How To Build A Hair Care Routine: A Full-Guide For All Hair Types

The routine for someone with chemically processed hair—which includes color-treated, relaxed, and even damaged hair—might be slightly different from one for someone with virgin hair (hair that's never been altered by chemicals). Likewise, a person with type 1 straight hair might use different products than someone with type 3 or 4 hair, which includes curly and coily heads. 

For example, not all hair types can benefit from daily washing. People with curly hair might not need to wash every day—or even every week. Yet, there's a caveat here. If you struggle with product buildup either on your hair or scalp, you might want to increase your wash frequency. Allison Teasdale, a hair care expert and co-founder of Unwrapped Life, notes that "I cleanse my hair and scalp about every two to three days with a shampoo bar depending on what my hair needs, either some extra cleansing power to remove styling products or added moisture."

A lesser-known factor that can throw a wrench in your hair care strategy is porosity. While most people think of dryness as a problem that's a concern only for curly hair types, porosity tosses that myth out the window. Hair porosity references the state of your hair shaft and its ability to retain moisture. 

There are three possible porosity levels—low, normal, and high. Low porosity means your hair cuticles are tightly aligned and may prevent moisture from fully penetrating the hair shaft. Medium porosity hair has a cuticle layer with a looser alignment, meaning that the right amount of moisture can penetrate the hair shaft. This porosity level is often considered the most ideal because it requires less maintenance. And high porosity means that your hair cuticles are always open—allowing too much moisture to enter the hair shaft. 

Traditional hair advice would have you believe that everyone should wash and shampoo their hair daily. But as we mentioned earlier, this isn't the best advice for everyone. However, that doesn't mean that some form of hair care isn't encouraged every day. 

Again, individual steps that you incorporate into your routine should be dependent upon your hair type, any specific hair concerns you're trying to address, and your available time commitment. But at a minimum, even simple preventive steps can be part of anyone's daily routine. 

For example, putting your hair into a ponytail or high bun before bed can ensure that you minimize tangles—and speed up your morning routine. "I also recommend using a microfiber towel and a satin pillowcase regularly. Both of these items will pull the hair far less than their counterparts, which are often made of coarser fabrics," notes Gina Rivera, a hair artist creator of Phenix Salon Suites and By Gina. 

The cleansing step can be a contentious one if you're not familiar with the hair world. Some—who have oily roots, are prone to buildup, or due to lifestyle factors like daily workouts—can get away with a daily rinse. Of course, shampoos are a natural option to help banish dirt and grime, but traditional versions are often full of sulfates and other harsh ingredients that can encourage product buildup or strip your hair and scalp of critical moisture. We recommend sticking with a sulfate-free shampoo, as they are better for your hair and scalp health long term.

Many people with wavy or curly hair have opted to swap classic shampoos for cleansers, which are usually free from common synthetic additives like phthalates, sulfates, and irritants like fragrance or synthetic color. And because of the traditionally harsh stripping power of shampoo, some people with curly hair prefer to "co-wash" or cleanse their hair and scalp with a conditioner. 

Brittany Johnson, a licensed hairstylist and senior content manager for Mayvenn Hair, notes that "For wavy and curly textures, try replacing your normal shampoo schedule with a few instances of co-washing. Your hair will be less prone to frizz, and its natural oils will have a chance to work their way through and truly condition your strands."

However, this might not be effective for everyone as co-washing isn't always a thorough solution if you have serious product buildup. Some people opt for pre-poo (or before shampooing) treatments such as apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinses to aid in agitating dirt before co-washing. 

Additionally, many hair care experts recommend folding in a clarifying shampoo. These are extra-strength formulas that remove all buildup from the scalp and strand, and can act as a "reset." While any hair type can benefit from a refresh, do not overuse clarifying shampoos as they can be too stripping for most people.

Regardless of how you cleanse your hair, experts agree that conditioning is a critical step that everyone—no matter their hair type—should do. But the type of conditioner you select is going to depend on your hair concerns. For example, people with very dry hair should focus on conditioners that contain humectants, which can aid in deeper moisture penetration into the hair shaft and improve retention. Someone who's struggling with damaged hair might prefer a repairing conditioner that contains ingredients like silk proteins. 

And don't forget about leave-in conditioners. Robert Siebert, the VP of education for the hair care brand Aloxxi, reminds us that "for curly and frizzy hair, moisture is key! Leave-in conditioners that restore moisture and shine would be a go-to."

Although we've listed detangling farther down our "must-have" list of hair care routine components, note that not everyone will detangle their hair the same way. Specifically, people with wavy, curly, and coily hair are usually encouraged to detangle their hair when it's wet to minimize breakage. But these hair types will often make detangling the first step in their hair care routine after spritzing it with water, a detangler, or a conditioner and water mix. 

Regardless of your hair type, detangling should be performed by starting at your ends and working your way up to the root. Attempting the opposite direction can create stubborn tangles, which can lead to breakage. Depending on your hair type and preference, you can opt for a brush, a comb, or even use your fingers. 

Every step in your hair care routine is important, but moisturizing will affect everything from ease of maintenance to the results of your hairstyling efforts. Part of picking the right moisturizer is understanding your hair type and porosity. 

As we mentioned earlier, people with low and high porosity will find that it's more of a challenge to find the right moisture balance as their hair is more likely to suffer moisture loss. So, they'll want to look for moisturizers that feature hydrating ingredients like humectants. Alternatively, you can also opt for oils like jojoba or butters like shea. However, depending on your hair type, oils and butters may need to be used sparingly or not at all to prevent weighing down your hair. 

Even if you're not the type who does much with their hair, that still means that at a minimum you're brushing or combing to remove tangles and working to make your hair look presentable. For some, styling might be more elaborate and require overnight sets or the need for hot tools. 

Whichever way works best for you, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you're trying to prep a style overnight such as on braids, twists, or even a bun, you're going to need a setting product. Pretty much everyone should avoid products that contain alcohol. But if you have dry hair, you'll want to stay away from anything that contains alcohol because it's a drying agent, which can make your hair even worse. Plus, holding creams and gels with alcohol can also encourage flaking, which can be unsightly and give the wrong impression if you have dark hair. 

For some people, including occasional hair care steps can aid in boosting the look of their hair. However, sometimes these extra steps are best used with a "less is more" mentality. For example, protein treatments shouldn't be used daily, as protein buildup can have the opposite intended effect and encourage product buildup and dryness.