Dirty Hair Creates Beautiful Hair

As strange as it may sound, washing your hair less can make your hair more manageable and better conditioned. Colored hair will keep it's color longer with less frequent shampooing. Damaged hair will regain some moisture through natural hair oils. And curly hair often looks better a day or two after shampooing.

If you're afraid of having greasy roots, this page will help guide you through the process of getting to the point of washing your hair only a few times a week if not once a week! It's not gross, it's good for you!

Image thanks to abulic monkey

Get rid of greasy roots

These tips will help you go from washing daily, to washing every other, every 2 or even every 3 days. Some celebs are rumored to only wash a few times a month.

Step 1: Pick the schedule that best suits you, but know with every shampoo you skip, your hair will thank you for it. If you're still a bit leery, start with every other day.

Step 2: For the first two weeks, go an extra day in between washing than what you want your hair washing schedule to be. So in the case of every other day, go every two days. Your hair is going to get greasy fast at first, but you're training it not to do this.

Step 3: You'll probably want to leave your hair down after shampooing with as little product as possible. Second day feel free to wear as you wish. Third day will probably require an updo, hat or give dry shampoo a try. I like to use Steam Curlers on my second or third day hair, it always looks refreshed, check out my page on Caruso Steam Hair Curlers for more information.

Step 4: Repeat the cycle and you will start to see your hair is less greasy on day 2 and day 3 and the overall condition of your hair will change.

Note: For mornings I wake up with a massive case of bedhead, I keep a misting spray bottle full of water, spritz a bit and it calms the rolled in the hay look back down to a manageable level.

Dry shampoo can work wonders at making hair that is starting to look a little greasy look fresh again. Especially useful when training your hair, or if for some reason you need to go a day or two longer without a shampoo than you typically do. A little bit of dry shampoo goes a long way. I will repeat, a little bit goes a LONG way. Also, different kinds work on different hair types. I had to try several before I found one that worked way more magic than the others ever had.

To use dry shampoo simply make 4 vertical parts and spray or shake a little powder into each part letting it dry/absorb a few seconds before moving to the next part. Brush out the excess with your fingers, massaging a bit into the roots. Style as normal.

Tips on training your hair and how to use dry shampoo properly!

These shower caps may look silly, but they keep your hair dry and will cut down on your primping time in the morning. Next time you're at a hotel you might want to snag a few as spares. I like to use the cheap ones to put over wet hair that is drenched in a deep moisturizing conditioner. Leave the cap with the conditioner in your hair as long as you like. Once you rinse your hair will feel amazing.

Hair is easier to mold and extra shiny the day after a shampoo. It's the perfect time for an up do. These products can help and inspire you with quick and stylish up dos. I use the heck out of my Goody Spin Pins. They make it so easy to throw your hair into a messy, but cute bun that actually stays in place. As a bonus these don't pull on my hair and hurt my head like normal hair ties sometimes can.

I've been using WEN exclusively since August 2011 and love the results. I no longer shampoo, just condition. I discovered my hair has a beautiful natural wave that is never frizzy. My hair color is more vibrant and when I do have my hair colored I have very little fade and can go much longer between colorings. This product is amazing, though it can take awhile to get the hang of using. I recommend doing a little research to understand the product before diving in.

Use rollers to add body and volume to your hair. The added volume helps lift the roots off the scalp, preventing excess oil from being absorbed by your hair. Great for second day hair, follow a third day with an updo. I recommend Caruso Steam Curlers which are gentler on the hair and require less product to keep the curls in place.

I actually find I want to wear my hair up on days I shampoo now, but this would also work to hide hair that's getting a little dirty. This style is super cute and will leave you with soft waves when you take it out.

If all else fails, hats, headbands and scarves are your savior.

Spasilk 100% Pure Silk Facial Beauty Pillowcase

A silk or satin pillowcase is a dream to sleep on and can keep your hair silky smooth while you sleep. If you toss and turn at night, you definitely need to swap to a satin/silk case to save time fixing your hair in the morning.

Taking a day when you aren't going anywhere is the perfect time to deep condition your hair.

After shampooing, apply a good hair mask. I really like the Neutrogena mask below which can be found easily at drugstores, but lately I've been using a layer of Aveda deep conditioner with Moroccan oil hair mask laid on thick over it.

Instead of washing it out after 5-10 minutes you're going to leave it on for hours, really as long as you can stand it. While still in the shower I like to use my Goody spin pins to wrap my hair up while still well covered in the goop of the hair mask. A regular hair clip or bobby pins could work too. Then I tuck all my hair under a cheap shower cap that I only use for this purpose.

I'll get back in my pj's and tuck a hand towel around my shoulder to catch any drips and go about my lazy day. When I feel like it, which is sometimes a good 3-4 hours later, I'll go rinse it out. Your hair should feel amazingly soft and silky once dry.

Photo used under Creative Commons from ktpupp.

Have tips on keeping your hair in tip top condition? Have you tried shampooing less and seen results? Do share!