Lather, rinse, repeat: These are thought to be the core steps of a basic haircare routine. Unfortunately, it’s not entirely accurate. While shampooing regularly is necessary for clean hair, it’s not enough to ensure your strands look their best (and the “repeat” part of that catchy slogan is generally unnecessary). Just like your skin, keeping your hair in tip-top shape requires curating, and adhering to, a dedicated routine. And for most of us, a squirt of shampoo and a bit of warm water just won’t cut it.

Here, we’ll introduce you to a five-step daily hair routine that can be customized to suit any hair type or concern. You’ll also discover some of the best Kiehl’s haircare products for your hair type and learn our top haircare tips for strong, shiny strands. So break out your trusty comb, get comfortable, and read on to learn how to take care of your hair, the Kiehl’s way.

Step 1:

Start With a Gentle Shampoo

The first step in your haircare routine is to wash your hair. But before breaking out the shampoo, you’ll need to determine your hair type and your main hair concerns. Once you’ve got that nailed down, hop in the shower and reach for the Kiehl’s shampoo that best suits your hair’s unique needs—we’ve included our recommendations below.

All Hair Types:

Amino Acid Shampoo

If you have hair free from any major concerns, like dryness, split ends, or excessive frizz—we recommend reaching for a gentle shampoo, like our iconic Amino Acid Shampoo. The lightweight formula with amino acids and fairly-traded coconut oil provides a creamy lather that cleanses and softens the hair while helping to add volume. The ultra-mild formula is suitable for all hair types and comes in various sizes, including one-liter refills that use 81% less plastic than the original packaging.

Dry or Damaged Hair:

Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo

For dry, brittle hair, including hair that’s been damaged by excessive heat styling, a moisturizing shampoo is ideal. Try our Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo, which contains olive fruit oil and avocado oil. This nourishing shampoo cleans and helps restore hair’s healthy appearance, leaving it soft and shiny.

Kiehl’s Tip: Your scalp needs some love, too. Once weekly, treat your scalp to a deep-clean with Amino Acid Scalp-Detoxifying Treatment Scrub. The gentle yet effective exfoliating treatment helps remove product buildup and dead skin cells, leaving the scalp feeling fresh and comfortable. It also helps restore its natural moisture levels to promote healthy-looking hair.

Step 2:

Apply Conditioner To Your Lengths and Ends

After washing your hair, conditioner is a must (and yes, we do mean after every shampoo). Conditioner helps lubricate the hair follicle, reducing static and improving manageability, so your hair is easier to comb. Again, you’ll want to use a formula suited to your hair’s specific needs.

All Hair Types:

Amino Acid Conditioner

For gentle hydration, we recommend reaching for a lightweight conditioner like Amino Acid Conditioner. The mild formula, which is suitable for all hair types, helps maintain hair’s natural moisture balance, so it’s manageable and soft. Finger-comb a generous amount of the conditioner through your strands, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse it out with lukewarm water and continue with the rest of your shower routine.

Dry or Damaged Hair:

Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Conditioner

Those with dry, damaged, or frizzy hair should reach for our Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Conditioner. This lightweight formula instantly helps detangle and improve hair’s manageability and suppleness. The product rinses out easily and helps promote shine with continued use.

Step 4:

Apply a Leave-In Treatment

Once you’ve finished up in the shower, squeeze any excess water out of your hair. You want to avoid rubbing your hair with your towel, as this creates unnecessary friction and can lead to widespread breakage. Instead, wrap it up in a clean T-shirt to help soak up excess moisture. While your hair dries, you can work on completing your body care routine.

Once your hair is no longer sopping wet—but still damp —use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your strands. Then, apply a leave-in conditioning treatment throughout your hair, avoiding your scalp. We recommend Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate, which boasts fairly-traded argan oil as its star ingredient. The lightweight formula smooths hair without weighing it down, leaving your strands feeling soft, shiny, and nourished. You can apply it to damp hair as a styling aid, or use a small amount to refresh dry hair between washes.

Step 5:

Add Styling Products As Needed

While we admire people who can simply wash and go, for hair that looks good all day, the last step in your haircare routine should be applying a styling product. The product you choose will, of course, depend on your hair and how you wear it: If your style requires long-lasting hold, you’ll probably want to reach for a hair gel or hair spray. If you’re simply seeking to keep your hair looking smooth for as long as possible, we recommend our Creme with Silk Groom. It is for all hair types and is world-renowned for its silky smoothness and superior efficacy. To use it, rub a small amount of the hair cream into your hands and then gently work it through damp hair.

Next: For more hair care tips and must-haves, check out our article Discover Our Best Hair Products For Men.