“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. You’ve probably heard this phrase before and used it several times in your life. We often resort to this thinking after trying something new and not feeling completely satisfied with the results. So, instead of wasting money again, we shrug it off and reach for the same thing we’ve come to know and love. This phrase can be used for many things, but today we’re going to talk about your shampoo and conditioner.
Although it may seem like no biggie to stick with the same combination, it’s important to remember that your hair is different at different points of the year. Your hair may be drier in the winter, more oily in the summer and frizzy during Fall and Spring. Using the same shampoo and conditioner all throughout the year can result in unsatisfactory hair. Read on to learn the importance of changing up your shampoo and conditioner to put your best hair forward.
Your hair isn’t going to ‘get used’ to your shampoo and conditioner, so you don’t have to worry about it not doing its job; However, using the same combo for a long time can result in buildup throughout the year. It’s also good to keep in mind that your hair isn’t the same all throughout the year. So, when should you be switching it up? There’s no ‘right’ time to change, but there is a right ‘feel’. The moment you start to notice changes in your hair (dryer, duller, oily, etc) is the moment you should start thinking about switching up your products.
Getting to know your hair and what it needs to look its best is important. Talking to your stylist about what is happening at the time can help them consider the problems you’re having and which product will help to improve that. If you notice your hair feels drier, grab something for moisture. If you see that you’re suffering from brittle ends, get something focused on reversing damage and so on and so forth.
When it comes to changing what you know, you may have a hard time deciding which product to go with. A hydrating shampoo may be good because your ends are dry, but if your scalp produces excess oil, you don’t want to add more moisture into that. If you don’t need a heavy conditioner for your ends, but you notice your scalp is dry, you shouldn’t get a moisture-rich conditioner.
Try thinking of your hair as two parts: top and bottom. The top of your hair consists of your scalp and new growth. When considering your scalp, you should be considering shampoo. If you have excess oil, you don’t need a shampoo that is going to add more. Try considering a shampoo such as Aveda’s Rosemary Mint or Shampure. These are your basic shampoos that will get the job done without any added help. For dryer scalps, Aveda’s Dry Remedy Shampoo will help encourage hydration. If you color your hair, it’s best to get a color-safe shampoo like Aveda’s Color Conserve since shampoo is the more ‘stripping’ of the two, this will help keep your color nice and fresh looking.
When it comes to your conditioner, you should think about your ends and whether or not they’re dry or damaged. If you color your hair but keep the ends light, a color-safe shampoo and a damage repair conditioner would be a great combination for you to try. It’s all about paying attention to your hair and what you’re looking for for your scalp and for your ends. You may not need excess moisture on your ends, but your scalp could use it or you may have too much at the scalp, but your ends are dry and brittle. Feel your hair and take a mental note the next time you need to purchase more shampoo and conditioner.
At the end of the day, it’s important to switch up your shampoo and conditioner. Not only will it help keep your hair looking its best in every season, but you also get to try new and exciting products to see what they can do for you. If you’re at a loss or are trying to be a little more cautious when it comes to new things, don’t worry. Your XEX stylist is here to listen and help you out. All we want is for you to look and feel your best so it’s our job to let you know what products will help!
