Silky, thick, shiny and striking hair. We all want it. But what hair products should you use to achieve it? Is there a way to ensure that our hair receives the proper care and attention? Is there a magical routine that works for everyone?…

Whether your hair is thick, fine, coarse, wavy, straight, or curly, there will be products designed specifically for you. There’s a huge selection out there and that’s great, but that can lead to other problems, especially if you’re just starting out and trying to find what works best for you… How do you choose? Hopefully, we can give you a little guide to help you out!

If you choose to do so, then it is possible to dive very deeply into the world of hair care products. However, this article is designed more for the novice who wants a firm foundation to build on. From there the world is your oyster. But definitely try to do the basics first. The main aspects of hair care are cleaning, conditioning, styling, and protecting and sealing in moisture. The process starts with a good cleaning. Use products that clean your hair and scalp that are not too harsh to remove the natural oils that help nourish and protect your head and scalp. How often you wash your hair depends on a few things: lifestyle (if you’re wallowing in dirt every day, then you probably want to wash your hair every day), the amount of oil your hair and scalp occur naturally and if your hair is dyed or has been subjected to intense treatments that damage it. Generally speaking, it is better not to wash it every day. Every other day should give your hair plenty of time to recover and receive much-needed natural oil at this level of frequency. However, if you have very dry hair due to coloring, for example, an even longer break may be advisable. A visual check to see how oily it looks is a great and simple way to determine this.

The second step is the conditioning phase. This is especially important if you are one of those who suffers from dry hair (either naturally or through treatments). By applying conditioner, you are helping to replace some of the moisture that shampoos can sometimes strip away. It can also help if you have hair that tangles very easily by helping to smooth it out and if you have frizzy hair conditioner can help calm it down and keep it under control. Something to keep in mind, certain climates exacerbate frizzy hair and it’s definitely a good idea to keep this in mind if you’re a frizz-prone person.

Step three on our list is a more intensive way to seal in moisture. This is known as expected and ‘moisture and seal’. This is best done at night and is perfect for those who, even after using the right conditioning treatment, still find their hair to be dry. The process can be simple. All you need to do is apply some leave-in conditioner and apply some conditioning oil. Keep in mind that only apply the oil to the last few inches of your hair. Generally speaking, we would not recommend applying it closer to the scalp. If you feel that more than just the ends of your hair need additional treatment, but you don’t want to risk an oily-looking scalp, why not talk to your hairdresser for a second opinion?

The fourth step in our beginner’s guide to beautiful hair is to style and protect it. You’ve done everything right so far, it’s clean, nourished and hydrated and now you want that perfect style. But is it worth damaging your hair to get the look you want? There are a plethora of products you can use to get exactly the look and shape you want, but a word of caution. Heat damages hair. So if your style requires the use of blow dryers, hot straighteners or a curling device, be sure to use products that protect your hair from this. Don’t sacrifice the long-term health of your hair for a short-term styling goal.