Summer Detox hair edition

This post is the first in a series where I focus on “detoxing” our hair, skin (face and body), wardrobe, and home as a final step in closing out summertime. In each post, I shared some of my favorite tools, products or advice on whichever subject is the focus that day. Check out all the posts in my series and share any helpful tips or suggestions in the comments for others to benefit from as well!

August is coming to a close, kids are heading back to school soon if they haven’t already, and if you are anything like me you are welcoming the next season.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not wishing summer away! We had a very full and very fun summer thanks to __ Justin’s job shift. It was, perhaps, our best ever! It was indulgent of ice cream, chlorine, sunshine, peach green tea lemonade, and salt water.

Today’s “detox” focus is on our hair.

It’ll be most helpful to really understand what the state of your hair is. I can offer a few thoughts to help you figure this out on your own, but you can also utilize your hairstylist to help you too!

-If you go a day or two between washing your hair, and even if you don’t use many (or any!) hair products, you probably have a bit of build up on your hair, especially around the root area.

-If you wash every day, but your hair is NOT oily, your hair is probably a little dry.

-If you wash every day and your hair is oily, your root area may be fine, but your ends may be a bit dry.

No matter what your hair routine is, it’s usually pretty beneficial to use a clarifying or cleansing shampoo on a regular basis. This is especially helpful for those who go a few days between washing, or who have an oily scalp.

Clarifying or cleansing shampoo’s can sometimes, but not always, affect hair color. Ask your stylist before you use one if you are concerned. It’s most likely to affect those who have their hair colored with demi or semi permanent hair color (also known as a gloss, glaze, or toner).

As someone with naturally light hair that has it pretty heavily lightened with chemical lighteners, I feel comfortable with using a clarifying shampoo under one condition-that I always follow it up with a very good conditioner.

Clarifying shampoo’s are supposed to get the extra junk off your hair, whether thats oil, product, or dirt build up. Treat your hair with extra care on a day you use one of these shampoo’s. You may not notice much of a difference, but I always feel like my hair is a bit more fine and delicate on these days. It feels nice, since I know it’s very clean and fresh, but it doesn’t normally style like I like it to. I save this routine for weekends or evenings 😉

So how do you use a clarifying/cleansing shampoo?!?

It’s simple!

1. Brush through your hair well before wetting it in the shower. I love using the Wet brush even on dry hair.
2. Wet hair completely, apply a quarter-size amount of shampoo to your hair, starting at the scalp.
3. Using the pads of your fingers (NOT your nails), massage the shampoo into your root area. Slowly work it down to the ends. If you need to apply more, add it mid-shaft to ends.
4. Let it sit on the hair for 2-3 minutes, or longer if the directions on your specific bottle suggest.
5. Rinse well, repeat if necessary (like if you are one of those “I go 6 days between washing my hair” kind of girls!).
6. Follow with a hydrating conditioner, applied from mid-shaft to ends.

I’ve recently really enjoyed the Dry Bar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo. It makes my hair feel super clean without stripping it. This product is SAFE for color-treated hair and keratin-treated hair too!

For years I used Redken’s Cleansing Cream Shampoo when I needed a deep clean on my own hair. This one works to remove mineral build-up, as well as product build-up to leave the hair clean and shiny.

Another favorite is Bumble and Bumble’s Sunday Shampoo. It’s just like the other two products I mentioned above but it is not safe for color-treated hair. This would be a great option for those with virgin but very oily hair.

If you love a DIY project, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to your favorite shampoo. I’ve also heard that spraying a mixture of apple cider vinegar mixed with water into wet hair is a great way to cleanse hair as well.

If you don’t have a clarifying shampoo already, try the baking soda tip mentioned above OR simply wash your hair twice with your favorite shampoo.

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