How to avoid hair washing mistakes and what to do instead

Have you ever gone through the process of shampooing, conditioning and drying your hair, only for it to not feel properly clean? Or perhaps after washing it, your hair feels dry, frizzy or lackluster?

Washing your hair is a simple part of your hair care routine that can have a big impact on the way your hair looks and feels. Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to shampoo, condition and
dry your hair. The products you use in the shower, the way you use them and how often you use them can all affect the texture, definition and health of your hair.

But, don’t worry. We’ve identified the most common hair washing mistakes and tweaked them to make sure you get a perfect wash day, every time. Here are the hair washing mistakes you may be making, and what to do instead:

1. Not Emulsifying Your Shampoo

Have you ever applied shampoo directly to your scalp, only to spend forever getting it to lather and spread around your head? Emulsifying basically means to mix the shampoo with water, and it helps “activate” its spreadability.

To emulsify your shampoo, make sure your hands are completely wet (but there is no need to cup them or hold any water). Squeeze the shampoo into your wet hands and rub them together for about 5 seconds. This will blend the shampoo and water into a creamy

consistency, making it easy to distribute and massage into your roots. Using this method, your shampoo will give a more effective clean, and your hair will be less prone to tangling.

If you have wavy hair or hair that needs extra moisture, try this emulsifying technique with our Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo. Formulated with a nourishing blend infused with argan oil, this rich shampoo will work to smooth, soften, strengthen and add shine while you shower. Follow it up with the matching Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner for hair that feels cleansed, moisturized, and renewed.

2. Only Shampooing Once

While shampooing your hair too often can be bad for your hair, shampooing your hair twice on wash day can actually help keep your hair fresher for longer. The first shampoo – the one you’re already doing – works to break down the buildup of grease or dirt on the hair. The second shampoo – the one you’re going to start doing – then makes sure the residue is fully washed away.

By washing your hair properly, you will be able to go longer between shampoos before it starts to feel dirty. Using this technique can prevent over-washing and allows enough time for your scalp’s natural oils to do their thing (without feeling greasy).

If you have straight, thin or fine hair, this tip will even help give your hair a volume boost. Our Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo contains vitamin B7 biotin, collagen, and wheat protein to cleanse and strengthen hair while pumping up the volume. Follow it up with the Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Conditioner and your hair will feel nourished but not weighed down… yes, please!

3. Applying Conditioner To Dripping Hair

After thoroughly washing your hair with emulsified shampoo and a double-cleanse, it’s time to condition. Conditioner works to restore moisture, hydration and nourishment to the hair, leaving it shiny, soft and manageable.

While conditioner should be applied to wet hair, a common mistake is applying it to dripping wet hair. When the hair is saturated it is unable to absorb all the goodness of your conditioner, and the product will slide right off and down the drain. Instead, gently squeeze the excess water out of your hair with your hands or a towel. Then, when you apply your conditioner, the product will be to coat each strand and soak into your hair.

This tip is especially important for those with curly hair, as curls are more prone to becoming dry or frizzy. Conditioner deeply nourishes the hair and helps smooth the appearance of the cuticle, protecting it from humidity and pollution. Our Quenching + Coconut Curls Conditioner contains a nourishing blend with coconut oil, citrus oil and sweet honey to give your curls a drink. After using the Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo, squeeze out any excess water and apply a generous dollop to the lengths of your hair. Wait 3-5 minutes before rinsing, and enjoy your shiny, hydrated, bouncy curls.

4. Combing Hair At The Wrong Time

While it’s important to keep your hair detangled to prevent breakage, knowing when in your routine to comb it can be confusing. You may have heard to only comb your hair when it’s wet, or, alternatively, maybe to never comb it when it’s wet! The truth is that it all comes down to hair texture.

For naturally straight or wavy hair, the hair fiber is at its most fragile when wet. So aside from finger combing in the shower, it is better to wait until the hair is dry to comb or brush it through. For curls, however, it’s the opposite. Combing dry curls will just lead to frizz, a lack of definition and even breakage, so it’s better to only comb it through when it’s wet. To keep the curl pattern intact and prevent stretching out the strands, a leave-in conditioning product can help protect those fragile curls when they’re wet.

Our Quenching + Coconut Curls Curling Hair Butter is a leave-in that can be applied to freshly washed, wet hair before detangling. Formulated with a blend of hydrating coconut oil and nourishing sweet honey, this hair butter will help enhance and define curls as you detangle.

5. Drying Your Hair With A Towel

Because the hair is at its most fragile when wet, the way you dry your hair can have a big impact on hair health and texture. It’s important to help your hair dry as soon as possible, but rough towel drying can cause tangles, frizz and damage to wet hair.

Instead, try using a T-shirt or microfiber hair towel to squeeze the excess water out of your hair, rather than rubbing it back and forth. These are both made with soft, absorbent fabric that will be gentle on the delicate hair strands. The gentle squeezing action will also protect your hair texture, making sure that any waves or curls are protected during the drying process. You can then blow dry or diffuse your hair, or, even better, let it air dry.

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While it may seem simple, washing your hair is the foundational step in any hair care routine. There’s nothing better than the feeling of properly fresh, clean hair, and it’s even better when that feeling lasts longer than a couple of days. By using the correct products and techniques you can avoid these common hair washing mistakes, and instead enjoy the perfect wash day every time.

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