Hair tools are the proverbial double-edged sword: It’s a given that they can cause damage; but they’re also the icing on the cake to a good-hair day. With this in mind, we called in the cavalry for some tool rules to follow. Consider this your definitive guide….
Featuring...
Joico Global Brand Ambassador,
Larisa Love
Joico Global Brand Storyteller,
Olivia Thompson
Joico Artistic Educator,
Mai Hernandez
Joico Master Artist,
Brandon Corbitt
The Do's and Don'ts
✔️ DO reach for a round brush, Dream Blowout, and YouthLock Blowout Crème to give yourself a voluminous, bouncy blow-dry.
🚫 DON’T always assume you need big-barrel curling irons to create volume and height.
✔️ DO dry your hair completely and apply Defy Damage Protective Shield before that last bit of smoothing with a flat iron.
🚫 DON’T rough-dry your hair, then endlessly finish smoothing it with a flat iron (on the mistaken assumption that 100% blow-dried hair is most damaging).
✔️ DO wrap your curly, wet hair in a microfiber towel for ten minutes to absorb excess moisture before diffusing and/or styling.
🚫 DON’T wrap that curly, wet hair in a cotton towel – the rough fibers can lead to frizz.
✔️ DO avoid heat styling more than once a week if you have intense red or icy-blonde hair color.
🚫 DON’T assume frequent heat styling on those hair colors is a good way to avoid the excess shampooing and blow-drying that leads to fading and brassiness.
✔️ DO wash your hair in cool water to preserve color longevity.
🚫 DON’T wash hair in hot water – but just for a shorter time. Even a few minutes can lead to color fade.
✔️ DO blow-dry hair backwards if you want volume.
🚫 DON’T blow-dry hair forwards if you want volume – it will actually flatten hair.
✔️ DO use multiple heat tools to nail that lived-in/boho/wavy look — like a tiny, ¼-inch curling iron in varying directions, alternating with a 1-inch barrel.
🚫 DON’T assume that using multiple tools is more damaging to hair. It’s actually how hot they are (keep them under 400°), and how long they stay on the hair that has the most impact.
✔️ DO clean your heat tools with Windex and a damp towel one-to-two times per month.
🚫 DON’T assume you need new heat tools when they stop working efficiently. There’s a good chance that product build-up has accumulated on the plate or barrel.
✔️ DO use a “wet brush” when detangling freshly-shampooed hair; or a boar-bristle brush for curly snarls.
🚫 DON’T use metal bristles on your hair – they can cause breakage.
✔️ DO reach for a heated paddle brush when you want to smooth hair, refresh ends, or restyle your bangs. And add Heat Hero before you run a single bristle through those strands.
🚫 DON’T pull out your flat iron every time you want to go sleek – the clamping and dragging action of the paddles damages hair cuticles and causes breakage.
✔️ DO try an electric “cold brush,” which uses freezing temperatures to hydrate, condition, and revitalize both wet and dry hair. And use HydraSplash Hydrating Conditioner to replenish dry, fine strands.
🚫 DON’T skip conditioner completely out of fear that you’ll be weighing down hair and end up with a flat ‘do.