How to Wash Your Hair Properly: Our Ultimate Guide

You’ve washed your hair for years, but are you doing it right? From double shampooing to upside down cleansing, there’s a few tips and tricks that might not be part of your routine. Read on as our head of education Laura Elliott answers all your questions on how to wash your hair properly and reveals her ultimate guide to success.

Should you wet your hair before washing it?

Yes! Your hair needs to be completely wet before you wash it so that you can work up a lather and easily distribute your hair product over the hair. We’d recommend standing under the shower for a minute or so before you start washing your hair to ensure a thorough soak.

Can you wash your hair with soap?

The short answer is no. Bar and hand soap are meant for cleansing skin, so they’re not tailored towards washing your hair. Using these instead of shampoo can leave your hair dry, damaged and difficult to manage, so avoid this technique at all costs.

Should you brush your hair before or after a shower?

Both before and after! Brushing your hair before a shower can rid your hair of knots and tangles, ready for you to easily massage and comb your fingers through your hair when washing. When you get out of the shower, we’d recommend waiting until you come to dry your hair to brush it. This is because wet hair is very fragile so brushing it at this point can cause breakage and damage. It's worth noting that curly and wavy hair should only be brushed in the shower when wet and once you have applied a conditioner, treatment or hair mask, brushing curly and wavy hair once dry will disrupt the curl pattern and cause frizz. 

Should you double shampoo?

Yes! Your first shampoo only scrapes the surface, removing dirt, oil and buildup from products like hairspray and styling spray that you might have used between washes. Your second shampoo does a much deeper cleanse, getting right into your cuticles.

How long should you leave shampoo on your hair?

We would recommend leaving shampoo on your hair for one to two minutes. This allows the product to spend longer thoroughly cleansing your locks. If you leave it on for less than this it may affect how it works. 

Should you wash your hair upside down?

This may sound strange, but absolutely! Washing your hair upside down can be great for reaching those stubborn areas like the nape of the neck to ensure a thorough clean. If you lack volume, it can also give your hair a lift. This is because upright washing can cause the pressure of the water to flatten hair, especially curls and waves. Flipping your hair upside down is the perfect technique for an added boost.

Are you supposed to put conditioner on your scalp?

No - applying conditioner on your scalp can cause excess build-up of oils, causing your hair to appear greasy. It can also clog the pores on your scalp, which can lead to itchiness and even dandruff. Instead, apply conditioner to the mids and ends of your hair.

How do you deep clean hair?

Every so often it can be helpful to apply a deep clean to your hair. We would recommend a cleansing product such as DAILY Cleansing Shampoo, followed up with a nourishing treatment or mask like HYDRATE Moisture Mask, this ensures a thoroughly cleansed scalp and root area whilst still maintaining moisture levels on those delicate ends. 

How do you know if your hair hasn’t been washed properly?

There are some telltale signs to look out for if your hair isn’t washed properly. If your hair feels oily and your scalp is itchy after cleansing, you may have some product leftover in your hair. Look out for visual signs of product buildup too, like limp and dull hair. If you notice any of these issues, get back in the shower and rinse your hair thoroughly. Need to know how frequently to wash your hair? Read our blog: How Often Should You Wash Your Hair

What is the best way to wash your hair?

You’re used to washing your hair, but you could be doing it better. Below, we’ve listed ten steps to achieve perfectly cleansed hair.

1. Wet your hair thoroughly

Stand with your hair under the shower for at least a minute to ensure your locks are thoroughly drenched. You should usually wash your hair at a lukewarm temperature, but if you have coloured hair use cooler water to prevent fast fading. Learn more about coloured hair care: How to Maintain Coloured Hair

2. Add your shampoo

Time to cleanse! How much shampoo you’ll need depends on your hair type - thinner hair will only need about a teaspoon sized amount, whereas thicker hair may need more than this. Tip your hair upside down and massage the shampoo into your hair, focusing on your scalp as this is where most oil and dirt builds up. Not sure which shampoo to use? Read our complete guide: How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Your Hair Type

3. Double shampoo

Rinse and repeat. Your first shampoo only removes surface dirt, so once you’ve rinsed this off, shampoo again. This second shampoo makes your hair washing routine extra effective, giving you a thorough clean.

4. Rinse thoroughly

Make sure that there’s no shampoo left in your hair before you start conditioning. Rinse your hair thoroughly under the shower, checking that you can’t feel shampoo in any areas of your locks.

5. Apply conditioner to your hair tips

Conditioner should only be used on the bottom half of your hair. Usually, you will only need a small amount of conditioner, but you may need more for dry and damaged hair. Put the conditioner on the ends of your hair and work up to your mids.

6. Rinse out the conditioner

Ensure that no hair product is left in the hair by soaking your locks in water. We would recommend finishing your shower with a blast of cold water to add a smooth shine to your hair.

7. Towel dry hair

Use a microfibre towel to dry your hair, being careful not to be too rough that breakage is caused. The best way is often to gather hair in the towel and squeeze out the excess water.

8. Use heat protection

Once your hair is damp but not dripping wet, apply a heat protectant solution to your hair. Spray onto hair section by section mids to ends ahead of blow drying. We’d recommend using a mist like our MIRACLE product, which repels water from the hair’s surface to reduce drying time by up to 50%. Browse: MIRACLE Rapid Blow-Dry Mist

9. Blow dry your hair

Blow dry your hair from root to tip, lifting each section with a round brush. Ensure that you hold the hair dryer at least three inches from the hair on a medium setting to prevent burning. Finish with a cool shot to secure your hair in place. Our HERØ Ionic Hairdryer offers fast and powerful drying, leaving you ready to style. Find out more about blow drying: Your Ultimate Guide to Party Perfect Hair with our New Professional Hair Dryer

10. Style

The final step! This is your chance to finish your look, whether you’re securing your hair in place with a hairspray or adding a beautiful scent with hair perfume. View our solutions: Styling & Finishing Products

Watch @hair_by_charlotte perform the perfect hair wash routine on her client below using DAILY Cleansing Shampoo, HYDRATE Moisture Mask and MIRACLE Rapid Blow-dry Mist: 

Now you know how to wash your hair properly, choose the best products! All of our products are Leaping Bunny Approved by Cruelty Free International, as well as free from harmful sulphates and parabens. Shop our range today: Shampoo & Conditioner