Long hair don’ts are my daily cardio. I’m hunched over my laptop in a noisy Astoria diner right now, hair half-stuck to a ketchup smear on the table, smelling like yesterday’s fries and cheap conditioner. The waitress just side-eyed me—fair. Here’s the seven long hair mistakes I keep making, even though I swear I’ll stop tomorrow.
Long Hair Don’ts #1: Going to Bed with Wet Hair
I do this way too often. Wake up looking like I stuck my finger in a socket. The back turns into one giant dreadlock. I know I should wrap it or at least towel-dry better, but Netflix wins every time.
Long Hair Don’ts #2: Cheap Hair Ties That Break
Last week, mine snapped in the middle of a bodega line. Hair exploded everywhere—like a bad magic trick. The cashier laughed. I died inside. Spend the extra buck on decent ones.
My Ponytail Fail Formula
- Too tight → headache by lunch
- Too loose → falls out by 2 p.m.
- Just right → lasts 20 minutes max
Long Hair Don’ts #3: Skipping Conditioner
I ran out last month and thought “eh, shampoo’s enough.” Wrong. My ends looked like broom bristles. Took two weeks of deep conditioning to fix. Don’t be lazy like me.
Long Hair Don’ts #4: DIY Trims Gone Wrong
I grabbed kitchen scissors at midnight. Wanted “just a trim.” Ended up with a chunk missing in front. Now it flips out like a broken antenna. Go to a pro. Seriously.
Long Hair Don’ts #5: Forgetting the Neck Zone
That weird patch where neck hair meets long hair? I ignore it until it’s a mini jungle. Then I scratch and pull out a knot the size of a quarter. Trim it weekly or suffer.
Long Hair Don’ts #6: Letting It Block Your Vision
I’ve walked into doors. Poles. People. Tie it back when you’re moving. Your face will thank you. So will strangers.
Long Hair Don’ts #7: Box Dye in Bad Lighting
Tried “natural black” in my dim bathroom. Came out purple-green. Took three salon trips to fix. Never again. Pay the $80 and save your soul.
These long hair don’ts aren’t the end of the world—just annoying. But when my hair actually behaves? Feels worth it. Kinda.
Your move: what’s your worst long hair mistake? Drop it below. And if you’re in NYC, check out this barber—he’s fixed my disasters more than once.
