You probably wash your hair just like everyone else: first shampoo, then conditioner. This, of course, is completely normal and traditionally correct. After all, we all know that conditioner replenishes moisture and seals the hair cuticle, helping to prevent breakage and damage. It’s a balm; a salve—an all-important after-shampoo treatment that keeps hair soft, supple, and from looking like a crispy, dried-out mess.
But skipping conditioner is not the mistake we’re here to discuss. You might try skipping shampoo—but conditioner? Never. And that’s fine. Because there’s a new hair washing method on the block and it involves not skipping conditioner but actually using conditioner before shampoo. Yes, before! Shocking! Weird! And, also, maybe, life-changing?
Read on to find out why, how, and what the heck this whole idea is all about. And, most importantly if it’s worth trying out the conditioner before shampoo method yourself.
How to wash your hair using the CWC method
This whole conditioner before shampoo thing actually has a name: the CWC method. C = conditioner, W = washing with shampoo, C = conditioner again. And, yes, applying conditioner before shampoo can be a real game changer, especially if you have dry, damaged hair that tends to split, break, or otherwise give you hell.
The CWC method is pretty self-explanatory, but let’s dive in. It’s easy.
To do the CWC method, first apply conditioner to just the lengths and ends of your hair before washing. This is key. It is the whole crux of the method, in fact. But why would you do this, you may ask? Well, conditioner protects the hair from the detergents in the shampoo and keeps the hair from drying out. Remember, even the gentlest shampoo is a cleaning product: great for a dirty, sweaty, oily scalp; but not so great for your precious, delicate, moisture-loving strands.
Therefore, applying conditioner to the ends of the hair first allows the cleansing effect of the shampoo to ever-so-lovingly glide over your delicate ends. The conditioner envelops the hair like a protective veil and saves it from becoming straw-like and dried out.
How to put the CWC method into practice
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the details. There’s a method to this madness; a CWC technique, if you will.
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