The heat has descended upon us and personally, I find myself getting in the shower very frequently! As the trips to the beach get more frequent and the summer gets even hotter, how do you know what type of shampoo to use so that you don’t go overboard? 

To answer that question, we need to first differentiate between the different types of shampoos. 

❗ Disclaimer: All of our shampoos are sulphate-free, meaning they are generally gentler on the scalp and create less foam than commercial shampoos.  

Clarifying Shampoos

These shampoos are formulated to remove excess buildup or residue on your scalp and hair. They offer a deeper cleanse compared to the other shampoos (also known as “cleansers”) that we offer in our store. 

Who should use a clarifying shampoo? 

👉🏻 Newbies with oily scalps. 
If you have a super oily scalp and have just switched to sulphate-free shampoos, we recommend that you start off with a clarifying shampoo. Once your scalp gets used to this shampoo and stops being so oily (because it will stop over producing oils), then you can introduce a cleanser into your routine and start using your clarifying shampoo less frequently.  

If this sounds like you, then the Flora & Curl Coconut Mint Scalp Refresh Shampoo would be a great place for you to start. 

👉🏻 Curlies having issues with their hair. 
If your hair has suddenly stopped curling and it’s not holding its shape, then you need to clarify. 
If your hair feels like it’s not absorbing products properly, then you need to clarify. 
If your hair has lost its shine and looks dull, then you need to clarify. 
If your scalp is suddenly itchy, then you need to clarify. 

As you can probably see, there’s a pattern here! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had customers come to me seriously concerned about their hair and my first suggestion is always to clarify. 90% of the time, this solves all their issues.

💡 Key takeaway: Think about clarifying like a detox - you are “resetting” your hair by removing any product build up and residue, allowing it to start fresh. 
Our top recommendation for a scalp reset is the Bounce Curl Gentle Enzyme Clarifying Shampoo. 

Cleansers

Cleansers are gentler shampoos that are designed for frequent use. All our cleansers are sulphate-free, but this category of product is very wide, so whilst some cleansers are formulated with ingredients that help if you have a dry scalp, others are formulated with ingredients that reduce sebum (oil) production. 

We recommend that you always shampoo twice. Upon second application, the shampoo will create more foam, which is a sign that the dirt has been removed from your scalp and your scalp is now clean. 

Here are our top picks for cleansers: 

👉🏻 Dry scalps
The Flora & Curl Cream Rose & Honey Shampoo has a rich and creamy texture which hydrates even the driest of scalps. Even if you don’t have a dry scalp though, this product is the ultimate summer must-have if you’re washing your hair everyday or every other day due to the heat and swimming. Use the Cream Shampoo on the majority of your wash days and use a stronger cleanser / clarifying shampoo 1-2 times a week. 

👉🏻 Balanced scalps 
The CurlyElle Gentle Shampoo is just heavenly! It’s actually great for all scalp types, which makes it the perfect all-rounder. If you’re unsure which cleanser to go for, this one never disappoints. 

Psst: It's also safe for babies & children and is hypoallergenic! 

👉🏻 Oily scalps 
The CurlyEllie Intense Hydrating Shampoo is a cleanser designed to help those with oily scalps. It gently removes excess oil and leaves your scalp feeling squeaky clean. 
 

Mix & Match

Ideally, we recommend having 2 shampoos - a clarifying shampoo and a cleanser - so that you can use them according to how frequently you’re washing your hair, as well as how your scalp and hair feel generally. 

💡 Bonus Tip: Considering you’re shampooing twice (because you’re following our awesome advice), you could use a clarifying shampoo on the first application and a gentler cleanser on the second application. That way, you get the best of both worlds. 

If you’ve got any questions or are not sure which shampoo is best for your scalp, DM us on Instagram or Facebook, or send us an email us at info@bouclesproject.com