We all know that skin type is a big influencing factor when building a skincare routine, yet many don’t realize that, in the same way, their hair type should play a key role when putting together a haircare routine. Figure out your hair type, understand its needs and how various haircare products can cater to those, and you’ll be able to craft a haircare routine that brings out the best in your mane. 

While all of that may sound pretty complicated, it’s easy – we promise! Keep reading as Evalectric talks you through all you need to know to create the perfect haircare routine for your hair type.

Identifying Your Hair Type

The first step is to make sure that you know what your hair type is. Unlike your skin type, which can change over time, your hair type will always remain the same. It’s determined by genetics – the shape of your hair follicles impacts whether your hair grows out in a straight, wavy, or coily way. The more asymmetrical your hair follicles are, the curlier your hair will be, and this won’t change. 

You may already know what your hair type is, but if you don’t, here’s how to tell:

• Straight hair – this is when your hair falls completely straight from root to tip, without any waves or kinks.
• Wavy hair – this hair type has a subtle S-shape. It’s the middle ground between straight and curly.
• Curly hair – repeated S-shapes will be prevalent, or your hair may even grow in loops.
• Coily hair – hair that forms a sharp zig-zag pattern or tight coils

Within these main hair types, there are subcategories. For example, within the wavy hair type, which is known as type two, there is also A, B, and C, ranging from slightly wavy to very wavy. However, for the purpose of your haircare routine, understanding the main hair type that your strands fall under is usually enough. 

The Perfect Haircare Routine…According to Your Hair Type

Now that you’ve identified your hair type, what’s next? Here’s how to create the perfect haircare routine for your hair type:

Choosing the Right Products

Every haircare routine will contain a few different haircare products, such as a shampoo and conditioner. These are products that everyone needs, but the actual formulas that you go for is something that should be dictated by your hair type.

Shampoo

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A shampoo is essential for keeping your hair clean. While there are several factors to consider when choosing a shampoo, from how oily your scalp is to whether or not your hair has been chemically treated in some way, your hair type should also be taken into account. 

Generally, straight hair tends to be oilier than curly hair. This is down to how the oil produced by the scalp has a much easier time traveling down straight hair shafts than navigating curls and kinks. So, although this means that a shampoo with plenty of cleansing power is required, you’ll need a lightweight formula that isn’t going to leave behind a follicle-clogging residue. 

The curlier your hair is, the gentler your shampoo should be. With curly hair being naturally drier, you don’t want to strip all of the goodness from your locks with a harsh shampoo. A shampoo that contains moisturizing ingredients, like the argan oil-infused Moisturizing Shampoo from Evalectric, will add back some moisture while preserving the integrity of your strands. 

Conditioner

Conditioners are another essential in every haircare routine. Again, your choice of conditioner should be based on a few things, your hair type being one. 

Conditioners are designed to add moisture back into the hair after shampooing. The straighter your hair is, the lighter your conditioner should be. As we mentioned above, straight hair is usually pretty good at keeping itself moisturized. This doesn’t mean that you should skip the conditioner completely, but find a lightweight one that isn’t going to weigh your strands down. 

The further down the curly end of the hair type scale you are, the thicker your conditioner will need to be. This will help to counter the dryness that curls are naturally prone to. 

Hair Treatments

Hair treatments are a great way to hone in on your hair type’s unique needs. These products tend to be highly targeted – pick the products that cater to your hair’s requirements, and you’ll be able to boost the look of your mane in no time. 

If your hair type is straight, you may want to look into volumizing products. Hair serums can also be a great way to lavish your locks with some extra nutrients, without weighing your hair down. They’ll give your mane some extra shine while adding definition. 

As we mentioned earlier, the curlier your hair is, the more moisture it will need. A good conditioner will help with this, but it may not be enough. This is where leave-in conditioners and moisturizing hair masks can be a game-changer. Formulas that are designed to leave strands feeling fortified, like those containing proteins, can be particularly useful for curly and coily hair. The curlier your hair, the weaker it will be in a structural sense. Adding the right products to your haircare routine will give your strands a stronger finish.

Heat Protection

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If you heat style your hair, be it with a blow dryer, a straightener, a curling wand, or anything else, heat protection should be another essential in your haircare routine. These products form a protective film over each strand of hair, forming a barrier between your hair and the heat. It enables your hair to heat up slowly and more evenly, saving your locks from feeling frazzled by the shock of sudden, extreme heat. 

Heat protectants come in a variety of different forms. If your hair is straight and quite thin/fine, a spray would be the best option for you. They’re the most lightweight option. Meanwhile, if your hair is coily and coarse, a heat protectant oil will add some extra moisture while shielding your strands from heat damage. If your hair type is wavy or curly, a heat protectant cream is a good middle ground between the lightweight nature of a spray and the richness of an oil.

Styling Products

If you don’t usually use styling products on your hair, then this is a step of your haircare routine that you can skip out on. However, for everyone else, matching your styling products to your hair type will make a world of difference…

Those with straight hair tend to favor volumizing products. Straight hair is prone to looking limp, which a good volume-boosting styling product will counter. 

For wavy and curly hair, curl-enhancing products can be a godsend. From creams to sea salt sprays, these products will add definition to your curls, giving them more structure and bounce. 

Hair Washing Frequency 

Of course, a haircare routine isn’t solely about the products you use. There are other aspects that come into it too, such as how often you wash your hair. Again, this is something that your hair type should dictate. 

The general rule of thumb is…the curlier your hair, the less you should wash it. Why? As we mentioned above, curly hair is much drier than straight hair. It can’t tolerate being washed too often – this will only leave it even more vulnerable to damage than it already is. Even if you follow up with a conditioner, this won’t fully compensate for all of those natural oils you keep removing by washing your hair too often. 

Unfortunately, there’s no magic number when it comes to the perfect frequency for washing each hair type. Other factors play into this too, from the time of year to the extent at which your hair has already been damaged. Just bear in mind that curly hair shouldn’t be washed too often, and coily hair even less so. Only wash your hair when it’s actually needed, rather than following a set schedule.

Brushing and Styling

Brushing and styling are often considered to be an aspect of haircare too. Many don’t realize that their brushing and styling techniques should be influenced by their hair type, but taking this into account can bring you much better results.

If your strands are straight and delicate, use a hairbrush with soft boar bristles or a wide-toothed comb to work through your hair. Brushing helps to distribute oils from the scalp to the ends of your hair, so if your hair is already prone to feeling greasy, avoid over-brushing your locks.

Meanwhile, paddle brushes work well for thicker and curlier hair. Your hair will need sturdier bristles than straight hair will, especially if your strands are prone to tangling. With that said, yanking a brush through knots isn’t a safe way to detangle. Instead, invest in a dedicated detangling brush – most are designed for stubborn curls! 

Your hair type will also impact how you style your hair. Straight hair looks beautiful when layered, as this adds dimension and depth. Meanwhile, a style that enhances the texture of wavy hair, like a choppy lob, really highlights the advantages of having those natural waves. If your hair is curly or coily, you may want to consider protective hairstyles. These are particularly beneficial for coily hair that’s hard to manage. Not only do they make daily styling easier, but they also help to keep your hair safe from environmental damage.

Ensuring That Your Haircare Routine Gives Your Hair Type All That it Needs

There are so many different aspects that come together to create a haircare routine, and each one should be guided by your hair type. From your shampoo and conditioner to your styling products and hairbrush, make sure that every single step of your haircare routine is tailored to your hair type, and your locks will start to thrive like never before. 

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