All the Products You Need For a Minimalist Hair Care Routine

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of more is more, thinking that if you add more ingredients and more products to your easy skin care routine, it’ll make you better. But there’s something to be said about the old adage “less is more,” particularly when it comes to hair care. No one wants hair that’s limp, greasy and weighed down by products. Sometimes, the best hair care regimen is a simple hair care routine. Below, everything you need — and need to know — for a minimalist hair care routine.

What Hair Products Are Necessary?

You may feel like this is a loaded question but we promise, we’re not trying to trick you. When you want to embark on a minimalist hair care routine you need to ask yourself, at the most basic level, “What do I actually need?”

The answer is it depends. There’s no question that everyone needs an effective shampoo, a conditioner that softens and helps detangle your hair, and a leave-in product that moisturizes. We’d also argue that a dry shampoo is a must for everyone as it allows you to extend time between your wash days and can double as a styling product that adds volume to your roots for blowouts, high ponytails and more.

Your hair type, needs, concerns and condition will further dictate whether or not you need specialized products. For example, if you have frizzy hair, you’ll want to opt for a shampoo for frizzy hair and a corresponding conditioner. If you have damaged hair, make sure your cleansing and moisturizing duo are specially formulated to target damage. Just because you have special hair care needs doesn’t mean you can’t still keep it simple.

The Benefits of a Minimalist Hair Care Routine

Not surprisingly, there are quite a few benefits to adopting a minimalist hair care routine. Stripping down your routine can undoubtedly save you time getting ready and save you time in your wash day process. As long as your products are doing what they’re supposed to, this won't sacrifice the health or look of your hair either. 

A small benefit worth noting is that a minimalist hair care routine will save you space. If you’re a minimalist in most aspects of your life or simply don’t like to collect clutter, this could be a big draw for you. Honestly, if you’ve ever shared a New York City or San Francisco apartment then you understand how much saving shelf space is a huge win.

Finally, a simplified hair care routine could help you avoid product buildup, resulting in lighter strands that have more movement and aren’t weighed down. The key is using your products the right way. Don’t apply conditioner of any kind directly to your roots, it can build up on your scalp and make your roots heavy and greasy. Avoiding buildup can help you stretch out your wash days, saving you a lot of time when you’re getting ready in the morning and stretching your products, in turn also saving you some coins.

6 Products for A Minimalist Hair Care Routine

Of course we wouldn’t tell you about all the products you need without recommending some of our favorites. Check out these six must-haves for keeping your hair care regimen simple, yet effective.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Shampoo with Essential Oil

This sulfate-free shampoo for all hair types cleanses without stripping hair. Its anti-fade formula is suitable for color-treated strands and also free of parabens, dye and gluten. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Conditioner with Essential Oil. Both are naturally fragranced with essential oil. Pick them up at your local Target store.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Shampoo

If you have damaged hair or need to strengthen your color-treated or bleached hair, make this bond strengthening shampoo your go-to. It gently cleanses hair without stripping it while strengthening weak hair bonds and shielding against future damage. Use it in conjunction with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Conditioner.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi use treatment

Any product with multi-use the name is always a go-to when you’re trying to keep it simple. This hair treatment can be used as a leave-in conditioner, as a hair mask or as a co-wash treatment. Formulated with a protein concentrate, it leaves hair feeling soft and silky. The bonus: It smells like a freshly bloomed bouquet.  

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a hair care product that easily lends itself to hairstyling techniques. This formula absorbs excess oil and refreshes hair between shampoo sessions without leaving white residue on your tresses.

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Written by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn