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If you’re a recent convert from team “wash your hair everyday” to team “second day hair,” you’re not alone. Many are embracing—and loving—how their luscious strands look when skipping the shampoo for a day (or even longer). Mathilde Tomas, creator of Caudalie, in her book The French Beauty Solution, even devotes several paragraphs on second day hair.
“We French women know that unless your hair is very oily, you rarely need to wash it every day. Besides, you don't want to,” jokes the expert.
“There are many reasons second-day hair looks better,” adds celebrity hair artist and Unilever stylist Lacy Redway, “Your natural oils return, leaving a healthy glow to your strands, or your texture and shape restore themselves once your hair has fully dried and regained memory.”
Redway believes all hair types and textures can benefit from going without washing hair daily. Just be mindful of what your personal hair needs are. “Hair care varies depending on your hair type [between washes],” she says. “Look for products that address your specific hair type to service its needs. Curly and coily hair tends to be dryer, so less shampooing and more products with moisturizing properties are ideal. Oily hair will require more frequent washing and is best to stay away from products with heavy oils in them.”
With all that in mind, see what the experts say are the best ways to take care of that second day hair do below.
Be Strategic About Dry Shampoo
If you love dry shampoo, you know it’s essential to keep hair looking and feeling fresh. Redway says those with naturally oily scalps will especially benefit from dry shampoo use to soak up the oils. (But if you find that your strands are still looking too greasy, she says you can wash hair more frequently without shampooing to reduce oil and residue).
It also has ability as a texturizing product that gives volume, lifts the roots, and adds a cool touch to any fringe. The classic user manual says that it should be sprayed at a distance of about six inches, leaving it on for a couple of minutes and then brushing it out. But you can also spritz on dry shampoo, like this one from Batiste, at night to absorb excess oil overnight, leaving hair without residue or being weighed down by product.
Sleep With a Braid Although the ‘day after’ the hair can feel perfect, rubbing your strands against your pillow can cause it to tangle and frizz. Bea Guerrero, CEO of Ángela Navarro, recommends braiding hair before a non-wash day “to avoid uncontrolled friction with the pillow. As a result we will have shinier hair and less frizz.” This small gesture also makes detangling easier and allows the hair to be more polished.
Slick Hair Back
Redway says one of the easiest ways to style hair between washes is with that chic sleek pulled-back look. Simply use gel or wax stick (she likes the Nexxus Slick Stick) to give you the right amount of grip and control for a sleek pony or bun.
Oil Hair Up
Redway recommends hair types that are more prone to dryness use a nourishing oil when styling to boost natural shine and—most importantly—add needed moisture. While she recommends something like the Nexxus Repair & Nourish Ultra Lightweight Hair Oil, we also like Vegamour’s HYDR-8 Weightless Repair Hair Oil or the Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil Blend for something lightweight and won’t clog pores.
For added hydration, co-washing, the method of using conditioner while cleansing instead of shampoo, is another option for curly and coily hair to add moisture back into dry strands.
Brush the Scalp
Brushing your hair thoroughly is a necessary habit for hair health. But the day after washing your hair, it's a surefire way to boost shine.
Stylist Maria Roberts advises: “When you finish brushing, do a small massage by rotating the pick in a circular motion to stimulate the scalp and activate blood flow. These movements relieve tension and open the follicle, facilitating the subsequent penetration of active ingredients and, above all, and are believed to help stimulate hair growth.”