The expert way to wash

According to Annabel Kingsley, it really is worth choosing a shampoo according to your hair type. ‘A shampoo for fine hair might have stronger surfactants, as it needs to cleanse away more oil,’ she says. ‘But it might also include ingredients to give fine hair body. conversely, shampoos for coarser hair might have a more mild surfactant, as there is less oil to remove, but may also contain moisturisers to help coarse hair feel less dry.’

And, says david Felstead, ask your hair stylist what your hair type is. ‘i’m always amazed how people see their own hair — they are often completely wrong,’ he says. ‘Using a shampoo designed for damaged hair when you have fine, limp hair will make trying to do anything with your hair almost impossible.’

next, think about ‘cleansing your scalp, rather than washing your hair,’ says Annabel. ‘Hair is quite easily cleaned — you don’t need to pile it on top of your head and rub it, the suds rinsing through will be enough.’ She suggests thinking about how you are meant to wash your face: ‘dampen the skin, apply the product, massage for 60 seconds, rinse liberally with warm water — the same is true for the scalp’.

Zoe irwin, creative director at John Frieda, agrees that most of us don’t bother massaging the scalp for as long they do in a salon. But we also tend to be less thorough about rinsing. ‘You need to part the hair in several places so the water can run through it properly. Lift up the hair at the nape and make sure the water runs clear before you even think about applying conditioner.’

And, if you’re applying conditioner everywhere, you could find your roots feel oilier more quickly.

‘The hair at the root is younger and so not as worn or dry as the hair in the mid-lengths and ends,’ says Annabel. ‘So you generally don’t need to apply conditioner there.’

Zoe recommends spending 30 seconds with a comb to ensure conditioner is worked into the lower sections of the hair, before rinsing.