How to build the best hair care routine for your hair

We all dream of achieving the glossy, healthy hair of Hollywood's A-listers, but unless you're blessed with unlimited funds and access to the most skilled hairdressers in the business, it's not always an easy goal to achieve.

What we can do, however, is learn about our hair type, and use that knowledge to develop a hair care routine that works for us — and our budgets.

Everyone's hair is different, and let's be real, the whole thing can be kind of overwhelming. After all, how are you supposed to develop your perfect hair care routine when there are so many hair products on the market?

That's where we come in. In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know in order to address your hair concerns, develop your ultimate hair care routine, and maximise your overall hair health.

What to consider when creating a hair care routine

When creating a hair care routine that will help you reach your hair goals, the first thing you need to consider is your hair type and hair texture [1].

Whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily, your hair type will have different needs than the others when it comes to moisture, styling, and products [1].

Your hair texture — that's whether the strands of hair are fine, medium, or thick — will also help steer you in the right direction when it comes to selecting products.

Your hair type and texture will also determine how often you should be washing your hair. If you have thin hair, you may find you need to wash your hair more frequently than those with thick, curly or wavy hair.

This is because you'll have less hair for your hair's natural oils to be distributed across, which can mean your hair gets greasier, faster.

On the other hand, if you have a lot of thick hair, excess oil may not be an issue for you, which means you can go longer in between washes.

It's also important to think about external and environmental factors. Have you bleached your hair to a crisp? Damaged your hair swimming? Fried it with heat tools? Do you have dandruff or a sensitive scalp? Each of these considerations will play a role in what makes the perfect hair care routine for you.

4 basic steps every hair care routine should include

Okay, yes. It feels like a lot to consider. But really, there are only 4 basic steps that every hair care routine needs — regardless of your hair type. So let's break it down.

1. Cleansing

The foundation of any hair care routine is keeping your scalp and hair clean.

Shampooing removes dirt, oil, product buildup, and dead skin cells from the scalp.

Choose a shampoo suited to your hair type and scalp condition. For example, if you have oily hair, you might need a clarifying shampoo, while dry or damaged hair may benefit from a more moisturising formula.

If you want to grow your hair, we recommend Software’s Hair Growth Shampoo, which is all about giving you the healthy, hydrated hair of your dreams.

It's packed with ingredients that work to stimulate collagen and encourage hair growth while nourishing the scalp and cleansing your strands. Even better, it's sulphate-free and low-irritancy, which makes it a great option for any and all hair types [4].

2. Conditioning

Equally important to your hair routine is conditioning, which is essential to replenish moisture and smooth the hair cuticle, making hair softer, shinier, and more manageable [5].

Use a conditioner after every shampoo session to detangle and protect your hair from damage [2].

We recommend Software's Hair Growth Conditioner, which combines the hydrating ingredients you need to prevent dryness with all the actives you need to strengthen your hair follicles and support thicker, healthy hair.

3. Treatment

There are several types of hair treatments available, but the ones that work for you will be dependent on your specific hair type and concerns.

If you have dry hair, for example, your optimal hair treatments will likely be leave-in conditioners or hair oils that help to lock in hydration and prevent dry hair. If you deal with frizzy hair, a leave-in conditioner can also help tame your mane and detangle your locks without those dreaded flyaways [5].

On the other hand, if you have thin or fine hair, you may want to opt for a protein treatment to help strengthen your locks and prevent breakage.

If hair growth is your goal, Software's Scalp Activating Tonic is a great option. Basically, it's skincare, but for your scalp.

It gives your scalp everything it needs in order for your hair to thrive. It's suitable for all hair types and will protect your locks against hair loss and hair breakage from root to tip.

4. Protecting

It's no real secret that regular heat styling will cause hair damage [5], so if you do blow dry your hair or use heat tools often, a heat protectant will do wonders to help you avoid split ends and minimise breakage.

And even if you do let your hair air dry, you can use an anti-frizz serum or curl cream, for example, to help maintain your healthy hair and give your natural hair a boost.

Does the order of your hair care routine matter?

In short, yes, the order in which you do things absolutely matters.

You see, each step builds on the one before it to give you happy, healthy hair.

When completing your hair care routine, you should always cleanse first. Shampooing first is essential, as this is the step that removes dirt, oil, product buildup, and any other impurities from your scalp and hair [1].

Making sure your hair is clean will give you the best results from any and all of your next steps, like conditioners or styling products, as they'll be able to penetrate the hair better and work more effectively.

Because shampooing can strip the hair of its natural oils, conditioning is the natural next step [1]. This helps to replenish lost moisture and will smooth your hair cuticles for maximum softness and shine.

If you were to apply conditioner before shampooing, it could prevent your hair from being properly cleaned.

Next up, apply your leave-in conditioner or hair oil if needed, as these products will help to seal moisture in, add hydration, and improve curl definition and manageability.

These products work best when applied to damp hair that has been freshly conditioned.

Any heat protection or styling products should be applied last. A heat protectant will work to guard your hair from damage while blow drying or using any other heated tools, while other styling products will help to enhance your hair's natural texture as you let it air dry.

Following the correct order ensures that each product can perform its intended function without interference, which will lead to better hair health and more desirable results.

Choosing the right products for your hair type

Choosing the right products for your hair type is crucial for maintaining healthy, manageable hair. Here’s a quick guide to selecting products based on different hair types.

1. Straight hair

Because straight hair often gets oily faster than other hair types, it's best to choose a lightweight, volumising or clarifying shampoo, as these will prevent oil buildup.

Avoid heavy moisturising products, as these may weigh your hair down, particularly if you have thin or fine hair.

The best styling products for straight hair will be mousses or sprays that add volume and texture without weighing the hair down. Dry shampoo is also great for controlling oily hair when you're in between washes.

2. Wavy hair

Wavy hair is a spectrum that ranges from loose waves to more defined, S-shaped waves. A sulphate-free, hydrating shampoo can help keep your waves defined without drying your hair out, and a mild clarifying shampoo every few washes can help remove any buildup.

A lightweight, hydrating conditioner can also help prevent the dreaded wavy hair frizz while maintaining natural wave patterns.

For styling products, look for curl creams, light gels, or sea salt sprays to enhance wave definition without stiffness. A leave-in conditioner can also help control frizz, particularly if you have thick hair.

3. Curly hair

Curly hair is often prone to dryness and frizz because natural oils have a harder time travelling down the coils.

A moisturising, sulphate-free shampoo will be your best bet, as it won't strip the hair of its natural oils. Follow this up with a rich, deeply hydrating conditioner, as this will keep your curls soft and defined.

You may also want to invest in a good leave-in conditioner or use a regular deep-conditioning treatment to help maintain your hair's moisture.

For styling products, curl creams, gels, and mousses that help define curls and lock in moisture will be your best options, and lightweight oils like argan or jojoba oil can also help with frizz and shine.

4. Coily or kinky hair

Coily or kinky hair is very prone to dryness and breakage because of its tight curl pattern [6], so a sulphate-free, moisturising shampoo will help cleanse your hair without stripping it of its moisture.

A deeply hydrating conditioner will be essential, and regular hair masks with ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil will help maintain your hair's health.

For styling products, you'll want to look at heavy, nourishing creams, butters, and oils, which will work well to lock in moisture and define curls. Look for products that offer a strong hold without drying out your hair.

Other tips to keep in mind

• If you have dry hair or are prone to frizzy hair, look for products with moisturising ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, coconut oil, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid.
• If you have colour-treated hair, look for specific colour-protecting products, like UV and heat protectants, as these will help to maintain moisture and prevent your colour from fading.
• If you have weak or damaged hair, choose products with proteins like keratin, silk proteins, or collagen, as these will help strengthen the hair.
• Avoid products with sulphates and parabens, as they can be harsh and cause scalp irritation.

Tips for strong, healthy hair

To improve the health and overall appearance of your hair, it's important to focus not just on your hair care routine, but on your overall health, as well.

Staying hydrated and following a balanced diet that's rich in protein will help support your hair from the inside out [5], and vitamins like biotin, vitamin D, vitamin E, and minerals like iron and zinc are crucial for hair health.

Meanwhile, foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts, will help nourish hair and add shine.

When it comes to your hair care routine, though, you should wash your hair regularly, but not too frequently. When you wash your hair daily, it can strip away natural oils that protect your hair and scalp and cause dry hair that's damaged easily.

Meanwhile, if you suffer from scalp issues like dandruff or excessive oiliness, treat them with specialised shampoos [3] or consult a dermatologist.

Adjust your washing routine based on your hair type, and choose shampoos, conditioners, and treatments that match your hair type and concerns — the right products can make all the difference.

It's also important to be gentle with your hair while it's wet, as this is also when it's most vulnerable [1][2].

Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle from the ends upward and avoid harsh brushing. Rather than vigorous towel drying, try blotting your hair on a microfibre towel or soft, cotton t-shirt, as too much rubbing can cause breakage and frizzy hair [5].

Minimising your use of heat tools is always the best course of action [1], but sometimes that's just not an option. If that's the case for you, heat protection products will be your best friend to shield your hair from damage.

If you have dry or damaged hair, introduce nourishing hair masks or treatments into your routine to help retain moisture.

Split ends can travel up the hair shaft quickly, so it's a good idea to schedule regular trims every 6-8 weeks to minimise breakage and frizz. Leave-in conditioners or oils can also help lock in moisture and protect your hair throughout the day.

You can also work to avoid damage by protecting your hair from frequent exposure to environmental stressors like sun, pollution, chlorine and salt water.

Similarly, tight hairstyles, like ponytails, buns and braids, can contribute to breakage and even cause traction alopecia over time [5]. Opt for looser styles and use hair ties that don’t snag or pull on your hair.

Finally, chemical treatments — like colouring, perming or relaxing your hair — can weaken your hair and lead to breakage over time [4].

Space your treatments out to minimise damage and give your hair time to recover, and where possible, opt for gentler treatments.

Ultimately, though, consistency is key — healthy hair care habits will show results with regular practice!

If you're wanting to protect your hair and get the thick, healthy hair of your dreams, Software's Essential Hair Growth Routine has everything you're looking for in one place. It's suitable for all hair types and free from any nasty ingredients that cause damaged hair.