We all love a good blow-dry, but there's a fine line between using heat to make your hair look its best and overdoing it. Whether you're devoted to your straighteners, can't live without your curling tong or simply blow-dry your hair every day, regular exposure to high temperatures can take its toll on the health of your strands

The trouble is, heat damage doesn't always make itself immediately known. Often, it's a gradual process, with small changes in the way your hair looks, feels and behaves signalling that it's time to rethink your styling routine. Here are five signs to look out for.

1. Your hair feels dry and rough

One of the first signs of excessive heat styling is a change in texture. Hair that once felt soft and silky might start to feel rough, brittle or straw-like, particularly through the mid-lengths and ends. High temperatures can damage the hair's protective cuticle, leaving strands feeling parched. If your usual conditioner isn't quite cutting it, try working a little Almost Everything Cream through damp or dry lengths. Its conditioning formula helps soften and smooth, and it can also be used as a nourishing mask.

2. It's lost its shine

Healthy hair reflects light, which is what gives it that glossy, expensive-looking finish. But when the cuticle becomes damaged, its surface is less smooth, meaning light doesn't bounce off it in quite the same way. The result? Hair that looks dull, lacklustre and a little lifeless. Again, a small amount of Almost Everything Cream worked through the ends can help restore the appearance of shine, without weighing hair down.

3. You're noticing more split ends and breakage

If you're finding lots of little broken hairs on your clothes or noticing that your ends look increasingly wispy, heat could be to blame. Repeated exposure to high temperatures can weaken the hair shaft, making it more prone to snapping and splitting. Unfortunately, once a strand has split, no product can permanently put it back together – which is where a good trim comes in. Regular salon appointments will help keep your ends looking healthy and full.

4. Your hair is frizzier than usual

While we often reach for our hot tools to smooth frizz, excessive heat can actually make it worse. When the cuticle is compromised, hair becomes more porous and susceptible to humidity, which can leave it looking fluffy, frizzy and difficult to manage.

5. Your natural texture has changed

For those with naturally wavy or curly hair, one of the clearest signs of heat damage is a change in curl pattern. If your curls are looking looser, less defined or refusing to spring back after washing, excessive heat may have altered the proteins responsible for maintaining their shape. Give your hair a break from hot tools and embrace its natural texture instead. Air Dry Spray is brilliant for enhancing waves and movement without the need for heat, while Almost Everything Cream helps define curls and keep frizz at bay.

How to give your hair a break

The good news? You don't have to abandon your hot tools altogether. It's about styling smarter. Always use a dedicated heat protectant, avoid using higher temperatures than necessary and try not to go over the same section repeatedly.

If you're a regular blow-dryer, The Great Hairdryer makes quick work of drying and offers controlled heat settings, so you can tailor the temperature to your hair's needs. And on days when you can skip the heat altogether, embrace Air Dry Spray to give your natural texture a little extra oomph.

Ultimately, healthy hair is always easier to style. Look after it now, and you'll spend a lot less time trying to make it behave later.