Hair treatments are great for keeping red hair soft, healthy, and shiny, but if you’ve noticed your masks, balms, creams, deep conditioners or oils aren’t quite working this might be why.
You need to wash your red hair
Check the packaging for your treatment, but it should tell you where in your routine to use it. Some treatments are meant to be left sitting in the hair for some time and then washed out. This would make you think you should put it in dirty hair, but that’s not always the case.
For example, Olaplex 3 is a common hair treatment that can give you tons of shine and strengthen hair. Putting this treatment on dirty hair means it’s not able to absorb into the hair follicles. Instead, do a quick shampoo to rid the hair of any build-up, apply your treatment for the recommended amount of time, and then do your full wash and condition.
It’s not the right treatment
Not all treatments are created equally and not every treatment will work for your hair. Figure out what hair concerns you need to tackle and find a product specifically focusing on that. If your hair is dry or frizzy, try a hydrating treatment. If your hair is damaged or over-processed, try a repairing treatment and if you’re looking for shine try something with oils in it.
You’re not leaving it in enough
Most hair treatments need to be left in a minimum of 10-20 minutes. This gives it plenty of time to soak into the hair before being washed out. Try applying your hair treatment and then stepping out of the shower if you don’t have the time to wait, or do it while in the bath.
READ: Why Second-Day Red Hair is Better than First Day Red Hair
READ: Six Ways to Have Soft, Shiny Red Hair Inexpensively
Rock it like a Redhead!