How to Design the Ideal Hair Regimen for Your Hair Type

Read on to learn what it will take to maintain your particular locks in peak condition since not every product will work for every hair type.

Identify your hair type in step one.

According to Boulder, Colorado hairstylist Megan Viton, don't overcomplicate typecasting your hair. You can determine if your hair is straight or curly just by looking at it. Next consider if your hair is large and frizzy or flat and lacking in volume.

Determine your hair's demands in step two.

If you are aware of your hair kind, you may select what it requires as well as your potential "mane motivation."

Here is a brief list of some typical hair issues and requirements:

Damage: Too much heat or coloring, friction (from pulling hair into tight buns or ponytails), and exposure to the elements (sun, wind, salt, or chlorine in water) may all cause damage to hair, leaving it feeling dry and unappealing.

Hair that is defined moves and hangs in the manner that you like. Lack of definition may cause hair to seem "thick" or overgrown. Lack of definition causes curls to cluster together into one mass.

Frizz: Your hair may be more prone to "going rogue" when it is dry or lacking in moisture (due to humidity, heredity, or trauma). Hair that is frizzy rises out, sticks out, and is difficult to control.

Shine: Hair that is rough, frizzy, or damaged may seem dull, and too-heavy products may also leave a residue. Clean, moisturized, and healthy hair shines. Hair's outermost layer is flat so it may reflect light.

Although you have no influence on the thickness of your hair, you do have some control over its volume. Your hair's apparent fullness is referred to as volume, which you may enhance with certain haircuts, styling methods, and even products.

Establish a routine.

It's time to establish the ideal everyday hair care program now that you are aware of your hair type and your objectives. But bear in mind that a hair care regimen for curly hair won't look the same as one for dry hair. You could sometimes combine and match the ideas offered here.

Washing

According to Viton, washing once or twice a week is ideal for most individuals. Nonetheless, it's okay to wash your face more often if you frequently work out or perspire a lot and have scalp breakouts. Just choose a mild shampoo and make sure to always use leave-in conditioner.

According to Viton, leave-in conditioners work best on all types of hair. If you want to minimize breakage, hydrate your hair as much as you can.

both wavy and straight

Wash once or twice a week, and use a sulfate-free shampoo (sulfates can dry out your hair and scalp).

Consider using Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo.

Feel free to wash your hair more often if it's fine or greasy.

Whenever necessary, touch up with dry shampoo. Feeling like you're going too far? You probably are, Viton adds. "It's probably too much dry shampoo if you ask yourself that question." To prevent your scalp from drying out, use it sparingly.

Consider using Batiste Original Dry Shampoo.

Curly

Wash with a light, moisturizing shampoo once or twice each week. According to Viton, moisture is your greatest friend if you have curly hair.

Try the Pineapple Curls Curl Defining Shampoo from Pacifica Beauty.

To get the flawlessly defined curls you want, use a rich yet light conditioner. Skip the roots and focus on the length and ends if yours have a tendency to get bogged down.

A good choice is SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Conditioner.

Coiled

Before washing once a week, moisturize with coconut oil or a hair mask and use an extra mild shampoo made for natural coils.

Try this shampoo: Pattern Beauty Hydration

A thorough conditioner should always be used after.

A good choice is Aveda Nutriplenish Deep Conditioner.

styling and drying

Especially if "you're a heat styling, blonde-obsessed person like me," Viton advises giving your hair a vacation from makeup every now and again. Once every week, thoroughly condition your hair.

She advises "loosening up the elastic bands in those ponytails" and having a few "off" days each week.

Or, try using phone-cord hair ties like the Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties.

Use a heat protectant regardless of the kind of your hair. According to Viton, the best way to protect your hair from heat is with a lotion or spray that coats it. "For us style addicts, it is a must."

• CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray is a good option.
• both wavy and straight
• Use lightweight products that won't weigh hair down after softly towel-drying it.
• Use mousses and gels instead, which let hair move and keep its volume.
• OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Voluminous Mousse is recommended.

Curly

When your hair is still damp in the shower, apply mousse or a mild curling cream. Consider using Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer.

Dry by air or distribute as preferred.

Curls may be revived in-between washes by spritzing them with water and giving them a nice squeeze.

Coiled

For the finest definition and picture-perfect coils, apply curl cream to damp hair while it is still dripping wet in the shower.

DevaCurl Styling Cream, maybe

After that, you may diffuse or let your hair air dry as you choose.

Trims and cuts

The golden color treatments and curls that Viton is known for need for a bit more maintenance. Yet she claims that she likes to visit each of her customers for a trim or dusting every six to eight weeks. According to her, a "dusting" is similar to the slightest cut to maintain your hair healthy.

You may extend it for a few more weeks if you don't heat style your hair. Also, folks with short hair or hair colors may need trims or touch-ups more often.

both wavy and straight

To prevent unpleasant shocks after a haircut, Viton advises choosing a competent stylist whose communication style is compatible with yours.

A few photographs of what you're imagining will help us comprehend what you want to see, so it's a win-win, she adds. Furthermore, make time for show-and-tell.

Curly

Hair shrinks as it dries, so dry cuts enhance curls' greatest features.

Talk to your hairdresser if you prefer to sometimes straighten your hair since the layers that give your curls definition may seem bulky and unnatural when your hair is straight.

Coiled

As long as you don't use a lot of heat on your hair, coils may really last a few months between cuts.

Always go for dry cuts so you and your hairdresser can see what the final form will be, just as with curls!

More procedures for luxuriant locks

There are other hair care products available besides shampoo and conditioner for different hair kinds, issues, etc. According to Viton, they are not tricks to get you to spend more money on hair care. They are designed to maintain the greatest possible appearance and feel for your hair.

Here are some that you may want to give a shot:

• Treatments for dandruff: Dandruff may affect everyone, and it's not an indication that your hair is filthy. Viton recommends Tonik by Cult + King to anybody who has an itchy, flaky scalp. She claims that it moistens your scalp while balancing its PH levels and contains menthol crystals to relieve any irritation.
• Hair masks: Use a hair mask once a week as part of your self-care regimen if you color your hair if it is prone to dryness.
• Try: Triple Moisture by Neutrogena Moisturizer Deep Recovery Hair Mask
• Hair vitamins: According to Viton, because healthy hair begins on the inside, this should be a part of your daily hair care regimen if you want to grow your hair out. Although these vitamins won't make you look like Rapunzel, they do provide your body the nourishment it needs for strong, healthy hair, skin, and nails.