5 essential steps for at-home hair care

Only about 15% of people take proper care of their hair. The vast majority end up doing more harm than good without even realizing it. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to 5 essential steps for at-home hair care.

Almost no one has flawless hair,  and most struggle with more than one concern – oily roots, flat hair, lack of volume, damage, and so on. Always start by addressing the problem that troubles you the most. 

There is an incredible number of hair products on the market, and choosing the right one isn’t easy. You can’t tell simply by whether it’s natural, sustainable, professional, or just a drugstore product. And you can’t judge it by the price either. Always read the ingredients carefully.

A truly high-quality product is one that:

• Contains only what your hair really needs – nothing more. It must not contain sulfates, parabens, or silicones, as these unnecessarily coat and weigh the hair down.

• 100% natural products don’t exist. A product can only be considered natural if at least 95% of its ingredients are of natural origin (as defined by EU standards).

• A sustainable product must use natural ingredients sourced in a responsible way from clean natural resources. Its processing must also avoid placing a heavy burden on the planet.

Effective hair care is built on five key steps. Day to day, you’ll only need three of them. The other two are there for those moments when your hair and scalp need some extra, deep treatment.

Shampoo is designed to cleanse both the hair and the scalp. It opens the hair and removes impurities. What’s even more important, though, is to focus primarily on cleansing the scalp. After all, grass won’t grow on dirty, compacted soil. And if you don’t take proper care of your scalp, healthy, beautiful hair can’t grow from it.

1. Thoroughly wet both your scalp and the full length of your hair. Make sure no part stays dry.
2. Apply a sufficient amount of shampoo to your scalp. Using your fingertips, gently cleanse the scalp. Never scratch or use your nails.
3. You can skip the lengths – shampoo will reach them as you rinse, sliding down like on a water slide.
4. Always shampoo twice!
5. First wash: the shampoo won’t lather much – it removes dirt, oil, dust and styling products (like hairspray, mousse or gel).
6. Second wash: the shampoo foams more – this is when the scalp and hair are truly cleansed.
7. Rinse the shampoo out thoroughly. Hair is like a sponge: anything left behind will be absorbed, leaving it heavy, greasy, and less manageable.
8. Squeeze out excess water with your hands, then gently blot with a towel. Never rub! Don’t dry completely – your hair should stay damp for conditioner.
   

It’s not true that the more often you wash your hair, the greasier it gets. Wash your hair as often as it needs. If you do it correctly and use truly high-quality products, the condition of your hair will improve.

While shampoo opens the hair and cleanses it, conditioner closes the hair cuticle and smooths the surface. This provides basic regeneration, leaving the hair looking smooth and shiny.

1. Conditioner should always be used after every hair wash, for all hair types.
2. Apply it to damp hair that has been gently towel-dried.
3. Place a small amount of conditioner on your fingers and rub them together lightly.
4. Work it into the lengths only, from mid-lengths to ends. Never apply it to the scalp.
5. Comb the hair through to distribute evenly.
6. Leave on for 5 minutes.
7. Rinse thoroughly, then gently squeeze out the water with your hands and press with a towel.
   

Shampoo and conditioner are an inseparable pair. Without conditioner, the hair cuticle stays open, builds up residue quickly and the hair starts to split.

Stressed hair needs occasional deep repair, which is provided by a hair mask. It penetrates to the core of the hair, regenerates deeply, and reconstructs damaged parts. Always choose your mask based on the current condition of your hair. For regular care, once a week is enough. For more intensive treatment of damaged hair, apply 2–3 times a week.

1. When included, the mask is Step 3.
2. Apply it after rinse-out conditioner, on damp, towel-dried hair.
3. Application is the same as for conditioner: place the needed amount on your fingers, rub lightly between them and work it into the hair from mid-lengths to ends.
4. Comb through and leave on for 10 minutes.
5. Then rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water with your hands and gently blot with a towel.
   

Recommendation: BALANCE Mask, ARCHITEKT Mask

Leave-in care protects the hair from external extremes (frost, cold, heat, humidity and dryness), from mechanical damage (tight hair ties, breakage from combing, straightening) and from chemical stress (coloring, bleaching, dry shampoo, etc.).
Use it occasionally, depending on your hair’s condition. For regular care, once a week is enough. For intensive care, apply 2–3 times a week.

Leave-in care can take many forms – we’ve created these two: a Leave-in Conditioner and Marula Oil.

The Leave-in Conditioner is a more complex product, suitable for most types of hair damage. It contains a higher concentration of active ingredients and is applied throughout the entire length of the hair.

Marula Oil is a lightweight natural oil in organic quality, enriched with vitamin E. It’s designed to penetrate deep into the hair structure rather than stay on the surface and weigh the hair down. Thanks to its composition, it’s ideal for dry hair, curly hair, oily hair with dry ends, or chemically damaged hair. It nourishes and hydrates the hair.

1.  If you include leave-in care, it becomes Step 4.
2. Apply it after conditioner, to damp, towel-dried hair.
3. Use it the same way as conditioner: place a small amount on your fingers, rub lightly between them, and work it through the mid-lengths and ends.
4. Comb the hair through. Do not rinse out.
   

Hair is made of approximately 95% keratin and 5% water. Mechanical, chemical and environmental factors can damage hair and reduce collagen. To keep hair in good condition, missing keratin must be replenished – this is where keratin water comes in.

Hair Liquid Keratin Water contains liposomal vitamins A, C, E and B3. Liposomal formulation increases vitamin absorption into the hair and scalp, nourishing the hair from within and replenishing its keratin.

• Spray Hair Liquid Keratin evenly along the entire length of the hair.
• Do not spray too close – keep about 15 cm from the head.
• Comb gently and blow-dry.
  

There are many myths about blow-drying: that it damages hair, that it’s better to let hair air-dry, or that blow-drying is just for girls.

Wet or damp hair is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to scalp inflammation. This may result in dandruff, greasy hair or itching.

Always blow-dry your hair, focusing on the scalp to make sure it’s dry. The remaining moisture along the lengths can be left to air-dry.

Avoid using hair straighteners.