Your hair care routine might be sabotaging you, and you probably don’t even realize it. There was a time when any shampoo-conditioner combo would do: rinse, repeat, and call it a day. But hair care has moved on from that—from a once-a-week afterthought to a full-blown part of the beauty conversation.
Admittedly, I didn’t pay much attention to the kind of products I used—but that’s changed. Now, I take much better care of my hair, treating it as an extension of my beauty routine and being incredibly nitpicky about the products I use. Turns out, I’m not alone in having picked up bad habits along the way—and neither are you.
To help set the record straight, Allure Philippines tapped celebrity hairstylist and BETTERHAIR co-founder Paul Nebres—a trusted name in Filipino hair care for an exclusive interview. Here, he calls out the most common hair care mistakes Filipinos make on a daily basis, plus the tips he gives his own clients to fix them.
Read on to learn more about hair care from Paul Nebres.
Mistake # 1: Forgetting to condition and moisturize hair
Most of us shower and wash our hair every day because of our hot and humid weather, and we can’t blame you. Heat, humidity, and pollution can make the hair look and feel oily fast, so washing it seems like the obvious fix.
But, did you know that overwashing can strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture? And on top of that, we also forget to condition and bring moisture back to our hair—making our hair look dull, dry, and lifeless. Paul says that it’s important to always condition and moisturize our hair, even if it’s been incredibly hot outside.
“Every two days, I use some hair oils and leave-in conditioner just to add moisture,” Paul shares as part of his hair care routine.
He also recommends Crown Affair’s The Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner, along with a clarifying shampoo at least once a week for a deeper cleanse.
Kim Santos
Mistake # 2: Styling without any heat protectant
Filipinos have grown to love styling their hair daily, and plenty of us (including us at Allure Philippines) reach for heat tools on repeat. The problem is skipping heat protectant before putting hair through hot barrels or styling irons.
While Paul is glad to see Filipinos embracing hairstyling, he says that this is one of the mistakes he sees most often. “That’s the most important thing,” he explains. “Just like makeup, you need to do skincare before makeup, so the makeup will last. It’s the same with hair.”
Mistake # 3: Relying on expensive products
We’ve been here one too many times—we choose products that are out of our budget, thinking they’re the most effective ones in the market, and without any thought for our personal hair types. To this, Paul says, “[Using] Expensive products doesn’t mean they’re effective.”
And the most important part? Check if the product fits your hair type and consistency in your routine. “We don’t need expensive products to achieve our everyday hair goals,” he says.
Pro Tip: Dry your hair before bed
Locked in your hair routine. Check. Choose the right products for your hair type. Check.
But your hair still isn’t cooperating—and the missing step might be simpler than you think: drying your hair before you sleep. Paul says that wet hair is more fragile and prone to friction damage overnight, which can cause damage and breakage in the morning.
“First, you can’t sleep while your hair is wet,” Paul explains. “It’s not because you’ll get blind, but because of the friction you’ll get while it’s wet, it can cause damage and breakage.”
He also says not drying your hair before going to bed can start some bacteria on the scalp, so make sure to dry your hair before you sleep or go out!
Kim Santos
Old habits can be changed
Turns out, good hair days aren’t just because of good luck or tsamba—they’re about unlearning bad habits and learning better and more intentional ones along the way. With Paul Nebres’ tips in mind, I’m pretty sure all of us are rethinking our own routines now.
Consider this your sign to stop hesitating with that hair oil and put on that leave-in conditioner that’s been sitting on your vanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Daily washing isn’t inherently bad, but overwashing in the country’s hot, humid climate can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dull and dry. Hairstylist Paul Nebres recommends conditioning, using leave-in products, and a weekly clarifying shampoo to restore balance.
Overwashing is usually the cause. Washing too frequently removes the natural oils that keep hair soft, and skipping conditioner or moisture afterward makes it worse. Paul Nebres suggests using hair oils and leave-in conditioner every two days to bring moisture back into dry hair.
Yes. Heat protectant is the most important step before using any hot tool, according to hairstylist Paul Nebres. He compares it to skincare before makeup — the barrier helps your style last while shielding strands from damage during blow-drying, curling, or straightening.
Not necessarily. Expensive hair products aren’t automatically more effective, says Paul Nebres. What matters more is choosing formulas suited to your hair type and staying consistent with your routine. Everyday hair goals can be achieved with affordable products that fit your hair’s needs.
Yes, it can be. Wet hair is more fragile, and friction against your pillow overnight can cause breakage by morning, explains Paul Nebres. Sleeping with damp hair may also encourage bacteria on the scalp, so drying hair before bed protects both strands and scalp.
