It’s May! The sun is shining a little brighter, the birds are chirping, and the flowers and finally blooming. Winter and spring got into a bit of a tussle but it looks like spring is here to stay for a while. Let’s make sure we have your hair care at home and in the salon in tip top order. In this blog I’m going to go over shampooing your hair at home versus coming to the salon to have us work our magic.
Shampoo day at home can be hectic for some. My hope is that after reading this, I can make it a little bit easier.
First things first, detangling.
Detangling can be a bit much but it is so necessary. You should be detangling before your first shampoo.
This helps with cutting down the amount of detangling that will have to be done after your two shampoos. Detangling can be done by adding a conditioner and starting from the bottom and working your way to the roots with a wide tooth comb or detangling brush.
When finishing each section, my tip would be to put each section in a chunky two strand to help with further tangling during the shampooing process.
Now, onto the shampoos.
When shampooing it’s best to pick a clarifying shampoo and a moisturizing shampoo. Clarifying shampoo is a shampoo that catches buildup or any gunk you may have on your scalp due to buildup. Clarifying shampoo can be a bit drying so it’s very important to follow up with a moisturizing shampoo. Which will bring your hair back to its normal pH. Moisturizing shampoo can also minimize tangles, which will lead to less breakage when your hair is dry.
When shampooing it’s best to first focus on the scalp where most buildup lies. Never use your nails, (I know it feels delightful) it can damage your scalp. Instead, use your fingertips and massage using your desired pressure. Do this over your entire scalp, rinse and repeat with your moisturizing shampoo.
Now you’re ready for your final detangle.
Once you’ve completely rinsed the shampoo, let down one twist and saturate with conditioner and detangle end to root. It should be a lot easier because of your pre detangle at the beginning of this process. After you’ve detangled all of your hair, this last part is the most important to me. When rinsing out your conditioner the final time you MUST make your water cool, not cold, cool. The reason for this is, there are certain moisturizing properties in conditioner that needs to stay in your hair, if rinsed out with warmer water, all of those goodies will rinse away, possibly leaving your hair dry and brittle.
This may seem like a lot of work. It is! But it can definitely be done.
Coming to the salon to have a shampoo is next level, top tier!
All of those things we talked about above, they happen but more thoroughly and your arms and shoulders don’t have to have a hand in any of it!
Imagine walking through the doors, being warmly greeted, walked to a shampoo bowl and being told to lay back and relax.
The salon experience, when it comes to shampooing is by far the best part of coming to the salon! You’re being pampered, you’re having great conversations, or you're just there with your eyes closed, drifting away from life’s adulting, if only for 30 minutes.
At N we do all of the steps that I’ve recommended for at home shampooing. We have a great lineup of black owned products that we use and you can purchase (see below!!). And lastly, we have a great space for you to escape for a little bit.
I believe shampooing at home vs the salon is all on preference. For myself, I’m going to always pick the salon because I love to NOT have to touch my hair. For some, at home hair care is there calm space, a moment for alone time. Whatever you choose, the most important part of this whole process are products!
Until next week!