Your hair is like a crown you can’t take off, so why not give yourself the royal treatment? Salon-worthy strands don’t have to stop at the hairdresser. And, believe it or not, there are plenty of simple things you can do at home to level up your shampoo game.
That’s right, beauties. You may be surprised to know that there is a right and wrong way to refresh your tresses. So, to learn how to properly wash your hair for gloriously good-looking locks, read on.
Hair Do’s for Clean Hair
If you want to wake up flawless, like Beyonce, a good hair routine is a must. And that starts in the shower – with a gentle shampoo and the perfect technique.
What technique? We outline all the essential steps in this go-to guide to washing your hair. Read on to find out the dos and don’ts for unBalievably clean hair. We bet you’ll learn a thing or two!
1. Get Busy with your Brush
Always remember: a clean scalp is a healthy scalp. Your scalp and hair are covered in dirt and impurities that aren’t visible to bare eyes. And brushing your hair before hopping in the shower helps lift the residue from your scalp's surface, making it easier to wash off.
Hair is weakest when it’s wet and wet hair is more likely to tangle—another reason to do the brushing BEFORE your strands get soaked.
2. Soak Your Hair Completely
For shampooing to work correctly, you must drench your hair in lukewarm water. So, take a good minute to soak your strands before applying your shampoo. And make sure every section gets nice and wet.
The wetter the hair, the better. Why? Because this will open the hair cuticle and help open the pores on your scalp so your strands are more receptive to your shampoo. If you don’t prepare properly, your hair won’t be thoroughly cleansed. And the last thing anyone wants is a clogged hair follicle.
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3. Lather First
Instead of directly applying shampoo to your scalp, lather it up beforehand. Most people apply their product first then lather, but this can potentially lead to an oily scalp. So, switch up your technique and check out the difference.
4. Rinse With Warm Water and Repeat
Don’t overlook the rinsing process. Even if that means a few extra minutes in the shower to properly remove any product residue.
Seriously. Rinsing properly is a foolproof way to keep your hair from looking dull or dirty. It’s the key to luxuriously clean hair – and it also helps prevent shampoo build-up on the scalp leading to dandruff. Which we can all agree isn’t much fun!
5. Scrub Your Scalp Gently
When washing your hair, massage your scalp gently in small circles. You can use your fingertips to loosen any dirt, skin flakes, oils, and residue. (And once or twice a week, consider using a scalp scrub.)
A perfect addition to a shower routine is a shampoo brush to stimulate your scalp and revitalise your locks. Not only will this easy-to-grip tool help increase blood circulation, it will also help exfoliate the scalp. Plus, it’s suitable for all hair types.
6. Condition
Done shampooing? After you rinse, apply your hair conditioner. To avoid your roots becoming oily or your locks being weighed down, don’t apply the product directly to your scalp. Apply to your mid-lengths and ends only, then let the conditioner rest for one to two minutes. Or as the directions instruct.
Hair Don’ts
Now, what shouldn’t you do if you want super-clean hair? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you.
1. Don’t Wash Too Often
You don’t need to shampoo and condition your hair every single day. And, as a rule, it’s better if you don’t. Some people say their hair becomes greasy if they go a day without washing. But this is often a problem we cause ourselves.
Over-cleansing causes the scalp’s oil production to increase, so what’s stripped can be replaced. When you stop shampooing so often, the body balances. Making it possible for you to go longer without washing your strands.
2. Don’t Skip the Scalp
Your scalp is a crucial player in the hair washing process. Close your eyes and think about the last time you had your hair professionally washed.
How much time did they spend on your scalp?
The hairdresser isn’t just giving you a head massage for fun. So, make sure you focus on your scalp when shampooing – as it’s the area that needs the most cleansing power.
3. Don’t Use Super-Hot Water
One of the biggest mistakes people make when washing their hair is using crazy hot water. We know steamy showers are comforting (especially in cold weather), but hot water strips your hair of its natural oils. And if you have colour, it speeds up the fading process.
Yup. The hotter the water, the more nutrients and colour will be lost from your hair. The hair cuticle is your protection, so do your best to protect it. One easy way to do this is to rinse your locks in lukewarm water or cooler temperatures.
Final Thoughts
You do it at least once a week, probably more. So it’s definitely worth learning how to wash your hair correctly to get more volume and vibrancy out of your locks! Follow these shampooing dos and don’ts next time you lather up. And, if you’re interested in discovering more health-boosting hair tips, make sure you check out our blog!
Edited by: Pip Jarvis and Iris