We all know the importance of hair - we’ve all had a bad hair day at least once in our lives, right? However, the products you use can help stop a bad hair day from ever happening again. Haircare doesn’t have to be complicated and time-consuming. We’ve got you covered for all things hair here at Beauty Affairs.

Hair Care 101: Shampoo & Conditioner

The backbone to any good hair routine (no matter your hair length, texture, or colour) is shampoo and conditioner. Everything else is an extra that needs to fit around these two crucial hair routine steps - here’s our guide to why they’re so important, plus tips for how to take your hair to the next level.

Shampoo: Cleanse & Prep

How often to shampoo your hair has to be one of the most debated topics ever when it comes to hair. It depends on a whole slew of things, including (but not entirely limited to) whether your hair has been bleached, how curly your hair is, how oily your hair is, and how often you work out. 

However, there is just one tip that most hair experts agree on - you probably don’t need to wash your hair every single day! Something that’s just as important as how often you wash your hair is the kind of product that you’re using to do it, too! Here’s our quick guide to some common types of shampoo.

Regular shampoo is designed to thoroughly, yet gently cleanse your scalp of any built-up oils and impurities that could be hanging around - but shampoo can sometimes do a little bit more than that. 

If your hair feels sticky and heavy (no matter how many times you wash it) a clarifying shampoo can help. It has more cleaning power than regular shampoo and helps to remove any build-up that’s weighing down your hair. 

For something to boost hair in-between washes, most of us are already quite familiar with dry shampoo! While not technically a cleansing shampoo, dry shampoos are amazing for helping hair feel less greasy and more manageable between washes. 

Sulphate-free shampoo is usually recommended for colour-treated hair. Why? Non-sulphate shampoos are a little too effective at cleansing colour out of hair, fading colourful hairstyles faster than they usually would. Sulphate-free shampoos help preserve fun hair colours for longer.

Hair-repairing shampoos are perfect for hair that’s been heat-damaged or bleached - they help to moisturise hair and repair broken keratin bonds for hair that’s super shiny and healthy-looking. 

Conditioner: Moisturise & Treat

Conditioner is the second essential step after shampoo - it helps to replenish any lost moisture in your hair, ensuring it stays smooth and tangle-free. There are three main kinds: rinse-out conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and deep conditioner. 

Rinse-out conditioner is the kind of hair product that you think of when you think of conditioner. Here’s a tip from the hairdresser - you don’t need to apply conditioner to your roots! Applying it to your lengths/ends does more than enough to smooth and condition your hair.

Compared to regular conditioner, leave-in conditioner doesn’t need to get washed out - it’s usually applied to damp hair to prevent frizziness and moisturise hair at the same time. It’s like a two-in-one styling and conditioning hair product. 

On the other hand, a deep conditioner is a hair treatment that you'll leave on your hair for longer than a regular conditioner - ideally, as long as possible, depending on the product! Deep conditioners are like super-charged conditioners - they’re best for damaged and dry hair, formulated with nourishing natural oils and keratin-repairing ingredients to leave your hair feeling healthy and smooth afterward.

What Other Hair Products Do I Need?

If you’re a fan of straightening or curling your hair, a heat-protectant spray is a must-have. They help to prevent heat damage and split ends from frequent styling so that your hair stays feeling silky and healthy.

When it comes to keeping every single stray hair in place, hairspray, hair gel, and hair mousse are must-haves - depending on your hair time. Mousse works best for fine hair and curly hair - it helps to create volume and preserve beautiful, natural curls without feeling crunchy. 

Hair spray helps lock everything into place, including those stubborn flyaways! Hair gel is a great option for wrangling those pesky baby hairs around your hairline, too. Pro tip - use an old mascara wand or spoolie brush with some hair gel for extra control!

For a finishing touch, hair serum helps to smooth down hair and provides another moisturising boost to your hair. They contain a blend of natural oils and other hair-smoothing ingredients to help hair look and feel amazing. 

Expert-Approved Hair Care Tips

Taking good care of your hair also has to do with how you treat it. Some expert tips to ensure that your hair stays happy and healthy include combing through tangles before washing it, never brushing hair while wet, and started using a microfibre turban to dry your hair. 

A microfibre turban gently yet quickly absorbs any excess water - no need to roughly wring and scrunch your hair with your towel. This can cause split ends by damaging your hair while it’s wet - this is when it’s the weakest and most prone to stretching and snapping. 

Where to Buy the Best Hair Products

Shop the best hair products at Beauty Affairs! Get your hair back into shape with Olaplex and other amazing hair brands for flowing, gorgeous locks. Free shipping with orders above $100 and get a free, full-sized product with orders over $120! Shop now, pay later with Afterpay, ZipPay and Klarna at Beauty Affairs. 

Related Categories

Hair Care | Shampoo | Hair Conditioner | Hair Straightener | Hair Styling Treatment | Hair Curler | Hot Brush for Hair