Hair care is the cornerstone of achieving strong, vibrant, and healthy-looking hair. But with new hair care products hitting the shelves at an overwhelming pace, figuring out what is right for your hair can feel like navigating a huge maze. Your choices can be endless—from shampoos and conditioners to hair masks and hair oils—making the journey even more confusing.
To deal with this, you can start by having a checklist of hair care fundamentals.
1. Understand Your Hair Characteristics
One of the most important yet often neglected fundamentals in hair care is understanding your hair. While simply knowing things about your hair will not magically give you lush, vibrant locks, it lays the foundation for making more informed decisions on the right products, routines, and treatments.
To help you understand your hair better, here are some things you should be taking note of:
● Hair type refers to the natural shape or pattern of your hair strands.
○ Straight hair
- 1A: Fine, flat, and straight
- 1B: Straight with a bit of body
- 1C: Straight with slight waves
○ Wavy hair
- 2A: Louse, tousled waves
- 2B: Waves with slight frizz, more defined
- 2C: Coarse, thick waves, more prone to frizz
○ Curly hair
- 3A: Louse, larger curls
- 3B: Tighter, springy ringlets
- 3C: Dense, corkscrew curls
○ Coily hair
- 4A: Soft, defined coils
- 4B: Z-pattern coils, fluffy
- 4C: Tightest coils, less defined pattern, very dense
● Hair Porosity describes how well your hair soak up moisture.
○ Low - Cuticles are tightly packed and resist moisture
○ Medium/Normal - Balanced absorption and retention
○ High - Absorbs moisture quickly but loses it easily
● Hair Density relates to how many strands you have per square inch.
○ Low - Hair is sparse and the scalp is easily visible
○ Medium - Hair has moderate strand count, average fullness
○ High - Hair is dense and thick-looking, full coverage
● Hair Texture is about the thickness or width of each hair strand
○ Fine - Hair strand is thin and delicate, and often prone to breakage
○ Medium - Balanced hair strand thickness and generally easy to style
○ Coarse - Hair strands are thick and strong but may feel rough or dry.
● Scalp Type concerns the condition of your scalp.
○ Oily - Produces excess sebum that can cause greasy roots
○ Dry - Scalp is lacking moisture, making it feel dry or flaky
○ Normal - Balanced oil production with minimal to no irritation
○ Sensitive - Scalp may react easily to products and/or environmental factors.
2. Start with Basic Hair Products
Ever since the rise of short-form videos like TikTok and eCommerce platforms, advertising products has become much easier. Because of this, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of hair products like shampoo and conditioner. But here is the thing—you do not need a shelf full of fancy products to have healthy hair.
Begin with the essentials: a gentle shampoo, a nourishing conditioner, and maybe a hair oil that suits your hair type and porosity. As you get to know your hair better, you can gradually incorporate other products, such as masks, hair damage serums, or hair tools that will target your more specific needs.
3. Follow a Consistent Wash Schedule
You have probably heard the advice “Do not wash your hair every day” more times than you can count. While this tip is popular for a reason, it is not a one-size-fits-all rule. The ideal hair-washing routine depends on several factors, including your daily activities, environment, scalp type, and hair texture.
For example, if you have an oily scalp or often perform activities that may cause you to sweat, washing your hair more often may help prevent oily hair and product buildup. On the other hand, individuals with dry, curly, or textured hair may benefit from washing less frequently, such as once or twice a week. This approach helps retain natural oils that keep the hair moisturised and healthy.
The key is to find a routine that keeps your scalp clean without stripping your hair of its natural moisture. Once you determine what works best for your hair type and lifestyle, try to follow it consistently. A regular wash schedule can help your scalp regulate oil production more efficiently and support overall hair health in the long run.
4. Know Your Drying Techniques
Drying your hair properly is another crucial element you must add to your daily hair care routine steps. But you have to note that the way you dry your hair can either support its health or cause unnecessary damage over time.
Instead of harshly rubbing your hair with a towel that may cause breakage and frizz, just gently squeeze out excess water using a soft microfibre towel. You may also use an old cotton T-shirt as an alternative.
Air drying is still your safest and healthiest option. But if you are in a hurry, for example, and you have to use a blow dryer, do not forget to apply a heat protectant and stick to the lowest setting to minimise damage. In addition, keep the dryer moving and do not put it too close to your strands to avoid overheating in any of your hair sections.
5. Listen to Your Hair
Your hair is constantly communicating with you. So, instead of sticking to a rigid routine, treating your hair routine as a conversation and not a fixed formula will be much better. Observe whether your hair feels dry, brittle, or greasy. These issues typically occur due to product buildup, lack of moisture, or routine imbalance.
The more you pay attention, the easier it becomes to notice patterns. Maybe your hair needs more hydration, lighter products, or a more targeted hair treatment. Either way, remember that trial and error is part of the process, and there is no shame in switching things up. What matters most is that your routine evolves with your hair needs.
Looking for the Best Hair Care Routine Products?
Having a proper hair care routine is one of the best things you can do to keep your hair healthy. Yet, with so many products and regimens out there, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. This is where Follicle Labs comes in–to simplify your hair care journey.
At Follicle Labs, we deeply understand the significance that hair holds for every individual. Thus, our products, like Quercetin serum, are more than just formulas; they are scientifically crafted, natural, and dermatologically tested.
Want to experience the beauty of our products firsthand? Visit our website today and start your first step toward healthy, vibrant, and strong hair.