If I were to ask you to pantomime your shampoo routine, I believe it would go something like this: you squeeze your imaginary shampoo bottle into the palm of your hand for a count of five, distribute the invisible pool between your hands, and slap it into the top of your head. You might rub the fake foam around to the back of your skull before you pile all of your hair on top and work the imaginary lather into the lengths of your hair. Then you rinse.
Chances are you've shampooed your hair this way for as long as you can remember. Why would you consider doing it differently? But did you know you are wasting your expensive products on the lengths of your hair that don't require much lather, and neglecting the parts of your scalp that need proper cleansing?
Every client who tells me she shampooed in the morning -- and would only like a rinse before her cut -- gets a close inspection. And every time I find that her hairline behind her ears and the nape of her neck -- where the lymphatic chain and sebaceous glands produce the most toxins and oils -- are not clean. I send her right to the shampoo bowl every time.
I would like to advocate a new method of lathering up, one that I have implemented in my salon for many years. I recommend filling a small applicator bottle -- one that holds about 4 ounces of liquid and has a tip like a honey bottle -- with one part shampoo and three parts water. Squeeze the suds onto your scalp -- not your hair! -- starting at the nape and working forward. Massage the lather into your roots, and don't forget to wash behind your ears! This ensures that your shampoo is concentrated where oils are produced, rather than being wasted on your drier ends that don't require much cleansing. Then you can comb the lather through the ends with a wide tooth comb, continuing to distribute the suds as you rinse. Follow up with conditioner on the lengths and ends -- keeping it off your squeaky clean roots.
It is that easy! It works for all hair types and textures, though the longer and thicker your hair, the more crucial and beneficial the technique. I know telling you there is a new way to shampoo is like telling you there is a new way to breathe. But I guaranty your hair will feel cleaner and stay clean longer. You will also extend the life of your products by using less and shampooing less often. In addition, you'll get the luxury of a salon shampoo service right at home!