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Beauty & Natural Remedies · September 14, 2021 edition

Four Pre-Wash Tricks for Thicker-Looking Hair

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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It's a tricky balance: washing hair too often can leave it stripped of natural oils and looking dry and frizzy, while not washing it enough can leave it dull and limp. With a few simple tweaks to your shower routine, you can give yourself thicker-looking hair without expensive products. Treating hair before you wash it ensures healthy volume all day.

Lifeless locks? Use conditioner first

The residue conditioner leaves behind can weigh down hair for a limp look. Instead, conditioning before shampooing gives hair the hydration it needs while the shampoo rinses away heavy oils, so strands have more bounce.

Parched hair? Use coconut oil first

Water strips oils from hair, leaving it dry and flat, but coconut oil's fatty acids lock in hair-plumping moisture and form a barrier over tresses to keep excess water out. Apply 1/4 cup of the oil to hair, let sit 5 minutes, then shampoo.

Breaking strands? Use egg yolk first

Washing then brushing wet locks can cause shedding and breakage that thins hair. Thanks to its biotin, 1 whisked egg yolk applied all over dry hair 15 minutes before washing fortifies follicles so strands stay strong.

Bonus: keep your tresses dandruff-free

Mix 15 drops of yeast-killing lavender essential oil into your shampoo to banish dandruff flakes within 72 hours.

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