My real-life friend Lindsay has been cutting my hair pretty much since I got married. She went to styling school as a teenager, has been working as a hairstylist since, and just flat-out knows her stuff. I’ll go in, tell her what I envision, and she makes it happen, in the way that looks best on me. If doesn’t seem right to me, she’ll work it until it does. I absolutely trust her with my hair.
Then one day she gave me the advice to cowash, and it made me doubt, just a little bit. “You have to try it! It’s been amazing for my hair!” We both have thin hair, and hers was looking pretty great. But I still couldn’t believe what she was asking me to do. Wash my hair in just conditioner? It sounded like a recipe for a greasy mess.
I tried cowashing because she insisted. I didn’t do anything special, just put conditioner on and washed it out. And, surprise, it came out icky. I went back, and mock-pouted about how it didn’t work. I figured it was because she was a stylist that she was able to make her hair work with it, but it wasn’t good for me.
Lindsay, my ever patient friend, gave me another way to go about doing it, a way that I’m going to share with you today. Because it was THIS method that really made it happen for me. My hair went from limp and boring to voluminous and shiny in one wash. I’m not washing it any more than I did when I was going the usual route, but it gives me amazing style and no grease.
If you’re on the fence, like I was, take it from me and give it a try. Here’s how to cowash thin hair:
1. Wet hair, and smooth on a layer of conditioner at just the roots. Do not work through hair to the ends; do not wash out.
2. Scrub shampoo directly on top of conditioner. Stay at the root; do not work down to the end. Wash out thoroughly.
3. Put a fresh layer of conditioner again on just the roots of the hair, and leave on while you wash your skin.
4. Wet the conditioner some, and then scrub throughout your hair, working down to the tips, as if you’re washing with shampoo.
5. Rinse out thoroughly. Make sure you get it all out! Then dry and style as usual.
I could not believe the difference this made on my otherwise flat, thin hair. Even my hubby who used to point out my lack of volume, has noticed a difference.
Wow, interesting! Never heard of this, but will definitely try it. I’m willing to try anything for volume!
Seriously – me too! 🙂
Wow, I never heard of this before, but I’m totally trying it!!
I totally recommend it! I hope it works for you!
Very interesting. I just may have to give this a try!
You should! I definitely had a good experience 🙂
Wow – I’ve never heard of such a thing. My hair has gotten so thin and limp, I’m definitely going to give this a try!
Good luck! It definitely works well for me! 🙂
My good friend suffers from really thinning hair. Sharing this with her.
I hope it helps! My hair is actually just thin in texture, but hopefully it helps for when it’s thinning too!
I cowash my hair all the time (it’s the only way I can keep it moisturized) but I’ve never tried this method. I’ll have to try it out!
Good luck! I hope it works well for you!
Wow! I never heard of this but I can totally see how this would work. My Mom has very thin hair and I will definitely suggest this to her.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I hope it helps! It definitely works well for me!
“Scrub shampoo directly on top of conditioner.”
Are you putting shampoo on top of the conditioner in this step? Or are you scrubbing the conditioner at the roots as you would scrub if you were shampooing?
Thanks! Really hoping to try this out for my very fine hair 🙂
Hi Kay! I put the conditioner on as like the first layer, and put the shampoo over, then gently scrub and rinse. I hope it helps. Still waiting on that miracle remedy for thin hair!! 🙂
How often do you do this method.? And so you still use regular shampoo too.?
I feel my hair very oily so I feel a need to wash my hair daily.
Hi! It has been a while since I’ve used this method, since I use a different type of shampoo now, but I remember using regular shampoo and conditioner and it working well. I list the steps in the post, but basically, use conditioner and then put your shampoo on top of it; rinse; and then condition as usual. Good luck!