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    What is reverse shampooing?

    Updated:29 Apr 2015 1:55 PM | Posted by
    Samantha McMeekin's picture
    Samantha McMeekin
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    Everybody has a different way of washing their hair. Some like to finish off with a blast of cold water, while others like to leave their conditioner in until the last minute. But generally, the one thing we all do the same is shampoo first and condition second.

    Recently, however, a new hair washing technique has been sweeping across the Internet and even our own forums: reverse shampooing. This technique is when conditioner is used first and shampoo last, supposedly to add volume to fine and limp hair. Below, Barney Martin, Pantene Ambassador & Hair Expert, shares insight on this technique, while bh members comment about their own experiences.

    Barney says:

    “When you reverse shampoo, you’ll find that your hair won’t feel as weighed down and that it carries more volume and bounce, which is the result of no residue being left from your conditioner. In saying that, you’ll also definitely start to notice that your hair won’t be as soft, that it’s become a lot drier, and generally less glossy, which is due to the conditioning agents being stripped when you shampoo.

    “Everyone’s hair type is different, but fine hair generally warrants less conditioning as it can end up being too heavy if it’s applied every day. If you have fine hair, then this method could be good as a short-term solution, but I don’t think it would be altogether healthy for your hair if you were to maintain this as a long-term habit, as essentially your hair won’t gain all the benefits of a conditioner.

    “If you’re concerned about your hair being weighed down or being left with residue and are looking for a long-term solution, then I’d recommend introducing a clarifying shampoo (bh recommends: Shu Uemura Art of Hair Clarifying Astringent Cleanser Cleansing Oil Shampoo or Fudge Detox Cleanser Shampoo) into your haircare regime and using it once a week. A shampoo free from added silicones, parabens and dyes, like the Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo, will cleanse fine hair to remove dirt and residue, whilst leaving you with a lightweight feel.”

    You say:

    “I do it when I use a heavy conditioning treatment. I’ll often apply it to my dry hair, then leave it for ages before just shampooing out. I do find that the heavier treatments can leave my fine hair very soft but kind of heavy and lank.” –Stay C

    “I’ve tried it – I actually do think I noticed an improvement. My hair was light and not at all limp like it often is. It wasn’t as shiny as normal, which I guess is the payoff, but I’d definitely be prepared to try it again.” –Miss_Lee

    “I definitely didn’t like it. I mean I got a bit of extra volume throughout my hair, but it made it so knotty, dry and frizzy, which are things I struggle with anyway. Although it was an interesting method to try out, I won’t be sticking to it…” -sarzej


    Have you ever tried reverse shampooing? Do you have fine hair that is partial to be weighed down by products?


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    Trish_D 26 Sep 2018 10:35 PM

    This doesn't appeal to me in any way. I'll stick to convention and my favourite products.

    GeeJ 25 Sep 2018 8:20 PM

    My hair is way too dry to try this.

    Goddess..... 25 Sep 2018 5:45 PM

    Well I always shampoo first then condition second but I'll give this a go.

    Miss19 15 Dec 2017 10:14 PM

    Ive tried it before but I feel as though it would just wash all of my conditioner out

    Sweety7 21 Jun 2016 1:19 PM

    I have tried this reverse shampooing method but it didn't work on my hair...

    annieleex 4 Apr 2016 7:53 AM

    Great article

    Yohanna 4 Oct 2015 5:39 PM

    Interesting concept though...

    Yohanna 4 Oct 2015 5:38 PM

    Mine was so limp after years using products and conditioners...now i do bicarb soda/ACvinegar thingy with a few drops of fave essential oil and my hair is ALIVE again! and full of body :) Also smells amazing and does not have to be washed for at least a week, as before every day!!!

    LadyLola 3 Oct 2015 2:34 PM

    I have tried this many times when using an actual conditioning treatment , I pop it on and leave in for around 15 minutes then pop in the shower and rinse out. It worked well for me.

    Arty Girl 23 Sep 2015 11:41 PM

    I've never tried Reverse Shampooing though Dove does make a Hair Treatment that you leave in overnight and then shampoo out in the morning. I have bought that Treatment but as yet, am still to give it a go.

    Lauren157 11 Aug 2015 9:49 AM

    It has actually worked quite well for me and I found my hair is a lot shinier and healthier!!

    Shop A Everyday 28 Jul 2015 12:50 AM

    I did this by accident the other day!!

    Deeknight 7 Jul 2015 3:56 PM

    I've accidentally picked up the conditioner bottle before the shampoo a few times... does that count? Haha. I can't see this being a thing for me. I knot my hair up too much when shampooing

    Simonja 7 Jul 2015 11:32 AM

    I only do this if I use an intense home made treatment before and it doesn't harm my hair at all.

    katrina176 5 Jul 2015 9:19 PM

    Interesting. I am going to give it a go!

    Sydneyswans910 4 Jul 2015 9:42 PM

    It sounds like it's a bit of a waste of conditioner? I use natural shampoo and conditioner anyway, so I sacrifice the soft shiny look for a longer time between washes.

    skitzkitty 4 Jul 2015 9:41 PM

    Doesn't seem very sensible to me - shampoo & conditioner were designed to be used in that order. Sounds like you're just using the wrong conditioner for your hair type if you need to shampoo it out!!

    Lyndam 4 Jul 2015 8:22 PM

    I do it about once a month - didn't know there was a name for it. I apply L'Oreal's Elvive Extraordinary Oil to my hair about an hour before I shampoo then don't use conditioner. It leaves my hair shiny and feeling fantastic. I remember as a teenager doing a similar thing using coconut oil. My hair is thick but I'd noticed it was thinning slightly. This method restored it. I wouldn't do it every time I wash my hair. I did try once a week but it was a disaster with my hair becoming either too oily or too brittle depending on how much oil I applied.

    AndreaJW 3 Jul 2015 6:16 PM

    I've not heard of reverse shampooing before now but i don't use conditioner so i'll pass this on to people i know.

    Ronii 3 Jul 2015 2:20 PM

    Don't think it'll work with me because my hair is so dry and frizzy. Reverse shampooing will make it worse.

    Hayley644 2 Jan 2015 12:13 AM

    I haven't heard of this before, I might try it.

    Kezzaa86 13 Dec 2014 7:45 AM

    :)

    MaiMai06 (not verified) 12 Dec 2014 6:48 AM

    lovely!

    Dazzlepants 24 Oct 2014 1:58 AM

    I'd actually been wondering about this for some time! I'm going to give it a go tonight and see how I go.

    Britty1 8 Jul 2014 6:06 AM

    hmmm i'd be too nervous!!

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