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How to Handle Shampoo Your Hair Step by Step

When shampoo your hair leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Shampoo Selection

Try a volumizing shampoo for fine and/or thin hair.

If you have fine or thin hair, look for a shampoo that adds volume without weighing your hair down. You'll also want to stick to “clear” shampoos – if you can't see through the shampoo bottle, don't get it.

If you have fine or thin hair, look for a shampoo that adds volume without weighing your hair down.
You'll also want to stick to “clear” shampoos – if you can't see through the shampoo bottle, don't get it.
If you have fine or thin hair, look for a shampoo that adds volume without weighing your hair down.
You'll also want to stick to “clear” shampoos – if you can't see through the shampoo bottle, don't get it.
If you have fine or thin hair, look for a shampoo that adds volume without weighing your hair down.

Experiment with a gentle shampoo if you have normal hair.

If you have "normal" - otherwise known as medium or well-balanced hair - you can use pretty much any type of shampoo that you like. Just make sure you're choosing shampoos that don't strip your hair - white tea shampoo is a good option.

If you have "normal" - otherwise known as medium or well-balanced hair - you can use pretty much any type of shampoo that you like.
Just make sure you're choosing shampoos that don't strip your hair - white tea shampoo is a good option.
If you have "normal" - otherwise known as medium or well-balanced hair - you can use pretty much any type of shampoo that you like.
Just make sure you're choosing shampoos that don't strip your hair - white tea shampoo is a good option.
If you have "normal" - otherwise known as medium or well-balanced hair - you can use pretty much any type of shampoo that you like.

Part 2

Shampoo Basics

Soak your hair.

Before you shampoo your hair, make sure you fully soak it. Soaking your hair in hot water will help open up the cuticles and loosen the oil that's already in your hair.

Before you shampoo your hair, make sure you fully soak it.
Soaking your hair in hot water will help open up the cuticles and loosen the oil that's already in your hair.
Before you shampoo your hair, make sure you fully soak it.
Soaking your hair in hot water will help open up the cuticles and loosen the oil that's already in your hair.
Before you shampoo your hair, make sure you fully soak it.

Lather up.

When you're shampooing your hair, you should really only lather it at the roots and the nape of your neck and then work it through to the ends. In other words, don't place more shampoo at the end of your hair and work it through from bottom to top.

When you're shampooing your hair, you should really only lather it at the roots and the nape of your neck and then work it through to the ends.
In other words, don't place more shampoo at the end of your hair and work it through from bottom to top.
When you're shampooing your hair, you should really only lather it at the roots and the nape of your neck and then work it through to the ends.
In other words, don't place more shampoo at the end of your hair and work it through from bottom to top.
When you're shampooing your hair, you should really only lather it at the roots and the nape of your neck and then work it through to the ends.

Part 3

Color-Treated Hair

Wash your hair 3 to 4 times per week.

Washing your hair makes your color fade faster, and it can also leave your hair feeling dry. Instead of washing every day, try using a dry shampoo on the days between washes so you can extend your color and limit trips to the salon.

Washing your hair makes your color fade faster, and it can also leave your hair feeling dry.
Instead of washing every day, try using a dry shampoo on the days between washes so you can extend your color and limit trips to the salon.
Washing your hair makes your color fade faster, and it can also leave your hair feeling dry.
Instead of washing every day, try using a dry shampoo on the days between washes so you can extend your color and limit trips to the salon.
Washing your hair makes your color fade faster, and it can also leave your hair feeling dry.

Try a shampoo for colored hair.

A lot of normal shampoos are pretty drying and can strip the color out of your hair faster. Go for a bottle of shampoo that says it’s for color-treated hair to keep your locks healthy and make your color last longer.

A lot of normal shampoos are pretty drying and can strip the color out of your hair faster.
Go for a bottle of shampoo that says it’s for color-treated hair to keep your locks healthy and make your color last longer.
A lot of normal shampoos are pretty drying and can strip the color out of your hair faster.
Go for a bottle of shampoo that says it’s for color-treated hair to keep your locks healthy and make your color last longer.
A lot of normal shampoos are pretty drying and can strip the color out of your hair faster.

Use a color-depositing shampoo to refresh your color.

If your hair is looking a little lackluster but you aren’t quite ready to go to the salon yet, pick up a bottle of color-depositing shampoo from your stylist or at your local beauty supply store. You can use it once or twice a week to give your color a little extra boost and extend your time between salon visits.

If your hair is looking a little lackluster but you aren’t quite ready to go to the salon yet, pick up a bottle of color-depositing shampoo from your stylist or at your local beauty supply store.
You can use it once or twice a week to give your color a little extra boost and extend your time between salon visits.
If your hair is looking a little lackluster but you aren’t quite ready to go to the salon yet, pick up a bottle of color-depositing shampoo from your stylist or at your local beauty supply store.
You can use it once or twice a week to give your color a little extra boost and extend your time between salon visits.
If your hair is looking a little lackluster but you aren’t quite ready to go to the salon yet, pick up a bottle of color-depositing shampoo from your stylist or at your local beauty supply store.

Lather the shampoo at your roots.

Squeeze about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of shampoo into your hand, then bring it up to your wet hair. Gently massage it into your roots with your finger tips, but don’t use your nails to scratch your scalp.

Squeeze about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of shampoo into your hand, then bring it up to your wet hair.
Gently massage it into your roots with your finger tips, but don’t use your nails to scratch your scalp.
Squeeze about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of shampoo into your hand, then bring it up to your wet hair.
Gently massage it into your roots with your finger tips, but don’t use your nails to scratch your scalp.
Squeeze about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of shampoo into your hand, then bring it up to your wet hair.

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