Sorry, But You've Been Washing Your Hair Wrong This Whole Time

Sam McKnightWe hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.Washing your hair might seem like the simplest thing in the world, but sometimes the devil really is in the details.Sam McKnight, MBE, has worked on some truly iconic heads of hair, from Lady Di to Lady Gaga, so it’s safe to say he knows what he’s talking about. He’s shared his top tips for cleaning your mane and the most common mistakes people make, so that you can never set a foot wrong in the shower again. Trust me, your hair will thank you. First, make sure your hair is fully wetDon’t cut corners or rush things – your hair wants to be sopping wet before you add shampoo into the mix. “If your shampoo doesn’t foam much (especially sulfate-free types), don’t add more product, just add more water,” added McKnight. “Rub the shampoo between your palms first, then apply evenly across your scalp. Focus on massaging your scalp; as you rinse, the shampoo will cleanse your lengths naturally. Always rinse well with warm (not hot) water to avoid irritation or residue.”L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss Sulphate-Free ShampooIf you’re in the market for sulphate-free shampoo, give this a look in.Is your water too hard?While we’re on the subject of water, you might want to invest in a water-balancing shower head, because hard water is super common in the UK. McKnight explained: “Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can build up, leaving hair dull or rough.” You can also try adding clarifying treatments to your routine now and then to get your tresses back on track. Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0This little shower head helps get your water balance just right, targeting things like iron, lead, and chlorine, and helps you save on water use by 25%.Coco & Eve Clarifying Detox ShampooThis promises to help with any hard water damage and air pollution too. Does your hair still feel lank after washing?McKnight said this could be down to one of three things:Not thoroughly rinsingUsing shampoo that doesn’t suit your hair typeOr applying conditioner too close to your roots “Keep conditioner to mid-lengths and ends unless your hair is very dry,” he added. “A detox or clarifying treatment can also help rebalance [product] buildup.”Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Pineapple & Amla Hair Food ShampooIf you feel like your hair needs a bit of a shine boost, try this shampoo for dull hair.Kérastase Genesis Homme Men’s ShampooThin hair should love this shampoo, which has hundreds of 5-star reviews under its belt.OUAI Detox ShampooIf you feel like a detox is in order, give this shampoo a try.Finally, don’t condition soaking wet hairAgain, you don’t want to cut corners here. For the love of all that’s holy, please don’t skip conditioner.“Conditioner is essential for shine, softness, and manageability,” said McKnight.And don’t rough up your hair either. Rather than rubbing, be gentle and softly towel-dry it or squeeze the water out of your hair first. McKnight pointed out: “If your hair’s dripping wet, the product won’t absorb properly.” Then, he recommended detangling your tresses with a wide-toothed comb. Again, gently does it. We don’t want any excess breakage. Curl Cleanse Cleansing ConditionerCurly hair needs extra moisture to be happy. Tangle Teezer Wide Tooth CombThis works a treat on wet and dry hair. Related...We Shop The Best Beauty Products For A Living, And These 7 Truly Wowed UsBurgundy Is Taking Over This Autumn – Shop It Before Everyone Else Does11 M&S Autumn Buys That Look Designer But Cost Under £90

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