For example, not all hair types can benefit from daily washing. People with curly hair might not need to wash every day—or even every week. Yet, there’s a caveat here. If you struggle with product buildup either on your hair or scalp, you might want to increase your wash frequency. Allison Teasdale, a hair care expert and co-founder of Unwrapped Life, notes that “I cleanse my hair and scalp about every two to three days with a shampoo bar depending on what my hair needs, either some extra cleansing power to remove styling products or added moisture.” This is all to say: There is so much nuance that goes into hair care, so you should be open and willing to experiment with subtle routine differences in your journey to find what works for you. There are three possible porosity levels—low, normal, and high. Low porosity means your hair cuticles are tightly aligned and may prevent moisture from fully penetrating the hair shaft. Medium porosity hair has a cuticle layer with a looser alignment, meaning that the right amount of moisture can penetrate the hair shaft. This porosity level is often considered the most ideal because it requires less maintenance. And high porosity means that your hair cuticles are always open—allowing too much moisture to enter the hair shaft. In particular, low and high porosity hair requires more thought when picking products that will optimize moisture retention in your hair care routine. And high porosity hair is often linked with damage caused by either chemical processing, the environment, or human error. Additionally, think about your time. Not everyone wants a wash day that takes the entire morning and afternoon to complete. Meanwhile, some people might prefer multitasking hair products that can replace multiple individual solutions. Again, individual steps that you incorporate into your routine should be dependent upon your hair type, any specific hair concerns you’re trying to address, and your available time commitment. But at a minimum, even simple preventive steps can be part of anyone’s daily routine. For example, putting your hair into a ponytail or high bun before bed can ensure that you minimize tangles—and speed up your morning routine. “I also recommend using a microfiber towel and a satin pillowcase regularly. Both of these items will pull the hair far less than their counterparts, which are often made of coarser fabrics,” notes Gina Rivera, a hair artist creator of Phenix Salon Suites and By Gina. Or, engaging in a daily detangling session, including finger detangling, can help to reduce breakage and help you save every inch if length retention is one of your long-term hair goals. Just remember to work from tip to root to avoid encouraging breakage. Many people with wavy or curly hair have opted to swap classic shampoos for cleansers, which are usually free from common synthetic additives like phthalates, sulfates, and irritants like fragrance or synthetic color. And because of the traditionally harsh stripping power of shampoo, some people with curly hair prefer to “co-wash” or cleanse their hair and scalp with a conditioner. Brittany Johnson, a licensed hairstylist and senior content manager for Mayvenn Hair, notes that “For wavy and curly textures, try replacing your normal shampoo schedule with a few instances of co-washing. Your hair will be less prone to frizz, and its natural oils will have a chance to work their way through and truly condition your strands.” However, this might not be effective for everyone as co-washing isn’t always a thorough solution if you have serious product buildup. Some people opt for pre-poo (or before shampooing) treatments such as apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinses to aid in agitating dirt before co-washing. Additionally, many hair care experts recommend folding in a clarifying shampoo. These are extra-strength formulas that remove all buildup from the scalp and strand, and can act as a “reset.” While any hair type can benefit from a refresh, do not overuse clarifying shampoos as they can be too stripping for most people. Whether you use a shampoo, a cleanser, or co-wash with a conditioner, you’ll need to determine how frequently you need to wash your hair. Product minimalists who aren’t always reaching for holding sprays, pomades, or even gels may be able to go longer between cleansing days. Similarly, someone who struggles with a dry scalp might not want to wash their hair every day. And don’t forget about leave-in conditioners. Robert Siebert, the VP of education for the hair care brand Aloxxi, reminds us that “for curly and frizzy hair, moisture is key! Leave-in conditioners that restore moisture and shine would be a go-to.” For a full rundown of conditioners, check out our guide to the three types here—then go browse the best natural options on the market. Regardless of your hair type, detangling should be performed by starting at your ends and working your way up to the root. Attempting the opposite direction can create stubborn tangles, which can lead to breakage. Depending on your hair type and preference, you can opt for a brush, a comb, or even use your fingers. If you choose to use a comb, look for a wide-tooth comb and ideally one that is seamless to minimize the risk of breakage. And if you prefer brushes, look for a dedicated detangling brush with wider-set bristles. As we mentioned earlier, people with low and high porosity will find that it’s more of a challenge to find the right moisture balance as their hair is more likely to suffer moisture loss. So, they’ll want to look for moisturizers that feature hydrating ingredients like humectants. Alternatively, you can also opt for oils like jojoba or butters like shea. However, depending on your hair type, oils and butters may need to be used sparingly or not at all to prevent weighing down your hair. Drier hair types like wavy, curly, and coily hair should moisturize daily as the natural oils created by your scalp don’t always travel completely down your hair shaft. Alternatively, someone with straighter hair might be able to go a day without moisturizing. Whichever way works best for you, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re trying to prep a style overnight such as on braids, twists, or even a bun, you’re going to need a setting product. Pretty much everyone should avoid products that contain alcohol. But if you have dry hair, you’ll want to stay away from anything that contains alcohol because it’s a drying agent, which can make your hair even worse. Plus, holding creams and gels with alcohol can also encourage flaking, which can be unsightly and give the wrong impression if you have dark hair. And if you’re the type who relies on heat styling, Genevieve Barnoski of AURA Personalized Hair Care recommends that you “ease up on the heat styling and use a heat protectant when you do use heat tools. It’s best to heat style only once or twice a week to avoid damage and breakage.” Here are our favorite heat protectants. But extra steps you might consider incorporating include:
