How to shampoo your hair properly

You’ve been washing your hair several times a week ever since you were young, and have no doubt been doing the same thing mum taught you ever since.

But have you ever stopped to question whether you’re really hitting the nail on the head with your washing routine? How do you know if you’re definitely getting it right? 

The truth is that perfecting your hair wash days will see you a serious improvement in your hair health and condition. Take on these tiny tweaks to your routine for how to shampoo hair properly and it will seriously thank you for it. Are you ready? Let’s begin…

Gently detangle your hair

Your hair is at its weakest when wet, so it’s important you detangle it pre-shower rather than during or after your wash – otherwise you’re more likely to snag and break your hair. Gently brush through your hair before stepping into the shower for your shampoo session, using a natural brush or wide-toothed comb to minimise the risk of snags.

Shampoo like never before

Healthy hair starts from the roots, so let’s start with a few shampooing techniques to ensure you know exactly how to shampoo hair from root to tips. 

When it comes to how much shampoo to use, a coin-sized amount is a good starting point, increasing if your hair is especially thick and you feel like you need more cleansing power.

Once your hair is wet, gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and roots to remove sebum and any other build-up – this is the place where all that ‘stuff’ really builds up, so you want to make it top priority when washing. Then, work your way down to the mid-lengths and ends before rinsing, avoiding very hot water that’ll put your hair under strain. 

Left wash day until the last possible moment? Don’t hesitate to go for another round of shampoo if you feel your hair needs it. As the saying goes: lather, rinse, repeat.

Choosing the right shampoo

In terms of choosing a shampoo that’s right for you, there are a couple of rules of thumb to bear in mind. The priority for fine hair that’s weighed down easily is to choose a formula that’s not loaded with heavy conditioning agents; Pantene’s Classic Clean Shampoo gently cleanses with no residue.

At the other end of the scale, thicker and curly hair types crave those conditioning ingredients. The Smooth & Sleek Shampoo is great for smoothing out misbehaving frizzy curls. 

Really stuck on which is your best formula? Be sure to read our in-depth guide on How to choose the right shampoo for you when you’re done here.

Condition that hair with every single wash

It doesn’t matter if your hair is fine or coarse, straight or curly, you must use conditioner every time you give your hair a good old wash. Because of the everyday wear and tear, your hair is losing the healthy moisture it needs. On the long run, if you don’t nourish it enough, hair will get dry, damaged or break. Even for hair that gets greasy easily, moisture is necessary, so don’t skip this step! 

However, your hair type will dictate the type of conditioner that’s best for you. Fine hair needs a good hit of moisture, but it’s important to choose a lighter option here. Reach for the Pantene Foam Conditioners; these offer all the moisture finer hair needs with none of the weight. 

The thicker your hair, the thicker the conditioner. Frizzy curls marry well with our Smooth & Sleek Conditioner for softer, better behaved hair.

For a deep dive into the best conditioner match depending on your hair type, read our guides to the right conditioner for curly hair and the best hair repair treatment for damaged hair.

Nail the way you dry your hair, too

Before you even step out of the shower, gently squeeze your hair to release some of the excess water. It’s tempting to give your hair a good old rub and towel dry, but resist that temptation! This process is incredibly rough on your hair and can cause long-term damage and breakage; not what you want for your poor hair. Instead, reach for a cotton t-shirt or invest in a microfibre towel to wrap your hair in, as this will draw water from your hair and speed up the drying process. 

We’re big advocates of air drying your hair, but you may not always have time to sit around waiting for your hair to do its thing. When blow-drying is a must, be sure to use heat protection and turn down the temperature on your hair dryer to reduce the damage inflicted on your hair.

Style away

For your best-looking mane, the key is to style in a way that’s going to preserve the health of your hair. Because, remember: healthy hair is more beautiful hair. 

Before you arm yourself with any heat styling tools, always ensure your hair is completely dry when wet. If you pop a drop of water on a straightener’s hot plate, you’ll see it sizzle and fry – you don’t’ want the same happening to your poor hair! As with your hair dryer, turn down the temperature on your curler or straighteners.

Or, even better, embrace your natural texture altogether and leave your tools be for a week. If you need a little something to help keep your style in place, a conditioning mousse, like our Satin Smooth Hair Mousse will give you the flexible hold you’re after for smooth, perfectly styled hair all day long. 

We hope by now you’re feeling even more confident in the right way to take your hair from pre-wash to good hair day. Follow these tips and tricks to the letter and your hair really will thank you for it.