STOP Washing Before You Style… Here’s Why

There’s one sneaky mistake that could be sabotaging your waves! And no, it’s not your curling technique or your heat tool. If you're shampooing right before you curl, you might actually be setting yourself up for failure. Here’s the hot truth - your hair curls and holds better when it’s a little dirty.

Yep, we're giving you full permission to skip wash day and your best beachy bends and bouncy waves might just depend on it.

Why Your Hair Waves and Curls Better When It's a Bit Dirty

When you don't wash your hair, your natural oils (aka your scalp’s own built-in treatment) coat your strands. This makes the hair shaft more malleable, meaning it’s easier to manipulate into the shapes you want - curls, bends or effortless Mermade waves.

Plus, hair with a bit of natural oil is less slippery than freshly washed strands. That slight grittiness gives your hair memory. So when you twist it around your Mermade waver or spin it into a curl, it actually stays put.

"But My Hair Looks Greasy at the Roots…" Here’s What to Do

We get it! Nobody wants to walk around with obvious oily hair. Enter your holy grail - dry shampoo.

Spritz dry shampoo directly at the roots, then brush it through to evenly disperse the product. This absorbs the excess oil, adds volume and refreshes your scalp without stripping away the texture you want on the lengths.

Why Does My Hair Get Oily So Fast?

Quick science lesson - if your scalp's natural oils travel down your hair shaft faster than most, it usually means your hair is fine in texture or straight to slightly wavy. It’s just physics… there’s less distance (and fewer kinks) for the oils to cover.

Hormones, over washing and even the wrong haircare products can also make your scalp produce oil faster. But here's the silver lining - your natural oils are also nature’s best heat protectant and they make styling way easier when you know how to work with them.

The Best Hairstyles for “Dirty” Hair

When your hair’s too clean, it’s limp, fluffy, and frankly a pain to style. Slightly oily hair, on the other hand, unlocks a world of effortless looks:

Mermade Waves

Grab your Mermade Pro Waver or Double Waver and clamp sections for fast, voluminous waves that actually last. Dirty hair = grippier texture = waves that don’t fall out.

Slick Up-Do

Nothing says model-off-duty like a super sleek bun or ponytail. The natural oils already provide the shine and control you need for the perfect polished finish. Go in with our Hair Gel Wand and Styling Brush for the ultimate smooth finish.

Dry Shampoo and Curls

Revive your roots with a spritz of dry shampoo, brush this through to soften it out to the mids of your hair. Then go in with the Spin or Style Wand to create loose curls throughout the hair. 

The Wet Look

To truly embrace the oily hair is to opt in for the wet look. Use a serum or styling gel through mid-lengths and ends to emphasise the glossy, piecey texture that oily hair can naturally enhance.

Image credit: Taylor Hill

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