How to Build a Simple Hair Care Routine

Step 1: Know Your Hair Type

Before you start chucking products in your basket like it’s Supermarket Sweep, take a good look at what’s actually growing out of your scalp. The best way to find the right hair care routine is to start with what you’ve got, not what you wish you had.

Is your hair straight, wavy or curly? Fine or thick? Dry, oily, or somewhere in between? You can tell a lot just from how quickly your roots get greasy and how your hair behaves after washing.

• If your scalp feels oily by day two, you’ll want lightweight products that balance oil without stripping (think gentle clarifying shampoo and airy conditioner).
  

• If your hair feels rough or frizzy, hydration is your new religion. Go for moisturising shampoos, rich conditioners, and the occasional hair mask that smells like a spa day.
  

• If your hair breaks easily, protein treatments might help,  but moderation is key. Too much protein can make your hair feel like straw.
  

Don’t worry if you can’t label your hair perfectly, most people have a mix of textures and needs. The aim is to understand what your hair responds to, not put it into a neat little box.

Step 2: Simplify Before You Multiply

When people ask “what is a proper hair care routine?”, they often imagine a ten-step ritual involving serums, mists, oils, and moonlight incantations. In truth, a proper routine doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be consistent.

Start with three basics:

1. Cleanse – Remove product build-up, oil, and general life debris.
   

2. Condition – Hydrate, detangle, and soften.
   

3. Protect – Shield from heat, friction, and damage.
   

That’s it. Once you’ve nailed those, you can start layering in extras like masks, oils, or leave-ins. Think of it like skincare: you wouldn’t start with retinol and acid peels before mastering cleanser and moisturiser.

Also, give your hair a bit of grace. It won’t suddenly look like a salon blow-dry just because you bought a sulphate-free shampoo. Real results take a few weeks, not the length of an Instagram reel!

Step 3: Wash Less, Style Smarter

Unless you’re rolling around in mud or running marathons daily, you probably don’t need to wash your hair every day. Over-washing can strip your scalp of natural oils, leaving it dry and confused, which ironically makes it produce more oil to compensate.

For many people, two to three washes a week is the sweet spot. Dry shampoo is your best mate between washes (though maybe don’t rely on it for weeks on end, that’s how scalp dramas begin).

When styling, go easy on the heat. Straighteners, curlers, and hairdryers are fine in moderation, but think of heat as cake, lovely occasionally, bad in excess. Always use a heat protectant spray, and maybe try air-drying once in a while. Your hair (and electricity bill) will thank you.

Check out our recent blog How to Prep Hair for Styling (and When to Wash It First).

Step 4: Hydration Is Everything

Even if your hair isn’t particularly dry, it still needs moisture to stay smooth and shiny. Hydrated hair breaks less, frizzes less, and looks a lot more “expensive”.

A few hydration tips:

• Apply conditioner mainly from mid-lengths to ends, not directly on the scalp (unless your hair is super curly or coarse).
  

• Once a week, use a deep-conditioning mask. It’s the equivalent of a Sunday roast for your hair, comforting, indulgent, and absolutely worth it.
  

• Rinse with cool water at the end of your shower. Not freezing, just cool enough to seal in moisture and make your hair shinier.
  

If you really want to level up, try a leave-in conditioner or lightweight hair oil to lock everything in. A few drops of argan oil (this stuff is really heavy, so go easy) on damp ends can make a world of difference - and stop your hair from puffing up like fairground candyfloss on humid days.

And if you’re worried you’ve damaged your hair with colouring, take a look at our blog post How to Repair Bleach Damaged Hair.

Step 5: Scalp Care Isn’t Optional

Your scalp is skin, and it deserves as much love as the rest of your body. A healthy scalp means healthy hair, full stop.

Exfoliate gently once or twice a month to remove product build-up (you can get scalp scrubs or use a silicone scalp brush). Massage your scalp with your fingertips for a minute or two while shampooing; it boosts blood flow and feels quite nice.

And if your scalp’s been acting up (itchy, flaky, or oily), resist the urge to panic-buy a ton of products. Start simple. Switch to a gentle, fragrance-free shampoo for a few weeks and see if that calms things down before going full detective mode.

Step 6: Be Patient, and Kind to Your Hair

One of the hardest parts of learning how to build a hair care routine is managing your expectations. Hair grows roughly half an inch a month (if that), and damage doesn’t magically reverse overnight.

If you’re dealing with split ends, get a trim. If you’re growing out colour, embrace the awkward stages (hats and hair clips exist for a reason). Most importantly, remember that consistency beats perfection. A simple, repeatable routine will always give better results than a chaotic one-week experiment.

Split ends got you down? Have a read of our blog How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Split Ends.

Step 7: Personalise and Adapt

There’s no universal formula. How to find the right hair care routine for you comes down to testing, tweaking, and listening to what your hair’s telling you. 

Maybe you realise you prefer co-washing (using conditioner instead of shampoo), or that your hair looks its best when air-dried and left alone. Maybe you find a holy-grail product and swear lifelong loyalty.

That’s the fun of it, hair care isn’t a chore; it’s self-care with immediate, visible rewards.

The Takeaway

So, what is a simple hair care routine? It’s one that works for you. It doesn’t need 14 steps, £100 worth of serums, or a shrine to Aphrodite. All it takes is understanding your hair, feeding it what it needs, and not overcomplicating things.

Think of it as a relationship: communicate, pay attention, and don’t ghost your conditioner for three weeks straight.

The moment you stop fighting your hair and start working with it, you’ll realise good hair days aren’t a fluke, they’re just the result of a little consistency and a lot of care.

Other useful blog posts to complement your new hair care routine:

The Best and Safest Temperature for Hair Straighteners
How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair: The Full Guide
How to Grow Long and Healthy Hair
How to Repair Heat-damaged Hair: 5 Easy Tips

Hair Care Routines - FAQ

What is a simple hair care routine?

A proper routine means cleansing, conditioning, and protecting your hair regularly - tailored to your hair type and lifestyle. It’s more about understanding how your hair responds, than spending a fortune on luxury products that TikTok influencers swear by.

How do I start a hair care routine?

Begin with the basics: shampoo, conditioner, and a weekly treatment. Keep it simple and consistent before adding anything fancy.

How can I find the right hair care routine for me?

Identify your hair type (oily, dry, curly, etc.) and test products one at a time to see what your hair actually loves.

How often should I wash my hair?

Usually two to three times a week works best, but it depends on your scalp and how much product or oil tends to build up.

What products are essential for healthy hair?

A gentle shampoo, nourishing conditioner, heat protectant, and the occasional mask  - that’s your solid starter kit.