Let your hair type be your guide
Your trusty shampoo can be your strand’s trusty partner in beauty or your worst enemy. Hair feels like straw after a wash? Clumps fall out each time you shampoo and brush your tresses? The problem may well lie in the shampoo and conditioner you’re using. Finding the right formulation to suit your hair type is the first step to beautiful hair. For instance, clear shampoos are good for daily use if you have oily strands while creamy formulas soften coarse, curly hair. Learn how you too can match your hair type with the right formulas and never have another bad hair day again.
Learn how you too can match your hair type with the right formulas and never have another bad hair day again.
1. Normal hair
Congratulations! You have low maintenance hair! While choosing formulas for specific hair types is always a good idea, sometimes using a shampoo-conditioner suitable for “all hair types” is perfect if you have problem-free strands. Look for a sulfate-free formula that nourishes, smoothens and detangles without stripping natural oils and moisture.
2. Dry or Damaged Hair
If brittle locks are the bane of your life avoid clear formulas that can dry your mane even further. Dry, brittle hair is damaged hair, and a moisturizing shampoo is the only way to cleanse and restore strand health. Look for rich, creamy formulas that are free of lathering ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate. Instead the must-have ingredient essentials include moisturizing creams and oils.
Nykaa suggests Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo or Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo that contains deep penetration moisturizing ingredients. Similarly look for conditioners with ingredients such as natural oils and protein to coat strands from root to tip so that hair becomes silky and fortified. Try Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner or Dove Oxygen Moisture Conditioner You also might want to oily your hair weekly with a nourishing argan oil formula like Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil that actively repairs and nourishes stressed hair.
3. Oily or Fine Hair
Does your hair stick to your scalp if you don’t shampoo every day? Chances are your hair falls in this category. Over shampooing can cause the sebum glands in your scalp to go into overdrive, causing rebound oiliness. The trick is to find a shampoo that cleanses strands of oil without damaging them, cleansing and toning the scalp and preventing clogged follicles, allow it to breathe again. Go with a transparent formulation because it has higher levels of astringent that remove grease, and are packed with thickening ingredients like panthenol or wheat protein. Look for gentler fruit, herbal formulas that contain citrus fruits extracts, olive, lemon, chamomile, sage, aloe and tea tree oil.
Nykaa suggests Khadi Herbal Shampoo Neem & aloevera OR OGX Tea Tree Mint Shampoo . Always use a mild conditioner like Roots & Herbs Luscious Jabapushp Mild Hair Conditioner that doesn’t weight hair down. Apply conditioner only mid shaft down to the tips, never at the roots because that can worsen oiliness.
4. Curly, Wavy or Frizzy Hair
If your hair tends to curl or frizz up naturally you need a shampoo that restores bounciness minus the frizz. Look for a nourishing shampoo minus harsh foaming agents that restores moisture to strands so that they don’t dry out. Choose low foaming, sulfate-free cleansers like Wella Professional Elements Shampoo and Mask Regime for Chemically Treated Hair that calm fly-aways and static. Such formulas contain Avocado and Argan oils that provide lasting smoothness and humidity protection. Use a leave-in conditioner like L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Oil Replacement Cream - that contains silicone and protein at least thrice a week to smooth out hair cuticles. Shampoo your hair two to three times a week and use a natural bristle brush like Roots Wotta Brush Funk Edition Oval Brush to comb strands so that oils are distributed from root to ends.
5. Coarse Hair
You have coarse hair if it feels rough and unmanageable. Most gals with coarse hair are reluctant to shampoo regularly but actually frequent shampooing is the best way to keep such hair in good condition. The water keeps strands well moisturized. Use super hydrating, creamy shampoos infused with coconut, olive or Shea butter that coat the hair cuticle and trap moisture within.
Nykaa recommends L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Shampoo or Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Rescue Reversilane Shampoo. Since such hair is very dry, pick an extra moisturizing conditioner with panthenol, silicone and essential oils to finish up. Give Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner and Fabindia Silk Protein Conditioner a try. Resist the urge to frequently style and heat treat hair because that can damage strands further.
6. Color treated hair
Using a regular shampoo on colored or streaked strands is akin to watching your professionally done color flow down the drain! Use a shampoo designed for color treated hair that preserves the luminosity of strands, prevents the color from fading and even offers sun protection Colored hair tends to be dry so look for a formula free of harsh lathering agents that gently moisturizes and restores gloss and shine to tresses.
Want to get rid of greasy hair? Check out
