Here's Why You Should Always Put Conditioner On Before Shampoo, According To An Expert

With so many different hair types and tutorials out there in the world, it's tricky to know how exactly you should be caring for your hair.

We've tried everything - from washing our hair once a week to smooshing ripe avocados into our scalp. Is it even possible to use olive oil on your curls without coming out smelling like a perfectly-roasted chicken?

Thankfully, hair care experts have talked us through the most effective (and realistic!) ways of looking after our locks - and it's a lot simpler than you'd think!

According to TikTok stylist Monique Rapier, there are three vital steps you should take in order to get glossy, gorgeous hair.

"Using a micro fibre hair towel to dry your hair, NOT a cotton towel [sic]", is the first thing you should do. Wrapping your mane up in a micro-fibre towel has previously been recommended in Lorraine Massey's Curly Girl Method - but the trick is tested and true for every hair type.

She also told her followers to "let your hair air dry 90 per cent" and to remove "buildup on scalp w/ Apple Cider Vinegar [...] if you have naturally oily hair [sic]".

Her fourth tip, however, is what really blew our minds.

"Every other time you wash your hair, use conditioner first everywhere, then shampoo only the top half of hair, and then condition only the bottom half".

Our life is a lie! It seems like everything we thought we knew about washing our hair has turned out to be wrong.

In order to get to the bottom of this, Tyla asked Kieron Fowles, creative director at Regis Salons, whether we really should be conditioning first.

"Using a haircare mask provides the hair with a protective layer before cleansing with shampoo," he said.

"Shampoo can strip the moisture from the hair, so applying a conditioner after shampooing isn't always enough to restore lost moisture.

"By applying a pre-treatment and conditioning as normal after shampoo, you'll lock in the moisture and restore the hair's hydration".

So, how long should you spend deep conditioning before resuming the rest of your routine?

"I always recommend a minimum of five-to-20 minutes", Kieron said. "This ensures the product has enough time to work on the scalp and hair.

"You should be doing this once a week".

So, there you have it! Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to slather our hair in conditioner.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

Topics: Style, Hair, Beauty, TikTok

Hannah Van-de-Peer

@hgvandepeer