How To Do The Ultimate HAIRcial (AKA A Facial For Your Hair)

Why is that we spend so much time giving love to our faces and we often don’t do the same for our hair? If we can spend the time to do a DIY Facial – exfoliating, steaming, masking, sheet masking, and layering on serums – then we should definitely do the same for our hair on a regular basis. And we’re not just talking about a wash day routine or using a deep conditioner post-shampoo, we’re talking a full-on HAIRcial. That means starting with a mask to suit your hair or scalp needs, a detoxifying shampoo, a deep conditioner, and a post-wash routine to make your hair softer, smoother, and shinier than ever before.

Aim to do a HAIRcial every month to help your hair live its best life. Here’s our step-by-step HAIRcial guide…

Step 1: Start with a Pre-Wash Treatment

For Oily Scalps or Product Build-up: Detox Your Scalp

Source: Aztec Secret

Start your HAIRcial by cleansing your scalp to remove any impurities, excess oil, and product that may be building up in your hair follicles. For this step, try out our go-to natural hair mask that combines clay, charcoal, and ACV – it’ll work overtime to detox, cleanse, and rebalance by removing excess oil and toxins that can build up on the scalp. Whether you have any unwanted product residue, dandruff, or just greasy hair that won’t go away, this mask will fix it and leave your hair feeling softer and lighter – tried and tested!

Ingredients 

2 tbsp Aztec Healing Indian Clay (or other clay powder)
2 tbsp Activated Charcoal Powder
2 tbsp of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp of distilled water

Step 1. Combine the powders and slowly stir in the apple cider vinegar (make sure you use a wooden, plastic or ceramic spoon/bowl as activated charcoal reacts with metal); the formula will bubble up and should combine into a runny paste. Add water to make the paste a thinner consistency, which makes it easier to apply to your scalp.

Step 2. Apply the mask to dry hair using a medium-sized brush, working your way in sections across your scalp – like you would if you were dying your roots. Once you’ve covered your scalp with the mask, tie up your hair (apply a shower cap if you like) and leave the mask to work for 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3. Wash out the mask until the water runs clear, then shampoo your hair thoroughly. You can shampoo twice to ensure no mask remains, then follow with conditioner on your ends.

Tip: If you have both product build-up and dry ends, apply the mask on your scalp and use a hair treatment oil (like the below) on your ends.

For Dry, Damaged Hair or Dry Scalp: Hair Treatment Oil

Source: Fable & Mane

If your hair is damaged or in need of some major moisture, try a restorative, nourishing oil treatment. We’re obsessed with the Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Treatment Oil, $34, a pre-wash hair and scalp treatment formulated with strengthening ashwagandha, which supports natural scalp circulation. It’s also enriched with castor oil and dashmool to encourage healthy hair growth. If you don’t have a hair treatment oil, you can gently warm coconut oil or olive oil and apply this to the ends of your hair – the heat will help the oil penetrate the shaft.  Wrap your hair in a shower cap and cover with a warm towel, then leave on for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Double/ Deep Cleanse

Source: Neutrogena, Bumble and Bumble

After your hair treatment, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo or if you don’t have one, shampoo twice with your regular shampoo. The Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $7, is a great budget-friendly option and a cult-favorite for a reason; the gentle, non-irritating formula will cleanse your scalp while boosting volume by instantly rinsing away build-up. It’s also reputed to be the go-to treatment for deep-cleaning dreadlocks.

Another great option is the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, $27. The formula is enriched with ginseng root extract, which acts as an astringent, and rosemary leaf extract that boasts both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. We love it as it leaves our scalp feeling so refreshed and revitalized, without any residue.

Step 3: Apply a Nourishing Hair Mask

Source: Bomba Curls, Olaplex

After all that detoxing, it’s important to add moisture back into your hair, so show your hair strands some love with an ultra-rich hydrating mask. If you’ve been blessed with curly tresses, try the award-winning Bomba Curls Forbidden Hair Mask, $28. Formulated with Cupuacu butter, pistachio oil, and cinnamon extract, this mask will nourish your strands from root to tip while providing your follicles the extra boost of moisture and essential vitamins they need to promote strong, healthy hair growth.

If you have colored or damaged hair, try the Olaplex Hair Perfector, $28 – literally everybody in the industry swears by it. It’s a professional-grade hair treatment that rights the wrongs of chemical and coloring treatments by relinking the broken bonds caused by bleaching and hair dye, helping to restore your hair like no other treatment can!

We’re also long-time fans of the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner (16oz), $14, as it immediately smooths hair, leaving it feeling super glossy and healthy. Check out more of our go-to hair masks here.

Once you’ve rinsed out your hair mask, use a microfiber towel or T-shirt to gently dry hair, then allow to air dry. Now is your time to apply your fave leave-in conditioners or your typical hair products.

Step 4: Hydrate Your Tresses With Oil

It’s not over yet… Once your hair is dry, apply an oil to smooth hair, add shine, and keep moisture locked-in. The fatty acids in oil help add a protective layer to the hair shaft. We know it’s tempting to apply an oil to wet hair, but water and oil don’t mix, so your hair is better able to absorb the product when your hair is dry.

Source: Joon, Melanin Haircare

Formulated with traditional Persian ingredients, Joon’s Saffron Hair Elixir Oil, $28, is super-rich and luxurious, and most importantly, it immediately transforms even the most damaged strands into a smooth-as-silk mane thanks to its impressive ingredient list. It’s also ideal for all hair types, even fine hair. If you have fine hair, rub two drops between your palms and start by applying to the ends of your hair, and then your mid-lengths.

Another oil that’s currently creating waves in the industry is the Melanin Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend, $17. The non-greasy, lightweight formula is packed with some of the richest, most nourishing oils including baobab oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, sage oil, geranium oil, and vitamin E.

For more amazing haircare advice, check out the most amazing DIY for dry, damaged locks.

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