Finding the right haircare routine that works for you is a lot like starting a skincare routine. Much like skincare routines, you’ll find that absolutely everyone has an opinion on the best ways to care for your hair and the best products to use but ultimately it comes down to your hair type and your styling preferences. Someone who spends time creating the perfect updos every morning is vastly different from the girl doing the quick wash and go routine. Many daily routines now include a scalp serum to help support scalp balance and create the foundation for healthier-looking hair. With that in mind, we’ve created a basic daily hair care routine that you can use as a guide to get you started with something that works best for your hair type and preferences.
Your Hair Care Guide
Step 1: Shampoo or Dry Shampoo
Good news ladies, you do not have to wash your hair every day. In fact, unless your hair is exceptionally oily or your daily routine includes getting covered in dirt and dust every day, washing your hair every single day can dry it out. Depending on your hair type, you might be washing your hair every other day, once a week, or somewhere in between. Use a sulphate-free shampoo on days you’re doing a full wash, and extend the time between washes with dry shampoo. We recommend the Mars Sand dry shampoo as it’s volumizing and doesn’t leave powdery white residue behind.
Step 2: Conditioner
Follow up with a conditioner to lock moisture into your hair and smooth down frizz and flyaways. You don’t need to use much–just enough to cover the strands to the tip–and you don’t need to get your roots as that can cause your scalp to get oily faster. Leave the conditioner in for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Step 3: Leave-in Conditioner
If your hair is dry, feels like it needs a boost, or is being frequently styled and dyed, you should consider using a leave-in conditioner when you wash your hair. Leave-in conditioner moisturizes and shines your hair, making it look healthier. When you’re done showering, apply it to damp hair before styling. You can also try our Heliophilia Glow & Fix Serum as a leave-in conditioner. This one is a bit different in that you’d apply it at night before bed and wash it out in the morning and it doubles as a skincare essential.
Step 4: Styling
Now’s the time to add in mousse, heat protectant, and any styling products you normally use. Why is this step before drying? If you’re going to be heating your hair with a curling iron or straightener, it’s important to have the protective barrier of a quality heat protectant to save your hair from drying out, getting fried, or becoming dull. Zhuzh up your hair with your usual styling products and get ready to finish it off with a hairdryer.
Step 5: Drying
Some women swear by air-drying their hair, others by using a blowdryer. According to the experts, the best way is a mixture of both. Air-dry 70-80% of the way then finish off with a blowdryer. It is not recommended to dry your hair with a cotton towel as the friction can cause damage (we’ve heard that an old t-shirt or silk is better). What is recommended is an ionic hair dryer as it will evaporate water droplets faster and expose your hair to less heat which will reduce the likelihood of damage.
Special Note:
Modern routines increasingly focus on why your scalp deserves its own skincare ritual, emphasizing cleansing, hydration, and balance. If you find that your hair is thinning, try Atmosphere Hair Density & Scalp Serum to promote fuller, denser, and thicker hair. Apply a few drops once daily at bedtime to clean hair and massage it into your scalp.
Weekly Additions
When your hair needs an added boost, there are some products that you can use weekly or as needed to treat your tresses. These products include deep conditioning hair masks that you can make at home and hair oils. One of our favourite products is Obsidian Volumizing & Anti-Pollution Scalp Scrub. Use it in place of shampoo once a week to help boost the clarity, volume, softness, and shine of your hair. Obsidian contains charcoal which acts as a magnet to suck impurities and buildup out of your hair. We also like Antarctic Hair Shine Glass Rinse which is a modern reimagination of an apple cider vinegar rinse. Don’t worry, this smells like lavender. Antarctic seals the cuticle and balances the pH of your hair for shiny and glossy locks.
Make It Your Own
Now that you’ve got the basic framework for a hair care routine, you can make it your own with the products that work best for your hair type. If you’re still unsure, ask your hairstylist as they’re bound to have a wealth of knowledge, especially if you’ve been seeing them for a while. It's also helpful to understand the stress-scalp connection explained, since emotional stress can influence scalp balance and hair shedding.