8 rules to follow for really good hair, according to a celebrity hairstylist.

A flaky scalp. Forever oily roots. Dull colour. Thinning hair.

If you're a dame who'd very much like to know what's making your hair look so bloody dire, please take a seat. Because sometimes hair can be just as confusing as skin.

Watch: Speaking of hair... here are five ways to lift your hair game. Post continues below.

If you're anything like us, you just want to know exactly what you should be doing - and what you shouldn't.

That's why we hit up ghd ambassador and celebrity hairstylist Natalie Anne, and asked her to dish out exactly what we need to know when it comes to looking after our hair.

Shall we?

1. Don't wash your hair every day.

Do you do this? Yes?? Don't.

"While some clients may need to wash their hair more regularly than others, washing your hair every day could mean you’re over-washing. This can lead to the hair overproducing natural oils, resulting in oily and greasy hair," explains Natalie Anne.

"This can be even more damaging on coloured hair, resulting in fading of your colour, frizziness and flaky scalp."

Eeep! 

Instead, Natalie Anne said she always recommends her clients wash their hair no more than three times a week to ensure they don’t strip their hair of its natural oils or create an overproduction of it.

Three times a week, friends.

It's also important to use the right products to wash your hair.

"Always ensure you’re using professional hair care products that have the right active ingredients for your hair type," she shares. 

"You can’t go wrong with a hydration range."

2. Stop using too much heat.

Hands up who reaches for heat tools on the daily? Guilty! 

"One of the mistakes I see my clients make is that they use too much heat on their hair," said Natalie Anne. 

"Often I see people setting their styling tool on the highest temperature possible. While they may see instant styling results, they significantly damage their hair over an extended period of time."

According to Natalie Anne, 185 degrees is the optimum styling temperature for your hair - that's why it's good to have a heat tool that's able to monitor and maintain the styling temperature. 

If you're looking for a good option, you can't go wrong with something like ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener ($395).

3. Never skip heat protectant.

On that note - if you're not using a heat protectant before styling your hair, you're going to have a bad time. 

"Way too often I see people going straight to styling their hair without using a protectant, forgetting that the damage caused by heat is irreversible," said Natalie Anne. 

This will only cause breakage, frizziness and damage - so load up on that heat protectant before hitting your hair with anything hot!

4. Use a strong hair treatment. 

"People underestimate the power of a strong hair treatment which prevents damage to your hair, provides moisture, decreases hair fall and reduces split ends," explains Natalie Anne. 

"I recommend my own haircare line (Natalie Anne Haircare) treatment – Charcoal Repair Mask Deep Hydrating Treatment ($49.95) – to clients, especially after getting bleach or colour done."

5. Stop washing your hair with really hot water.

We all know running our face directly under hot shower water is a big no-no, but did you know it's the same for your hair? Yep, really!

Natalie Anne said, "Hot water dries your scalp, which can lead to itchiness and dandruff."

That explains... so much.

"Hot water can also make your roots weak, resulting in frizziness, breakage, brittleness and flyaways. Always use cooler water on your hair to ensure it stays healthy."

6. Protect your hair from the sun.

Yes, friends. This is a thing, too!

According to Natalie Anne, protecting hair from the drying effects of the sun is important for all hair types - especially as we’re entering the warmer months. 

She said, "Intense UV rays can dehydrate your hair and strip it of moisture, so I always recommend clients use a leave-in treatment with UV protection."

7. Rinse your hair before and after swimming.

During summer, we’re all swimming more, both in the sea and the pool.

Enter: Damaging particles, including salt and chlorine. 

Natalie Anne said, "It’s important to rinse your hair before and after swimming to ensure your hair does not get dried out by salt and chlorine."

To keep things extra healthy, Natalie also suggests applying a treatment mask to your hair before swimming to add a layer of protection. 

Smart!

"Apply just before you swim and wash out when you get home," she said.

8. Don't sleep with wet hair.

Lastly, don't sleep with wet hair. We know, we know - sometimes you just CBF with drying your hair - but it's not worth it. Promise.

Not only can sleeping with wet hair make your hair oilier (we did not know this), but Natalie Anne also said it can "create moisture build-up on the scalp which can lead to mould and scalp conditions."

Further to this, your hair is apparently in the most fragile state when it's wet - making it prone to breakage and damage.

So, the sooner you dry it - the better!

Which of the above tips was most surprising to you? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Instagram/@natalieannehair