If it seems like good hair days are few and far between, chances are your locks need some love—and luckily, the solution to your problem might be as simple as changing up your shower routine. Though many of us tend to "lather, rinse, repeat" without any further thought to the matter, professional hairstylists say your go-to routine could be putting your hair through the wringer. As celebrity stylist Marc Mena recently told Today, the best way to tame your tresses for a smoother, silkier look is by conditioning not just after shampooing, but also before. This can make all the difference between a movie star mane and conspicuously keeping your hat on all day.
According to Mena, the key to getting gorgeous hair is to focus on cleaning the scalp while protecting your hair ends. "I always recommend to my clients that the first thing they do in the shower is condition the ends, even before they shampoo," he explains. "Shampoo cleans, but it can also dry the hair out, so you want to protect your ends first. Then, after you shampoo, lightly condition the ends again."
Mena shared another common mistake that people make while sudsing their strands: applying shampoo to the entirety of their hair. "Shampoo is made to clean the scalp, so that should always be your focus in the shower — not shampooing from top to ends. The lather in your shampoo should be strong enough to clear out any residue on the ends when you are washing it out," Mena shares. For maximum protection, be sure to then apply your conditioner directly to the ends of your hair, working the product upward toward the roots.
Especially for those with curly or fine hair, these two techniques—strategic shampooing and double conditioning—will put you on the fast track to a softer texture and better body. After all, double the hair conditioner means double the impact—setting you up for a good hair day every day. Read on for other tips on washing your hair like a pro stylist, and for more on helping your hair look its best, check out these 40 Ways to Have Amazing Hair After 40.
1 Use the right products for your hair type.
Figuring out your hair type is a crucial step in setting your hair washing routine, and it goes far beyond labelling your hair as "straight" or "curly." Instead, find the hair products that best suit your needs by assessing aspects beyond texture, including hair structure (thickness of the strands), hair porosity (how well it retains moisture from products), and scalp moisture (your natural oil levels).
2 Turn down the temperature.
Using lukewarm water rather than hot water to wash your hair can help protect your scalp from drying out. This can ultimately help to fight brittle hair and breakage, which can cause excessive frizz and split ends—not your best look. By turning down the temperature, you can preserve your scalp's natural oils and keep your hair looking healthy and shiny. And for more ways to make the most of your shower routine, find out How Often You Should Really Be Showering, According to Doctors.
3 Skip a day (or two).
If shampooing your hair is part of your daily ritual, you're probably washing your hair far too often. As Anthony Cole, stylist for Sebastian Professional Haircare recently told Teen Vogue, "Most young women today wash their hair way too much! Three times a week is sufficient for most hair types." Stick to that timeline for best results, or—if you've got very curly hair—you may be able to skip shampoo altogether.
4 Follow up with a protectant.
As any expert will tell you, what you do after you wash is just as important as what you do in the shower—especially if you plan to style your hair with hot tools. After stepping out of the shower, dry your hair with a cotton t-shirt and apply a protective serum, oil, or leave-in conditioner to help retain optimum moisture. And for more ways you've been showering all wrong, check out The Body Part You're Forgetting to Wash Every Time You Shower.
Lauren Gray Lauren Gray is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant.Read moreRead This NextYou're Probably Showering at the Wrong Time
Just because it might help you wake up in the morning doesn't mean it's the right shower hour.October 13, 2020The One Body Part You Always Forget to Wash
You may think you're scrubbing up the right way every day, but you're probably ignoring this spot.October 12, 2020The One Thing You Need to Beat Bad Hair Days
These genius products will make those bandanas and baseball caps a thing of the past.September 1, 2020The "It" Hairstyle the Year You Were Born
Many of these 'dos are on the don't list now.October 2, 2020How You're Ruining Your Hair When You Shower
This seemingly minor mistake could be costing you the lush locks you've always wanted.October 15, 2020The Smart Man's Guide to Spotting Counterfeit Wine
That $2,000 bottle of Bourdeaux might be worth $20. Here’s how to be sure it’s the real thing.April 13, 2017The 5 Best Light-Bodied Red Wines for Extending Your Summer
Don't let September ruin a killer party. August 25, 201717 Insanely Cool New Luxury Bicycles for Spring
Meet the bikes that cost more than a car.March 31, 2017The Best Way Make Your Blowout Last Longer
Pro-approved tricks for making "day four" look like "day one."November 27, 2017The 6 Keys for Nailing Perfect Silver Fox Hair
The art of looking as distinguished as humanly possible. June 30, 2017
