The six mistakes that make your hairdresser shudder, revealed by a top stylist... and so many are guilty of his conditioner no-no

When a top dermatologist recently revealed the skincare mistakes that make her skin crawl, we were shocked – not least because we could tick off several sins we had been regularly committing.

But what about our hair? Are there habits that make hairdressers wince every time they spot them out in the wild? Turns out the answer is very much yes, according to Hadley Yates, a celebrity hairdresser and extension specialist who runs an eponymous salon in Covent Garden.

Here, he reveals the six hair mistakes that make him shudder, including the steps you should never skip and the reason loyalty pays when it comes to colourists...

Hadley Yates

Rough-drying with a towel like you're scrubbing dishes 

‘Vigorously rubbing your hair with a bath towel might seem harmless, but it’s a breakage disaster waiting to happen. Wet hair is at its most fragile—its elasticity makes it prone to snapping when handled roughly. Instead, gently blot or squeeze out moisture with a microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt.’

Constantly hopping between colourists 

‘Switching colourists frequently can seriously impact your results. A regular stylist knows your hair's colour history, what’s been used, and how it reacts. Without that knowledge, you risk uneven tones, unexpected results, or even damage.’

Over-straightening your hair

‘Rather than repeatedly clamping down with your straighteners, prep your hair first. Blow-dry it smooth or at least rough-dry it to remove moisture before styling. You’ll get better results with far less heat damage.’

Blow-drying your hair smooth is less aggressive than straightening.

Skipping heat protectant before styling 

‘Using hot tools on your hair without a heat protectant is like laying out in the sun without sunscreen. High temperatures dry out strands and cause split ends. A good heat protectant forms a barrier to reduce damage and lock in moisture.’

Sleeping in clip-in extensions 

‘This is a major no-no! Clip-in extensions are designed for temporary wear, not overnight use. Leaving them in while you sleep can cause unnecessary tension on your roots, potentially leading to traction alopecia—permanent hair loss from constant pulling.’

Skipping conditioner or masks altogether 

‘A lot of people with fine hair avoid conditioner or masks because they’re afraid it’ll weigh their hair down—but skipping them completely is a mistake. Your ends still need hydration to prevent dryness and splitting. It’s not about avoiding it—it’s about finding the right formula that works for your hair type.’