How to Properly Wash Your Hair: The Do’s, Don’ts, and Must-Haves

A solid hair-washing routine is the foundation of healthy, gorgeous hair. It’s not just about rinsing away dirt and oil—it’s about creating the perfect environment for your hair to thrive.

By cleansing your scalp properly, you boost circulation, which can help support hair growth.

But here’s the thing: washing your hair the wrong way or using the wrong shampoo can backfire big time. It can lead to dryness, brittleness, or breakage and even leave your scalp with a buildup that dulls natural shine and can even stunt your hair’s ability to grow and thrive.

Don’t worry—we’ve got you! In this guide, the Color Wow team will walk you through the simple steps for how to wash your hair like a pro.

HOW TO WASH YOUR HAIR CORRECTLY

Step 1 (Optional): Detangle Your Hair

• If your hair is curly, coily or tends to be frizzy and tangle easily,  a pre-shampoo detangler like Snag-Free is a must. This product lubricates strands and provides slip to help your strands glide apart effortlessly, reducing the risk of damage as you detangle.

• Always begin at the ends of your hair and work your way up toward the roots. 

• For stubborn knots, don’t force it! Use your fingers to gently separate the strands before going in with your comb or brush.

Step 2: Apply a Pre-Shampoo Treatment

If your hair is dull and the color looks dingy, brassy or greenish-tinted, it may be due to minerals in your household water source.

Consider using a pre-shampoo treatment like a mineral removing spray to lift away metals and minerals. Apply the treatment to your hair before washing it to achieve fresher, brighter color and softer, silkier texture.

Step 3: Wet Your Hair Properly

Taking this simple but essential step ensures your hair is perfectly prepped for washing. The payoff? Fresher, cleaner results for hair and scalp after every wash!

Before you reach for your shampoo, make sure your hair is thoroughly saturated with water. For best results, use lukewarm water. Overly hot water can strip away your hair’s natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to damage.

Hot water will lift up your hair’s cuticle layer, which allows internal moisture to leach out.  And, if you have color-treated hair, raised cuticles means color molecules leach out as well, leading to color fade. 

Step 4: Shampoo

When it’s time to shampoo, getting the right amount is key. Too much can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, while too little might not get your hair clean enough. For most hair types, a quarter-sized amount of shampoo is just right.

• Focus on your scalp—not your ends. 

• Use your fingertips (not your nails) to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp in circular motions. This helps remove buildup and boosts blood flow to the area, which can support healthy hair growth.

• Let the lather work its way down your hair as you rinse. 

• No need to scrub your lengths—the shampoo will cleanse them as it washes out. 

Our go-to shampoos:

Color Security Shampoo (for non-curly hair types) is our 100% clean, sulfate-free shampoo that leaves no residues behind. Unlike most shampoos that contain added ingredients (thickening agents, conditioning agents)  every ingredient rinses off for optimal hair and scalp health.

Hooked 100% Clean Shampoo (for curly hair types) leaves curls’ surface film-free and optimally receptive to stylers. Like Color Security Shampoo, the formula is residue-free and sulfate-free, plus features Procapil to help strengthen hair at the roots for reduced shedding. 

The Lather Test

At Color Wow, we recommend using only sulfate-free cleansers which are less harsh than typical “detergent” based shampoos. When you are shampooing with our products, you may need to apply shampoo two or three times before it lathers. You will notice fuller, richer, thicker lather with each subsequent shampoo, as more and more buildup and grime is removed from your hair and scalp. You know your hair and scalp are clean when the shampoo generates a rich lather.

Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly

A thorough rinse leaves your hair feeling fresh, light, and ready for conditioning! After shampooing, it’s essential to rinse your hair thoroughly to remove every last trace of product.

Leftover shampoo can leave your hair feeling heavy, dull, or even dry, so take your time with this step. If you have long hair, lift sections and rinse underneath to ensure all areas are clean.

Step 6: Condition

Conditioning is a must-have step in your hair-washing routine. It hydrates, nourishes, and protects your strands, leaving them smooth, soft, and manageable. 

After shampooing and rinsing thoroughly, your hair is clean and ready to soak up all the goodness conditioner has to offer. 

Here’s the golden rule: only apply conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair.

• Avoid your scalp—massaging conditioner there can weigh your hair down or lead to buildup on the scalp. 
• Focus on the areas that need the most hydration, like your ends, which are more prone to dryness and damage.

Our go-to rinse-out conditioners are the Color Security Conditioners (available in fine-to-normal and normal-to-thick) and Coco-Motion Lubricating Curl Conditioner: 

Color Security Conditioners are packed with carefully-vetted, nourishing ingredients that won't dull or darken color - plus 3 levels of heat protection! 

Coco-Motion instantly gives dry, dehydrated, brittle, “static” curls fluid motion, silky texture, bounce + elasticity.

Prefer a leave-in option instead? Swap the rinse-out step for Money Mist. Applied post-wash, this ultra-lightweight leave-in delivers instant hydration, frizz control, and detangling—without buildup or residue.

Your Hair Wash Day Questions Answered

What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Hair?

If you don’t wash your hair, oils, dirt, and product buildup can accumulate on your scalp, leaving your hair greasy, dull, and lifeless. Over time, this buildup can clog hair follicles, irritate your scalp, and even hinder healthy hair growth.

Does Washing Your Hair Help It Grow?

Washing your hair doesn’t directly make it grow, but it can create the ideal conditions for healthy growth. Regular washing removes dirt, oil, and buildup from your scalp, helping to keep hair follicles clear and healthy.

Can You Wash Your Hair with Conditioner?

Absolutely NOT!  Washing your hair with just conditioner isn’t just ineffective—it can actually cause more harm than good.

Gail Federici, CEO of Color Wow, explains:

You can read more about our stance on co-washing here.

Can You Just Wash Your Hair with Water?

The short answer is no, water alone isn’t enough to properly clean your hair and scalp. Water can rinse away sweat and some surface dirt, but it doesn’t remove oil, product buildup, or pollutants. These require cleansing agents (like surfactants found in shampoos) to break down and lift them off your hair and scalp.