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The Golden Girl

Chicago Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

February 3, 2016

Have we been washing our hair wrong all this time?

Reverse Washing Hair–Does it Work?-Chicago Beauty Blogger, Jess Keys

Robe: Anthropologie (old) but I also love this one, this one and this one! 

It seems like there are always new and intriguing beauty trends popping up here and there, but I have to admit, it takes a pretty unique one to pique my interest. However, there are always exceptions–and one of those is called “reverse washing.”




Have you heard of it? I first came across it while perusing a magazine, and at first thought it sounded silly–the concept is essentially to reverse the order of your shampoo and conditioner. Apply conditioner first, and rinse it out with shampoo. I then came across “reverse washing” again and again on my favorite websites like Refinery29, Glamour and XO Jane. 

Now, for a girl with super thick hair that often gets tangled without enough conditioning, I wasn’t sure if this process was for me. But among further investigation, I thought it might be worth giving a try. 

Here’s the theory: Conditioner weighs your hair down, and leaves behind a residue that can make your hair dull, less shiny, and lacking “oomph.” By reversing the order, you get the conditioning effects, but wash away the dulling residue that can cause it to look lackluster. 

Okay, I’m officially intrigued. 

Then, I got the opportunity to partner with CVS to try out TRESemmé’s new Reverse Wash System, and I figured it was fate. 

I’ve always been a fan of TRESemmé (their products smell THE BEST and I think they’re one of the highest quality drugstore brands out there) so I was hopeful that this new shampoo and conditioner (or should I start saying, “conditioner and shampoo?”) wouldn’t disappoint. I also really liked that this system was specially formulated for reverse washing!


Here’s how it works: 

 

Step 1: Apply TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Pre-Wash Conditioner all over your hair.

Typically, I recommend only applying conditioner from the mid-strands down to the ends, but since you’ll be washing away the conditioner, feel free to go wild! 

Note: Since my hair is thick, it did require more conditioner than the recommended amount, so if you’re in the same boat, add a few extra pumps of product. I used slightly more than usual because this was covering my full head, instead of just the ends. 

I left the conditioner on as long as I normally would (just in a different order), by putting it up in a bun to soak in. Then I went about doing everything else (body wash, shaving, etc). 

 

Step 2: Follow with TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Shampoo

After I wrapped up everything else and had let the conditioner fully soak in for a few minutes, I applied shampoo DIRECTLY to my hair. (Do not rinse out the conditioner first, I think this makes a big difference!) If you rinse your conditioner out completely before applying shampoo, it will be harder to brush afterwords. 

By using the shampoo to rinse out the conditioner, it gently cleanses and removes excess weight, leaving hair more bouncy.

(Also worth noting: for those who dye their hair, this formula is supposed to be completely color safe!) 

 

Step 3: Style as usual 

Voila! There you have a successful reverse washing session!

A couple things I noticed after the first time doing the reverse wash:

When my hair was wet, it definitely felt different after a reverse wash than after a regular wash. It was also still easy (just slightly less easy) to comb out when wet. I typically don’t blow-dry my hair, so I let it air dry as usual, and did notice that it was sleek and straighter than usual (vs my usual waves with some minor frizz). 

Overall, I think this product would especially work well for those with fine, thinner hair, which gets weighted down very easily, or thicker, corse or curly hair that tends to be particularly unruly. In my opinion, Reverse Washing is a great addition to add into your beauty routine to help reduce buildup and residue that your conditioner leaves behind! 

Will it work for you? I’m not sure–you’ll have to give it a try for yourself! 

The New Way to Wash Hair–Chicago Beauty Blogger, Jess Keys New Tresemme Reverse Wash System Tresemme Reverse Wash System





If you want to pick up your own TRESemmé Reverse Wash shampoo and conditioner, head to CVS! You can get 2 for $10 on select TRESemmé  products, as well as $5 ExtraBucks Rewards when you spend $15 on participating TRESemmé products now through 2/6! 

Would you be up for trying the “reverse” hair washing system? 

This post has been sponsored by Lunchbox, but opinions are 100% my own. 

Filed Under: Beauty Tips, Favorite products, How to

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Mary Kate says

    February 3, 2016 at 7:31 am

    Interesting post! I’ve never heard of reverse washing, I’ll have to try it tonight!

    Mary Kate
    http://www.mynewchicagolife.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Thank you Mary Kate! Let me know how you like it!

      Reply
  2. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says

    February 3, 2016 at 7:36 am

    How cool! I would totally try this!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Let me know what you think, Erin!

      Reply
  3. Public Lives, Secret Recipes says

    February 3, 2016 at 7:50 am

    This is genius!! Thanks for sharing! xo
    http://publiclivessecretrecipes.com/2016/02/blushing.html

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Thanks love!!

      Reply
  4. Maggie says

    February 3, 2016 at 8:18 am

    Hmm this sounds interesting! I have oily hair though, so I’d be nervous putting conditioner on the roots. I could always do it not at the roots anyway and still reverse though!

    http://www.maggiealamode.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Yes, for sure! I think everyone has different hair, so some experimentation is necessary to figure out what works best for you!

      Reply
  5. Cat says

    February 3, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    This is how I’ve always washed my hair! My hair is too unruly to shampoo unless there’s already conditioner in it.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of this sooner! It’s such a no-brainer concept once you actually stop to think about it!

      Reply
  6. Tammy says

    February 3, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    I’ve never heard of this so I’m really curious to try it out!
    I appreciate how honest you are with your reviews (even in sponsored posts). Been following your blog for a few months now and love the variety of your content and the new types of posts that you’re sharing!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      Thank you SO MUCH Tammy! This feedback really made my day 🙂 I’m so glad you found my blog and continue to stick around, I’m so glad to have you here!

      Reply
  7. Kelly in the City says

    February 4, 2016 at 1:25 am

    Jess, SUCH a good post!!! I’d heard about this and was confused about it, so this was incredibly helpful! TRYING THIS SOON! xoxo

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Thanks Kel 🙂 Love you!

      Reply
  8. Maggie says

    February 4, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    Interesting! I hadn’t heard about this- what a great idea!
    -Maggie http://www.thatgirlmags.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      Right!? Let me know if you try it, Maggie! Have an awesome weekend!

      Reply
  9. Leah D'Amato Berry says

    May 6, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Question… How was the lather of the shampoo with the conditioner still in your hair? I know more lather doesn’t necessarily mean better but I’ve been conditioned to feel like of there isn’t enough lather then it isn’t cleaning well enough.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      May 16, 2016 at 11:12 am

      Hi Berrle! It was still pretty lathered! I would say it was a little bit of a different consistency because of the shampoo mixing with the conditioner, but I still felt like it cleaned well! I hope this helps!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Reverse Washing, Fresh Face Makeup, & More - Stylisted says:
    February 5, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    […] talks reverse washing (a trend we love and swear by!) and how it can do so much good for your hair – especially […]

    Reply

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