How to Keep Your Hair Clean Longer

I have to confess I’ve become a bit of a pro when it comes to how to keep your hair clean longer so I can extend the time between washes. Somehow this girl with once gross oily day-2 hair has managed to keep her hair clean (ok, clean-ish) for up to a week. I feel oddly proud of this irrelevant feat because blow drying my hair is the absolute worst. Anyone agree?! I will literally do whatever I can to extend the life of a blow out. This is basically me…

I often get questions about how to keep your hair clean so here’s all my best tips. I have to say, and hopefully not TMI, I sweat. A lot. All of these tips work to help me keep my hair clean, except if I do a monster workout. Some strength training is one thing, but a full-on sweat session is another. Some women can get away with it but not this chick.

How to keep your hair clean longer:

Train your hair: You have to get your scalp and hair used to going longer without washes. When I was pregnant with Sarah I decided to start going a day between washes. I had never done it in 30 years but I had it in my head I’d never have time to do my hair every day once she was born. More like no energy! My hair the second day felt super gross, and I hated how my scalp felt so I’d often wear my hair up. It took time but eventually the oils in my scalp regulated, and now my hair look better the second day!

Use a clarifying shampoo: Part of the reason blow outs are so great is that they’re using fantastic shampoos and conditioners, and really massage/clean your scalp. Take the extra minute or two in the shower to get into your scalp, doing a second shampoo if necessary. Focus on using your conditioner from about half way down to your roots. I love Beautycounter’s shampoo, and I just ordered this Pantene shampoo/conditioner set… I read about it in a “best of beauty” list and it has great online reviews, too.

… during all other showers, trust me and use a shower cap. I love, love this one (I actually have two) so I don’t have to worry about my hair getting wet or mucked up in the shower. 

Take the time to give yourself a good blow out. Sorry but this is the worst part of the process… at least for me. I used to dry my hair and then straighten it, not so much focusing on quality drying. Now, I put a tiny amount of this leave-in treatment in my hair, section my hair with clips, and use a mega round brush to really get at the roots and through my hair to create a style, not just dry hair. Giving it some volume from the start really helps it look more lively on second, third and fourth days.

Sparingly use dry shampoo, or not at all: I know some people swear by dry conditioner to help keep their hair clean longer but I rarely, if ever use it. I find that it gives my scalp this feeling of product build up as it tries to soak up the oil. Pro tip: if you insist on using some, put it on freshly blow dried hair! This way it starts combating oil before it appears.  This one by Living Proof is my favorite… a little goes a long way.

Avoid touching your hair: are you someone constantly flipping and moving your hair? Fight the urge. It’s causing extra oil buildup in your hair. Keep a little clip nearby so you can get the hair out of your face. You can also do this and create a little oomph in the front… when you take it down, your hair will have some extra volume.

Understand your hair on each day/play with styles: Every day your hair might act a little differently. For example, it’s often easier to hold a curl or wave with dirtier hair. I would need a ton of product to get my hair wavy on the first or second day. My hair is naturally super puffy on day one — frustrating, particularly during the humid Florida months. On days three and four I take advantage of the extra oil, and add waves with the beachwaver (the best, and I’m awful at using hair tools and figured this one out!) to create volume and a beachy look. You can also add braids, put your half up, create a cute pony (go with a hair tie in the same color or tie a piece of hair around the wrap for a more pulled together look). When all else fails: it’s the cute baseball hat look!