Advice we wish the Internet would STOP giving you

If you're anything like us, TikTok and Google are our go to for advice on just about anything beauty and lifestyle. Some of it is helpful. Some of it is actually the worst advice ever. So we asked our team of professionals at Genesis: "What hair advice do you see online that you wish your clients would stop listening to?"

“You Don't Need To Wash Your Hair Before Your Color Appointment”

Sydney, Carrie & Ruby: Please Please Please come with clean hair.

This might be one of the most persistent hair myths out there and we hear this all the time from clients. Excess oil and product buildup gets in the way of your stylist coloring/lightening your hair. It literally creates a barrier that makes it harder for lightener or color to lift or deposit onto the hair shaftff. Plus if you do come with dirty hair we'll have to wash and dry it before we start your service. So that is an extra 30-45 minutes added to your appointment!

“Heat Protectant Doesn't Really Do Anything”

Abrielle: It most definitely does and skipping it is contributing to the breakage you might be blaming entirely on bleach. Color-treated hair is already more vulnerable to damage. Add repeated blow drying, curling or flat ironing without heat protection and you're adding another source of stress.

And Morgan has an important add-on: Make sure you're using the right kind of heat protectant. There are two different heat protectants, one to use while your hair is wet before you blowdry and then one to use before heat styling like straightening or curling.

“Sleeping With Wet Hair Is Fine”

Brooke G: Your hair is at its most vulnerable when it's wet. It's not the end of the world if you do fall asleep with wet hair sometimes, but making it a habit is no bueno. Wet hair stretches easily and is more susceptible to mechanical damage like breaking or snapping. Add hours of rubbing against your pillow while you sleep and you're creating an environment for extra tangling and breakage. Dry your hair before bed. Your morning hair will probably thank you, too.

“Use The Kristin Ess At Home Gloss To Refresh Your Hair”

Brooke T & Ruby: At-home glosses and toners seem fine to use "just this once" because they're marketed as an easy way to just refresh your color....That is still box dye. That matters the next time you sit in your stylist's chair.

At-home color can grab darker or differently than expected especially on porous or previously lightened hair and that pigment can affect what your stylist is able to achieve during a future professional color service. It has the same exact effect as traditional box color.

“I've Been Using Drug Store Products & My Hair Feels So Soft And Healthy"

Natalia & Johnnie: Soft does NOT mean healthy. Eeekkk!! Sorry!!!!!

Some products are very good at making your hair feel smooth, shiny and silky. You can thank the Silicones, Petroleum, and Sulfates for that. Its literally just depositing a coating on your hair, its not repairing anything. Any way you spin this extremely (🙄) popular argument, drug store does not compare to professional salon brands. And to be clear, ingredients like silicones aren't automatically “bad” many are useful for reducing friction, controlling frizz and protecting the hair. But ONLY when formulated correctly.

“Coconut Oil Is A Great At Home Hair Mask”

Brooke T: Coconut Oil by itself?..On your hair...No. Coconut oil sits on top of the hair, its molecules are bigger than the pores on your scalp so its just a coating and such a PAIN to wash out. When it is formulated into a mask or scalp treatment, that is a different story. It's made to penetrate your scalp and do its job, just not on its own. If you're looking for hydration, I have treatments and masks you would LOVE.

“If AI Says This Hair Transformation Is Possible,

My Stylist Can Do It”

Amanda: AI is giving clients some really unrealistic expectations. AI-generated hair pics are generally so unrealistic. You may love the color it put on you but it doesn't take into account your starting color, hair history or actual hair integrity. Bring the inspiration photo we want to see your vision. But your stylist may need to translate that inspiration into a version that's actually achievable on YOUR real human hair.

“Just Use Cornstarch as Dry Shampoo”

Taylor: I mean I can see why this would seem like it makes sense...but absolutely not. Cornstarch does absorb oil BUT a product being able to absorb oil doesn't automatically make it a good scalp product. Cornstarch will clog the pores on your scalp sooo bad. Cosmetic dry shampoos are specifically formulated for use on the hair and scalp, while the bag of cornstarch in your pantry…was formulated for gravy.

“Dupes Are Basically the Same Product for Less Money”

Riley: Similar isn't the same.

Two products can promise the same result, use similar language or even contain some of the same ingredients without having identical formulas, ingredient concentrations or performance. Chef Boyardee and Maggiano's both make ravioli. You already know they're not going to be the same ravioli. Honestly, thats the best way we could explain it. A dupe might work perfectly well for you, but that doesn't automatically mean you're getting the exact same formulation or results as the product it's trying to replicate.

So…Should We Stop Taking Hair Advice From the Internet?

Not completely. We are, technically, giving you hair advice on the internet right now.

The problem isn't TikTok, Google, AI or your favorite beauty creator. It's treating general hair advice like it's bible or will work for everyone. There is also just really bad advice out there. Your hair type, scalp, color history, chemical services, lifestyle and goals all matter. What completely transforms one person's hair could do nothing or even be counterproductive for yours. So save the TikToks. Send us the crazy inspiration photos. Ask us whether that $8 viral product is secretly amazing. Just maybe ask your hairstylist before putting the cornstarch on your head.

Have a hair claim you've seen online that you want our stylists to weigh in on? Send it to us or bring it to your next appointment at Genesis Boutique & Salon in Dickinson, Texas. We might just put it in Part Two.