Your Hair Washing Routine Made Easy
Read on for nine top tips to make your hair washing routine flawless:
1. How often should you wash your hair?
First things first: When establishing your hair washing routine, you’ll need to figure out how often to do it. Everyone has different hair types that need to be washed at different frequencies. Most of us actually wash more zealously than we need to, and, as a general rule of thumb, you’re probably okay to wash your hair every other day (unless in the case of heavy sweat, grease or use of too much product). For those with curly hair, you may need to shampoo less often. Read more about when you should wash your hair, according to your hair type.
2. Saturate your hair before your wash day routine begins.
The best way to work shampoo thoroughly into your hair and not have a bear of a time rinsing it out is to start with properly saturated hair. This means don’t hop in the shower and immediately start applying your product! Instead, give strands a few minutes to completely soak through first. Once you’ve completely wet your hair, then you can apply the product and start to shampoo.
3. Routine Hair Products: Size Matters
One of the best ways to boost shine after cleansing is to make sure you totally rinse out your shampoo and conditioner. Having residue from either product left over on your hair makes your hair look duller and can even lead to buildup and a greasy look. The best way to be able to rinse it all out? Don’t apply so much. If you opt for a handful of shampoo with each wash, you’re overdoing it. For both, aim to use an amount the size of a quarter and adjust reasonably depending on the length of your hair.
4. Apply shampoo to the roots only.
Real talk: The ends of your hair don’t get as dirty as your scalp. Because your scalp produces oil, it’s what truly needs to get washed. If you have dry hair, use a hydrating shampoo in your hair washing routine that isn’t going to strip your hair of oils, but still gets it clean, like Suave Professionals Coconut Milk Infusion Deep Moisture Shampoo. Once you’ve created a foamy lather at your roots, use the foam to wash the rest of your hair.
5. Applying and Rinsing Out Conditioner
Conditioner near your roots isn’t a bad thing, as long as you properly rinse it out afterward. If you’re following up on that moisturizing shampoo, use a quarter-sized dollop of Suave Professionals Coconut Milk Infusion Deep Moisture Conditioner on your mid-lengths and ends first, and any extra should then be worked upwards. To rinse out the conditioner all the way, you may need to get a little closer to your showerhead or rinse out under the bath tap. A stronger flow of water helps thoroughly remove conditioner residue.
6. Cold Water Rinse for Shiny Hair
If you can take it, rinse with chilly water! It helps seal the cuticle of the hair, making it appear shiny and smooth. It also feels really good in summer months (and is a great picker-upper during weekday mornings, trust us).
7. In between washes? Try dry shampoo.
If you’re feeling a bit greasy the day before, you need to shampoo your hair, squeeze out another good hair day with dry shampoo. Spritz Dove Refresh+Care Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo into your roots to refresh and add volume to your hair. Shake through your roots with your fingers to distribute, and you’ve made it through another day!
8. De-Gunk once-a-week hair washing routine.
Once a week, you’ll probably need a thorough cleaning to get rid of any leftover styling products on your hair. Use a clarifying option to really get squeaky clean tresses. Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo and Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Conditioner are good options. They aren’t as stripping as other clarifying systems and still get your hair satisfyingly clean.
9. Deeply moisturize once a week.
Everyone can benefit from a good hair mask every now and then. We recommend using a mask once a week, especially during the winter, to help nourish and deeply hydrate your hair. We love Dove Hair Mask + Minerals Strengthens + White Clay for straight and wavy hair types, and SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masquefor curly and natural hair types. Use these tips to find a hair washing routine that works for you and your unique needs!
