Building the perfect hair care routine

 

So, you’ve decided it’s time to start taking better care of your hair.

 

Maybe you want your locks to grow faster, be shinier, or look less damaged after years of coloring.

No matter what brought you to this article, we’ve got your back!

 

Creating a hair care routine can help your hair look its absolute best and leave you feeling even more confident, and all it takes is a bit of direction and the right products.

This article is based on an interview with licensed cosmetologist, certified hair loss practitioner, and cosmetology educator, Courtney Foster.

Things you should know

Determine your hair type so you can create a routine that fits your hair care needs.

Use a moisturising shampoo with argan oil if you have dry hair, or opt for a clarifying shampoo if you have oily hair.

Deep condition your hair at least once a week to help repair damage and keep it healthy.

Maintaining healthy hair

Discover your hair type by avoiding hair products for a few days.

 

Everyone’s hair is different and needs to be taken care of in different ways.

Learning what type of hair you have can help you create the perfect hair care routine.

 

Go a few days without using products and observe what your natural hair does.

Your hair may be:

Oily

Dry

Normal

Wavy

Straight

Curly

Coily

Thick

 

Fine
Always treat your hair according to its hair type.

 

Your hair will likely react differently than a friend’s to certain products and care.

Wash your hair when necessary

You may think you need to wash your hair daily, but most hair types only need a wash every other day or a few times a week.

Depending on your hair type, wash it when it’s dirty, not just out of habit.

 

In general, people with fine, straight hair need to wash more often than people with thick, curly, or wavy hair.

If you have dry hair, wash it every third day.

If your hair is more oily, try washing it every other day; if it looks really oily after just one day, wash it every day.

If you have normal hair (not super dry and not super oily), wash it every other day or every three days.

There’s no perfect formula for how much you should wash your hair.

 

Monitor your hair and wash it when you feel it’s dirty.

Try using dry shampoo between washes to help soak up excess oil.

Use lukewarm water to wash your hair

Do your best to avoid washing your hair with hot water.

 

Hot water can strip your hair of protective oils that serve as a natural conditioner.

 

So, lock in that shine by washing your hair with lukewarm water.

Brush your hair with a comb when it’s wet

After you get out of the shower, it can be tempting to run a brush through your hair; however, a wide-tooth comb is the best way to remove any knots post-showering.

A brush often snags and pulls your hair, causing it to break and become damaged, so use a comb and start at the bottom of your hair, working your way up.

Let your hair air dry rather than using a blow dryer

Blow dryers are a fast way to dry your hair, but the heat from the dryer can damage hair follicles and lead to dry, damaged hair.

Allow your hair to air dry when possible, but if you need to use a blow dryer, stick to one that has a cool setting.

Trim your hair regularly to keep it healthy

Hair is prone to split ends, and if you go long periods of time without cutting your hair, it can look damaged and unhealthy.

Try to give your hair a trim every six months or so, and if you’re really prone to split ends, trim your hair every six weeks.

If visiting a salon frequently is too much trouble or too expensive, trim your hair yourself.

 

Invest in hair-cutting scissors and use a mirror to see the back of your head.

It’s easiest to trim your hair when it’s wet or straight so you can get even ends.

If your hair is curly, it’s best to trim it when it’s dry or only slightly wet.

 

Curly hair looks much longer when it’s wet, so it may dry shorter than you expected.

Do your best not to touch your hair

Because your hair and hands already have natural oils, constantly touching or moving it out of your face can make your hair look greasy.

To avoid this, the best option is to get a manageable haircut that won’t bother you throughout the day. – Online.