a quick ponytail, or a ball cap. However, going out to a college party, hanging out with dorm friends, or rushing a sorority probably means heat styling your hair to make a good impression. Heated styling tools, either a hairdryer, flat iron, or curling wand, can wreak havoc on your hair when used too much. Over styling with heat causes brittle, dry hair, breakage, split ends, and weak strands. If you must use heat styling, try to keep it to only 1-2 times a week and use a product like Park Ave Blow Out Balm. Made with rice protein, Vitamin E, and Pro-Vitamin B5, this balm protects against heat styling tools, seals in moisture nourishes the hair, and improves strength and manageability. 

Don’t wash your hair too often. Whether you live in the dorms, with a roommate, or are just simply used to washing your hair every day, over-washing your hair can work against you. When you shampoo too often it will strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and unhealthy. When you do wash your hair, use Nutriplenish Deep Moisture Shampoo, which is a boost of nutrient-powered hydration for silky, manageable, visibly healthier hair. Condition often with Nutriplenish Deep Moisture Conditioner, which will not strip your hair of natural oils. You can use dry shampoo, such as Spiritualized Dry Shampoo to cleanse, revitalize, and refresh your hair for those days in between shampoos. Again, don’t overdo the shampoo – even dry shampoo.

Don’t brush when wet. Your hair is in its more delicate state when it’s wet. Use a wide-tooth comb when it’s wet, but don’t brush roughly as it can cause breakage and split ends. When you are ready to blow dry and style your hair, use a wooden paddle brush to help gently take out the tangles while reducing stress to your hair and scalp. 

Do not heat-style wet hair. We understand you’re in a rush and need to get to your next activity – but do not use a flat iron or a curling iron on wet hair! We’ve seen the damage it can do, and it’s not pretty. Using these scorching hot tools on wet hair will burn your hair, causing damage from the root to the tip. If you’re late, it’s better to just add some mousse and slick your hair back into a braid or low bun. 

Put effort into the health of your hair. You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your hair healthy. Use a hydrating mask or deep conditioner to treat your hair a couple of times a week to help keep your hair nourished, silky-soft, manageable, and healthy-looking. You also want to make sure you have a stash of hair styling products such as hair serums, oils, sprays, and mousse to help your hair feel & look better while keeping it stronger and healthier. 

Clean tools after sharing them. It’s common for roommates and friends to share things – food, clothes, shoes, hair styling tools, and brushes. However, like makeup, hair tools and brushes collect bacteria and dirt. If you do share, just make sure to clean your tools and brushes before you use them. 

Don’t pull hair back too much. When you’re in college, you tend to run late for classes, study late, and often don’t have the energy to do more with your hair than pull it into a ponytail. While that’s a quick and easy hairstyle for busy mornings, pulling your hair into a tight pony too often can lead to breakage and hair loss. Try leaving your hair down when possible – or try a messy bun or loose braid when you don’t have the energy or time to do your hair.  

Keep up with trimming your hair. A lot of college students go months without getting their hair trimmed. Make sure to get an appointment with your favorite Rizzieri stylist before you leave for campus – and come back as often as you can for regular trims. Keeping your hair trimmed regularly will keep those split ends in check and will help to keep your hair healthy, manageable, and frizz-free. 

Treat yourself to a hair trim with color or highlights at Rizzieri Salon & Spa to start your college semester right.  We have two convenient locations to serve you. Our Moorestown location, conveniently located in Moorestown Mall at 400 NJ-38 Suite 1440, Moorestown, NJ, and our Washington Township location at 389 Ganttown Road, Sewell, NJ. Give us a call: Moorestown – 856-985-1225 or Washington Twp – 856-582-3750. Or you can book online for both our Moorestown and Washington Township locations.