I don’t really like to wash my hair.
It may sound funny coming from a hair blogger but I believe it’s better to leave your hair to develop its natural oils. Particularly with my hair type which is curly and tends to be dry.
Washing my hair every day would be a disaster. Not only that, it would take me forever! Washing & drying my hair every day in the morning? No thank you. I much prefer to sleep in.
That’s probably how I started to learn so many updo hairstyles. It’s all about more time in bed, less time doing your hair and still looking great. That’s my Hair Romance philosophy.
So when I do wash my hair I’m pretty picky about what I use. It was only this year that I discovered sulphate free shampoo & conditioner, and while they’re not all created equal, I do find sulphate free is better for my hair.
This year I also discovered a new brand called Original & Mineral. They’re Australian and they have a real story behind their brand where they want a low chemical environment for hairdressers which I think is a great ethos. So far every product of theirs that I have tried has done exactly what is said it would do and smells amazing. My hair loves them.
For the last few months I have been using Original & Mineral Hydrate & Conquer (apart from testing other products along the way) but I keep going back to O&M because it really is fantastic. It smells caramel-nutty-vanilla-deliciousness and it’s so good you want to eat your hair after you wash it. In fact, it smells so good it makes me want to wash my hair more often.
So why sulphate free shampoo?
Sulphates (in particular sodium lauryl sulphate – SLS) are the foaming action in most products. They are quite a strong detergent so I find them too drying on my hair. SLS can also be an irritant so if you find you get itchy or a reaction after you wash your hair you may want to try a sulphate free product.
Some people say that they don’t feel like they’re getting a good clean with sulphate free products as they don’t lather up and give you that ‘clean’ feeling. It’s just that we associate the foaming with cleaning. O&M Hydrate and Conquer still creates a lather and I find it really cleans my hair.
I also use O&M Seven Day Miracle as a treatment in between shampoo and conditioner. Once a fortnight I like to do a deep conditioning treatment to help my hair overcome the stress of colouring and heat styling.
Are you washing your hair properly? Here are my top ten tips for washing your hair.
For the record, I wash my hair about every 3-4 days or sometimes longer. Maybe I would wash it every day if someone else was washing it for me. I love other people washing my hair.
I heard recently that 70% of women plan their schedule around washing their hair. I think I do it the other way around, in that plan washing my hair to fit into my schedule. That’s when dry shampoo is your best friend.
How often do you wash your hair? Do you plan when to wash your hair to fit your schedule or the other way around?
Original & Mineral products were sent for editorial consideration. O&M are available from selected salons, find your nearest by contacting O&M and O&M are launching in the US in January 2012. Also available online at Adore Beauty.
Image by Hair Romance
I personally wash my hair every 3-4 days with OWay’s Micro-Stimulating Hair Bath Shampoo
I just cannot wrap my head around how I would go without washing my hair every day.
1. I have bangs and they are a hot mess when I wake up in the morning. I have to get my hair wet and blow dry them to make them presentable again.
2. I go to the gym almost every day and sweat up a storm so I feel like I have to wash it after that.
3. I have very oily hair. Yes I know that it could be oily BECAUSE I’m washing it every day and it’s overcompensating. It just feels so greasy and flat to me if I don’t wash it.
Hi Brandy,
It totally depends on your hair type. If I exercised every day I would probably wash my hair after too. One option is to wash your hair but just don’t use shampoo. Wet your hair, massage your scalp and wash it with water only. The you can use conditioner on the mids to ends of your hair and style as normal. Give it a try and see how you go.
My friend also says she just washes her fringe so she can restyle it but not the rest of her hair. I think that is a great idea but hard to do in the shower. This could be an option if you’re running late or if your hair still looks good at the back.
I work out everyday (well try to), and I live in a very hot climate (central QLD Aust), and I have a fringe! I tend to wash my hair every 2-3 days, if I need to I just wash my fringe – I use a shower cap to protect the rest of my hair. On days when I work up too much of a sweat I’ll wash.
I bought some dry shampoo a few weeks ago after reading about it on your blog, but haven’t been game to use it.
My husband has gone shampoo and soap free for the last 6 months, but I haven’t gone there yet.
Hello, I’m so glad I found a curly haired blogger, finally! I don’t use shampoo ever, but I do condition my hair daily when I shower because otherwise my curls are a mess after sleeping on them and certainly not wearable. I tend to leave the house with wet hair which can be very annoying and uncomfortable as it is shoulder length now, and I’m trying to grow it out. Do you have any tips for how to style hair before sleep to wear natural curls a two days in a row so that I can perhaps skip wetting it every morning? I’d like to be able to wear it down the 2nd day, not just back in a ponytail. Thanks!
Thanks Kim!
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help. It’s smoother than cotton and so there’s less friction on your hair while you sleep so less frizz in the morning.
I wrote about this tip – https://www.hairromance.com/2011/10/how-to-wake-up-with-great-hair.html – which may work but depends on your type of curls.
I often just use a water spray and a curl reviver product to reshape my curls on the second day instead of washing them.
One of my first ever posts was this updo – https://www.hairromance.com/2010/09/what-to-do-with-curly-hair-on-the-second-day-2.html and if you watch Hair Romance TV epidode 1 there’s a tutorial.
Hope this helps x
I’d never even heard of dry shampoo or people not washing their hair every day until just a couple months ago.
What is dry shampoo exactly? Is it comparable to regular shampoo?
If I use product and hairspray in my hair regularly, is it still a good idea not to wash it? Would your recommendations for not washing hair be different for someone with short hair than for someone with long hair?
Hi Katelyn,
Dry shampoo is more of a styling product than a shampoo. It’s a fine powder that absorbs excess oil from your scalp and roots. I love using it on the 2nd or 3rd day and it’s perfect if you find you have oily roots but dry ends.
How often you wash your hair is individual. If you use a lot of product you probably still only need to wash your hair every second day or so, but use a clarifying shampoo to ensure you remove all product residue.
Hope this helps
Cx
I wash my hair every other day, but I SHAMPOO my hair half as often…so usually every four days (give or take a day). When I don’t shampoo my hair I just use conditioner to wash it and massage it into my roots and rinse. It gets rid of the “greasy” feeling and leaves my hair healthier!
I sometimes use dry shampoo in between or when I need to extend for an extra day. My hair actually is shinier and has more volume without shampooing it quite so much!!
I wash my hair every 3 or 4 days as well. My hair is very similar to yours – curly and neds the oil. Putting it up always gives me an extra day. Before I had kids I was at the hairdressers every week as I too love having my hair washed by someone else. I have been very mumsy and have been wearing my hair up in a ponytail or down with my sunnies to hold it back. This year is my year and I aim to try many different styles. Love your blog. Am very inspired with the hairstyles and the other aspects of it, especially as I have recently started my own.
xoxo
Thanks Paula! Nopthing better than someone else washing you hair. Good luck with your blog x
I am right on par with you!!!! But I have straight hair anf should probably wash more often. But that’s why I adore up dos as well. Just wish I was better at em….ugh!
That’s so funny, I wash my hair about every 3 or 4 days and I hate when my normal schedule messes up my shampoo schedule! I’d rather wash it too infrequently though, so there have definitely been days when I’ve realized it’s been close to 5 days and I stop everything and make time for a good hair R&R =)
How can I manage my hair because its too curly and I got much hair fall since I use too much shampoo and conditioner. Can you advise me what to do with my curly dry hair now? I read plenty of articles on how to make shampoo and still n good result. 🙁
This may be a silly question, so forgive me! When you skip days, do you still rinse your hair in the shower, or do you keep your hair completely dry? Do you just skip the shower altogether? I’m trying to get to the point of washing my hair less because we’ve just moved to Montana and it’s incredibly DRY… but I’m having a hard time with the transition. Thanks xx
Hi Deborah,
I still shower every day but I clip my hair up when I shower so it doesn’t get wet. When I’m getting ready I use dry shampoo on the roots if it’s a bit oily.
It’s hard at the start if you’re used to washing your hair every day but keep going as it will get easier.
Christina x
To have visibly clean hair I need to wash my hair every day, sometimes more, as much as that may shock PP. My hair will go ratty very quickly. It’s because I am naturally quite hot and sweaty combined with fine hair. It’s not greasy or dirty, it’s where it’s getting hot and damp during the day and night which effects my hair. However I prefer to wash only once every two days and use a dry shampoo in between but even so I can only get away with a day of that before I need to wash. My schedule is Wash day = blowdried style and my non wash day is a styled up do. My mum can go for a week without a hint of greasiness! The only time I’ve gotten remotely close to that is when I’ve been pregnant and my hair settles. I’d really like to see how my hair would be a week or two after not washing. I doubt there would be any improvement and I’d just be a trampy stinkpot with dirty hair.
Grrr I hate when my clients tell me they HAVE to wash their hair everyday! If your hair gets too flat and oily it is beacuase you’re washing it everyday! Try using a dry shampoo, they work wonders! I wash mine once a week, my color stays longer and my hair behaves like I want it to.
But when I wash it every day is when it *doesn’t* get flat and oily.
Just because you’re lucky enough to have hair that doesn’t need it doesn’t mean we’re all so lucky 😉
The more you wash, the more you strip your scalp and hair of the natural oils it needs. This causes your scalp to over produce oil to replace what was stripped away. It really is a vicious cycle. It took about a month of adding a half day then a day in between washes. I can now go safely 3-4 days before it gets oily. There is a major adjustment time that has to take place before you can get away with skipping days if your scalp is used to having to produce tons of oil to replace what was stripped away from everyday washing.
Make sense?
I hate washing my hair, too. But lately I’m hooked on No. 4’s shampoo. It’s really awesome.
I don’t know that brand, I’ll have to check it out. Thanks Grace x
I wash my hair every 3 to 4 days also. My hair isn’t curly but it’s vera vera thick and long. I don’t use natural stuff but dove. I find that dove works really well…maybe sometime I’ll try the shampoo you reviewed here.
I gave up shampoo entirely about 4 months ago. I used to shampoo every other day. I now wash with baking soda and condition with vinegar about twice a week.
I know someone else who does this & they have great hair. What sort of vinegar do you use? Do you have to rinse a lot to get rid of the smell?
I use apple cider vinegar diluted with water. I just posted an update on my hair, with pictures. A commenter asked for more details so I shared specifics in this reply: http://franticallysimple.com/2011/12/on-my-mind-3/#comment-379572344
I just rinse like I would with a commercial product and have never noticed a vinegary smell once my hair is dry.
You should give it a try – it works amazingly well. Even my hairdresser is impressed.
I have to wash my hair every day, otherwise it becomes very flat and oily. No amount of washing will dry out my hair and I have to stay away from any kind of moisturizing product or my hair feels revolting.
Every 3-4 days, sometimes more. My hairdresser always looks a bit boggled at me for that one but the whole dry/straighten routine takes me half an hour so I want to make it last. EVO’s dry shampoo is a favourite, and sometimes a quick updo to buy me an extra day. I plan my activities around my hair sometimes, like deciding what days to go swimming, or making sure I’m having a fresh hair day for an important meeting/outing.
I have almost managed to train my hair to a once a week wash.
Sounds gross but it is fabulous! I bow at the altar of dry shampoo.
(this may change as two days ago I cut off my butt length hair, my 10 year headache is GONE!)
Wow! Massive change! You won’t know yourself without all that hair weighing you down! I push it to a week too, it still looks fine x
I have very oily hair that becomes greasy quickly so I have to wash it every other day or its gets so gross. I haven’t tried sulfate-free shampoos yet. I’m tempted to but I’m not sue they’d work well for my hair type.
I was mine every second or third day – depending on how much exercise I’ve been doing or how many times I’ve accidentally rubbed rosehip oil/ moisturiser through the front (and therefore been left with lank, oily, unstyle-able strands).
Totally inspired by you, I’ve been trying to make a little more effort with my hair for work! I was finding that after racing home from the gym and then sitting at my computer and trying to whip up blog posts before running out the door at 8am, I only had approx 4 minutes to do the shower/ makeup thing… and my hair was often shoved into a bun and forgotten about. Have been making a big effort to change this over the past few weeks (because hair is FUN! – as you know) and have been blow drying/ playing around with up styles, which has pulled me out of my hair rut.
Thanks for the inspiration lovely!
xxx
My hair is super curly so I don’t have to wash it every day like most people. However, I do love sulfate free shampoos. I use Soo-Ae and Komenuka Bijin! .-_-
I wash my hair EVERY single day!!! But I think it stems from my job – As a dentist, stuff flies into my hair…I do not want to contaminate my pillow with germs from the dental surgery.
I wash every other day. I used to try doing it every three, but I always felt gross. I love days that I wash my hair because I feel cleaner!
I wash my hair every three or more days. I wash my hair when it is convenient, like if its been hot and I know I will be swimming again I might only rinse my hair and wait until the weather turns again. I have long hair and if I let it air dry, I have uneven curls (tight ringlets in the funny shorter hair near my ear, and then waves and random big curls), and I can’t stand having knotty hair, so it usually ends up being brushed (which it then goes frizzy) which almost always means it ends up being straightened!