Reverse Shampooing: Mix up Your Routine for your Best Hair
Chances are, you learned to wash your hair the same way we all did: shampoo, rinse, repeat, and then condition. This tried-and-true cleansing method has been an integral part of our beauty and hygiene routine for years, and there's never been any reason to question it... until now. Recently, a trend called "reverse shampooing" has emerged, and it's changing the way we wash our hair.
So... What Is It?
Reverse shampooing is simple: just swap the order of your shampoo and conditioner. That's right, condition your locks before you shampoo. We know it sounds a little crazy at first, but there is some serious logic behind the trend.
The idea here is to nourish and moisturize with conditioner, and then use shampoo to cleanse your hair of dirt and oil, and wash away any excess conditioner. Conditioner, while necessary for most of us, also tends to weigh it down, leaving it flat. Shampooing after you condition will ensure that you get the nourishment you need without the extra weight, giving your hair added bounce and volume.
How to Reverse Shampoo
Reverse shampooing is pretty straightforward, but there are a few slight differences from your normal routine. The biggest difference is that you can fully condition your scalp to add moisture there -- since you will be shampooing afterwards, you don't have to worry about greasy roots. Once the conditioner is on, leave it for three to five minutes before rinsing and shampooing.
Another thing to consider is the shampoo you're using. You may want to choose a more moisturizing shampoo so that you're not stripping too much moisture out of your hair as you wash away the conditioner.
If you have especially thick or tangled hair, you may benefit from conditioning, shampooing, and then using a small amount of conditioner just throughout the ends of your hair to make it more manageable.
Who Should Try It?
Reverse shampooing is especially beneficial to people with fine hair that tends to get oily quickly. Because fine hair can easily be weighed down by conditioner residue, this method is ideal for this hair type.
On the other hand, those who use a toner or a harsh clarifying shampoo will need to condition after shampooing. These products are too harsh to be used without a conditioner to follow.
