Hair Cycling Is an Easy Way to Get Healthier Strands
Learn more about the buzzy term you keep hearing about, and the best products to help you achieve your best hair ever.
The viral TikTok beauty trend is definitely worth the hype.
We’ve already talked about the benefits of skin cycling and body cycling. But can the method apply to hair, too? First, a refresher: While the idea of alternating between a few key beauty products has been a derm-approved method for years, dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, perfected the practice in a now viral TikTok video, smartly coining it “skin cycling.” The technique involves rotating your skincare products on a four-day cycle, so you use active ingredients (like retinol or alpha hydroxy acids) some days and only hydrating ingredients on “rest days” to reduce irritation.
Now beauty lovers have started to apply the skin cycling method to other areas of the body, including hair. Hair cycling focuses on rotating the products used on your hair and scalp based on its specific needs, says Alex Brown, a Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist and salon owner. It’s a cheat sheet that helps you care for your scalp and hair correctly and takes the guesswork out of common questions, like how often you should exfoliate your scalp or use a hair mask. Ahead, learn more about the buzzy topic with the help of hair experts.
What is hair cycling?
Similar to skin cycling, hair cycling has you alternate shampoos, conditioners, and stylers. Stress, the environment, the foods we eat, our workouts, even the water we wash with impact our scalp’s pH level and sebum production, as well as the strength, elasticity, shine, bounce, and overall performance of our hair strands, says Philip Berkovitz, founder of Philip B haircare. Because of this, hair changes—our products should, too.
What are the benefits?
Hair cycling helps you avoid overusing your products. Applying a powerful active ingredient daily can cause irritation or damage, Brown says. For example, detoxifying shampoos and treatments are necessary, but they shouldn’t be used every wash day, because they can dry out your strands.
Hair cycling also allows you to target multiple concerns: For example, one day you can use a shampoo that's all about smoothing frizz, and the next, you can use one that repairs damage with bond-building technology.
How to Do It
Every routine will vary—you want it to be specific to your hair type as well as its quality, condition, and needs, says Berkovitz—but overall you want to alternate between detoxifying, hydrating, and repairing products, says hairstylist Jonathan Colombini, creative director of style and color for L’Oréal Paris. Of course, how often you use these products depends on how often you wash your hair. Ideally, Colombini recommends washing every third day: For the first wash, use a clarifying shampoo to get a deep clean and remove buildup. (Colombini recommends L'Oréal Paris Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo.)
Kick start the cycle with a sulfate-free Scalp Care & Detoxifying cleanse
On your next wash day, switch to a moisturizing or reparative formula to prevent your strands from drying out. (We like Vegamour HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo for damaged and frizzy hair types; Erenzia Nourish Shampoo is ideal for wavy, curly, and coily hair.) For your third wash day, repair damage with the Olaplex Bond Maintenance shampoo.
You can use the same conditioner after each of these washes, except for one of them. “That’s when you want to swap in a hair mask to restore moisture,” says Berkovitz. He likes his Russian Amber Imperial Gold Masque, which helps restore dry, thinning hair. We love the Oribe Hair Alchemy Strengthening Mask because it repairs and prevents split ends and breakage while deeply conditioning hair.
To style: You can stick to the same formulas as long as they’re working for you. Otherwise, switch out styling products based on your hair’s needs. If you have fine hair, apply Paul Mitchell Volumizing Liquid; it’s a leave-in treatment that boosts and protects flat hair with flax seed and ferulic acid. When frizz is a struggle, Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Serum is light but hydrating—apply it anytime you want a smoother look. Those with thinning hair concerns can benefit from a daily hair serum like Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Hair Serum.
No matter what you choose or what your rotation of products is, the most important thing to remember about hair cycling is it’s supposed to be fluid and adjustable. “Cycling is all about delivering what your hair needs when it needs it most,” says Berkovitz.
How to Create a Hair Cycling Routine Popularized By TikTok
Skin cycling has been a huge trend over the past year—as has focus on hair care in the same manner as skin care—so it’s no surprise hair cycling has now come into the picture. Jonathan Colombini weighs in with tricks to master the healthy trend.
Create a healthier hair routine.
Skin cycling has been a huge trend over the past year—as has focus on hair care in the same manner as skin care—so it’s no surprise hair cycling has now come into the picture. While TikTok has made the technique trend, scalp expert and founder of Philip B Hair Care, Philip B, says it’s been around for years.
Celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis says there’s been a rise in the creation of set routines in beauty and hair care. With skin cycling trending, he says it was only a matter of time before that methodology was broadly applied to hair care. Ellis notes that having a routine simplifies the process and helps foster a habit that ends up becoming second nature. If you want to try the new trend, we have expert tips to get you started.
What is hair cycling?
Similar to skin cycling, hair cycling involves alternating hair-care products to promote the best results for your hair type. “Hair cycling integrates multiple sets of different types of hair care into your daily routine,” explains L’Oréal Paris celebrity hairstylist and colorist Jonathan Colombini.
“For example, using a clarifying shampoo followed by a hydrating mask on a Monday, and a moisture-driven shampoo followed by an anti-frizz conditioner on a Wednesday.”
Professional hair and makeup artist Allison Kaye notes that incorporating periods of rest with no products is also key to hair-cycling success.
“Hair and skin change with seasonality, stress, environment, nutrition and other lifestyle factors that alter its pH, sebum production, reaction to products, strength, elasticity, shine, bounce and overall performance,” explains Philip B. “It’s never one shampoo that fits all. Changing the routine and understanding your individual needs is key.”
Hair cycling benefits
“Hair cycling or any type of rotation—from a daily shampoo to a deep clarifying shampoo or from a lightweight conditioner to a hair mask—can help to improve the health of your scalp and hair,” says Philip B. “As hair cycling involves giving the hair a much-needed rest period or break from some products, it also benefits from extending additional nourishment as needed,” he adds. Philip B notes that benefits include lowering the risk of inflammation and combating breakage, damage and irritation.
Ellis says another benefit of hair cycling is minimizing product build-up. “The overuse of a product can cause build-up on the hair as well as irritation to the scalp,” says Ellis. “This is typically why stylists recommend washing your hair, at max, two to three times a week and switching out your shampoo every couple of months,” he adds. Kaye notes that, as with most things in life, our bodies can start to reject something if we overuse it. Hair cycling helps “keep our hair follicles from getting fatigued,” she explains.
If you have a specific concern with your hair, hair cycling makes it easy to tackle. Colombini says you can create a routine that addresses a specific issue. However, if you want to just go for overall hair health, Colombini says the technique can benefit all hair types.
How to hair cycle
A simple way to think about hair cycling is using varied shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and other products at different times. Different schedules and products work for different hair. Kaye suggests doing four to five days on and one two days off to give your hair some rest. Meanwhile, Colombini likes to apply the three days on three days off rule that’s often used in skin-care cycling.
“Listen to your hair and scalp. Generally, hair dryness or even oiliness can fluctuate during each season.
”
Due to this, Colombini notes that products may shift throughout the year. When building your hair-cycling regimen, Colombini suggests having varied products to avoid overdoing something. Too much moisture or too much detoxifying can be a bad thing.
To build your routine, first monitor your hair. Philip B suggests keeping an eye on if your hair loses its elasticity, is breaking often or becomes flat, heavy, dull, dehydrated or lackluster. While the routine may shift a bit with your hair’s needs, in general, Philip B’s ongoing advice “is to alternate clarifying, moisturizing/hydrating and repairing methods.” Additionally, once a week, or as needed, “focus on detoxing or clarifying your hair, roots and scalp.”
Ellis says most of his clients wash their hair twice a week. He agrees with Philip B that a clarifying shampoo should come into the picture once a week to break up any build-up. Then follow this with your normal shampoo, conditioner and a hair serum. The other wash of the week should “consist of double shampooing with your normal shampoo,” says Ellis. “This ensures your hair is clean and the scalp is purified. Then, follow with a hair mask in lieu of conditioner and then a leave-in conditioner once you are out of the shower.”
Expert-approved products for hair cycling
“The climate you live in and your hair texture will determine specific products and brands you should use,” says Ellis. Experts shared some of their favorite options to choose from. Colombini recommends using L’Oréal Paris EverPure Collection’s Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo ($10). It will help “remove build-up and address any scalp irritants,” he says. If you have color-treated hair or simply want shiny, glossy hair, fold in the Signature Masque ($13). For some strengthening assistance, Colombini suggests Bond Strengthening Concentrate ($13) ”to repair and rebuild weak hair bonds from chemical services.”
Philip B says a great pre-treatment or scalp scrub should be in the hair-cycling lineup. For this he recommends his Peppermint Avocado Scalp Scrub ($78). “Look for natural exfoliants—salicylic acid or salt can work well,” he adds. “Double down by adding a light citrus-based clarifying shampoo like Everyday Beautiful Shampoo ($48) to lift at the root and gently clean away product buildup and any environmental pollutants.” He explains that ingredients like neroli, orange peel and other citrus oils are gentle ways to add clarifying benefits to your cycle. Philip B also notes that witch hazel water is a notable ingredient. It helps balance oil production and reduce inflammation, so if those are your concerns, look for products with the ingredient.
For a more intensive deep cleanse, Philip B suggests the best-selling Peppermint Avocado Shampoo ($36). Peppermint is a great clarifying agent, and plant extracts like “nettle, rosemary, jojoba, geranium, lavender, olive and walnut support and refresh scalp and strands,” he adds. A mask is a must in the cycle. Philip B recommends the luxe Russian Amber Imperial Gold Masque ($225).
Drybar Crown Tonic: Pre-Shampoo Scalp Balancing Cleanser ($36) is another stylist favorite. It provides a more gentle exfoliation to help cancel out excess oil and flakes while promoting a long-lasting blowout. It’s a 10 recently launched a scalp-care collection featuring shampoo, conditioner, a leave-in product and a calming spray. The standout product is the Scalp Restore Miracle Scalp Serum ($32), which is a treatment and relief product in one. Toss this on when your scalp is off balance with itching, burning, dryness on the scalp, and dull, lifeless hair. It will help rebalance oily skin and reduce discomfort with a soothing creamy treatment.
13 Stylist-Approved Tips to Perfect Your Hair-Care Routine
We all want our hair-care routine to help our hair live its best life—whether that means shiny, bouncy curls; full, non-broken strands; or glorious natural hair. And great hair starts with having a personalized hair-care routine. Think of it like a basic set of principles you use to take care of your hair each day and/or night, customizable for your hair type and goals. If you’re thinking wait, I don’t have one of those, don’t worry! It’s not like you’re born knowing how to take care of your hair! For most people, it takes a little trial and error to figure out the best hair-care routine since there’s no universal approach that works for every hair type, texture, length, or style. But if you really want to know how to get healthy hair, ask the pros.
Originally published November 1, 2021 by and for Self
Get the best hair of your life by avoiding these common mistakes.
〰️
Get the best hair of your life by avoiding these common mistakes. 〰️
We all want our hair-care routine to help our hair live its best life—whether that means shiny, bouncy curls; full, non-broken strands; or glorious natural hair. And great hair starts with having a personalized hair-care routine. Think of it like a basic set of principles you use to take care of your hair each day and/or night, customizable for your hair type and goals. If you’re thinking wait, I don’t have one of those, don’t worry! It’s not like you’re born knowing how to take care of your hair! For most people, it takes a little trial and error to figure out the best hair-care routine since there’s no universal approach that works for every hair type, texture, length, or style. But if you really want to know how to get healthy hair, ask the pros. Or have SELF do it for you. Below, we spoke to knowledgeable hairstylists and asked for their tips for healthy hair, how to nail down the best hair-care routine for your hair type and texture, and what kinds of mistakes can sabotage even the best hair-care intentions.
What should a hair-care routine include?
There are four main elements in most people’s hair-care routines, according to celebrity stylist Mia Santiago: cleansing, conditioning, heat-styling, and air-drying. This doesn’t mean your hair-care routine needs to have all of these components. For instance, you may never use heat on your hair. But since these are the mainstays of most people’s hair-care routines, we’re going to cover them all. And once you know the best hairstyling products and techniques for these processes, get ready for your dream hair to follow.
According to Santiago, the number of steps and the techniques you may need to follow in each of these components is based on hair type: thick, fine, or somewhere in-between (Santiago calls it “baseline”).
Cleansing: For all hair types, the goal of the cleansing should be scalp-centric. “Hair health starts at the scalp,” explains Santiago. “So it’s important to get it completely clean and clear of build-up.” For folks with fine hair, this isn’t usually too difficult, though Santiago recommends being sure to work the lather up past the nape of the neck as people often miss that spot. For those with thicker hair, wet it, then comb it out and split it into sections so that when you apply your shampoo—a hydrating one is always best—it’s able to penetrate the scalp.
How often should you wash? That depends on your hair texture as well—more on this later.
When it comes to products, texture again is key. Thicker-haired people should “use moisturizing products, and follow up with the hair oil of your choice,” says King Carter, a celebrity stylist who’s worked with Duckie Thot and Megan Thee Stallion. Those with finer hair should avoid oils and try to find a volumizing shampoo.
Conditioning: Always follow cleansing your hair with a conditioner to restore the moisture that shampooing strips away. For finer-haired folks, Santiago recommends applying conditioner from the ends to the tips of your hair, avoiding the roots where things can get greasy. For thicker hair, a good deep conditioner is a must. For people in that baseline category, pile on or scale back the conditioner based on how thirsty your hair gets.
Heat-styling: No matter what kind of hair you have, if you use hot styling tools (such as flat irons, diffusers, or curling irons), you need to be using some kind of thermal protection. (Here are heat protectants to try.) And make sure to follow other heat styling rules that will help protect your hair, like using the lowest heat possible to get the results you’re after. Or even air-drying! Which brings us to our next point.
Air-drying: It’s good to give your hair a break from heat too, but if you air-dry your hair, that doesn’t mean “just leave it alone.” If your hair is thicker, you’ll want to use a heavier product to lock in moisture and get the style you’re trying to achieve: Think thick creams and oil-infused gels. Finer hair needs a lighter product, like a mousse, to lift from the roots and add texture. Whatever products you reach for, don’t go back in and mess with it once the air-drying is complete if you’re trying to keep your hair looking a very specific way. “That can make it frizzy,” explains Priscilla Valles, a celebrity stylist who has worked with Megan Fox and Khloé Kardashian.
How do I keep my hair healthy with a daily hair-care routine?
On a day-to-day basis, you want to watch out for build-up: both from product and from the oil your scalp naturally produces says Santiago. These are signs it’s time for a wash day.
How often you wash your hair is ultimately up to you, although your hair type does come into play. “For those with coarser textures, I would recommend washing once a week,” says Carter, “whereas finer textures should wash every two or three days.” Factors like humidity, temperature, and how much you’re working up a sweat should also come into consideration, as an increase in moisture may signal a need to wash more often. Other signs your hair needs to be cleansed include if it gets too dry (for thicker hair) or too greasy (for finer hair/oily scalps).
One way to refresh between washes is to use dry shampoo—don’t fret, curly-haired friends, there are options out there for you too nowadays—to add shine and suck up oil. Or you can apply baby powder. “I love applying it before bed,” shares Santiago, “because the baby powder absorbs all the build-up while I sleep and my hair is so much bouncier in the morning.”
Some people love washing their hair at night and sleeping on it damp, but experts are a bit divided on whether it is bad to sleep with wet hair. Carter recommends against it, since “wet hair is more prone to breakage.” Santiago prefers to sleep on wet hair, though: She likes to shower in the evenings and sleeps using a microfiber towel pillow cover which dries your hair while you sleep and protects your pillow. Be warned: Folks with fine hair might find that their hair goes flat overnight, so test it to see if it works for you.
What are bad habits for your hair?
The texture of your hair should dictate your hair routine more than anything else. But there are still some habits that everyone, regardless of their hair type, should steer clear of. Obviously, no one is perfect, so no shame if these habits make an appearance in your own hair-care routine pretty often. These are just some general guidelines and tips for healthy hair.
1. Being reactive instead of proactive.
Don’t wait until you see something “wrong” to start really taking care of your hair. “A mistake some people make is obsessing with products while not committing to the day-to-day,” says Vernon François, who has worked with Lupita Nyong’o and Amandla Stenberg. By treating your hair routine as a habit—not just paying attention to it when you reach a state of mega-damage—you’ll be setting yourself up for infinite good hair days.
2. Yanking a brush through wet hair.
The detangling struggle is real, whether your hair is thin or thick, but that doesn’t mean you should be rough with it. According to Kelly Hunt, who has worked with Amber Valetta and Karina Smirnoff, “It’s not a good idea to brush wet hair with any old brush. A wide-tooth comb is a better bet, but my favorite is the Tangle Teezer ($11, Amazon). It’s shaped like a little foot and fits in your palm. It doesn’t pull or tug on the hair and can be used on any texture or length.”
3. Ignoring your hair at night.
You can multitask while you rest. “It’s a great time to use products like dry shampoo because they work while you’re asleep,” explains Santiago. On the flip side, don’t forget you can do damage while you sleep too. “Sleeping in a ponytail causes breakage right at the crown of the head, or wherever the elastic is placed. If you like your hair off your face, sleep in a loose braid off to the side, secured right at the end as loose as you can,” says Johnny Stuntz, who has worked with Anna Kendrick and Kelly Osbourne. If your goal is to keep your curls intact overnight, try sleeping in a satin bonnet or pineappling your hair with a satin scrunchie.
4. Not getting regular trims.
Even if you’re trying to grow out your hair, regular trims help keep your hair healthy. Michael Dueñas, who has worked with Padma Lakshmi and Zoe Levin, adds that regular trims can keep you from harming your hair by messing with its ends. “You wouldn't believe how many women I see pulling on their split ends,” he says. “You're actually shredding the hair, and creating a more uneven split end that’s harder to fix. Instead, snip it off with very sharp scissors.” And make an appointment to get a haircut ASAP. “Regular maintenance and professional haircuts actually promote hair growth,” says Carter.
5. Over-shampooing oily hair.
While it’s tempting to scrub a scalp that produces a lot of oil every day, it’s not the way to go, according to L’Oréal Paris creative director of Style & Color Jonathan Colombini, who has worked with Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner.
“Don’t shampoo your hair daily if it tends to get oily fast. This leads to excess oil production making it more oily and weighs it down. I recommend dry shampoo on non-wash days.”
Jonathan Colombini | Owner, John Henry Salon
6. Heat-styling unsafely.
It might seem counterintuitive (and inconvenient), but it’s technically best to do any heat styling when your hair is already dry. (This is why figuring out great air-drying techniques can be so handy!) “In order to use heat without damage, the hair has to be completely dry,” explains Bobby Eliot, who has worked with Hailee Steinfeld and Jena Malone. “Using heated styling tools when the hair is still wet literally fries the hair.” Another major bad habit is heat-styling many days in a row. This can be super damaging,” says Michelle Sultan, who has worked with Zendaya, Naomi Campbell, and Venus Williams, “and causes the hair to dehydrate resulting in brittle, damaged, and broken hair.” So try to heat style just once or twice per week, if possible. And, of course, don’t forget the heat protectant!
7. Detangling the wrong way.
Believe it or not, there is a right way to brush your hair: No matter what your hair texture is, you should start from the bottom up. "My biggest pet peeve is when people start at the root when brushing or combing. You can literally hear the hair breaking!” says Michael Long, who has worked with Lizzy Caplan and Alexandra Daddario. “Instead, start at the ends and remove the tangles there first. Then work your way up towards the root. That way, you’re reducing split ends and frizzy broken bits."
8. Applying product incorrectly.
The product’s instructions are there for a reason. “I constantly see my friends, family, and clients mist aerosol products like dry shampoo and hairspray, but with the can two inches from their heads,” says John D, who has worked with Amy Adams, Lea Michele, and Drew Barrymore. “Instead, give the can a good shake for better product distribution, then extend your spraying arm out all the way and spray away. Aerosol products work best when they’re exposed to air before they reach the head.”
9. Applying too much product.
Since scalp health is so vital to hair health, if you’re piling on the product, you may actually be making it harder for your hair to grow. “The whole point of washing your hair is to break down build-up,” explains Santiago. So keeping an eye on how much product you apply daily is important.
One product a lot of people overapply is dry shampoo. “If you use dry shampoo or texturizing spray more than twice a week, you’re likely dehydrating your scalp, which can make the hair weaker and more prone to breakage,” explains Sunnie Brook, who has worked with Katie Lowes and Anna Faris. If your hair starts to look weighed down or starts breaking, you’ll need to scale back. But what if you’re trying to minimize wash days and cut down on your dry-shampoo usage? In that case, reach for products to keep your hair strong and hydrated, like refreshing sprays. You can also try co-washing (washing your hair with only conditioner, some of which are formulated with cleansing properties that are gentler than shampoo and specifically meant for co-washing). This will accomplish the dual goals of breaking up build-up and restoring moisture.
10. Being rough when drying wet hair.
Overhandling your hair, especially when you step out of the shower, could be responsible for some of your least-loved hair qualities like dullness. “It drives me crazy when clients towel-dry their hair by messing it up in every direction,” shares Toni Chavez, who has worked with Bella Thorne and Nicola Peltz. “It roughs up the delicate cuticle.” This can lead to dryness and dullness. It’s best to towel dry hair gently, Chavez says, by wringing your hair out, moving downwards from root to ends.
11. Overmanipulating your hair.
Next time you notice your hair seems limp or dull, John Ruggiero, who has worked with Kate Beckinsale and Gigi Hadid, suggests swapping out a visit to your stylist with a little more TLC. "Try fewer washings, less heat styling and blow-drying, and more deep conditioning. Hair looks fuller when it’s healthier and stronger." Bottom line: The less you fuss with and manipulate your hair, the better.
12. Not considering products like extensions.
We can do a lot of damage to our hair trying to get it to look the way we want it to (you always want what you don’t have, right?). One option if you’re trying to grow your hair, or if you want more volume, is using extensions instead of chemicals or heat. “Fine hair clients stress their hair out with heat and products to make it appear thicker,” says Valles. “Extensions will actually be less stressful to your hair.”
13. Trying to force your hair to be something it’s not.
This is good advice for everyone, but especially for curly-haired folks and anyone struggling in the age of the Instagram hair-fluencer. “One thing I wish some people would stop doing is speaking about their hair negatively; unruly, misbehaving, and so on,” says François. “Our choice of language, how we speak about our hair’s texture, frames the relationship we have with it. It’s all interlinked with seeing, accepting, and embracing, the true beauty of the hair texture you were born with.”
That doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with new looks! But if you’re trying to heat and style your hair into submission to the point that you’re causing significant damage instead, it’s worth really exploring what kinds of styles might make you feel great without requiring so much manipulation. Remember, the goal is knowing how to take care of your hair so it’s as healthy and happy as possible.
The 17 Best Shampoos for Every Hair Type
Shampoos are never one size fits all. Au contraire! Knowing which category your hair falls into will help determine what shampoo and conditioner you should purchase. Choosing the right shampoo is important for everyone and figuring out what works best for your hair.
Check out this informative guide for the best shampoos at every imaginable price point to up your washing routine.
Originally published @ WWD by
Whether you want to enhance curls, brighten your blonde or pump up the volume, we’ve got you covered!
When it comes to choosing the best shampoo for your needs, think about the way you shop for skincare products. Just like someone with oily skin wouldn’t reach for a heavy moisturizer, someone with curls shouldn’t suds up with a shampoo for straight locks. It’s all about shopping for your hair type and condition to get the best results.
“Before choosing the best shampoo for your hair type it’s important to understand your hair type and texture,” says Jamie Wiley, Pureology Global Artistic Director. “Ask yourself if your hair strands are fine, medium, or thick and then whether your texture is wavy, straight, curly, thick, dry, and/or color-treated. Knowing which category you fall into will help determine what shampoo and conditioner you should take home. Choosing the right shampoo is important for everyone and figuring out what works best for your hair.”
How to find the best shampoo for your hair type
Fine hair tends to have more buildup on the scalp, so it requires a shampoo that has a deep cleansing agent, advises Wiley. Dry hair needs essential oils and the best ones contain coconut oil and avocado oil. Thick hair is prone to getting dirty very fast and so equal amounts of cleanser for thick hair is ideal. “The benefits of using targeted shampoos is that you will be able to treat the damage faster and more specific than without a targeted purpose,” Wiley says. “Hair is shinier, healthier, manageable, bouncy, and has movement. Actually, if you aren’t using a targeted shampoo you could be hurting the condition rather than helping it. By using the shampoo that has been recommended for your hair, it will balance out the maximum vibrancy and shine of the hair cuticle. It will also balance the scalp’s pH levels and hair will continue to grow strong and healthy.”
However, many of us have more than one hair concern, so don’t feel the need to limit yourself to just one bottle.
“I always suggest using a few different shampoos that perhaps address a few different things, it’s always great to switch it up.”
How often should you shampoo your hair?
How often you should shampoo your hair depends on a few factors. “In my opinion, a healthy scalp likes to be washed every two to three days; this depends on hair and scalp type,” says Ashley Streicher, Consulting Celebrity Stylist for Garnier. To determine how often you should wash your hair, listen to your strands and scalp. “Shampoo as needed based on your oil production,” Wiley says. “Normal oil production is three times a week, about every other day or every three days. If you have an oily scalp, then you shampoo every day. Of course, if you have curly or coily hair, then you wash based on your curls about once a week or sometimes longer.”
The best way to wash your hair with shampoo
Knowing the right way to wash your hair is also crucial to making the most out of your shampoo and boosting your hair health. “Really only focus on shampooing the roots of your hair and mainly your scalp,” Streicher advises. “The ends of your hair do not need to be the focus of shampooing and in fact avoid the ends when possible as to not dry them out. The ends don’t get the natural oils from your scalp so that hair is already extra dry and does not need to be cleansed of these oils. When washing your scalp, it’s inevitable that your ends will also get sudsed, so that is plenty for your ends.”
First, thoroughly wet your hair, as shampoos emulsify much better in water. “Apply a liberal amount in the palm of your hands and then to your scalp,” Colombini says. “In a circular motion, work the shampoo into your scalp and enjoy the lather. Work the later through the mid shafts. Depending on when you washed last you may need another round, so rinse and repeat.”
In between washes, it’s best not to overload on hair-care products. “I think that in-between shampoos and styling, the best thing you can do for your hair and scalp is to just let it be,” Streicher says. “Let it breathe when possible and taking a break from products and styling tools is always encouraged.”
To help you get your healthiest, shiniest hair, shop these best shampoos for every hair type.
1. Drybar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo
Best Professional Shampoo
When you want to get a salon-worthy blowout at home, it starts with having the best shampoo. While you probably can’t get someone to suds up your locks and give you a head massage in your bathroom, you can use On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo from Drybar. It gives your hair and scalp the clean slate it craves by tapping activated charcoal to get rid of product buildup, excess oils and impurities without overdoing it and stripping your hair. In fact, it can absorb a whopping 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities. It also contains vegetable protein to strengthen damaged hair.
2. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo
Best Clean Shampoo Formula
“I love Garnier’s products because they have something for everyone at convenient prices,” Streicher says. “I personally love the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean line which is great for giving you that thorough clean.” True to its name, the clean formula is free of parabens and silicones. Gentle enough for daily use, it’s infused with aloe extract and vitamin E to nourish and strengthen strands.
3. Redken Extreme Length Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Hair Growth
Looking for longer locks? Then this miracle growth in a bottle is the right shampoo for you. Designed to help damaged hair grow longer and stronger, it boosts growth while preventing breakage. Biotin is the hero ingredient in Redken’s Length Care Complex, which also contains soy protein. This shampoo keeps the mid-lengths to ends of the hair strong, and when used with the entire Redken Length Care Complex, can help minimize hair breakage by 81%. It’ll be the answer to your long hair prayers.
4. Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo
Best Gentle Shampoo
Sensitive scalps will love this gentle Bumble and Bumble shampoo that’s safe for even the tenderest types. Made to work on all hair types, from straight to tightly coiled, it delivers everything hair needs without stressing it out. The super mild shampoo moisturizes and delivers high shine. It’s even safe for colored and chemically-treated hair.
5. R+Co Bel Air Smoothing Shampoo
Best Smoothing Shampoo
Even on the hottest, most humid days, this best smoothing shampoo will keep frizz in check and hair looking and feeling silky. That goes for curly and thick hair, too. You can thank the impressive ingredient list for that. There’s antioxidant artichoke extract to bring damaged hair back to life and prevent UV and free radical damage. Plum seed oil boosts the scalp environment to strengthen strands, while broccoli seed oil conditions for high shine. And okra seed extract hydrates the hair and scalp.
6. Oribe Shampoo for Brilliance & Shine
Best Shampoo for High Shine
Is that a mirror? Nope, that’s just the reflection in your hair after using Oribe’s Shampoo for Brilliance & Shine. Even the dullest locks will shine bright like a diamond. To boost hair health and sheen from within, the formula is deeply hydrating. It also strengthens strands without weighing them down. To top it all off, it’s infused with Oribe’s signature Cote d’Azur scent, so you won’t be able to stop sniffing your strands.
7. Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair
It doesn’t get any more repairing than Olaplex, making this the best shampoo for damaged hair. Even split ends will look smoothed. Deeply healing, it hydrates hair and repairs its bonds. Hair is left stronger and prepared to fight breakage. It’s also shinier and easier to manage, meaning it cuts down on frizz and flyaways.
8. Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Shampoo
Best Detangler Shampoo
Knot so fast! Tangle-prone hair will find solace in this bottle. Textured hair is notorious for getting tangled, but this shampoo will cut down on combing it out after you get out of the shower. Best for wavy hair to tight curls, the formula is deeply nourishing and hydrating courtesy of coconut milk, guava extract, pure aloe vera, and mango butter. Curls will be left healthy and shiny.
9. Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo
Best Shampoo Overall
It’s hard to think of a hair launch more heralded than Drunk Elephant’s, yet somehow the entire collection exceeded the very high expectations, especially the shampoo. Founder Tiffany Masterson has always been about skincare with clean ingredients that get the job done, so she applied her signature philosophy to the scalp. When your childhood friend is an A-list celebrity hairstylist, you tap into his expertise, so Chris McMillan weighed in on the shampoo and all of the other hair products. Suited for all hair types, from straight to coily, the shampoo washes away impurities while leaving strands so deeply hydrated that it even helps prevent breakage and split ends. The sulfate-free, color-safe formula is infused with sacha inchi seed oil to moisturize, add shine, prevent heat styling damage and soothe irritation; panthenol, aka pro-vitamin B5, to smooth, soften and strengthen the hair shaft; and a coconut amino acid blend that’s packed with fatty acids to gently rid hair of dirt and styling products while boosting body and bounce.
10. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Best for Colored Hair
When it comes to the best shampoo for colored hair, no one does it better than Pureology. They recently revamped their line with a new look and refreshed formulas. Colored hair tends to be dry and this shampoo deeply nourishes and hydrates. The brand’s signature patented antifade complex keeps color vibrant and shiny with a blend of sunflower seed, vitamin E, and a UV filter. Instead of sulfates, it relies on a mix of corn, coconut, and sugar to gently cleanse while leaving color intact. Super concentrated, just one bottle has more than 70 washes, plus the packaging is 95 percent post-consumer recycled plastic that is 100% recyclable.
11. Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
Best Purple Shampoo
Keeping blonde hair blonde is a lot harder than it looks. Throw stressors like pollution and chlorine into the mix and you have a serious challenge, but Moroccanoil is up for it. Purple shampoo is practically a necessity for fair-haired friends to keep their color looking bright and fresh. This one has violet pigments to neutralize brassy tones and color correct blonde, light and gray hair. To keep hair healthy and hydrated, the sulfate-free formula contains Moroccanoil’s signature ArganID technology to seal the cuticle.
12. Kérastase Genesis Strengthening Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Weak Hair
Sometimes the most basic things can cause major damage to fragile hair, even just brushing it. This fortifying shampoo was made to prevent hair fall and breakage from brushing and other daily stressors. Designed for normal to oily hair that’s fine, medium or thick, it deeply clarifies to thoroughly remove build-up, pollution particles and excess oils from the scalp while strengthening weak strands. After a few uses of the gentle gel shampoo you can expect to see less hair on your brush.
13. Bread Beauty Supply Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser
When Bread Beauty Supply founder and chief executive officer Maeva Heim didn’t see enough positive conversations about natural hair and women of color in the beauty space, she decided to create them. The new clean, vegan line focuses on 3a to 4c curls and is challenging what it means to have “good” curls by making frizz aspirational and embracing all curl types. That’s why its Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser is the best shampoo for natural texture out there, since it gives an effective yet delicate cleanse. Essentially a hybrid between a co-wash and a shampoo, it works into a mild creamy lather and contains ingredients from Heim’s native Australia, such as moisturizing Australian Kakadu Plum, which has the highest concentration of vitamin C of any fruit.
14. Leonor Greyl Paris Volumizing and Detangling Shampoo
Best Volumizing Shampoo
Get Brigitte Bardot-worthy volume with French brand Leonor Greyl’s shampoo that delivers lift and detangles. Even the finest, limpest hair will reach new heights with this volumizing shampoo. And since it’s also an excellent detangler, it eliminates the need for conditioner, which tends to weigh down hair. Made with 92 percent natural ingredients, it’s infused with hydrating seaweed extract and strengthening wheat proteins.
15. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Long Hair
Long hair means those ends have been around for a while, which is why they need extra care. Enter the Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo, which is jam-packed with vitamins B3 and B5 and fine castor oil to help close split ends, strengthen the hair shaft and mend damage without weighing hair down. It’ll only take one wash to notice a difference and hair will be left smelling sweet and fruity.
See also: John Henry Salon posts about Elvive Dream Lengths products.
16. RE-fresh Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Sea Mineral + Hydrate Shampoo
Getting rid of pesky white flakes can be tough — but formulas shouldn’t be tough on your scalp. Unlike many harsh dandruff shampoos, this one is delightfully scented and gently fights flakes and reduces scalp irritation with 2 percent salicylic acid and white willow bark extract. The formula is made with more than 90 percent naturally derived ingredients — sans parabens, silicones and dyes — and it’s safe to use every day.
17. KMS Add Power Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Fine Hair
Suds up with this KMS shampoo for stronger, healthier and more resilient hair. Lactic acid, malic acid, organic white tea extract and rice protein combine forces to boost the internal reconstruction of hair, thicken it and maintain the natural protein balance. It’s never been easier to pump up locks, gaining healthier hair along the way.
