Are You Breaking The Cardinal Hair Washing Rule?

We all know this rule… but why? 

One of the main things hair stylists urge us all against is washing our hair every single day. A typical response might be “but my hair gets greasy, so I have to.” Yet, in actuality, it’s getting greasy faster because it’s building a dependence on the routine of everyday washing. This post explains the importance of breaking this cycle to get your hair on the track to its most optimal health and beauty. 

Here’s what you need to know about washing daily:

It strips your hair of its natural oils & dries out your scalp

Your hair needs some oil, that’s why it builds it naturally! We know looking greasy isn’t particularly chic, but those oils keep your scalp from drying and help maintain texture. Try opting for (a clean ingredient or DIY) dry shampoo to fend off needing a wash for one more day during the week. It strikes the appearance of grease and makes your locks manageable. Otherwise, consider co-washing (aka skipping shampoo and only using conditioner).

The Tapioca Starch and Flax in our UltraFlex Hairspray make it a fantastic alternative to dry shampoo for refreshing your look or adding volume, while also removing oils on the days you don't wash.

It makes your hair color fade faster

As Jonathon Van Ness from Queer Eye once said, “Imagine if I washed this shirt every single day. The color would not stay the same!”

When put in those terms it makes total sense, right? There are some clothes we want to keep in mint condition forever - to the point of minimizing washing them for fear of them fading. Similarly with hair - although it’s inevitable that it will fade over time, you can slow the process as much as you can by washing less frequently and only using the RIGHT color saving shampoo and conditioner.

Check out our essential tips for maintaining your color investment here >

SmartColor is right this way >

It dulls your shine

Sounds kind of poetic right? Over-washing can leave your hair actually dull because it’s getting dried out with every rinse and scrub. Give your hair some time to recover! The payoff will be visible. 

Dirty hair is easier to style

Ever go to a styling appointment before an event and they ask you not to wash your hair before? This is why! The dirtier your hair, the easier it holds heat and styling products. This could inspire you to try a new styling technique each time your hair gets dirty enough. 

It costs unnecessary time & money

This may seem obvious, but think about it: washing your hair every single day can be expensive and time consuming. If you only wash your hair a few times a week compared to daily, your products will last so much longer and you’ll avoid water waste. Plus, more time in the morning to hit the snooze button. 

Luckily, our products are highly concentrated so a little goes a long way no matter how frequently you use them. 

It throws off your hair’s pH balance

In case you’ve forgotten it from chemistry class, pH refers to the level of acidity of any substance. Because most tap water is acidic, washing your hair creates imbalance. 

It’s important to balance your hair’s pH with one of our “smart” leave-in conditioners immediately after every wash - this is the one step that will truly improve the appearance of all hair types and textures. Think of it as a toner for your hair.

And if you leave yourself wondering: ok then how often should I wash my hair? We’ve got you covered here. 

Not sure which of our shampoo & conditioner duos is right for you? This guide has the answer >

Need a cheat sheet to pick the best leave-in for your unique #hairgoals? Head on over to this post >