What Is Reverse Hair Washing and How Does It Work?

Reverse hair washing is one of the latest beauty trends. It originated around 2014 and has been popularized by the celebrity hair stylist Justine Marjan whose clients include Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, Kerry Washington, Ashley Graham, Dove Cameron, Lily Aldridge, and Olivia Culpo.

Reverse washing means exactly what you probably think it means: applying conditioner first and shampoo second. When you wash your hair in a usual way, shampoo cleanses it, removing dirt and oil, while conditioner makes it smoother and more manageable. This routine works for most people, but individuals with very fine hair often notice that their hair lacks volume after washing because of conditioner build-up.

Skipping conditioner is not an option, however, because shampooing strips away your hair’s natural oils, and when you don’t apply conditioner afterwards, your hair becomes dry, coarse and unruly. That’s when washing your hair in reverse comes to rescue. When you apply conditioner first, it gives your hair the hydration it needs, and then shampoo washes away excess conditioner and prevents your hair from being over-conditioned and flat.

What are the benefits of reverse washing? This hair washing technique is supposed to nourish and moisturize your hair without flattening it. It prevents the build-up of conditioner residue that weighs your hair down, adds volume and bounce to your hair, makes it softer and shinier, calms down the frizz, and keeps your hair looking and feeling fresh throughout the day. Some people say that reverse washing allows them to go more days without washing their hair and makes it easier to style.

To benefit from reverse hair washing, you need to do it right. For example, you should only apply conditioner to damp hair. Warm water opens up the hair cuticles, allowing the conditioner to penetrate deeper and hydrate your hair from the inside. Don’t rinse the conditioner right away; let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, otherwise it won’t do the trick.

Once the conditioner has been in your hair for enough time, apply your shampoo. Before you use the shampoo, don’t rinse the conditioner out! Well, you can, but you will benefit from reverse washing more if you don’t. The shampoo will wash the conditioner out of your hair and get it clean without being stripped of natural oils and moisture.

One more thing you need to remember. When you wash your hair in a regular order (shampoo first, then conditioner), conditioner helps seal the hair cuticle and prevent frizz. When you reverse wash your hair, the cuticle remains open. To seal it, you should do the last rinse with cool water. It will make your hair smoother and add a nice shine to it.

You should keep in mind that reverse hair washing isn’t for everyone. It works best for fine and oily hair that needs hydration and nutrition without the excess weight. Reverse washing may also be good for curly hair, but it depends on hair structure. For example, if your hair is very thick and coarse, a conditioner – shampoo – leave-in conditioner regimen may be better for it because it helps seal in moisture.

You also need to know that this technique works better with some products as opposed to others, so you might need to experiment in order to find products that work best for you. Some brands have shampoos and conditioners that are specifically designed for reverse hair washing.

At the end of the day, reverse washing can’t completely replace your regular hair washing routine because your hair needs a thorough clean every now and then, and a thorough clean means shampooing first. Still, it is great for the days where your hair is feeling especially limp and heavy, and needs extra volume.