Why You Should Condition Before Even Getting In The Shower

Can you imagine life without conditioner? Yeah, we can’t either. Going sans conditioner is similar to heading to a sample sale without cash. Okay, maybe that’s a tad dramatic — but in all seriousness, what would we do without this strand-saving product?

That said, we’re about to let you in on a little secret: Using your conditioner before you shower might just be the difference between soft locks and incredibly silky, bouncy tresses (think Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde). To back us up on this beauty technique, we turned to none other than the “hair doctor,” Philip Kingsley trichologist Liz Phillips, for her expert advice on the matter.

“People rely too much on the post-shampoo, but sometimes this isn’t enough to really hydrate the hair. You can actually push more moisture into your locks through the pre-shampoo,” says Phillips. Simply wet or dampen the hair to open the cuticle, apply conditioner to the mid lengths and ends, and take 30 minutes to an hour to let the product really sink in. We suggest using this time to indulge in your favorite Netflix show of the moment or an at-home pedicure.

“Deeply conditioning the hair before you shower and shampoo provides extra hydration, not weight, which makes the hair bouncier, shinier, et cetera,” Phillips tells us. So, fine-haired gals – have no fear. This method will not be weighing you down. Once in the shower, shampoo as usual, and feel free to lather twice if needed. Doing this twice a week or as an intensive treatment when needed will benefit the overall health and vitality of the hair.

While any great conditioner will do, Philip Kingsley’s hero product happens to be the Elasticizer, a pre-shampoo treatment that turns any strands from straw to silk. A creamy cure-all that makes our hair feel as soft and weightless as towels fresh out of the drier? That’s one remedy we can certainly get on board with.