HOW TO PROPERLY WASH YOUR HAIR
When it comes to learning how to properly wash your hair, you may think you have it down pat. But think about it: We’ve all been washing our hands our whole lives but, as most of us learned quite recently… we’ve been doing it wrong all along. Not because we didn’t care – we just 
didn’t know there was a proper way to do it and how important it really is. Well, the same holds true for hair washing. Ask any stylist and they will tell you in no uncertain terms… there is DEFINITELY a right way to shampoo!
What do they know that we don’t? We went straight to our Color Wow Global Director of Education, Giles Robinson.
So today, Giles is helping us go back to basics to learn how to shampoo properly.
Keep the water temp temperate - plus a tip about washing hair in cold water
Are you a hot, steamy kind of girl? Hot water in shower can feel relaxing to your muscles. But when the temp’s too high, it’s bad news for your hair (and skin!). Hot water strips hair (and skin!) of the essential, natural moisture that keeps your hair elastic, pliable, and glossy. Even better? Finishing off your shower with a cold water rinse – this helps seal the cuticle and fight frizz (a big bonus for curly girls).
Ingredients to avoid in shampoo: Meet the “no-no’s” to know when you’re choosing a formula
1. Use a sulfate-free shampoo, which is a very gentle type of cleanser. This is especially important if you have fragile or color-treated hair. (Warning! If the shampoo you’re using isn’t “sulfate-free”, it probably contains harsh detergent cleansing agents that will rough up your hair’s outer cuticle, letting moisture and hair color leach out.) LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY SULFATE-FREE IS KEY!
2. There are a lot of harmful ingredients in shampoos available today! Make sure your sulfate-free cleanser is formulated without any ingredients that leave residues on your hair (like silicones, thickening agents, and conditioning agents). These residues leave a filmy layer on your hair and buildup on your scalp, which can lead to hair thinning and loss.
Unlike most other shampoos on the market, Color Wow Color Security Shampoo meets both these important shampoo criteria. It’s sulfate-free AND it’s 100% clean. Every ingredient in the formula rinses out completely.
BTW, when you first use Color Wow Shampoo, you can tell how much buildup is in your hair by the way it lathers. If you get almost no suds or foam, it’s because your hair is not clean. Rinse and shampoo a second time – still little to no foam? Third time will be the charm. Once your hair is clean, you’ll experience rich, luxurious foam.
For first time Color Wow Shampoo users, Giles always recommends shampooing 3 times!
Hands first, then head: How to apply shampoo like a pro
Do you pour and plop? Squeeze a dollop onto your head? Instead of drizzling formula in one location on your head, dispense the shampoo into the palm of one hand, then rub your palms together to coat both hands. Rub them together to work up a bit of lather.
The massage moves matter
Most of us concentrate on the crown. That’s a good start, but the most important (and most overlooked) area is around the nape of your neck and behind your ears. This is where you perspire. Excess oil, sloughed off skin, and debris build up here, so your hair and scalp in these areas need some extra attention. Put your palms flat against your head and massage gently with fingers.
Don’t forget your temples. Just put your hands on top of your head (toward your forehead) and use your thumbs to apply pressure to your temple hollows and massage in a circular motion. This cleanses and stimulates the follicles AND it’s very, very relaxing.
Just a few simple tips from the pros that will lead to healthier hair and scalp.
