Due to Covid-19, we have all been spending more time at home lately. For some curly girls and guys, this has meant too much time looking in the mirror and fixating on their hair. Ever since Devana Salon reopened for business after the pandemic shutdown, I have seen a steady stream of self-inflicted hair disasters. I have been amazed by the diversity of ways that my clients have managed to destroy their hair. Although usually I am able to fix the problem and my clients and I can laugh about it afterwards, there are times when the damage will take longer to repair. Here is a list of 9 things to avoid doing to your curly hair during a pandemic, no matter how bored you are: Do not color your hair using henna hair color. Henna hair color may seem harmless since it is made from botanical ingredients, but it is very hard to change your hair to a lighter hair color if you have put henna in your hair. Highlights are nearly impossible to add to hair that has been colored with henna. My recommendation is to only use henna hair color if you intend to stay with that hair color for a long time. If you are the type of person who likes to change your hair color often, do not use henna. Don’t cut straight across bangs Cutting straight across bangs on curly hair may appear easy, but it actually requires skill to achieve a desirable look. I have had clients come to me with bangs that they cut that sprung up to their hairline and made them look like a two year old. Some have cut their bangs so wide that they look like they have receding hairlines. Some curlies have cut a shelf into the sides of their hair when trying to create face framing. Do not give yourself highlights using bleach and a cap with holes in it This method of highlighting should be left to Cosmetology school students and their mannequin heads. It is virtually impossible to place highlights in the most flattering places around your face and throughout your hair when you are pulling your curls through a cap. Unless you want to look like a cross between a zebra and leopard don’t highlight your hair this way. Do not ask your spouse to cut your hair into A-line bob It is a brave and foolish spouse who will attempt to give you a drastically different haircut than the one you already have. Although, the blame really falls on you for asking him or her to cut your hair in the first place. Unless you want to look like a Christmas tree that is falling to one side, do not ask anyone but a talented hairstylist to give you an A-line bob. It takes practice to make this haircut look good! Don’t try to give yourself sun-kissed highlights by putting lemon juice in your hair. Although the combination of lemon juice and sunshine will speed up the lightening process, it will also dry your hair out, and it could damage your hair and leave it feeling like straw. It might also turn it orange and make your hair looking splotchy. Not a good look! Do not color your hair red or black using box dye that you buy at the grocery store. This is a guaranteed way to mess up your hair because red and black are very difficult to remove from your hair. My experience with box dyes are that they can make your hair feel dry and brittle, especially after repeated applications. Unless you want to remain red or black for a long time, and you don’t mind having straw like hair, then do not put these colors on your hair. Do not shave your head. Unless you are shaving your hair for charity, doing it to support a sick friend, or are facing the prospect of loosing your hair due to chemotherapy, I highly recommend keeping your hair on your head. I feel compassion for those who have lost their hair because we look best with hair on our heads. That is one of the reasons we have it there. Don’t bleach your entire head and expect it to look good. Bleaching all of your hair can go wrong in so many ways. If you are lucky enough to still have hair on your head after you have saturated it in bleach, there is a good chance it will be damaged, broken, blotchy and possibly orange. None of these are good looks. Do yourself a favor and put down the bleach and walk away. Do not try to add volume to your hair by cutting 1” layers at the crown. Unless you want to look like a tropical bird doing a mating dance, do not cut your hair 1” long at the top of your head. This is only a good idea if your hair is already very short and it is best to let a professional hairstylist do this for you.
