5 Things You Should Be Doing When You Condition Your Hair

Listen up, fine-haired ladies. The next time you hop into the shower, try conditioning your strands before you lather up with shampoo. This way you’ll still get all of the moisturizing benefits without sacrificing any of that precious volume.

Once you’ve applied your conditioner, run a flat paddle brush through strands from root to tip. Not only will this help to distribute the product evenly throughout your hair, but it will also make detangling a breeze since it gives the strands a protective coating.

When your hair is wet, most of the nourishing ingredients in a mask slide off your locks and onto the floor of your shower or tub. When you apply it to dry hair, it soaks everything up like a sponge, leaving you with a smoother finish. To get the most out of your weekly mask, use it as a pre-shampoo treatment. Apply from mid-lengths to ends, let it sit for a few minutes and wash out as you normally would.

Yes, there is such a thing—particularly if whatever it is you’re using says “fortifying” or “strengthening” on the label. These formulas typically contain proteins, which are good in small amounts but can make strands brittle (and risk breakage) if overused.

Everyone—regardless of hair type or texture—can benefit from a leave-in spray, serum or oil after towel drying. You should do this as a final step after every wash to help seal in moisture and protect strands from any heat styling afterward.