“Never go to bed with wet hair”: The best hair advice experts swear by
From our favourite insider experts and the Cosmopolitan Beauty Team.
Great hair advice is like a good ol’ bit o’ gossip: passed down in hushed tones, transformative and obvious once you hear it. From stylists who’ve seen it all to the Cosmopolitan Beauty Team’s lessons, these are the nuggets that changed our hair. Ahead: fewer split ends, smarter spending and making peace with your cowlick.
"Never go to bed with wet hair"
– Cece Pasqualoni, hairstylist
"Hair is especially fragile when wet (particularly if it’s highlighted or balayaged), so this helps prevent your lengths from snapping. If you need to tie your hair up while wet, avoid very tight hairstyles, such as high ponytails or styles that scrunch the hair too much, and opt for looser styles that put less tension on the hair and scalp."
"Create your own wash schedule"
– Keeks Reid, Cosmopolitan Beauty Director
"There’s so much noise out there about how often to wash your hair, but it’s honestly completely personal. When your hair looks greasy or your scalp is pongy, wash it. A clean scalp is where hair growth thrives. I wash mine once a week, while Lia (below) washes hers every day, and it works for us both. You know your hair best!"
"Spend more on what stays on your hair"
– Tom Smith, hairstylist
"Your shampoo is only on your hair for a couple of minutes, but leave-in products sit there all day doing the real work, so that is where more of your budget should go. Look for clever, science-led products that genuinely repair, which can replace conditioner and/or be left in. Think of this as regeneration for your hair."
"Your haircut should suit your life, not just your Instagram"
– Samantha Cusick, hairstylist
"One of the biggest mistakes I see is choosing a haircut that looks great in photos but doesn’t work day to day. Be honest about how much time you actually spend styling your hair. A great haircut should support your routine, not complicate it. If you want low-effort hair, say that. The best styles are the ones you can recreate yourself and still feel like you’ve got your life together."
"Stop fighting your natural texture and work with it"
– Edward James, hairstylist"One of the best things you can do for your hair is understand what it naturally wants to do. Fighting cowlicks, curls or wave patterns usually creates more stress and damage. A good haircut should work with your texture, not against it. Once you lean into it, styling becomes quicker, and your hair instantly looks more intentional."
"Don’t style with hair care"
– Lia Mappoura, Cosmopolitan Beauty Writer
"A very wise trichologist once told me that using a hair mask to slick my hair back isn’t always the best idea – despite what TikTok might suggest. Applying a rich mask at the roots can clog follicles and therefore stunt growth, causing more harm than good. Instead, when slicking back (in the interim), it’s best to stick to proper styling products – these are actually formulated to hold hair in place without compromising scalp health."
"Protection should never be skipped"
– Urmi Pandit, Cosmopolitan Beauty Assistant
"My best hair advice is simple, but I learned it the hard way: always use a heat protectant. As a teenager, I used straighteners on a daily basis with zero protection from the dryness, breakage and frizz that hot tools can cause to the hair cuticles. So, whether it’s a styling cream packed with hydrating ingredients or a few spritzes of a lightweight defence spray, make heat protectants part of your routine."
"Regular haircuts are not the enemy"
– Lorraine Dublin, hairstylist
"Getting regular trims can help remove split ends and prevent them from causing further damage up the hair shaft. Once a strand splits, the damage continues to creep up the hair shaft, leading to thinning, breakage and an overall dull, unhealthy finish. Healthy hair starts from root to tip, and letting go of split ends will result in thicker, fuller and far more luxurious strands."
"Colour choices can be a commitment"
– Jordanna Cobella, hairstylist
"Before colouring, you need to ask whether your hair is actually in the right condition to withstand it – can it handle lightening, or is it better suited to staying darker? Every colour choice comes with a certain level of commitment, which is something that needs to be understood from the outset."
"Rotate braids and cornrow styles"
– Dionne Smith, hairstylist
"Protective styles should protect the hair, not stress it. Repeating the same braid or cornrow pattern causes constant tension in one direction, increasing the risk of breakage and traction alopecia. Rotate your patterns, opt for larger braids and avoid tight installation. Most importantly, take breaks between styles and wear your hair loose, so the scalp can recover and breathe. Your hair growth depends on it."
Credit: Cosmopolitan