You don’t need us to tell you that your hair holds onto smells exceptionally well—a night spent by a bonfire or making a meal in your kitchen will make that abundantly clear. But for some reason, it doesn’t work that way for all situations. After stepping out of the shower (or the hair salon), your hair might smell fantastic, but it can be tricky to maintain that clean hair smell all day long, let alone between washes.

Here, you’ll learn what can cause your hair to lose its fresh-from-the-shower smell. We’ll also offer advice on how to make your hair smell good, how often you should lather up for clean-smelling strands, and provide recommendations on Kiehl’s best-smelling shampoos and conditioners to add to your routine.

Why Does Hair Lose Its Fresh Smell?

You’ve just washed your hair, and a few short hours later, it’s already lost its clean scent. We’ve been there, and we can confirm that it’s a bit exasperating (to say the least). There are a few things that can cause your shampoo’s fresh fragrance to dissipate quicker than you’d hoped. Just like the skin on your body, your scalp constantly secretes sweat and oil. While this is completely normal, an accumulation of sweat and oil can cause fragrances—like the ones that make your haircare products smell so good—to fade away. If you anticipate sweating more than usual, hold off on using your scented shampoo and conditioner until after your workout to help keep your hair smelling nice.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Just like your skincare routine, haircare should be personalized for your unique needs. While some people need to lather up daily, for example, many benefit from a less frequent hair washing schedule. How often you should wash your hair depends on a few different factors, including your age. Generally speaking, your skin and scalp’s oil glands tend to be most active when you’re young. As you age, your skin becomes drier—and the less oily your scalp is, the longer you can go between washes.

Your hair’s length also plays a role in how frequently you need to shampoo. If you have long hair, it can take a while for the oils from your scalp to reach the ends of your hair, allowing you to stretch out the time between washes. Those with short hair, on the other hand, may find that their hair appears greasy quicker and may therefore prefer to shampoo every day. A good way to tell if your schedule is working for you is by how your scalp feels. If you’re experiencing frequent dryness and irritation, you may be washing your hair too frequently. Over time, over-washing your hair can make your strands dry and brittle and contribute to breakage.

Our Best Scented Hair Products For Great-Smelling Strands

Having great-smelling hair starts with the products that you use. At Kiehl’s, we offer a range of hair products that leave your hair smelling amazing while giving hair the nourishment it needs. Find our favorites below.

1. Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate

Lock in a gorgeous woodsy fragrance with Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate. This lightweight leave-in treatment nourishes and smoothes hair without weighing it down. It’s also demonstrated to calm frizz. Apply a small amount of the concentrate to damp hair and distribute it with a comb or your fingers, then style your strands as usual. You can also apply it sparingly to dry hair to boost shine and softness.

2. Grooming Solutions Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner

Grooming Solutions Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner is a men’s two-in-one shampoo and conditioner for all hair types. The refreshing formula gently cleanses and removes buildup from your hair and beard, leaving your hair looking soft and healthy. Additionally, the men’s haircare staple is formulated with an aromatic blend of essential oils (including cedarwood, sandalwood, and eucalyptus oils) that impart your mane with an earthy, woodsy fragrance. Incorporate this shampoo and conditioner into your grooming routine and explore more of Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Collection.

3. Body Fuel Wash

Speed up your morning routine with Body Fuel Wash, a multitasking must-have ideal for busy days. This men’s hair and body cleanser with caffeine and menthol gently removes excess oil, sweat, and impurities. The energizing formula leaves your skin and hair feeling invigorated and refreshed, while the uplifting menthol scent will help keep your strands smelling fresh throughout the day.

4 Tips For Keeping Great Smelling Hair

If you love the smell of your shampoo and conditioner, it’s only natural to want that scent to stick around all day. Here are four tips to help keep your strands smelling their best as the day goes on.

1. Clean Your Hair Supplies

Toothbrushes get replaced once a month, makeup brushes get cleaned weekly—your haircare tools should get the same treatment. Once a month or so, give your hair brushes and combs a good, thorough cleaning to help ensure you’re not spreading old sweat and grime throughout your freshly-washed hair. It’s a good idea to wipe down your curling wands and flat irons, too.

2. Start Your Day With Fresh Hair

Nighttime showers can be relaxing, but it’s unlikely your shampoo’s fragrance will hold up overnight. To keep your hair smelling its best throughout the day, stick to morning showers or refresh second-day strands with a spritz of water and a little bit of leave-in conditioner.

3. Pay Attention To Your Scalp

Scalp care is skincare, so you should be treating your scalp the same as the other skin on your body. This means regular exfoliation is a must; it can help remove the dead skin and leftover sweat, as well as any product buildup that may be sullying the scent of your favorite shampoo. Use Amino Acid Scalp-Detoxifying Treatment Scrub in place of shampoo once weekly for a clean, fresh-feeling scalp.

4. Try a Perfume

Designated hair perfumes are meant to give your locks an amazing scent that lasts. Simply spray and enjoy. Aside from these hair fragrances, if your haircare products aren’t super fragrant, your regular perfume can also step up. Our classic Musk Eau de Toilette Spray starts off with fresh citrus notes and dries to a warm, musky aroma with hints of tonka nut and white patchouli. Spritz a bit of the fragrance behind your ears to keep your mane smelling amazing all day long.

Next: Learn how to choose The Right Conditioner For Your Hair Type.