My Wash-Day Hair Guide
When we’re young, washing our hair, ripping a brush through it, and heading out for the day is enough. As we age, we focus on wrinkles, lines, sun damage, and dryness. We get facials, use retinol, and mix up potions to combat aging. But did you know your hair ages too?
Dryness, brittleness, breakage, and thinning can all be signs of aging hair. One day, you suddenly notice your thick, shiny hair just isn’t the same anymore. It seems like it happened overnight, but it didn’t. Years of harsh shampoos, heat tools, color, sun exposure, tight ponytails, and not properly caring for your hair can add up. What if I told you there are ways to help prevent some of that damage? Before you run to the store and buy every promise in a bottle, keep reading and I’ll let you in on my secrets.
Hair health starts at the scalp. You wash your hair, but your scalp is still flaky and itchy? You’re not dirty. Your scalp is angry.
Here’s my wash-day routine, coming from a hairstylist who also struggles with a flaky scalp.
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1. Oil before washing.
Before washing, use a scalp oil. I like the Briogeo Scalp Revival Pre-Wash Oil. It helps soothe and hydrate the scalp as well as ease flakes.
2. Massage it.
Take a few minutes to massage the oil into your scalp. You can use your hands, a brush, or a scalp massager. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
3. Double shampoo.
I can’t stress this enough: double shampooing is a game changer. If you struggle with greasy hair and feel like you have to wash every day, this step is for you. For my first shampoo, I like a tea tree shampoo. My personal favorite is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo. I use a scalp brush to really work it in and loosen buildup. For the second shampoo, use something hydrating, like Davines Oi Shampoo. You should get a really nice lather this time around.
4. Condition those ends.
Focus your conditioner on your mids and ends rather than loading it onto the scalp you just spent so much time cleaning. I like something lightweight and hydrating. I tend to switch between Davines Oi Conditioner and Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Conditioner. Lightly comb it through your ends, being careful not to rip through tangles, which can cause breakage.
5. Product time.
Stop! Don’t throw that wet hair up! Pulling your hair up while it’s wet can contribute to breakage, so let’s keep going.
If your scalp needs a little more love, you can add a post-wash scalp treatment like Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment. Just massage a few drops into the scalp. Your hair-care routine doesn’t have to be extensive. On wash day, these are my three holy-grail products. First, I go in with Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Leave-In Conditioner to lock in moisture. Next is Kenra Blow-Dry Spray for heat protection, faster drying, and, not to mention, it smells amazingggg. To top everything off: Color Wow Dream Coat. I only use this every three washes because it’s literally like a top coat for your hair. It reduces frizz, adds humidity protection, and leaves the hair shiny and soft.
6. Don’t forget to blow-dry.
For this routine, finish with a blow-dry. Hair is more fragile when wet, making it more susceptible to damage from everyday tasks. When you’re blow-drying, use the lowest heat setting and start with your roots and get them DRY. Once your roots are dry, use whatever brush you have, it doesn’t have to be fancy, and blow-dry your ends.
If you want to finish with a flat iron or curling iron, make sure you use heat protectant. This is so important for avoiding dry, brittle hair. I like Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray. Once you’re finished styling, use a pea-sized amount of hair oil on your ends. My favorite is Davines Oi Oil. I know this sounds like a lot, but you only have to do it on wash day. If you’re trying to spread out your washes, try dry shampoo when you get greasy. I like K18 AirWash because it’s scalp-friendly and doesn’t leave a white cast. Every day, run a pea-sized amount of hair oil through your ends to keep them hydrated and looking healthy. Follow this step-by-step, and I promise your hair will thank you!
Extra Hair Tips
- Skip the hair ties, try claw clips
- Brush from the ends up
- Sleep in braids
- Try a bonnet at night
- Switch to a boar bristle brush
- Wash your hairbrush on hair-wash day
Editor’s note: This is Virginia’s personal styling routine. Air-drying is also an option; the American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting heat and using the lowest heat setting. Read its hair-care guidance.
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