Hi! My name is Jeweliana, I am a Tier 4 Stylist at DeCola Salon. Do you ever feel like your hair isn’t clean after washing it? Does it still feel oily and greasy at the roots? Maybe there’s a weird shine to it, you know the one, where it seems soft and shiny yet your color is looking drab and you don’t know how you could possibly go one day without washing again? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many people who sit in my chair have the exact same problem. So let’s talk about how you should be washing your hair with some easy-to-follow home hair care techniques and tips!
Did you know that your shampoo should not make your hair feel soft? That’s right, your shampoo should make your hair feel clean, not soft. The job of the conditioner is to make your hair feel soft! If your shampoo is making your hair feel soft after you rinse it, that could mean it contains waxes, oils, or other ingredients that can coat your hair (that almost slimy, soft feeling) but not necessarily clean your hair.
In order to properly cleanse your hair, always shampoo TWICE on your roots only! The bottle says wash, rinse, repeat for a reason. Think of the first shampoo as a makeup remover for your hair. This is the shampoo that will break down any buildup from products or minerals and prep your hair. The second shampoo is the one that does the cleaning. In this step of hair washing, you really want to see big suds, that’s how you know your hair is being properly cleansed.
Now that your hair is squeaky clean, reach for that conditioner, the one that matches the brand and function of your shampoo, because after all, they are designed to work together! Keep the conditioner from your mid (top of your ears down) to ends, combing it through with either a wet brush or a wide-tooth comb. Always remember to start combing from the bottom and work your way up to avoid any unnecessary breakage.
I know some of you are probably thinking, “I am so low maintenance I rarely use products in my hair, so this doesn’t really apply to me.” Well, it’s not just products that can cause unwanted buildup in your hair. Did you know that most areas in Chester County have extremely hard water or well water systems? Did you know these types of water can contain harsh minerals such as Copper, Chlorine, Magnesium, Iron, and many others? Again, you’re probably wondering why you need a science lesson but the answer is simply that excess minerals can cause a multitude of issues for your hair. Build up from these minerals can cause the color to look dull or muddy with a greenish hue; or they could be the reason that after just getting your hair highlighted, you feel like your hair has gotten brassy insanely fast. Sometimes they can even be the cause of excess damage and breakage after using hot tools.
For these reasons, I always recommend introducing a clarifying shampoo into your at-home routine. We have a few available for purchase, R&Co TEACUP Peacholine + Kombucha Detox Rinse is a great one, as well Lakme’s Perfect Cleanse Shampoo and our newest brand to the salon IGK’s First Class Detoxing Shampoo. One common misconception about clarifying shampoos is that they will strip the color from your hair. If you are using them correctly, they will not have a negative impact on your color. That being said, a clarifying shampoo should be used 2-3 times a month, depending on how often you wash, to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. I also love suggesting that clients invest in a water filter for their shower heads. Think of a water filter like a Brita for your hair. If you drink filtered or bottled water instead of tap water, what makes you think your hair wants to drink tap water? Spoiler alert...it doesn’t want to.
It is also extremely important that you use professional products. There are so many outlets for purchasing products today but it is extremely important to know what you are purchasing and know that you are getting the real product. ALWAYS use professional products recommended by your stylist, I cannot stress this enough!! Stylists recommend products to you because we care about you and your hair. Especially if you just spent hours in our chair, we want you to get the most longevity out of your service as well as continue to have the best hair that you can. Many big-name online companies and drugstores have been caught repeatedly using professional labels on bottles that do not contain the actual professional product. More often than not, they use a knock-off product to retail to their consumers, so when you purchase products from them, you really never know what you are going to get. The products that retail at salons are 100% professional products and we know that you are getting what you expect and pay for. You can purchase all salon-grade products through our website or stop by the salon and we will be more than happy to find the right products for you!
Now that I have shared with you most of the at-home maintenance I go over with almost every client, try these tips yourself and you will see the difference in your hair! As always, if you have any further questions or concerns, book an appointment with me or any of our amazing and talented team of stylists! You can also check out my Instagram here and follow me for more tips and hair inspiration pictures! We can’t wait to help you begin your journey back to healthy amazing hair!