Having a bad hair day every once-in-a-while is pretty common and yet it somehow still makes us cringe every time it happens. Even if you’ve put on your favourite outfit, swept on that fiery red lipstick or worn your best pair of heels, without your hair in place, everything does seem a little off.
While following a good hair care routine and eating healthy are some ways of keeping bad hair days at bay, there’s still no guarantee that you won’t have bad hair days once in a while. So since dealing with a bad hair day is inevitable, it always helps to have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve. Scroll down for five sneaky reasons why you might be having a bad hair day, along with some pro tips that’ll help you tackle them!
01. Over washing

The way you wash your hair and how often you wash it also determines how good or bad your hair will look once dry. Washing your hair every day not only leave your tresses dry and brittle but also strips the scalp of its natural oils, leading to either dandruff or excess sebum production.
BB pro tip: Since everything about this scenario screams bad hair, it is best to avoid it entirely by washing your only 2-3 times a week. To keep your hair fresh and bouncy in-between washes, spray on a generous amount of the Dove Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo to soak up all the excess oil in an instant.
02. Stress

Sudden physical or mental stress can cause a hormonal imbalance. And fluctuating hormone levels have been proven to damage your hair. Additionally, stress can also put your body in trauma mode, where it withdraws vital nutrients and oxygen from your hair, there making them look dull and damaged.
BB pro tip: Carve some time during the day to do something you love. It could either be going for a quick jog in the morning or taking your time through your nighttime skincare routine. Indulge in activities that help you relax and keep stress under check.
03. Hot water

Yes, we know that hot water showers are extremely relaxing. But this is one of the most common reasons why a lot of people experience a bad hair day quite often. Hot water strips your hair of natural moisture, opens your cuticles and causes excessive dryness. It also makes your hair appear frizzy and fall flat a couple of hours after drying *yikes*.
BB pro tip: When washing your hair, always use lukewarm water and then use cold water as the final rinse. This will help in closing your cuticles and thereby cutting down on frizz greatly. Psst… the cold water rinse also lends a healthy shine to your tresses.
04. Bad diet

The food you eat delivers all the essential vitamins and nutrients that you need for the healthy functioning of your body, including your hair. But continuously binging on junk food, consuming a lot of alcohol, eating fried, packaged and sugary foods can all make your hair look dull and lifeless.
BB pro tip: Needless to say, the best solution to this problem is to consume fresh, whole foods that are rich n vitamins and nutrients. Speak to your doctor to find out about your specific nutrient deficiencies and include the appropriate supplements if needed.
05. Humidity

If you live in a hot and humid place climate, you’d be all too familiar with the problem of frizz. This problem worsens during the monsoons, because the air becomes heavy with moisture, leaving your hair dull and frizzy.
BB pro tip: Apart from using a conditioner after every wash, also invest in a leave-in conditioner like the TIGI Bed Head Ego Boost Leave In Conditioner and apply it on damp on hair. Formulated with keratin, this product protects hair against environmental damage to keep it soft, shiny and perfectly manageable.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Mar 26, 2021
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!