Pre-Shower Hair Routine
This might be a hot take, but I feel like we put so much effort into finding the perfect shampoo and conditioner, but in my experience, the real game-changer for your hair happens before you even step into the shower? Yep—I am referring to your pre-shower routine!
To further convince you, I want you to think about those pre-shower steps to your haircare routine, like skin prep to your makeup routine. I feel like we can all make the argument that our makeup is going to be substantially better/more effective if we take care of our skin first. Same thing goes for pre-shower steps for our hair.
When it comes to building this part of your routine, I really have two goals: scalp nourishment and protection. As we have probably all heard (arguably from tik tok) scalp health = hair health, so I like to consider these steps as a little TLC for my scalp. As for the protection aspect of things, I want to make sure that by the time I shampoo, my scalp will be cleansed, but my hair strands won’t be stripped.
Don’t worry, I will go into more detail on this in the blog! For now, let’s get into the actual steps I take in my pre shower routine!
STEP 1:
I’ve said it before (literally one paragraph ago), but it’s worth saying again: healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Now I know you are curious, what happens when we neglect our scalp? Ignoring our scalp can likely lead to buildup, excess oil production, dryness, and even slowed hair growth (tbh we have probably all experienced one of these symptoms before, but didn’t realize it was rooted from lack of scalp care).
All of this leads my to my first step, which is a pre-shower scalp serum! It will help remove buildup, stimulate hair follicles, and quite frankly, create the ideal environment for hair growth.
I have been OBSESSED with the Maya Chia Scalp Serum for years now. It’s lightweight yet powerful, infused with caffeine and ginseng to wake up my scalp and encourage circulation.
How I Apply It: I try to apply it directly to my roots, sectioning my hair to ensure even coverage (I mainly focus on the areas that I feel like my hair is thinning). Obviously to the theme of this blog, I apply it (at least) 20 minutes before I shower, but I also apply it before bed on occasion (if I am washing my hair the following morning).
STEP 2:
We have arrived at, dare I say, my favorite step! I feel like scalp massage feels almost too good to be true. Like one of those steps that feels amazing, but doesn’t actually do anything. Well, let me tell you, miracles exist, because a good scalp massage before washing is actually a total game changer. It increases blood circulation, helps distribute natural oils, and enhances the effectiveness of scalp treatments. PLUS, it’s incredibly relaxing and feels great.
How I Do It: I try to spend about 5-10 minutes massaging my scalp using a scalp massager in circular motions. It also helps ensure that my scalp serum is absorbed properly. Massaging also helps loosen any buildup or flakes, making shampooing more effective.
Pro Tip: Don’t want to buy a massager tool? Not a problem! Just use your fingertips! It’s just as effective!
STEP 3:
Alright we have covered our scalp, let’s move on to the ends of our hair. If you think about it, the ends of our hair tend to be the driest and most prone to breakage.
This is why I like to coat them with an oil before shampooing, to help protect them from being stripped of moisture.
How I Use It: I typically apply one of the oils I love (Crown Affair and Mizani’s are at the top of that list) to the mid-lengths and ends of my hair, focusing on any areas that feel extra dry. Letting the oil sit for at least 15-20 minutes (or longer if possible) allows my hair to soak in all the nutrients before washing.
STEP 4:
In an effort to let all the serums and oils marinate in my hair, I like to gently twist my hair up in a bun for about 15-20 minutes. I am obsessed with these scrunchies from Crown Affair. They are made of delicate-yet-strong fibers that’s gentle on your hair.
From here, all that is left is to shower and blow dry my hair. I honestly believe that this pre-shower routine has been such a key aspect to supporting my hair health journey. For the full video of my pre-shower steps, make sure to take a peek at my recent Tik Tok. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me! Also, keep an eye on my shower routine coming soon!
**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.
