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Article ‘I’m A Stylist And These Are 5 Things I Never Put On My Hair’

Renee Vallender, founder of The Straightening Salon and EVEKO
August 28, 2025

14 Comments

Ever wondered what rules professional stylist live by when it comes to hair health? We chatted to an expert in the industry about her haircare no-nos.

Renee Vallender expert banner.

Renee Vallender is the founder of The Straightening Salon, created from her own search for a fuss-free hair solution. As a first-time mum with little time to spare and a head of frizzy “Hagrid hair,” she discovered the power of permanent straightening – and never looked back. Thirteen years on, what started as a personal fix has grown into a business dedicated to helping other women feel confident, save time and enjoy smooth, easy-to-manage hair every day.

Woman having her hair washed at a salon.
Every great wash starts with knowing what to leave out. Image: Canva

As someone who’s spent years both in and behind the chair helping women to tame their unruly hair, I’ve learnt the value of products that truly work and the damage caused by those that don’t.

Here are five things I’d never put on my own hair and that I always recommend my clients avoid too:

Shampoos containing sulphates

Person washing their hair.
Love suds? Ask yourself what’s behind those bubbles. Image: Canva

Sulphates like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are detergents that strip away your hair’s natural oils. Yes, they make shampoo foam up beautifully, but they can also leave hair dry and brittle, disrupt your scalp’s natural microbiome and damage hair follicles over time.

At my salon, this is our number-one ingredient to avoid, because sulphates can quickly strip away the results of smoothing and straightening treatments.

I only use sulphate-free shampoos because they still cleanse effectively but leave hair softer, more hydrated and healthier overall.

Heavy, non-water-soluble silicones

Woman touching her dry hair.
Certain types of silicone can leave hair feeling flat. Image: Canva

Not all silicones are necessarily bad, but heavy, non-water-soluble ones like dimethicone or amodimethicone can build up on the hair, creating a surface shine while suffocating the strand underneath.

Over time, silicones can lock moisture out, leaving hair dry and dull. So reach for products with water-soluble silicones or else avoid them altogether.

Synthetic fragrances

Person with irritated scalp.
Itchy scalp? Synthetic fragrances could be the culprit. Image: Canva

Many synthetic fragrances contain phthalates and parabens, which may irritate the scalp and act as hormone disruptors. Instead, I choose products labelled “phthalate-free” and “paraben-free.”

You can still enjoy a beautiful fragrance, just make sure it’s formulated to be non-toxic and safe. This applies not only to haircare, but to body washes, perfumes and other fragranced products you use often.

Excessive dry shampoo

Person using dry shampoo.
If you’re reaching for dry shampoo daily, it’s too much. Image: Canva

Dry shampoo can be a life-saver between wash days, but overuse can clog hair follicles and irritate the scalp. It can also lead to a build-up that slows down your hair growth, causes flaking and leaves locks looking dull.

I limit dry shampoo use to one or two days max before a full cleanse. It’s enough to refresh without sacrificing scalp and hair health.

“Miracle” oils that only coat the hair

Person pouring oil on hair ends.
Not all oils nourish the hair. Image: Canva

If an oil contains non-water-soluble silicones, it’s likely just coating your hair for instant shine without actually nourishing it. Over time, this prevents real hydration from penetrating the hair shaft.

That said, not all silicones are the enemy, and when paired with nourishing oils, a volatile silicone like cyclopentasiloxane can actually help. It spreads the “good stuff” evenly throughout the hair, then evaporates without causing buildup.

I also steer clear of pantry oils like coconut or olive oil, which can be heavy and difficult to wash out.

Woman touching her healthy hair.
Great hair comes from making smart choices. Image: Canva

One of the most important parts of hair care isn’t just what you use, but what you avoid. By steering clear of the nasties mentioned above, you’ll help keep your hair healthier and stronger in the long run. Your strands (and your scalp) will thank you for it.

Have you ever learnt the hard way what NOT to use on your hair? Let us know below!

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Comments

  • This is a thought provoking article. I’m going to have to do a clean out of products as I’m sure many of the things I use contain these but I’m also not sure what to replace them with. It would be handy to have some ideas of brands without having to read every single label.

  • There are so many shampoos and conditioners on the market trying to find a good one that works and makes your hair soft and manageable is crazy.
    I have also tried many brands and some of them have made my hair so dry and frizzy to the point I had to get my haircut short to make it even decent again

  • I stopped using shampoos with sulphates a few years ago & noticed a massive improvement in my hair. I can’t stand the feel of dry shampoo in my hair, so I tend to just wash my hair more frequently if needed and just use gentle, nourishing shampoos that don’t strip my hair.

  • An informative article. Shopping for haircare products is a bit like shopping for groceries, you really need to read the label and ingredients list to determine what’s actually in it. I use dry shampoo about once a week, anymore more than that and my scalp goes itchy and I’m dying to wash it out. I never knew about the slowing of hair growth. Interesting.

  • Well, I think it is good to know what to avoid, but I would really love to know what to actually use to help my hair with dandruff, dry scalp, help to get some volume and prevent it from being greasy too fast, what to use to make it silky and shiny and how to prevent frizzy hair and tangled hair.
    I reckon if you know what to use exactly you’d not use anything else.

  • I have found that the shampoo and conditioner I use has the biggest impact on the condition of my hair. I tend to stick to three or four brands. I hardly ever look at the ingredients list, but maybe I should.

  • I’ve also used olive oil in my hair before… and coconut and castor oil… oh the days of high school and trying to get shiny healthy hair! lol
    I think I even remember putting egg in my hair too! I’m glad I’m older and wiser now! Now I waste all my money on products that supposedly work but I should be more mindful of fragrance. I often pick a product based on its smell!

  • Great advice. I’m guilty of using dry shampoo a little too often, although I use it more as a volume building tool rather than avoiding washing my hair. I’ve used coconut oil as a treatment before and my hair felt amazing afterwards. I didn’t find it difficult to wash out.

  • I like all these tips but it also makes me wonder what I should be using and which shampoos, conditioners and hair oils are best for normal/dry hair.

  • One thing I’ve learnt the hard way not to put on my hair is straight-up hairspray as a “styling product.” It seemed like a quick fix, but it left my hair crunchy, dry, and impossible to brush out without breakage. Definitely better to use a proper heat protectant or leave-in conditioner. I certainly have learnt lots from reading this article. Priceless!

  • Love this article. Renee’s website is fab, it looks like she gives gorgeous treatments. I just wish she told us anything she would recommend that gives the benefits we chase in oils. I love the Kerastase oil range, but is it working against me? And oh boy, I definitely learned as a teenager why too much dry shampoo was a bad idea haha

  • This is so informative! I worked in hairdressing for a year after high school and was told to never use Pantene because of silicones.
    My understanding is they coat the hair and make them look healthy and shiny but are actually damaging the hair?!
    I’m not sure if they still use them but I’ve not used Pantene because it’s ingrained in me now 🙂

  • I love my hair oil but now I feel that I will have to check and see if it contains the nasty chemical mentioned.
    I tend to swap my shampoo and conditioner around often as my hair gets fussy and even though it may like a product to start with after a while it starts to let me know its not happy any more.

  • These are really great tips and advice to look after your hair the best way possible. Im definitely not one that likes to use dry shampoo. Yes it may give my hair that instant refresh when its oily, but then i also feel like i have a coating on my hair which isnt the most pleasant feeling!

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All content on Beauty Truth is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or qualified health professional regarding any questions or concerns you have regarding your health or a medical condition before making any decisions.

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