Most of us dream of longer, thicker, better-behaved air, and it always seems to be a case of the grass is always greener. Those with thick curls long for locks that can be thrown into a ponytail without hours of maintenance, while those with thinner hair spend more than we'd like to admit on products and tricks to make our hair look bigger.
But one frustration we all share is when our hair looks dry and unhealthy.
Hair expert Nicole Petty, who works for Milk + Blush, claims there is an everyday mistake many of us are making which could be contributing to that unwanted look - the temperature we wash our hair at.
She tells The Mirror: "Whilst hot water can be beneficial for helping products absorb deep into the hair, it can also strip the hair of its natural oils, causing dryness and excessive oil production to compensate for a dehydrated scalp and tresses.
"This can cause scalp flaking and itchiness, resulting in strands feeling dry and brittle and leading to breakage.
"Instead, rinse your hair with lukewarm water to preserve the natural oils in your hair and retain moisture.
"Aim to wash your hair in water no warmer than 38 degrees Celsius to minimise dandruff and help make your hair look shinier, as cooler water helps to seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture."
But it's not just the temperature that we're getting wrong, and there's another key factor that could be damaging our hair.
One of the big questions people find themselves asking is how often we should be washing our hair, and there is a lot of information out there. Some claim washing it too much is an absolute no-no, while others say it's important to banish all that grease and dirt.
Thankfully Nicole has the answers, but it's not completely straightforward.
She explains: "The frequency of hair washing depends on your hair type and lifestyle, but over-washing is a common mistake that can damage your hair.
"Excessive washing can strip the natural oils and dry your locks out, leaving it prone to breakage and thinning, dulling the natural shine and increasing oil secretion to recoup lost moisture and stripping hair colour faster.
"As a general rule, you should avoid washing your hair more than 2-3 times per week.
"Hair that becomes oily quickly may indicate that you’re over-washing or over-stripping the hair.
"If this is the case, try training your hair by using dry shampoo to increase the longevity of time between washes and avoid using overly stripping ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and alcohol."
