11 Hair Rules You Need to Break (2024)

1. Older Women Shouldn't Go Long

Break It: Long hair after 40 doesn't automatically make you look older, but since hair thins as you age, pump up the volume with layers and movement around the face. "Poker-straight styles are too harsh," says stylist Byron Williams, who has worked with Demi Moore. Los Angeles stylist Chris McMillan advises parting hair on the side. "It will open up your entire face and give you a fresh, wide-awake look," he says.

Try on Sarah Jessica Parker's hairstyles now!

Try on Demi Moore's hairstyles now!

2. Redheads Can't Wear Red Lips

Break It: Makeup artist Molly Stern gave Amy Adams a strawberry pout at the premiere of The Fighter. Stern says pick a shade that's richer in intensity than your strands, like cherry and scarlet, and keep blush and eye makeup neutral.

Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in No. 400, $30; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com.

Try on Amy Adams's hairstyles now!

3. Hide Your Gray

4. Bangs Shouldn't Be Wavy

Break It: Bangs don't have to be stick straight, says N.Y.C. hairstylist Garren. For a fresh look, he suggests applying a setting lotion (like Rene Furterer Acanthe Curl Enhancing leave-in fluid, $26; beauty.com). Sweep your wavy fringe to one side and allow it to air-dry. "Your bangs will form a pretty curve that softens up your entire face," he says.

Try on Carey Mulligan's hairstyles now!

5. Turn Down the Heat

6. Trim Every Six Weeks

7. Extra Shampooing Gets Hair Cleaner

• Nothing strips hair faster than a frothy lather, says Fabian Lliguin of Cocoon Hair Studio in N.Y.C. When your scalp is dry, it produces more oil to compensate, resulting in greasy roots and brittle ends. "It's a catch-22," says Lliguin. Instead, apply a conventional shampoo only to the scalp or switch to a gentler oil-based shampoo.
• Rahua Shampoo, $32; rahua.com.

8. Don't Wear Hair Wet

Break It: With wet hair, you get amazing control and polish, says Guido Palau, who created sporty looks for the Lanvin show. "There are no flyaways; your style is completely uniform." He suggests distributing Redken Touch Control 05 Volumizing Texture Whip ($17; redken.com for salon locations) from roots to ends before securing hair in a ponytail at the nape.

9. Silk Flowers are for Brides

10. Fight the Frizz

11. Evening Requires an Updo

Break It: Loose strands can be just as dressy as upswept hair, says Oribe, as long as you define wimpy waves with a curling iron, or make straight hair even sleeker with a flatiron. "Be deliberate," he says. "Loose hair only looks casual when its texture is neither here nor there." On the flip side, an easy updo adds a touch of refinement to daytime looks.

Try on Jennifer Lopez's hairstyles now!