Now that we’ve got the lowdown on giving ourselves a good, thorough shampoo, you KNOW we couldn’t just leave you hanging—after all, the perfect ending to a full wash is a gloriously nourishing (and relaxing!) condition.
–First step: cleanse your hair via your chosen method—this can be using a wash, a co-wash, or even sometimes a conditioner! Be sure to FULLY rinse your hair with water before reaching for your conditioner.
–Start with roughly a quarter-sized amount of your conditioner of choice. May advises to wash for the hair you have, and condition for the hair you want. (KEVIN.MURPHY must have got this memo as well, because aside from the YOUNG.AGAIN WASH and RINSE, most all products can be mixed and matched to find your ideal combination.)
–Just like you did with the shampoo, you’ll want to emulsify the conditioner between your hands. It’s not going to foam the way shampoo does, but it will make it easier to distribute. Apply it to your locks in sections, but unlike you did with the shampoo, you’ll be starting with the ends and mid-strands, since these are the oldest, and thus, driest parts of your hair. A raking motion makes quick work of this.
–When it’s fully distributed, spend some time milking it through your locks with that same raking motion. For max hydration, add a bit more water every so often while working it in. Also, don’t forget your baby hairs at the nape of your neck!
–Once most of the product has been worked into the mid-strands and ends, gently run whatever is left on your hands through the top near the roots. Gently massage it into your scalp (this is especially helpful if your scalp tends to be drier). Keep in mind, we’re looking to inspire movement in the scalp and encourage relaxation overall. Use firm pressure, but not so much that you’re straining your arms or fingers, which would ultimately defeat the purpose and also hurt. Small circular movements with your finger pads—all over your scalp and at the base of your neck—and light compressions using both hands are lovely places to start, but see what feels best for you!
–While it’s common for folks to quickly apply conditioner and then immediately wash it out, it’s actually more effective to let it mingle with your strands and work its magic for a few minutes. Pass the time by finishing your other shower-related activities and washing it out at the very end, or if you’re a wash-hair-last type of person, extend that head massage—you deserve it!
–Finish off with a final, thorough rinse using warm water, making sure there is nothing remaining on the scalp. Leftover conditioner can leave your hair feeling less clean after your fresh wash, and over time, can also result in a buildup of conditioner in the hair. “A good indicator that the conditioner has been fully rinsed,” May says, “is your hair feeling softer, but not necessarily slippery still.”
–Squeeze out the excess as you did with your shampoo, wrap your hair in a towel (quick tip: wrapping hair with a microfiber towel is great for reducing friction and increasing drying speed!), and you’re ready to start styling. May recommends using a leave-in conditioner along with your other go-to products before styling for heat protection and lasting moisture.
Happy conditioning!