How To Level Up Your Hair Routine
So you have a shampoo and conditioner you love, but you’re in the place where you want to take things up a notch. That was me for a long time. But when I really started learning about scalp care, layering products correctly, and treating my hair the way I treat my skin—it all changed.
This blog is in dedication to anyone who feels stuck in a rut with their hair. You don’t need to spend a fortune or overhaul your whole routine overnight, but if you're ready to level up, here’s exactly how I recommend doing it.
Also, I should preface that in no way am I suggesting that you purchase every product and adopt every step I recommend. At the end of the blog, I will give my tips on what products/steps I would prioritize, then you can start to expand your routine if you/your budget chooses.
SCALP CARE FIRST (always)
If you have found yourself nailing the basics with a strong shampoo and conditioner, your next focus should absolutely be scalp care. Not to be too harsh, but I assure you that you will not achieve your hair goals if you aren’t prioritizing your scalp first.
I have a whole blog on this topic, but here are some of my suggestions of where to start:
Scalp massage: You can use your fingers or a scalp massager. It’s going to increase blood circulation and break down build up (bonus points because it also feels great). I usually only have time to do 2 minutes a day afterI apply a treatment spray like Maya Chia Power Fol. This combo has helped encourage blood circulation, while removing build up.
Scalp Scrub: If you have been following me, you know that I tend to stay far far away from anything that has the word “scrub” in it. I pretty much never use a form of a scrub for my body and certainly won’t let one get near my face. But the one I use is different. The Briogeo Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is so gentle, it feels more like a creamy detox cleanse than a gritty scrub. It uses charcoal to draw out buildup and plant-based exfoliants that dissolve as you massage, so there’s zero harshness or irritation. I use it on days when my scalp feels itchy or excessively oily, and it always leaves me with that fresh base without drying me out.
Detox shampoo: Would this even be a scalp talk if I didn’t talk about a detox shampoo? The answer is no. If you are using dry shampoos, heat protectants, oils, etc. during the week, a good detox shampoo is pretty much a necessity. I use K18’s and that one feels gentle enough where I can use it as my first wash for every wash day (but obviously tailor it to your hair/scalp needs).
Pro Tip: Use Briogeo’s Scalp Revival first, and then go in with K18 Detox Shampoo. You are going to get that perfect squeaky-clean (but not stripped) feeling.
BUILD A SMARTER WASH ROUTINE
Ok I touched on this during the scalp routine section, but I did want to have a dedicated section where we focus on how to make your wash days a little more intentional.
Here’s how I layer my wash-day routine to get the most out of every product:
Shower Filter: I hear it all the time—people are doing all the right things, but they still struggle with buildup, dullness, or dryness. The solution might actually be the water itself. Hard water, which contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, can leave a residue on your scalp and hair that blocks moisture and leads to more product buildup. Believe me, a shower filter is one of the best purchases I made for my skin and hair.
Pre-shampoo oiling: On dry hair before washing, I apply a light oil (like Crown Affair or Gisou) to my ends. People always ask me why they do this because they think it sounds pointless, but what ends up happening is the oil acts like a moisture shield to protect the hair shaft from drying out when I shampoo. Leave on for 15 minutes before washing your hair!
Double shampoo: My version of a double cleanse (but for your hair). First, I use a clarifying shampoo like K18 to break down product buildup. Then I follow with a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. Think of the first cleanse as a reset, and the second as the care.
Comb: You’ve probably heard this before, but your hair is most fragile when it’s wet. After my double shampoo, I go in with a conditioner or conditioning mask (unless I am using a peptide mask, more on that later). When I have my conditioner or conditioning mask in, this is when I like to use a wide tooth comb (love this one from Crown Affair) to evenly distribute and reduce breakage.
Pro Tip: One mistake I see SO often when washing your hair is not getting every region of your scalp/hair when you are applying product. I typically split my hair in sections, so I get EVERYWHERE!
TREATMENTS
In my opinion, this is where the leveling up really happens. Especially if you are one with a lot of hair damage, masks and treatments are going to really take things up a notch.
Here’s how I work them in:
Conditioning Mask (1–2x/week): Conditioning masks are one of the first leveled up hair care products I got into, and for good reason. Especially in dry and cold months, they are ideal for replenishing moisture and restoring elasticity. Unlike a regular conditioner, masks tend to be richer in nourishing ingredients like ceramides, plant oils, and fatty alcohols that penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.
Peptide Treatments (1x/week or as needed): Let’s talk about the K18 Leave In Mask. As you might have seen, I have quite literally dedicated a blog post and a youtube video on this product (not sponsored), but solely because I am that obsessed.
This product absolutely deserves a category of its own. If you’ve dabbled in bleach, coloring, and/or heat styling, this leave-in molecular repair mask might be the most powerful thing you can add to your routine. Unlike most treatments that sit on the surface of the hair, K18 uses a peptide technology to actually reconnect broken keratin chains deep within the hair shaft. In other words, it helps reverse damage from the inside out.
The application matters so make sure you watch my full video on how to apply it!
I know I just gave a ton of info on hair products and steps, so as promised, I want to leave you with what I would prioritize first. Obviously, if you have the means and desire to go all in, go for it! With that, I absolutely recognize that this is a massive financial commitment and I don’t take that likely.
If I were just wanting to dabble in leveling up my routine, I would probably start with the conditioning mask and double shampoo (you can easily use your gentle shampoo twice, and get a detox shampoo when you are ready). From there, if you have a lot of hair damage, I would probably go straight in with the K18 Peptide Mask. It is single handedly going to make a massive impact on any hair damage you currently have.
Also, if you are wanting to level up your routine, but don’t know how, I have a full haircare guide that contains a hair type quiz, product suggestions, and sample routines!
**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use!
