Simple Haircare Routines for Beginners

Figuring out your haircare routine can seem like an impossible task, especially if you're just starting out. You need to know how and when to shampoo, condition, deep condition, and more. But if you try to tackle everything at once, you're sure to get lost, and you may even want to give up. But if you keep things simple, your chances of mastering your hair care routine increase a ton. Here are some simple hair care routines for beginners based on hair type.

Straight Type 1 Hair or Wavy Type 2 Hair

If you have straight (type 1) or wavy (type 2) hair, chances are you are dealing with an oily scalp, flat hair, and sometimes frizz. So, your hair care routine should tackle those issues. Here is a bare-bones routine to get you started: 

• Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo every couple of days, focusing on your scalp and rinsing thoroughly afterward.

• Follow your shampoo up with a conditioner, focusing on the ends. Use a shower comb or brush to remove any tangles from your hair while it's coated in the product. Rinse the conditioner out after about 3 to 5 minutes.  

• Deep condition at least once a month, depending on the state of your hair. Damaged hair will need more deep conditioning sessions than healthy hair.

• Apply a leave-in conditioner all over your hair (avoid the roots if you tend to get flat roots). 

• Style your hair as desired, keeping in mind that tight and high-manipulation styles can be damaging. Use a light, flexible holding spray to keep your style in place. 

• Get your hair trimmed regularly to keep split ends and damage under control.

Curly Type 3 or Coily Type 4 Hair 

Curly (type 3) and coily (type 4) hair are typically dry and prone to damage and breakage. To give your hair the best chance of thriving, your hair care routine should be focused on imparting and maintaining your hair's moisture levels. Here's a good base routine to get you started: 

• Wash your hair with a natural, gentle shampoo every few days to a week. If your hair is incredibly dry, use a co-wash (cleansing conditioner) instead of shampoo. Doing so will reduce the amount of oil you lose during your cleansing sessions. 

• After your shampoo/co-wash, use a hydrating or moisturizing conditioner formulated for curly or coily hair. Detangle with your hands or a wide tooth comb, put on a plastic processing cap, and leave the conditioner on for the amount of time stated on the packaging. For enhanced results, sit under a hooded dryer for up to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

• Deep condition 1 to 8 times a month, depending on the condition of your hair. If it's incredibly dry, you can use your deep conditioner up to twice a week. If you don't need it, you'll use it less often.

• Apply your leave-in conditioner and any styling products you need to create the look you're going for. Avoid styles that pull on the hair or require lots of brushing or combing.

• Trim your curls every 6 to 8 weeks or longer, depending on your hair's condition.

So, there you have it - hair care routines for beginners. Tweak these routines as needed to fit your lifestyle, hair type, hair issues, and more. It will take some trial and error to find the routine that's best for you, but if you stick with it, you'll find out what works. Before you go, be sure to check out Daily Dose, a water-based spray leave-in formulated to protect, nourish, and transform your hair. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best with your hair now and in the future. 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.