Nothing beats freshly-washed, Scalp & Body Scrubbed strands. Okay, maybe getting verified on Instagram does, but back to the point: clean hair is cool but mistreating wet hair is so not. Because hair is in its most vulnerable state when it's wet, there are a few wet hair tips you should follow to make sure all the hard work you're putting in doesn't fall to the wayside. Busy girls who can't get a sec to scroll their feed, let alone wait for their hair to dry before dashing out the door—hi, we see you, and we're hear to share our wet hair tips for dealing. Ahead, discover five things you need to stop doing to wet hair (yes, sleeping on it is one of them) to maintain healthy, split end-free strands.
1. Sleep on It
Long day at work then SoulCycle then shower and lights off—going to bed with wet hair is unavoidable sometimes. But if waking up with tangled strands isn't your goal, avoid sleeping on wet hair. Your strands will dry funny and brushing out the knots in the AM will be a hellish process. If you have no choice but to go to bed with wet hair, make sure to comb OUAI Fine to Medium Treatment Masque, OUAI Thick Treatment Masque or OUAI Hair Oil throughout to maintain the softness while you snooze, then rinse when you awake.
2. Detangle with the Wrong Brush
The brush or comb that rakes through your wet hair is important because your strands are in their most vulnerable state when they're wet. This means they're more prone to breakage and split ends. So choose your detangling tool wisely and always be sure to spritz OUAI Leave In Conditioner on towel-dried hair to hydrate and protect. For curly girls, use a double detangler comb; for thin to regular hair types, the Sheila Stotts Removal Brush is our favorite, and thick hair types should reach for an oval flat brush with reinforced boar bristles.
3. Leave the House
This might blow your mind but did you know different air pressures can cause an uneven air dry on wet hair? For a consistent wash-and-go hairstyle, stay in one place until your hair is completely dry as once you leave the house the temperature and humidity changes thereby altering your hair's texture. Girls with a natural wave, scrunch in OUAI Air Dry Foam on towel-dried hair for a frizz-free wash-and-wear look. Curly or coily hair types, massage in a few dollops of OUAI Curl Crème for defined, bouncy curls.
4. Use Heat Tools
'Be there in five' means just turning on the straightener, we know you too well. Your hair's still slightly damp from your shower but your Lyft will be there in ten so you take the heat to your hair. Put the hot tool down! Even the most minimal amount of heat from your styling tool, when applied on damp hair, causes the cuticle to burn. Again, we know it's necessary to sacrifice your stands' health at the expense of your tardiness occasionally, but do your 'do a favor and apply OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil throughout pre-heat styling if it's still damp.
5. Dry with a Towel
Dump him and ditch your towel stat. Towel fibers are actually damaging to hair (especially when wet because breakage-prone, remember?) and wreak havoc on hair's true texture. Get a micro fiber towel (we love the Aquis Lisse Luxe Desert Rose Hair Turban or DevaCurl Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towel) or replace your old towel with a large cotton white tee—a month of drying with these essentials and your hair will feel softer and show less split ends, guaranteed.
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