How To Go Longer Between Hair Washes | Milk & Blush

Because life's too short to be trapped in the daily hair wash cycle.

Imagine a world where everyone was blessed with a fresh, bouncy mane of hair 24/7, without the need to ever wash it. 

While a girl can dream, there are a few things you can do to lengthen the lifespan of your hair before needing to wash it again (because who has the energy for another blow dry?).

Can I Wash My Hair Once A Week?

We’ve all wondered it – could we get away with only washing our mane once a week? Sadly, the answer for most of us, is no.

Washing your hair is all about balance – keeping it moisturised and nourished so it stays soft and looks healthy, but not letting it get so oily that it starts to look damp and greasy.

When we wash our hair, we remove the build-up of dirt and leftover products. But we also strip the hair of its natural oils. So, we need to stay on top of our washes but avoid washing it too often that it leaves our hair dry, brittle and prone to breaking.

That’s why, for most of us, the perfect balance is washing every two to three days – not every day, but unfortunately, not as little as once a week.

But if you’re looking to go slightly longer between washes, try these tips…

Pick the Right Shampoo

When choosing a shampoo, it’s important to understand the needs of your own hair. 

For example, if you find your locks get greasy quickly, it’s best to opt for a lightweight, volumising formula. The more nourishing, heavier shampoos are best for those with dull and dry lengths.

Don’t Condition Your Roots

I know it’s tempting to slather conditioner all over your lengths, but it is important to be careful with this step of your hair care routine. 

Focus on nourishing the mid-to-ends of your hair to make sure it’s moisturised without being weighed down.

Double Wash

While you may worry about overwashing, doing a double wash can actually help you get a deeper clean – which means you can go longer between washes.

After the first wash – which helps get rid of built-up dirt or hair products – go straight in for wash number two. This can leave your hair looking and feeling as clean and fresh as possible, meaning you’re less likely to need another wash the next day.

Spend More Time on Your Styling

Rethink your styling routine to make sure you perfect your look from day one. 

This is because restyling your hair can add extra oils and product build up to your hair, which, in turn, will reduce the lifespan of your mane before you need to give it another wash.

Prep Your Hair for Bed

Protect your hair by tying it into a loose bun or braid before you get into bed (use a scrunchie for extra hair care points!). 

While this helps to shield your tresses from split ends and damage, it also helps to keep your hair from drying out. If your hair is dry, your scalp will react by overproducing oil to compensate. A big no no.

Don’t Touch It

Faffing with your hair is a fast track ticket to greasy hair. Not only are you promoting oil production, but the dirt from your fingers gets transferred into your tresses, leading to heavy, greasy hair faster.

Brush It

While brushing your hair too much can make it greasier, making sure you distribute those natural oils a couple of times a day is important to keep your hair looking fresher for longer. 

Try smoothing through your hair with a gentle boar bristle brush to ensure that your hair stays protected.

Hairstyles That Hide Oily Hair

Load up the YouTube tutorials – it’s time to learn some quick and easy hairstyles to hide oily hair. 

Whether it’s a french braid, messy bun or ponytail, tossing your hair out of the way can conceal your roots to help you hold off on wash day for 24 hours longer. 

Looking for something a little more glam? Clip in hair extensions to upgrade your ‘do and turn heads wherever you go.