It's not healthy to wash your hair every day, especially if you have thick or curly hair. Conditioner is a must, regardless of your hair type. Now that the wash is out of the way, how about it dries? Absorb excess water with a microfiber towel and avoid rubbing your hair between non-microfiber towels. Shampoo, conditioner and any shower product should be applied first, followed by heat protection, a volumizer or foam, and a brightening serum.
How often you wash your hair should be based on the amount of oil your scalp produces. If your scalp is oily, you may need to wash it once a day. When washing your hair, focus on cleaning primarily your scalp, rather than washing all of your hair. Washing just your hair can create loose hair that is dull and rough.
While the basics of creating a hair care routine lie in the foundations of washing, drying, and styling, there are many other factors to consider for healthier, thicker, and shinier hair. If you have time or are going to be lounging around the house, apply a little styling product and let your hair air dry. The way you wash your hair and the products you use can go a long way in keeping your hair soft and shiny. Now that you're more familiar with your hair type and must-haves, let's write down the basics of your hair care routine and start with your washing routine.
Whether you use a shampoo, a cleanser, or a co-wash with a conditioner, you'll need to determine how often you should wash your hair. Obviously, no one is perfect, so don't be embarrassed if these habits show up in your own haircare routine quite often. Take a lock of hair between your fingertips, if you don't feel anything, it's a sign of fine hair. If your goal is to keep your curls intact during the night, try sleeping in a satin hat or brushing your hair with a satin scrunchie.
People with colored hair are advised not to wash it every day to avoid premature color fading and dryness. However, depending on your hair type, oils and butters may need to be used sparingly or not at all to prevent clumping of hair. If your lock stays below the surface, but floats, your hair is well balanced and has “normal porosity”. This is good advice for everyone, but especially for people with curly hair and anyone struggling in the era of the Instagram hair influencer.
Mid-stem and ends generally need the most moisture, especially if you have chemically treated hair, dry hair, or damaged ends. Products that produce heat can damage hair and cause it to eventually break and look dry, dull, and frizzy.