How to Wash Your Hair Properly

Focus the shampoo on your scalp, not your lengths, and always rinse until the water runs completely clear.

Most people overthink hair washing—it's about removing oil from your scalp and protecting your lengths, not performing a 20-step ritual.

1. Pre-rinse thoroughly. Soak your hair with warm water for at least 30 seconds before applying any product. This removes surface dirt and opens the hair cuticle so shampoo can work effectively.
2. Apply shampoo to scalp only. Use a quarter-sized amount and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips, not your nails. Your scalp produces the oil, so that's where the cleaning needs to happen.
3. Let gravity do the work. As you rinse, the shampoo will naturally cleanse your lengths without you scrubbing them. This prevents unnecessary damage and tangling.
4. Rinse until squeaky clean. Keep rinsing until the water runs completely clear and your hair feels squeaky when you run your fingers through it. Leftover residue causes dullness and buildup.
5. Condition mid-length to ends. Apply conditioner from your ears down, avoiding the scalp entirely. Leave it on while you wash your body, then rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle.