Quick Guide To Choosing The Right Shampoo And Conditioner For Your Hair Type

When it comes to hair care, shampoo and conditioner are a must. Your hair is your crowning glory, and you certainly don’t want to go about your day-to-day activities with hair that’s less than perfect.

While you may be religiously taking good care of your hair every day, it doesn’t follow that what you’re doing is the best for your unique hair needs. Despite the effort you put into your hair care routine, if you’re using the wrong shampoo and conditioner, you, still, won’t be able to achieve your hair goals.

Here’s a guide you may refer to:

Identify Your Specific Hair Type

Before you head out and go shopping for a shampoo and conditioner, it’s important to, first, understand what your specific hair type is. This is the only way for you to be certain of the right products you must buy.

With that in mind, here’s a brief rundown as to the different hair types, so you can decipher what yours may be:

Dry Hair. This type of hair is more prone to breakage. If you suffer from dry hair, you need to find a thick shampoo and conditioner containing all the necessary nourishing ingredients to tame your hair.

Neutral Hair. If your hair is oily on the scalp area, but dry on the tips and body, a standard shampoo and conditioner will work. The goal is to look for a product that won’t wear down your hair even more.
Oily Hair. For oily hair, any non-oil-based shampoo and conditioner will work just fine. The goal, however, is to avoid the scalp area so as not to increase the oil supply that’s already building up on your scalp.

Buying the right shampoo and conditioner based on your hair type necessarily involves going through the ingredients list. For instance, if you have dry and damaged hair, it may be to your best advantage to choose a sulfate free shampoo.

Assess Your Hair Density

Hair type isn’t the only factor to help you decide on the shampoo that may work for you. There’s also that factor known as hair density. This refers to how much hair you have on your scalp. Here’s a guide with regard to that matter:

Thin density is when you can easily see your scalp after grabbing a section of hair strands and pulling it aside
Medium density is when you can partially see your scalp underneath your hair
Thick density is when you can hardly see your scalp, as you have quite a thick mane of hair

Choose Products With Good Moisture Seal

No matter your hair type, it’s non-negotiable to opt for shampoo and conditioner with impeccable moisturizing effects. This enables you to seal in more moisture in your hair even before you move on to the next step of conditioning. With a moisturizing shampoo, your hair can look more nourished, especially after all the wear and tear it goes through.

Study Your Hair’s Porosity

Your hair’s porosity refers to its ability to retain moisture. Finding answers regarding your hair’s porosity can help you choose the right formula of shampoo and conditioner that suit you best. It’s simple to find out your hair’s level of porosity. All you have to do is to submerge your hair strand in a cup of water. Then, study its results.

High porosity is when your hair immediately and completely sinks to the bottom of the cup
Normal porosity is when the hair floats in the middle of the cup of water
Low porosity is when the hair floats on the surface

Stick To One Type And Brand

While it’s good to experiment with different brands, this doesn’t mean that you should jump from one brand to another all at the same time. Remember that different shampoo brands and formula have their respective sets of chemicals. This also means that they’ll have varying results. When you find the brand that works for you, it’s recommended to stick to that brand for as long as you can.

Study Your Hair Elasticity

One of the top indicators of your hair’s health is its elasticity. The more elastic your hair is, the more shine and bounce it’ll have. To find out more about what your hair elasticity is, the experiment can be as simple as plucking out a wet strand of hair and stretching it out as much as you can.

High elasticity is when your hair can stretch quite a long way without breaking
Low elasticity is when your hair snaps as soon as you stretch your hair

Conclusion

When it comes to haircare options, it won’t be surprising if you’re going to feel lost and confused. There are just so many choices, each screaming in your head, “Buy me!” With the guide above, however, that confusion can now be lessened. Hopefully, now, you know what to choose, and that means matching the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair’s specific needs.