How to Create the Perfect Hair Care Routine for Your Gorgeous Locks

Shampoo, rinse, repeat: these basic steps are often seen as the core of a good hair care routine. However, that’s only part of the story. While regular washing is necessary to cleanse your hair, it’s not enough to keep it looking its best. Much like skincare, maintaining healthy hair requires a thoughtful and consistent routine tailored to your specific needs. A handful of shampoo and a splash of warm water won’t cut it for most of us.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a five-step daily hair care routine that can be customized for any hair type or concern. You’ll also discover the best Kiehl’s hair care products for your hair and tips on how to keep your strands strong, shiny, and vibrant. So grab your favorite comb, relax, and read on to learn how to treat your hair with Kiehl’s approach to ultimate care.

Step 1: Start with a Gentle Shampoo

The first step in any hair care routine is washing your hair. But before you reach for that bottle, it’s important to identify your hair type and its main concerns. Once you’ve done that, step into the shower and choose a Kiehl’s shampoo that suits your hair’s unique needs—below, we’ve listed some of our top recommendations.

For All Hair Types:

Amino Acid Shampoo
If your hair doesn’t face serious issues like dryness, split ends, or excessive frizz, we recommend a mild shampoo like our iconic Amino Acid Shampoo. This lightweight formula, enriched with amino acids and fair-trade coconut oil, creates a creamy lather that cleanses and softens your hair while helping to boost volume. Its ultra-gentle formula works for all hair types and comes in various sizes, including a one-liter refill that uses 81% less plastic than the original packaging.

For Dry or Damaged Hair:

Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo
For dry, brittle hair, or strands damaged by heat styling, a moisturizing shampoo is the ideal choice. Try our Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo, infused with olive and avocado oils. This nourishing shampoo not only cleanses but also helps restore the health and shine of your hair, leaving it soft and glossy.

Kiehl’s Tip: Your scalp needs attention too! Once a week, use our Amino Acid Scalp Refining Shampoo to deeply cleanse your scalp. This gentle exfoliating treatment removes product buildup and dead skin cells, leaving your scalp feeling refreshed and balanced. It also helps restore natural moisture, promoting healthy hair growth.

Step 2: Apply Conditioner to Hair Lengths and Ends

After shampooing, conditioner is a must (yes, every time you wash your hair). Conditioner helps smooth the hair cuticle, reduces static, and makes hair easier to detangle, improving overall manageability. Again, choose a formula tailored to your hair’s specific needs.

For All Hair Types:

Amino Acid Conditioner
For gentle hydration, we recommend the lightweight Amino Acid Conditioner. Its soothing formula maintains your hair’s natural moisture balance, making it soft and easy to manage. After applying a generous amount to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

For Dry or Damaged Hair:

Olive Fruit Oil Conditioner
If your hair is dry, damaged, or curly, opt for our Olive Fruit Oil Conditioner. This lightweight yet nourishing formula helps detangle hair while enhancing its elasticity and smoothness. It rinses out easily, and with continued use, your hair will appear more radiant and manageable.

Step 3: Treat Your Hair to a Moisturizing Mask

While not part of your daily routine, occasionally using a deep conditioning treatment is crucial for hair health. This is especially important for curly hair, which tends to be drier and more prone to breakage than straight hair.

Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Mask
Treat your hair to our Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Mask once or twice a week. This rich, nourishing mask helps restore moisture and vitality to dry and damaged strands. It’s ideal for those looking to repair and revitalize their hair after exposure to heat styling or environmental stress.

Step 4: Use Leave-In Products

After washing, gently squeeze out excess water from your hair. Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel, as this can create friction and lead to breakage. Instead, use a clean T-shirt to absorb the extra moisture. While your hair is still damp (but not soaking wet), you can complete your body care routine.

Once your hair is damp, use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle. Then, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair, avoiding the scalp area. We recommend our Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Conditioner, which contains fair-trade argan oil. This lightweight formula smooths hair without weighing it down, leaving it feeling soft, shiny, and deeply nourished. You can use it as a styling aid on wet hair or apply a small amount between washes to refresh dry strands.

Step 5: Add Styling Products as Needed

While we admire those who can walk out the door with effortlessly beautiful hair, the final step of your hair care routine should involve styling products to keep your hair looking flawless all day long. The products you choose will depend on your hair type and the look you’re going for. If you need extra hold for your hairstyle, you may want to use hairspray or a styling gel.