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In the ever-evolving world of haircare, there's a fascinating paradox that often goes unnoticed—a delicate balance between oiliness and dryness. Combination hair can make it difficult to find the right routine and the right products, but it is possible to have hair that has the right amount of moisture from the root to the ends.
First, let’s learn a little more about what combination hair is so you can identify whether your hair shares some of these characteristics.
Combination hair, with its dual personality, merges the characteristics of multiple hair types, making it a dynamic canvas for hair enthusiasts and a perplexing puzzle for many. It's the embodiment of both oily and dry, all in one head of hair. This combination of seemingly contradictory hair types can be confusing since many hair products are aimed at either oily hair or dry hair, early both.
Combination hair can be found in many different hair types from straight to curly, but it’s particular common in long, straight or wavy hair types. Straight and lightly wavy hair tends to be oilier at a higher rate than other hair types. However, because of the length and therefore the age of the hair (your hair lengths are the oldest part of your hair!) straight, long hair can also be dry, particularly at the ends. This can give hair the effect of being both oily and dry at the same time, without a good balance to keep hair feeling clean but also soft and shiny.
A typical starting point for many people with combination hair is washing every 2 to 3 days. It’s important though to wash your hair thoroughly, making sure to cleanse every part of the scalp with shampoo and even shampooing twice if necessary.
After rinsing the shampoo out, be generous with conditioner and use hair masks weekly to give your hair an extra dose of moisture and repair.
A great shampoo for oily hair, this shampoo uses tea tree oil which is a standout ingredient for limiting oiliness in the scalp. It’s a really invigorating shampoo that I’ve loved for years. It keeps my scalp from turning oily for a few days and is one of the most effective shampoos for oily scalps I’ve found.
A clarifying shampoo should be in the routine of every oily haired person, and this one from Kristin Ess is effective and affordable. This shampoo gives hair a deep clean and is great for using once a week to give your scalp a clean slate and get rid of any excess oil and buildup from products you’ve used during the week. I like to pair this shampoo with a hair mask for a once-per-week treatment session that leaves my hair feeling extra clean but also soft.
One of the secrets of the hair world is that you don’t have to use a shampoo and a conditioner from the same set. It’s common for us to use a matching conditioner because they tend to aim at the same issue, frizz, oiliness, lack of volume, dryness, etc. But when you have combination hair, it’s helpful to use a shampoo for oiliness and a conditioner that provides incredible moisture and detangling, This one from Briogeo is one of my tried and true favorites for how immediately it works to make my hair soft and manageable.
A deeply hydrating mask is a must-have for anyone with dry hair and this one from MoroccanOil combines argan oil, glycerin and linseed which all help to repair and moisturize hair. Keep this hair mask to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair for super soft, shiny, and manageable hair.
Combination hair, with its oily roots and dry ends, straight and wavy interplay, challenges us to adapt our hair care routines and styling techniques to suit its ever-changing needs. Getting the right routine and products can take a certain amount of trial and error no matter what your hair type, but with products that aim to solve both of these issues you can have soft, shiny and clean hair.
