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The first and most important thing to know about shampooing and conditioning hair is that shampoo is primarily for your scalp, and conditioner is for your hair shaft and ends. This is very important and consistent, proper use can help save your hair from drying out and hair color from fading.
Knowing your hair type is crucial! It doesn't matter how much effort you put into hair care if you are using the wrong products, and it can be pretty daunting to go to the store for hair products these days. That wall of brightly colored bottles and tubes is visually overwhelming, and there are new products coming out all the time. Start reading those bottles for information, and then you get the propaganda overload. Then try smelling all of them! It's like an all day wine tasting tour. To keep your choices simple, think about what you want from your hair care items. Do you need volume, shine, moisture, relief from itchy scalp or excess oil? Some products are made for curls or straight hair, colored hair, coarse or thick hair.The front of the bottle will tell you what hair type your shampoo and conditioner are made for. The back is just an advertisement and ingredients. You don't really have to look at the back, just know what you want you hair to look like when you're done.

Now, for the part you have been for- using your fabulous new shampoo. Just "lather, rinse, repeat" is what it says on the back (see? now you really don't have to look at it.)It is rarely necessary to repeat your shampoo unless you have seriously dirty hair. In fact, it is better to just do it once. Wet your hair- I mean get it really, really wet and use a quarter size dollop of the shampoo for starters. Rub your hands together and start lathering up your scalp. Try not to get too much on your hair. Don't scub your scalp with your nails. As you start rinsing, just work the diluted lather down the hair shaft. Be gentle! Rinse, rinse, rinse until you can't see any more lather and when you massage your hair there should be no bubbles. Don't skimp on the rinse because shampoo residue gets stuck to the hair when you apply the conditioner. The rest will not rinse out with the conditioner. Now gently squeeze out the water to get ready for conditioning.
Your conditioner should leave your hair silky smooth after you rinse. The amount you apply depends the length and thickness of your hair. I like to use about twice as much as I do of the shampoo. Gently work it through your hair-not the scalp! Now is the best time to comb out any tangles. The comb should glide through your locks like a fork through warm butter. How long should you leave it on? Well, I have read that you don't need to leave it on for two, three, or five minutes. You can work it through and then immediatly rinse. It works fine for the daily conditioning, but I like to leave in on while I am shaving or scrubbing in the shower. For deep conditioning or after color touchup, I sometimes leave it on for up to an hour. I can definately feel the difference between 2 minutes and an hour. Now you rinse again, but this time use cool water. This will seal in the shine. Rinse until the hair no longer feels slimy.
Be good to your hair and it will be your most beautiful accessory. Proper washing and conditioning will prevent dulling buildup and make your styling products work even better. It can also help your color stay fresh and vibrant.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Belala.
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