I have lived my whole life with the fact that my hair is greasy. It becomes dark at its roots not even five hours after I get out of the shower and it loses all volume after I wash it. Falling flat and looking like a gross ombre, anyone who has to live with their scalp actively seeking to destroy them deserves an award.
Although mine is genetic, and was passed down from both of my parents, I’ve tackled my hair as best I could. Living with it each day, I’ve developed a few different routines to extend the life of my beautiful freshly washed hair. Even when it does become greasy, I also have a few ways of hiding my stubborn roots. They’re quick, easy, and good for a busy college lifestyle.
1. Only Conditioning The Ends
I’ve done this since I was 8-years-old. To avoid adding extra oils to my scalp, I’ve not used conditioner on my roots. I’ve used tea tree oil conditioners as well, such as the Suave Tea Tree & Hemp Seed Oil Revitalizing Shampoo. Tea tree oil is a lighter oil that still adds the necessary moisture to your hair without overdoing it.
2. Washing Every Other Day
Overwashing is a thing. I understand that after one day, your roots grow oily again and look unsightly, but washing every single day can be bad. To refresh your scalp that often, it trains itself to replenish the lost oils quickly. I personally listen to Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, as they say, “It takes 24 hours for your skin’s acid protective mantle (that is what keeps our hair, skin and nails hydrated) to reach its fullest strength but some of us wash it away before it has time to develop.”
3. Double Shampooing Once a Week
This gives your scalp a better and more deep rinse. Cleansing your hair like this once a week gives it a good refresh. The first wash can remove the product, and the second actually does the cleaning. Only doing it once a week prevents scalp damage. I’ve found that it works really well in preventing my hair from picking up grease as quickly. As for me, it adds a ton more volume to my roots.
4. Volumizing Dry Shampoo
This has helped me out majorly when I’m in between washes. I use L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo and it’s fantastic. I’ve actually found this at TJMaxx in East Lansing for half the price online. It’s no-show, which doesn’t leave any white residue on my roots. The volume it adds makes my usual greasy, flat hair look just like normal. A bonus to products like this is that they actually make your hair smell nice depending on the product!
5. Hair Clips and Headbands
Clipping or pushing back my greasy hair has been a great solution to hide my greasy roots. Not only does it get the hair out of my face, but it also essentially hides the worst bits of it. Some cute butterfly clips or barrettes have always been my go-to, and I often match them to my outfits. Headbands push back everything, and you can’t see much of the darkened roots when they’re hidden. I prefer plastic, but fabric works just as well.
While these tips aren’t guaranteed for a perfectly beautiful scalp all the time, they’ve definitely helped me over the years. It’s become a lot easier for me to manage my time and fix my greasy hair. I feel more confident and I hope you do too!