Let me just start off by clarifying that I shower daily (more on that later). For me at least, the benefits of prolonging time between washes include healthier scalp, more balanced hair, and color that doesn’t fade nearly as fast. The main reason I choose to wash so infrequently is because I am all about working smarter, not harder. I like to make the time and effort of styling my hair last as long as possible, giving me the most bang for my buck. The other benefits are just icing on the cake!
Before we dive in, let me give you an overview of my hair – it is THICK and somewhat coarse, on the longer side, and has highlights throughout, all of which work in my favor to help stretch the time between washes. I realize that your hair may not share these traits, and going a week without sudsing up may not be a realistic option for you for whatever reason – but if any of these tips can help you extend your ‘do by even a day or two, I’ll be a happy mama!
Shower Cap – As mentioned above, I shower daily. How do I avoid the water wrecking my hair, you ask? My trusty shower cap (which my husband absolutely detests, by the way. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if one day he chucked it in the fire pit). I make sure all of my hair is tucked into it before I hop in the shower. You could also skip the shower cap and just avoid the water making contact with your hair, but for me, this causes quite a bit of frizz from the humidity.
Products – When I wash my hair, I always shampoo twice. A lot of what is at the roots is actually product buildup, so when I shampoo twice, it does a much more thorough job of removing that and ensuring that I have a clean base. Also, only condition your ends! I know of women that condition from roots to tips, but it is counterproductive when you are trying to prolong your time between shampoos. Lastly, be mindful about which products you use post-washing that could lead to it being greasy sooner. I use a leave-in spray, and I will do a light mist of hairspray on the first day of styling, making an effort to avoid the root area with both. I rarely use serums, oils, or anything like that.
Dry Shampoo – I used to avoid dry shampoo because it always left a grayish cast on my brunette hair. It wasn’t until I found out that if I spray my roots liberally before bed, the white/gray tones are gone by morning and it leaves me with lots of body and zero grease or nasty powdery feel. Magic happens overnight when I give the powder hours to work, instead of just spraying it on and trying to make it absorb in a hurry. Another thing that made a difference was trying out a non-aerosol version. An employee at Sephora helped me find a loose powder that’s dispensed from a bottle with a pointed nozzle that I poof right into my roots, and while it’s pricier than my normal spray can, the same bottle has lasted me over a year while being used about once per week. Which formula I use just depends on which effect I’m going for – the spray gives more body and leaves a little bit of grit, and the powder is more clean-feeling and has more subtle volume. My love for the two is equal and unwavering. Regardless of which I end up using, I try not to use it more than once or twice between washes, because it tends to build up and feel like of grody after a couple of uses. Less is more here, folks.
Boar Bristle Brush – Regularly brushing my hair between washes helps distribute any oil down the hair shaft, which not only keeps my roots from getting oily, but helps keep my ends soft and shiny as well because they aren’t as dried out.
Here is how a typical week looks for me: I will wash my hair before bed and let it air-dry overnight. The next morning I’ll curl it using a 1 inch curling iron, which gives me fairly tight curls on the first day. They loosen up over the next few days into big, bouncy waves. I will wear it down for three or so days, spraying some dry shampoo overnight before the third day and touching up curls as needed. The fourth day will usually be a half-up style or a poof, pulling the hair up and off my face where it gets oily first (crown and forehead), adding more dry shampoo if needed. The last three days are pulled up – some of my go-to styles are a low bun with a braided hairline, a sleek high bun or pony (bonus points for wrapping a piece of hair around the elastic to make it look more polished with minimal effort!), or a basic messy bun on days when I’m not working. YouTube has been a great resource for finding new ideas!
I work out a few times during the week, and if I find my hair overly sweaty, I’ll blow dry the roots on the cool setting to dry them out – the salt from the sweat adds some great texture and body once it’s dry! I try to keep any workouts after days 1 and 2 of wearing it down, just to be on the safe side.
All of this may seem overwhelming, but I promise it couldn’t be easier once you find what works for you. Truth be told, I am about as lazy (I prefer the term ‘efficient’) as it gets when it comes to hair and makeup, and by putting in a little effort upfront I am able to reap the benefits for days to come.
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