Let me just preface this by saying if you are a person who can start the day with freshly washed hair but finish it with separated oily strands, this week’s column is dedicated to you.
Secondly and to manage your expectations early on, in all my years working as a beauty editor I haven’t found a miracle cure for greasy hair – hence me using blotting sheets on my scalp during a particularly oily heatwave day this month.
I have however had the opportunity to ask some of the world’s biggest hairstylists for their tips over the years, which mean I’m no longer running out the door with an entire can of dry shampoo in my hair every morning.
So, if you too are tired of having a ‘money piece’ of unblended white powder at the back of your head, here’s what you need to do.
1. Sleep in your dry shampoo
Rather than having that internal ‘shall I wash my hair tonight’ debate and having to deal with the consequences the next morning, dry shampoo your hair the night before.
Not only does it mean you wake up looking like you’ve had a good lather, rinse, repeat, but those eight hours allow the oil to really absorb any leftover residue, meaning you don’t wake up looking like you’ve been ‘antiqued,’ Jackass style.
Plus, products like my favourite Andrew Fitzsimons Discreet AF Dry Shampoo, £9, Boots, actually clean your hair at the same time as mattifying it, so there’s no guilt about skipping that shower.
2. Utilise your makeup bag
Some people check their face in the bathroom mirror and powder their T-Zone, others, like me, quite literally powder their scalp.
I’m sure like most of you, I don’t want to carry an aerosol can around with me all day, so if I start getting the chip shop look, I use my setting powder as an emergency touch-up.
Ideally translucent (but I have made tinted one’s work), just dust roots with your powder brush and carry on about your day without the fear of making eye contact with people.
Oh, and a dense, large powder brush is also the best way to blend in any white residue from your dry shampoo if you forgot to do the overnight trick.
3. Take note of your shampoo opacity
Seems niche but trust me, you want to avoid using any creamy-looking shampoos daily. You don’t need to avoid them completely – after all it’s those pearlescent formulas that protect your colour – but as you’re washing your hair more than most, go for clear formulas that are lighter and won’t leave a residue. Some of my favourites are Aussie Mega Shampoo, £4.19, Boots, Arkive’s The All Day Everyday Shampoo, £12, Boots, and TRESemme Pro Pure Damage Recovery Shampoo, £5.99, Boots.
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4. Chill on the stripping
Your scalp is not Channing Tatum; if you keep stripping it with clarifying formulas that are designed to be used once a week, your sebum production will go into even more of an overdrive than Mike when he hears ‘Pony.’
Yes, we love a deep clean – my current favourite is the Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, £28, Space NK – but just for the love of all that’s holy, follow the instructions.
5. Don’t rush this one process
My hairdresser Adam Reed taught me that it’s always better to rinse your hair for 30-60 seconds longer than you think, especially if you have longer, thicker strands, because I can guarantee you’ll have some residual product that hasn’t quite been washed out (which can cause excess grease).
6. Be mindful of your conditioner
I know you’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t apply conditioner to your roots (mid-lengths to ends only please), but when you’re absent-mindedly slapping it on as you cycle through your second ‘Hamilton’ rendition, are you really sticking to that rule?
Same goes for hair masks; our roots are most definitely not lacking moisture, so they don’t need a deep conditioning every single week.
Instead, I tend to go for lamellar waters (liquid conditioners that target damaged areas) like Davines Oi Liquid Luster, £34, FeelUnique, which gives me all the shine without any of the weight.
7. Extend your exfoliation
Remember that your scalp is skin, so in a similar way you exfoliate your face to help manage your sebum production, you can do the same to your head.
Not only does it aid in removing dead skin cells and regulate sebum production, but it also helps to give you that satisfying deep clean feeling that all of us greasy-haired people crave.
Just remember the Channing rule; don’t overdo it. Once a week in place of your clarifying shampoo is enough. I currently have the Aromatica Rosemary Sea Salt Scalp Scrub, £16, FeelUnique in my shower.
See you in two weeks for my next column! LC x
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