Reverse Washing - Conditioner Before Shampoo on 4C Natural Hair

I've recently switched up my wash day routine by giving it a bit of a revamp by doing reverse washing. This method of hair washing is where you use a conditioner or deep conditioner followed by shampoo rather than the traditional steps of shampoo followed by conditioner. Read on for more info on the benefits of reverse washing and my natural hair routine with this method.

Should you use a conditioner before a shampoo?

This method of hair washing is particularly beneficial for finer or oilier hair types but can work for other hair types too. The shampoo washes away the heaviness of the conditioner or deep conditioner yet doesn't limit its hydrating benefits. 

Also, my natural hair is usually dry and tangled when it needs a wash and shampooing first without detangling in this was simply causes more tangles so reverse hair washing helps my hair feel softer and easier to wash. I find my hair is still left feeling nourished after reverse washing (conditioning pre-shampoo) as whilst my natural 4c hair may appears thick the individual strands are actually quite fine (I just have a lot of them!😍).

How to do reverse washing

Even though you can start with dry hair, when reverse washing I prefer to start with damp hair as this helps open up the cuticles and aids detangling. I work in sections and mist my hair with some water using a spray bottle and then apply the conditioner or deep conditioner from root to tip. 

Next I finger detangle in the individual sections and do some chunky twists. 

I leave the conditioner to do its magic for up to 30 mins or so under a shower cap or with heat and once the product has finished marinating in my hair I proceed to rinsing out the conditioner in the shower and shampooing (focusing on my scalp) whilst letting the residue run through the mid-lengths and ends.

Benefits of Reverse Washing Natural Hair

1. Aids Detangling

   Using a conditioner or deep conditioner in the first step of my natural hair routine (as I would a 'pre-shampoo treatment') allows me to detangle my 4c hair thoroughly - so less tangles during washing!

2. Protects hair from shampoo

   Additionally, the conditioner coats hair in a protective layer of moisture and can help fight against the stripping effects of shampoo (especially if using a more intensive or clarifying shampoo).

3. Doesn't leave hair feeling weighed down

   Reverse washing works well if you have fine hair as it won't leave your hair feeling weighed down as it provides moisture without residue.

4. Saves time

   I find reverse washing (conditioning pre-shampoo) helps save time with detangling. As I apply the conditioner and detangle my hair then proceed to washing it in chunky twists.

5. Length retention

   I’ve been able to retain more length because my hair isn’t being broken off by a rough detangling session.

Drawbacks of reverse washing

It can take sometime for you to get use to washing your hair this way as it might seem unfamiliar. You can try to deep condition, shampoo and apply a rinse out conditioner instead if you feel your hair isn't as moisturised. But I’d recommend giving reverse washing a good go as your hair might just like it! You might need to try different product combinations until you find which works best for your hair.

My hair wash day routine when reverse washing. 

I currently use a deep conditioner (or sometimes a rinse out conditioner if I have less time) first followed by a cleansing rinse/shampoo and then proceed to leave-in detangler/leave-in conditioner plus hair milk (or hair butter) and finish off with a sealing oil mix.

The products that I use will vary each month as I work by way through my product collection (product junkie problems!) but my current line up is:

1. Shea Moisture Raw Shea Deep Treatment Masque

   This shea moisture raw shea deep conditioner is one of the best moisturising deep conditioners I’ve used and it’s packed with shea butter and olive oil goodness it provides great slip and leaves hair feeling nourished.

2. Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Rinse

   A firm favourite, camille rose naturals sweet ginger rinse cleanses without the need for harsh sulphates and always leaves my hair feeling stripped. Check out my previous reviews of this gentle cleanser/shampoo in my previous Camille Rose Naturals x TreasureTress blog post.

3. Shea Moisture Raw Shea Detangler

   This product is not only one of my favourite detanglers/leave-in conditioners and it’s one of my all time favourite natural hair products. I have repurchased this shea moisture raw shea detangler multiple times because it has fantastic slip and helps detangle my 4c natural hair beautifully whilst adding shine. I find this moisturising detangler doesn't flake when paired with other natural hair butters, hair milks or leave-in conditioner sprays, plus a little goes a long way.

4. Mielle Organics Avocado Hair Milk

   After applying the shea moisture detangler I go in with this hair milk. The two products combined provides maximum moisture. If you've been following me for a while from when my platforms were called 'beautifulhealthblog' you'll know this hair milk is one of my staples. I always go back to it. If all else fails I know mielle avocado hair milk won't fail me. This creamy avocado hair milk has a subtle scent and makes my hair feel lush!

5. Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil 

   Another staple is this mielle mint almond oil. It’s lightweight, nourishing and smells amazing! Perfect for sealing in moisture.

   You can find more of my hair current product recommendations for natural 4c hair here and save 20% on selected natural hair products including Shea Moisture and Mielle Organics products here with the code LFTFKRISTA.

So there you have it a little more info on reverse washing and the benefits plus how I’ve incorporate this method of hair washing into my washday routine. Have you tried reverse washing before or are you planning to try it out soon? I'd love to know! Share your experience in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Krista x

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