Everyone is able to take a shower, and you’ve probably mastered a quick and easy routine for yourself. Washing your hair, while brushing your teeth, shaving your legs while taking a hair mask. But beauty wise there is a way to get most out of your shower sessions: Strategic showering will put you on the fast track for healthy, shiny hair and clear, glowing skin. Let’s go!
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1. Brush Your Hair First
It’s key to detangle your hair before you take a shower. Wet hair is weaker and therefore more prone to breakage. That means you should avoid the urge to rake through any tangles while conditioning too. Just start brushing the ends and work your way up to the roots while you’re waiting for the water to warm up.
2. Rinse Thoroughly
Before shampooing make sure you give your hair a good, thorough rinse under warm water. Take at least 10 seconds to loosen dirt and oil and open up the cuticle, prepping hair for what’s next.
3. Lather the Right Way
A proper shampoo job should take about 30-60 seconds. But don’t just plop the product on top of your head and start scrubbing. To distribute the shampoo across the roots evenly, pour a quarter-sized dollop into your hands and gently massage it in using a back and forth motion. You don’t need to shampoo the whole head — never scrub fragile ends, but don’t forget the nape of the neck. The roots there can actually collect the most oil. When your time is up, squeeze the lather down the length of your hair then rinse until the water runs clear of suds.
4. Condition Quickly
Squeeze excess water out of hair and put a cherry-sized drop of conditioner through the lower half or your hair concentrating on the ends. This way, the conditioner is concentrated around your ends and not your roots, which can make your hair appear greasy. Your hair only needs a few seconds to soak up the benefits of your conditioner, so unless you’re using your weekly deep conditioning mask, you can rinse it out right away.
5. Cleanse Your Body
If you’re finding breakouts on your back, leftover conditioner may be to blame. So be sure to wash your body after your hair. Steer clear of traditional soaps, which can be irritating and drying to the skin. Choose a non-soap hydrating cleanser, and use your hands to hit all the key areas. Loofahs and washcloths can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, so when you need exfoliation, use a one time full-body exfoliator that comes in a bottle instead.
6. Shave Smarter
If you’re going to shave, it should be one of the last steps in your routine. On days when you’re also due for some exfoliation, scrub before you shave to help release any ingrown hairs. And remember to always use a sharp razor. Dry it off and store it outside of the shower after every use.
Clarisonic face brush
7. Save Your Face for Last
And finally, it’s time to take advantage of the giant steamer that’s been opening up your pores and loosening all that acne-causing sebum. Wait until you’re completely finished shampooing to ensure you’re washing away any and all pore-clogging product runoff. Just turn the water temperature to lukewarm to protect the delicate skin on your face and use a face brush and good cleanser to wash all the day-dirth off. End your shower with a final rinse in cool water to seal the hair cuticles and close the pores to leave your complexion perfectly refreshed.
