Dry, Dull, or Breaking? Here’s How to Know What Your Hair Actually Needs
Your hair is trying to tell you something — here’s how to finally understand it.
First: Not all hair issues are the same. Dry hair, dull hair, damaged hair, breaking hair. They sound similar, but they’re totally different problems — and if you treat the wrong one, you can accidentally make things worse. (Looking at you, accidental protein-overload girlies 👀) This guide breaks down what’s actually going on and how to fix it with the right products.
1. Your Hair Feels DRY
Dry = lacking moisture.
Signs your hair is DRY:
Rough or “crispy” feeling
Tangles easily
Thirsty — drinks up conditioner within seconds
Puffy/frizzy with no definition
Feels better wet than dry
Common causes:
Hard water
Heating tools
Seasonal dryness
Over-washing
Not enough hydrating products
What your hair needs:
Moisture + slip. Think hydration, softness, and smoothing.
Mae-approved fixes:
Oribe Intense Conditioner for Moisture & Control
Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense
Weekly hydrating masks or leave-in treatments
What not to do:
Add protein. Protein makes dry hair feel dryer.
2. Your Hair Looks DULL
Dull = lack of shine or smoothness, not necessarily damage.
Signs your hair is DULL:
No shine, even when freshly washed
Color looks flat or faded
Hair feels okay but looks lifeless
Style doesn't hold well
Feels weighed down or “coated”
Why it happens:
Mineral buildup from hard water
Product buildup
Color oxidation
Heat exposure
Wrong shampoo routine
What your hair needs:
Clarifying, shine, and smoothing. Basically: a reset.
Mae-approved fixes:
Monthly clarifying service in-salon
Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo
Kérastase Chroma Gloss Shine Booster
Raindrops Shower Filter → one of the BEST fixes for eliminating mineral buildup that kills shine
What not to do:
Use heavy moisture masks unless your hair is also dry — they can make dullness worse.
3. Your Hair Is BREAKING
Breakage = structural damage — not dryness.
Signs of BREAKAGE:
Random short pieces sticking up
Hair snapping when brushed or straightened
Split ends or feathering
Little broken hairs on your shirt
Hair that won’t grow past a certain length
Feels stretchy or weak when wet
Why it happens:
Heat damage
Over-lightening
Chemical services
Tight ponytails or brushing too aggressively
Protein/moisture imbalance
Skipping trims for too long
What your hair needs:
Strength + protein + bond repair.
This is a “rebuild the hair from the inside out” moment.
Mae-approved breakage repair routine:
Oribe Gold Lust Overnight Repair Mask
Kérastase Résistance Masque Therapiste
Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum
Bond-building treatments during color services
Regular trims (every 8–12 weeks)
What not to do:
Don’t rely solely on moisture masks — they won’t fix structural damage.
Don’t skip heat protection.
Don’t use strong protein masks too often — balance is key.
4. Your Hair Has MULTIPLE ISSUES (most common)
Most people experience a mix:
Dull + Dry
Breaking + Dry
Dull + Buildup
Dry + Oily scalp
Here’s the order that solves 95% of hair concerns:
1️⃣ Clarify
Get rid of minerals + product residue.
(Raindrops filters help prevent buildup between visits!)
2️⃣ Hydrate
Restore moisture so hair is soft and flexible.
3️⃣ Strengthen
Add protein and bond repair if you have breakage.
Quick Hair Diagnosis Test
Hair feels okay but looks dull? → Clarify.
Hair feels rough? → Moisture.
Hair snaps? → Strength + bond repair.
Hair stretches when wet? → Protein.
Hair gets oily fast but ends are dry? → You need a balanced routine.
