A Complete Guide to Building A Hair Care Routine from Scratch

f you’re looking to transform your hair care routine or start completely fresh, now is the perfect time. A tailored hair care regimen can improve the health, texture, and appearance of your locks. Here’s a step-by-step complete guide to building a hair care routine from scratch with recommended products for every hair type and concern.

A Fresh Start: Your Complete Guide to Building a Hair Care Routine from Scratch

Step 1: Know Your Hair Type and Concerns

Before building your routine, identify your hair type and any concerns:

• Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, or coily.
• Concerns: Dryness, frizz, split ends, dandruff, hair loss, or lack of volume.
• Porosity: Low (resistant to moisture), medium (normal), or high (absorbs moisture easily).

Understanding these factors will help you choose the right products and treatments.

Step 2: Build a Core Hair Care Routine

1. Shampoo

Cleanses your scalp and removes product buildup.

Recommended:

• Dry hair: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Shampoo
• Oily hair: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
• Dandruff: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

2. Conditioner

Hydrates and smooths your hair.

Recommended:

• Dry hair: Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
• Frizzy hair: Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner
• Fine hair: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Volume Filler Conditioner

3. Leave-In Conditioner

Detangles and adds extra moisture.

Recommended:

• All hair types: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
• Curly hair: As I Am Leave-In Conditioner

Step 3: Add Weekly Treatments

1. Deep Conditioning Mask

Restores hydration and repairs damage.

Recommended:

• Dry/damaged hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Mask
• Color-treated hair: Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment

2. Clarifying Treatment

Removes product buildup and resets your hair. Use once a month.

Recommended:

• ACV Rinse: dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
• Deep cleanser: Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

3. Oil Treatments

Nourishes and strengthens hair.

Recommended:

• For scalp: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
• For ends: Moroccanoil Treatment

Step 4: Protect and Style

1. Heat Protectant

Prevents heat damage during styling.

Recommended:

• Budget-friendly: TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray
• High-end: ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray

2. Styling Products

Choose products based on your styling goals:

• For volume: Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
• For curls: DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler
• For sleekness: John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum

3. Tools

Invest in quality styling tools.

• Hair Dryer: Dyson Supersonic
• Flat Iron: ghd Platinum+ Styler
• Curling Wand: T3 SinglePass Curl

Step 5: Tailor Your Routine by Hair Type

Straight Hair

• Focus on lightweight products to avoid weighing hair down.
• Use a dry shampoo like Batiste between washes to maintain volume.

Wavy Hair

• Enhance natural waves with a sea salt spray, like Ouai Wave Spray.
• Use a diffuser attachment when blow-drying.

Curly Hair

• Embrace the LOC method (leave-in, oil, cream) for hydration.
• Use curl-defining products like Cantu Curl Activator Cream.

Coily Hair

• Prioritize deep moisture with butters and oils.
• Protective styles like braids or twists can reduce breakage.

Step 6: Maintain Healthy Hair Habits

• 1. Trim Regularly: Every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends.
• 2. Avoid Overwashing: Shampoo 2-3 times per week to preserve natural oils.
• 3. Scalp Care: Massage your scalp with oils to boost circulation.
• 4. Diet Matters: Include foods rich in biotin, zinc, and omega-3s.
• 5. Use Silk Accessories: Switch to silk pillowcases and scrunchies to reduce breakage.

Suggested Starter Hair Care Kit

• 1. Shampoo: Redken Volume Injection Shampoo
• 2. Conditioner: Redken Volume Injection Conditioner
• 3. Deep Mask: MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask
• 4. Leave-In: Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Spray
• 5. Heat Protectant: Redken Thermal Spray High Hold
• 6. Hair Oil for your ends every night: Olaplex Nº.7 Bonding Oil

Building a hair care routine from scratch is all about understanding your hair’s unique needs and sticking to consistent care. With the right products and habits, you’ll see healthier, shinier, and more manageable hair over time.

Fore more hair care tips, click here.

I hope you enjoyed this Complete Guide to Building a hair care routine from Scratch and found it useful. What’s your go-to hair care product? Share in the comments or visit YourLifestyleGirl for more beauty and lifestyle tips!

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