Cleansing Conditioner: A Healthy Approach to Hair Care
As a beauty professional I tend to look at beauty trends and beauty products cautiously. I am prone to try something new after I hear reviews from individuals I trust. Today, I’d like to highlight the latest trend that focuses on a healthier approach to hair care that I was introduced to by my aunt, Carmen, and cousin, Dalis. “Co-washing,” or washing your hair with conditioner has become popular in the last few years mainly among the highly textured hair community. I have highly textured hair that I chemically relax every 8-12 weeks. My hair always needs moisture. Dry scalp and dandruff are common issues with highly textured hair. After I saw the results my aunt and cousin had with a cleansing conditioner, I had to try it out myself.
In a world where all shampoos are going sulfate free, why would you consider co-washing with cleansing conditioners? Cleansing conditioners help to deeply condition the hair and cleanse the scalp and still keep it moisturized. It cleanses the hair like a shampoo without the drying out the hair. The benefits to this method of hair care: color will stay longer in hair, hair will be shiny and soft, and your scalp will feel healthy.
Cleansing conditioners are great for many different hair types. If your hair is naturally straight, I would recommend the use of a lightweight conditioner. If you are an extremely active person and workout a lot, cleansing conditioners are great to gently clean your hair without removing the natural oils from your hair which constant shampooing can do.
How to co-wash your hair:
1. Make sure you saturate your hair with water.
2. Apply the cleansing conditioner to your hair, mainly focusing on your hair strands first. Use your fingers or wide-tooth comb to comb through and detangle your hair.
3. Rinse.
3. Apply the cleansing conditioner on your scalp, and then on your ends. Leave in hair for a couple of minutes and then rinse.
4. For additional moisture, you can apply a small amount of cleansing conditioner on your ends to act as a leave in conditioner.
What are some great cleansing conditioners?
I have tried a couple of cleansing conditioners in the past 2 months. I am amazed at the results of my hair. My hair is shinier and most importantly, softer.
When looking for a cleansing conditioner, look for one that has natural ingredients. Here are to help you get started:
This cleansing conditioner has revolutionized and main streamed the co-washing craze to the masses. It offers an extensive line of hair care products and is sold in 30 day and 90 day kits. A basic kit retails at $30. I absolutely fell in love with this product!
This cleansing conditioner can be found at your local drug store. I call it the “knock off” version of Wen. However, it is just as effective. It retails for $10.
This is another Wen comparable cleansing conditioner that can be found at your local Sally’s Beauty Supply. Retails at $13.
Great for curly hair! It will gently clear of any hair build up. Retails $8 for 2.5 oz and $30 for 30 day supply.
5. Ever Creme Sulfate Free Moisture System Cleansing Conditioner by L’Oreal
A light weight cleansing conditioner that will help minimize hair breakage. Great for dry hair types. Retails at $8.
These are just a few popular cleansing conditioners to help you take on a healthier approach to your hair care. If you are experiencing separation anxiety just thinking about parting ways with your shampoo then use your shampoo once, and condition twice with your cleansing conditioner. Take a risk, and try a cleansing conditioner for a week. You will be amazed at the result! Let me know what you think!
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