You washed and conditioned… now what?

Your Post-Shower Hair Routine, Demystified by Jessica Lopez

If you’ve ever stepped out of the shower and stood there thinking:

“Do I need a leave-in? A mask? Is oil too much? What the heck do I put in my hair right now?”

— you’re not alone.

This is one of the most common conversations I have with clients in the salon. The truth is, your hair doesn’t need everything, but it does need the right thing, at the right time. And that depends on your hair type, your goals, and what you’re doing between washes.

So let’s break it down in a way that makes sense — and gives your hair what it actually needs to thrive.

Step 1: Get to Know Your Hair Type

Before you can build your routine, ask yourself:

• Is your hair fine and soft? Thick and textured? Dry or frizzy?

• Is it colored, highlighted, or chemically treated?

• Do you heat style often or wear your hair natural?

• Is your scalp dry, oily, or prone to buildup?

Your answers will shape the products and frequency of care.

Step 2: The Post-Shower Routine (Right After Shampoo + Conditioner)

🧼Towel Tips First

As soon as you’re out of the shower, gently squeeze out any excess water — no rough rubbing. Then:

• Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to smooth through the hair.

• Now you’re ready for the most important step: leave-in conditioner.

💧Leave-In Conditioner (Non-Negotiable!)

Think of this as lotion for your hair — it seals in moisture, protects the cuticle, and makes everything else work better.

• What to use: SEBASTION Leave-in bond crème, SEBASTION Potion 9

• Why: SEBASTION’s leave-in treatments are my favorites because they absorb into the hair exceptionally well without weighing it down. You can use a generous amount, and honestly, it's one of my favorite products—I truly stand by it.

• When to use: After every wash.

• How to apply: Start mid-length to ends, then work up to the roots. Massage it into the hair like a lightweight cream. Re-comb through to evenly distribute.

• Best for: All hair types. Especially important for color-treated, dry, curly, or heat-styled hair.

👉 Shop my favorite leave-in here — and don’t forget to use code JLHAIRSHOP at checkout to save 15%!

🌿Hair Oiling as a Deep Conditioning Treatment

When we think of hair oil, most people picture a shiny finishing product — but the real magic? Using oils as a deep conditioning, pre-wash treatment.

This ancient practice has been a game-changer for scalp health, growth, and hydration — especially for dry, brittle, or overworked hair.

How I Recommend It:

In my routine, I blend castor oil, rosemary oil, and jojoba oil — a powerhouse trio for stimulating the scalp, softening the hair shaft, and locking in moisture. I fully saturate my hair and scalp (don’t be shy — you want it drenched), then let it sit for at least 3 hours.

*Jojoba oil is the real star!

You can even leave it on overnight if you want to but I personally dot wat to sleep with it in my hair overnight.

How to Wash It Out:

• Shampoo twice to fully break down the oil (no need to scrub harshly — just be thorough).

• Follow with your regular conditioner to restore softness and slip.

Best For:

• Dry, brittle, or frizzy hair

• Anyone growing their hair out or struggling with breakage

• Clients dealing with dry scalp, inflammation, or flakiness

👉 Want to try it…. My own oil is in the works but for now I recommend buying it where ever you like to online shop. Purchase a castor oil/rosemary oil blend then separately purchase jojoba oil and on your own. Mix 1:1. Apply and enjoy

🧖‍♀️Hair Masks

If your hair feels rough, lifeless, looks dull, or the wave pattern is off it most likely be thirsty — and shampoo + conditioner alone won’t cut it.

• What: AMIKA Soulfood, Hydroush, and Intense repair.

• Why: AMIKA’s masks are honestly so good! Smells amazing, really nourishes and repairs the hair. The Souldfood mask also contains Jojoba oil, which is always my go-to.

• When to use: Use after every time you shampoo until the mask is done. This makes the biggest difference! Once its empty your hair will be back to fabulous.

• How: After shampooing, skip conditioner that day. Apply a good amount that coats your hair from root to end. Then spend some time rubbing it into your hair and scalp and making sure the hair has been saturated from mid-length to ends, leave on 5–10 mins, then rinse well.

• Best for: Damaged, bleached, dry, or over-styled hair that needs a reboot.

👉 Shop my favorite Amika masks here — and don’t forget to use code JLHairshop20 at checkout to save 15%!

🧼Clarifying Shampoo (When Hair Feels “Off”)

This isn’t an everyday product, but it’s a powerful reset when your hair feels heavy or greasy no matter what you do.

• When to use: Once every 2–4 weeks.

• How: Use in place of your regular shampoo. Follow with a hydrating conditioner or mask.

• Best for: Product junkies, swimmers, or anyone with hard water at home.

👉 JLHAIRSHOP

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet: What Your Hair Needs Most

Hair Type	Must-Have Products
Fine Hair	Lightweight leave-in, occasional clarifying
Thick/Coarse Hair	Leave-in + hair oil treatment + weekly mask
Color-Treated Hair	Leave-in + weekly mask + heat protectant
Curly Hair	Leave-in + oil treatment + regular moisture masks
Oily Scalp	Clarifying shampoo monthly + lightweight leave-in

💬My Personal Hair Growth story...

I have been growing my hair out from an above-the-shoulder bob to mid-back length hair. Of course, I still want a little more length. My hair has never grown quickly, so because of this, I decided to get extensions to help me get through the awkward length stages. I loved it, and after about 8 months of wearing them, I decided to take a break. My hair had grown, and I wanted to start nourishing it after all those months of heat styling. So I deep dove into the world of deep conditioning treatments. Through trial and error, I have found the products I love and how to best achieve happy, healthy hair. I was consistent in hair oiling treatments once a week, including a good scalp massage. Then I always washed my hair with Nioxin System 4 shampoo and conditioner. I made sure to apply ample amounts of leave-in conditioner and tried to air dry as much as possible. Through this process, my hair has healed and been brought back to life, my curls better than ever, and my blowouts last for days and days. I swear by hydrating your hair correctly, and now that I have found and used these products, I will always recommend them!

💁‍♀️Bottom Line

Your hair doesn’t need an entire shelf of products — it needs a thoughtful routine tailored to your texture, goals, and lifestyle.

Still unsure what your hair is asking for?

That’s exactly what we figure out at your appointment.

📣Ready to Build Your Perfect Routine?

💻 Book your next appointment and let’s talk through your post-shower routine

🛍️ Shop my recommended products with exclusive links + discounts

📩 Have questions? I’m happy to help you figure it out