How to properly wash your hair to keep it clean and voluminous longer

Step one

Comb your hair to make it easier to do this after washing. Christophe Robin advises combing the ends first, and then the roots of the hair.

Step two

Apply some natural hair oil to the ends and comb through again. Pure almond or argan oil works well. Ideally, you need to leave it on your hair overnight, but you can limit it to 15 minutes. Christophe does not recommend using conditioner as it weighs down the hair.

Step three

Use a shampoo that's right for your hair type.

The colorist noted that it is better to wash dyed hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. And shampoo with sulphates can be used by those who have uncolored hair and oily roots. If you have curly hair, instead of shampoo, you should look at a cleansing conditioner, as such hair is prone to dryness.

According to Christophe Robin, many women use too much of the product. “About a teaspoon of the product will be sufficient,” he notes. Lather the shampoo and rub it into the roots of the hair with your fingers (not your nails) without touching the ends. The head should be lowered to add volume to the hair and improve blood circulation.

Step four

Rinse off the shampoo thoroughly. “In fact, many people don’t spend enough time on this process and do not completely rinse the detergent off,” says Christoph. "Hair should squeak from cleanliness."

Step five

If you want to use conditioner, only apply it to the ends. Christophe Robin recommends using a deep conditioning hair mask once a week. Choose a mask depending on your hair type.

Step six

Do not brush when hair is wet, as this will ruin its structure. Here is how the colorist advises to dry your hair: "Lower your head and with quick movements, as it were, hit the hair with a towel on both sides." This not only makes combing easier, but also gives the roots volume.

Bonus

Christophe Robin himself admits that his method of washing his hair is a rather long process. But if everything is done correctly, then you will have to wash your hair less often: twice a week will be enough.

Don't overdo it with dry shampoo. It is not a substitute for a thorough washing of your hair. Instead, spray a little vinegar solution (five drops of apple cider vinegar in 100 grams of water) on the oily roots if absolutely necessary. Unlike dry shampoo, it leaves no residue and cares for the scalp.

Watch the video in which Christoph himself explains the whole process in detail.

Christophe Robin Paris, a colorist for Catherine Deneuve, Tilda Swinton and many other celebrities, is showing us how to properly wash our hair with Elisabeth Holder of Ladurée. He is sharing his technique, which he says brings extra shine. It’s a treatment passed down by his grandmother that you can do at home. Comment with your questions below, and NYT reporter Bee Shapiro will ask some.

Published by The New York Times Styles on April 18, 2017