Tips on washing your hair at home - Hair To Go with Derry's Margaret Doherty & Co
Healthy hair starts at home, small changes with how you wash and dry your hair can make a big difference.
Step 1. Shampoo like you mean it!
Shampoo goes on your scalp, not your ends. The natural oils live at the roots, not halfway down your hair.
Wet your hair fully, I mean soaking, before you even touch the bottle.
Massage the shampoo into the scalp using your fingertips, not your nails (you’re cleaning it, not irritating your scalp)
And here’s the part some of you don’t want to hear: One shampoo isn’t cutting it. You need to shampoo twice. The first lifts dirt, sweat, product and life’s problems. The second actually cleans.
Your ends get washed naturally when you rinse, so don’t rub them like you’re trying to start a fire.
Step 2. Conditioner is important.
Conditioner can be for roots, the mid-lengths and ends.
If you’re conditioning and feeling like it’s leaving your hair greasy, it’s highly likely you’re not rinsing the product fully out of your hair.
Work the conditioner through gently, working from root to ends. Let it sit for a minute or two — give it a chance to do something. Then rinse with warm water, not boiling hot (your colour will thank you).
Step 3. Mask- The hair pamper night
A hair mask is not a replacement for conditioner — it’s extra.
It’s that wee bit of luxury your hair gets after you’ve put it through heat, lightning, harsh brushing, stress and the unpredictable weather.
Use a mask once a week. Apply mid-lengths to ends. Leave it on long enough to matter (five to ten minutes).
And for the love of God, don’t pile all your hair on top of your head like whipped cream — you’re tangling it before you even brush it.
Step 4: Brushing wet hair- A delicate situation
Wet hair is so fragile. If you pull it, it snaps. If you stretch it, it breaks. If you brush it like you’re in a fight, it’ll fall out in self-defence.
Use a wide-tooth comb or a gentle detangling brush. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Spray a detangler or leave-in conditioner — it makes life easier for both of us.
Never brush soaking-wet hair aggressively. And don’t tie it up when wet unless you want breakage around the hairline.
Step 5: Blow-Drying, slow and steady wins the race
Before you even turn the dryer on: Heat protector. Heat protector. Heat protector.
Squeeze excess water out with a towel, don’t scrub it. Rough-dry with your hand until it’s 70% dry — then bring out the brush.
Hold the dryer pointing downward to smooth the cuticle. Small sections make better blowdries (and better moods).
Healthy hair isn’t magic - it’s habits.
And when you shampoo, condition, mask, brush and blowdry the right way, your hair will absolutely show you the love back.
Love Margaret x
Margaret Doherty and Co is based at Unit 2 Springtown Industrial Estate, Derry. You can reach us by phoning 02871268097.