hair washing 101
We promise we’re not mansplaining basic hygiene...
THERE IS ACTUALLY TONS OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERLY WASHING HAIR
So we just want to set the record straight. Our scalps can get clogged (we hate the visual that just popped into your head, too) from product build up, dirt, sweat, and oil, so knowing how to correctly clean them is imperative.
STEP 1: RINSE
Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm/hot water. This will open the hair cuticle to remove product, dirt, and all that gunk.
STEP 2:LATHER
Apply about a quarter-sized amount of shampoo (more if you have very long or thick hair) and massage- don’t scratch- it into the scalp. Avoid using circular motion, since it can actually create tangles. Don’t forget the nape of your neck- take both hands under your hair and interlock your fingers while scrubbing.
Once you have a good amount of suds on the top of your head, drag your hands down the length of your hair to coat the ends with shampoo. Be gentle- the ends are the most fragile.
STEP 3:RINSE AGAIN
Rinse your hair until all of the suds are out. Shampoo tends to get stuck in the nape of the neck, so interlock your fingers behind your head again to make sure it rinses clean.
STEP 4:repeat IF NECESSARY
Anyone else remember the Lizzie McGuire episode where Ethan Kraft said the secret to his great hair was skipping the “repeat” part of “lather, rinse, repeat”? Well, he was only half wrong. You don’t actually need to lather twice, but if your hair didn’t get sudsy enough or if it’s been a few days since you last shampooed, you might want to do another light shampoo. Just be sure to fully rinse it out when you’re done.
STEP 5:CONDITION
Apply conditioner from the middle of your hair all the way down to the ends, avoiding the scalp if your hair gets greasy easily. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes so that it really absorbs- it helps if you wash your hair first in the shower so you can leave it on while you wash the rest of your body (we promise we won’t give you step by step instructions on how to use soap).
STEP 6: RINSE YET AGAIN
This step is not for the faint of heart- rinse your hair with COLD water. This will seal the cuticle, which helps eliminate any leftover shampoo and leaves hair shiny.
Well, put it this way: your scalp is like your skin. It has pores and oil glands and it sweats (bet you never thought you’d be this grossed out by your head, did you?). As a general rule of thumb, if you feel oily and greasy, you should wash your hair. We promise that washing your hair everyday won’t damage your hair (but using heat everyday will).
Now for the biggest question of them all:
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HAIR?
COARSE HAIR
Some people have greasier scalps than others, and may require washing their hair more frequently:
Those with coarse hair can usually get away with only washing once a week (lucky ducks). Depending on the texture of your hair, you might even be able to go a little longer between washes.
Those with fine hair typically have more oily scalps, so their hair gets greasier faster and should be washed everyday. However, fine hair is also typically more fragile, so it’s imperative that you use a gentle cleanser.
Medium Hair
Typically, medium hair only needs to be washed 2-3 times per week.
FINE HAIR
3
2
1
FINE HAIR
Crown affair
Fable & Mane
SahaScalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub
The Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Briogeo
Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo
Ceremonia
Papaya Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Some of our favorite ones are ...
IF YOU AREN’T WASHING YOUR HAIR FREQUENTLY, WE RECOMMEND USING A WEEKLY SCRUB OR DETOX SHAMPOO TO HELP ELIMINATE ALL THAT BUILT UP ICKINESS (THINK SWEAT, OIL, PRODUCT, AND POLLUTION).
DRY SHAMPOo
Oh sweetie, no. While dry shampoo is a godsend in terms of keeping those oily roots at bay, trust us when we tell you that it will not keep your pores clear and it is not an alternative for regularly shampooing your hair. If we’ve learned anything at all in this scalp section so far it's that a happy scalp is a healthy scalp. I love me a good dry shampoo but I have to remind myself to use it sparingly. There have been a bunch of recalled dry shampoos on the market lately, so here are some TBBB approved brands.
PRO TIP:
“I don’t need to wash my hair, I use dry shampoo!”
When applying, be sure to section hair and use it where the hair feels the most oily.. But – if you’re super oily. Please go wash your hair. Thanks.
texture spray
Texture Spray can be an alternative to revive second (or third..OR fourth 😉) day hair.
It won't help with any oiliness but it will bring back that vavavoom feel.
Here are some of our favorite texture sprays: