Wash day should not be complicated. Sadly, it is so for most people who are unaware of proper hair care methods. Hair care is more than just washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Along with washing, you must moisturize and protect your hair strands. Below is a simple and easy step-by-step hair care routine.

1. Take down style if there is one

• This means removing any type of style. This includes wigs, weaves, hair clips, buns braids and twists. Do this in a gentle matter so that you avoid snagging and pulling of your hair strands.
• Untangle your hair using your fingers more often than you use a comb or hair brush.
• After taking down your style gently detangle your hair using minimal detangling products. Always remember that wet hear is more likely to break off than dry hair so be cautious.

2. Section the hair and clip away

Use some sort of hair clip, hair ties or hair pin to section your hair. This is a very cruicial element of having a great wash day. Sectioning your hair gives you a better grasp on your hair and elliviates any frustrations that may arise. Trust me I know this firsthand especially when I near the crown area. I typically get the most tired and tend to rush through this section. I probably receive the most breakage in this area as well.

3. Wet the hair in sections

Wet your hair with runnng water or using a spray bottle or a bottle with a noozle. I use all these methods depending on the day. Some days if I will be doing a quick wash I will use running water. If I want a more thorough wash I will use a spray bottle, using smaller sections when applying the products.

4. Apply the shampoo or conditioner

Apply your products onto your scalp area first. Then begin to work the product down your hair shaft. Always remember that the shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp and contitioner to nourish the hair. Once you finish applying the product to each section twist the hair and reclip it. Let the shampoo sit for 2-3 minutes while using the ball of your fingers to scrub the scalp.

5. Rinse Your Hair

• Rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all the subs from you scalp and strands. This should be done until the water runs clear. If you are near a mirror check to see that there is no residue visible.
• After throroughly rinsing towel dry your hair lightly to remove excess water. (If a bit of shampoo remains simply apply the conditioner and remove it during the rinse).

6. Apply deep conditioner or conditioner

Start off with one section at a time when applying your conditioner. By using this method you can apply the hair products to the whole area of hair. This will help you heat up and train your hair. it will also assist with softening and smothing your hair which should help combat frizziness. Massage the scalp as well as the hair when applying your conditioner. Apply a plastic cap over your hair and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. You can use the same process when doing a deep conditioning treatment. For best results using a deep conditioning treatment use a hooded dryer for heat.

7. Wash hair thoroughly

Wash your hair thoroughly if you missed a bit of the shampoo when cleansing. While there may be conditioners that say “Leave-in” You should wash the conditioner completely. Leaving conditioner in you hair can cause product build up. It may make your hair dry and brittle with a thick cakey feeling to your hair. This causes your hair to be weighed down and trapping dirt and dust. Which will cause you to have to wash your hair more frequently and possibly cause itching.

8. Oil the scalp and seal the hair ends

Use your favorite hair oil to massage the scalp. An oil that promotes hair growth is always best but use the one you see fit. Apply a leave- in conditioner to your hair and style as desired.