Washing your hair feels like the one thing that doesn’t need explaining. You’ve done it thousands of times, usually half-awake, often in a hurry.
And yet it’s one of the steps people most often get wrong. Not the products, but the technique: where the shampoo goes, how long the conditioner stays on, how much gets rinsed out. Small habits that, over time, make a real difference to how your hair looks and feels.
Choosing your shampoo
Remember that shampoo is really for your scalp, so choose it based on your scalp type, not your lengths.
Oily scalp: a balancing or lightweight shampoo that cleanses thoroughly without leaving residue.
Dry or sensitive scalp: a gentle, hydrating formula. Sulphate-free shampoos can help here, as sulphates are strong cleansing agents that some scalps find drying.
Balanced scalp: most gentle, everyday shampoos will suit you.
Colour-treated hair: a colour-safe formula helps your colour last longer.
It’s also worth having a clarifying shampoo to use every few weeks. It removes the build-up of products, oils and hard water minerals that regular shampoos can leave behind.
Choosing your conditioner
Conditioner is for your lengths, so choose it based on your hair’s texture, thickness and condition.
Fine hair: a lightweight conditioner that won’t weigh it down.
Thick, coarse, curly or coily hair: a richer conditioner with more moisture.
Dry or damaged hair: a nourishing or repairing formula, with a weekly mask.
Colour-treated hair: a colour-safe formula.
Your shampoo and conditioner don’t need to match. An oily scalp with dry ends, for example, might need a balancing shampoo and a rich conditioner.
How to shampoo properly
Wet your hair thoroughly. This is the step most people rush. Give it a full minute under the water, so your hair and scalp are completely saturated. Shampoo spreads and lathers far better on properly wet hair, so you’ll use less.
Use the right amount. Around a coin-sized amount for short to medium hair, a little more for long or thick hair.
Lather it in your hands first, then apply it to your scalp, not your lengths.
Massage with your fingertips, never your nails. Work in small circles across the whole scalp, including the back of the head and behind the ears, where build-up tends to sit.
Let the lather cleanse the lengths. As you rinse, the shampoo runs through your hair and cleanses the lengths on its way. There’s no need to scrub them, and piling your hair on top of your head to wash it is a fast route to tangles.
Rinse thoroughly. Leftover shampoo can leave your hair dull and your scalp irritated.
Consider a second wash. If you use dry shampoo or styling products, or have an oily scalp, a second shampoo often makes a real difference. The first lifts the build-up, and the second actually cleanses the scalp. You’ll notice it lathers far more the second time.
How to condition properly
Squeeze out the excess water first. Conditioner struggles to work on hair that’s dripping wet, because the water dilutes it and stops it coating the strands.
Apply from the mid-lengths to the ends, where your hair is oldest and driest. Keep it away from your roots, especially if you have fine hair or an oily scalp.
Comb it through. A wide-tooth comb spreads the conditioner evenly and gently detangles your hair while it’s protected.
Leave it on. Give it at least two or three minutes, longer for a mask. This is when it does its work.
Rinse well. Conditioner left behind can make hair look heavy or greasy. Rinse until your hair feels smooth but no longer slippery.
Common mistakes
Shampooing your lengths instead of your scalp.
Skipping conditioner because your roots get oily. Put it on your ends instead.
Putting conditioner on your roots, which can weigh fine hair down.
Using very hot water, which can dry out both scalp and hair.
Not rinsing thoroughly, which leaves residue behind.
Rubbing your hair with a towel. Gently squeeze out the water instead.
How often should you wash?
There’s no single right answer. It depends on your scalp.
If your scalp gets oily quickly, washing every day or two is completely fine, as long as your shampoo is gentle. If your scalp is drier, or your hair is curly or coily, washing two or three times a week, or even less, often helps your hair keep its natural moisture.
The best guide is simple: wash when your scalp needs it, not just out of habit.
A tip for fine hair
If your hair is fine and conditioner always weighs it down, try reverse washing: conditioner first on your lengths, then shampoo on your scalp. The conditioner protects and softens the ends, and the shampoo removes any excess, leaving hair lighter and fuller.
The short version:
Shampoo your scalp, condition your ends, and rinse both thoroughly.
Ask yourself:
Am I wetting my hair properly before shampooing? Am I putting conditioner where my hair needs it?
Worth knowing:
If you use dry shampoo or styling products, a second shampoo often cleanses far better than the first.
