4 Effective Ways to Cleanse Your Hair
How to Wash Your Hair Based on Your Hair Type
Were you ever actually taught how to wash your hair?
Many of us grew up simply pouring shampoo straight from the bottle onto our heads. While that method works, there are better techniques that can make a huge difference in your hair’s health, shine, and strength.
The key is to choose the right washing method for your specific hair type. Not everyone fits neatly into one category, so explore different techniques and see which works best for you.
1. Washing Thick, Coarse, or Damaged Hair: The Protected Cleanse
For thick, coarse, or highly damaged hair, the goal is to smooth, hydrate, and reduce tangles. These hair types can often go longer between washes, so each cleanse should be gentle and conditioning.
How to Do the Protected Cleanse:
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Wet hair in the shower.
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Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends (or scalp to ends if your hair is very dry).
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Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute conditioner evenly under the top layer of hair, then “squish” it in for full coverage.
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Add a quarter-sized amount of shampoo to your hands, rub to lather, and apply to the scalp underneath your hair.
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Massage until it creates a creamy, sudsy cleansing crème.
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Rinse thoroughly. Hair should feel smooth, hydrated, and tangle-free.
Why it works:
Conditioning first helps protect the hair shaft, while gentle shampooing cleanses the scalp without stripping moisture.
Best ingredients for this hair type:
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Marshmallow root — smooths and detangles naturally
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Hydrolyzed honey — softens and lightly coats the hair for silkiness
You’ll find both of these in our HoneyBlossom + Marshmallow Root hair care.
2. Washing Medium to Fine Hair: The Everyday Cleanse
If your hair is medium texture or fine, you may prefer washing daily or every other day to keep it fresh. The Everyday Cleanse is lightweight, quick, and perfect for those who want bounce without buildup.
How to Do the Everyday Cleanse:
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Wet hair, then pour shampoo into your hands and rub together.
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Apply under the hair directly onto the scalp, focusing on the hairline and nape.
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Rinse, then follow with conditioner from scalp to ends.
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Comb through for even distribution.
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Adjust as needed — try lather/rinse/repeat or use less conditioner over time as your hair becomes healthier.
Best ingredients for this hair type:
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Wild-harvested red clover — light smoothing
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Vegan silk protein — strengthens without heaviness
Both are found in our LavenderMint + Wild Clover hair care.
3. For Dry, Flaky Scalp or Over-Processed Hair: The Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment
If your scalp is dry or flaky — or your hair has been over-processed — a Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment can restore comfort and prevent further dehydration.
How to Do a Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment:
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Apply oil to dry hair, massaging into the scalp and pulling it through the lengths.
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Wrap hair in a warm towel to help the oils penetrate.
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After 30 minutes, apply shampoo directly to dry hair (before adding water) to cut through excess oil.
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Step into the shower, add water to activate the lather, and wash as usual.
Pro tip: This step is especially helpful during seasonal changes when scalp dryness worsens.
Our Glossing Drops are a nutrient-rich blend of plant oils that can be used two ways: as a treatment before washing and as a finishing step to smooth frizz and add shine.
4. For Scalp Issues and Dull Hair: The Boosted Cleanse
If you’re dealing with buildup, dullness, or scalp irritation, the Boosted Cleanse offers gentle exfoliation and pH balancing for a super-clean, glossy finish.
How to Do the Boosted Cleanse:
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Wet hair in the shower.
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Mix a small amount of Shampoo Booster + Masque into your shampoo.
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Rub hands to create foam and apply to the scalp.
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Leave on while you shower.
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Before rinsing, gently massage again — you may feel tiny crystals that exfoliate while the formula chemically rebalances your scalp.
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Rinse thoroughly and condition if needed.
Why it works:
Lowering the scalp’s pH helps close the hair cuticle for shine, while exfoliating removes residue that can weigh hair down.
🧴 What to Use Based on Your Hair Cleansing Needs
Great cleansing habits are the foundation — but choosing the right products for your hair type makes your routine work with you instead of against you.
Here are a few products we often recommend to support the cleansing methods above:
Everyday & Gentle Daily Cleanse
For most hair types, a gentle, effective daily shampoo + conditioner balances scalp health with softness.
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[LavenderMint + Wild Clover Shampoo & Conditioner] — lightweight, daily-friendly cleansing and conditioning.
Deep Yet Gentle Reset
For buildup, hard water minerals, or when your hair feels dull and lifeless.
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Deep Cleansing Scalp Support System — combines a clarifying shampoo + conditioner with our Shampoo Booster for extra reset without stripping.
Targeted Clarifying & Scalp Refresh
If your scalp feels weighed down by products or minerals, a boosted cleanse can help.
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Shampoo Booster + Masque — mix with your shampoo for gentle exfoliation and pH balance.
Nourishing Pre-Shampoo Support
When your scalp or hair feels dry or reactive, pre-treatment helps protect and hydrate.
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Glossing Drops Oil Treatment— use before washing to nourish, or after as a finishing oil.
💡 A Simple Guide to Getting Started
If you’re unsure where to begin, the easiest path is:
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Start with a gentle daily shampoo (like LavenderMint + Wild Clover).
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Add a boosted cleanse once every 7–10 washes if you notice buildup or mineral film.
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Take a moment once a week or during seasonal changes for a pre-shampoo oil treatment to preserve hydration.
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Adjust based on how your hair feels — not just how often you wash.
🌿 A Routine That Already Works Together
If you want a preset routine that’s already balanced for cleansing, hydration, and scalp support, our Hair Care Systems are designed to take the guesswork out of creating your best wash day.
👉 Explore Hair Care Systems — all the products above work in harmony to support any cleansing method.
Why This Matters
Your hair changes with:
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The season
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Water quality in your area
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Styling habits
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Products you use
So a cleansing routine that works today might need a tweak next month — and that’s perfectly normal.
Final Thought
Effective cleansing isn’t about stripping away everything — it’s about supporting your hair’s natural balance while removing buildup and preparing your strands to absorb nourishing conditioners and treatments.
Listen to Your Hair’s Needs
Your hair changes with the seasons, your health, and your routine. Try different methods and see how your hair responds.
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