Stop! You Don’t Need to Use the Same Shampoo and Conditioner

Here’s a little something you might not know: your shampoo and conditioner don’t have to be twins. That’s right! Your shampoo and conditioner are designed to do totally different jobs.

✨ Shampoo = Scalp’s best friend (cleans dirt, oil + build-up)
✨ Conditioner = Ends’ BFF (hydrates, softens + protects)

Once you understand this, your routine becomes less “one-size-fits-all” and more “tailored to your hair’s needs.” Ready to bust some myths? Let’s go.

Myth #1: “You need to shampoo the ends every wash”

Nope! Your scalp is where the dirt, sweat, oil, and product build-up live, that’s what shampoo is designed to remove. The ends of your hair are older, drier, and don’t need that extra scrubbing (unless you’ve been heavy on wax or styling products).

👉 Pro tip: Save the shampoo for your roots, and let the suds naturally cleanse your lengths as you rinse.

Myth #2: “Conditioner goes everywhere”

Not quite! A conditioner is like a tall drink of water for your lengths and ends, not your roots. Applying too close to the scalp can weigh your hair down and make it greasy. Instead, start mid-lengths and work downwards. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute evenly and detangle as you go.

💡 Fun fact: The “matching shampoo and conditioner” rule was actually invented in the 1950s as a clever marketing trick. Brands wanted you to buy both, even though your hair doesn’t technically need twins!

Treat your haircare in zones

Scalp → needs cleansing + balancing. Use shampoo suited to your scalp and root’s needs.
Lengths & ends → need hydration + repair. Use conditioner to soften, protect, and detangle.

By splitting your routine, you’re giving each part of your hair the TLC it really needs, without drying it out or weighing it down.

Quick routine recap

• Apply shampoo to the scalp only, lather, rinse.
• Skip shampooing the ends (unless there’s heavy build-up)
• Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends, comb through, rinse.
• Optional: Add a leave-in for extra hydration or heat protection.

✨ Product pick: incredible milk is the ultimate multitasking leave-in, hydrating, protecting, and keeping frizz away in one spritz.

Final thoughts

Next time you’re in the shower, remember: shampoo is for your roots, conditioner is for your ends. By treating them differently, you’ll get cleaner, fresher roots and healthier, shinier lengths, no more weighed-down or frazzled strands.

Your hair will thank you with bounce, shine, and a whole lot of good hair days. 💛

Need some help? Take a look at our quick guide on the best products to use for your hair type.

• Fine lightened hair:
  

  • Shampoo: milk_shake volume solution shampoo
  • Conditioner: milk_shake moisture plus conditioner to hydrate lightened midlengths and ends
    
    

• Brassy, blonde hair with damaged ends:
  

  • Shampoo: milk_shake silver shine shampoo
  • Conditioner: milk_shake integrity conditioner to strengthen and repair
    
    

• Curly or textured hair:
  

  • Shampoo: milk_shake curl passion shampoo
  • Conditioner: milk_shake curl passion conditioner
    
    

• Brassy brunette hair:
  

  • Shampoo: milk_shake cold brunette shampoo
  • Conditioner: milk_shake cold brunette conditioner 

  • *Use cold brunette shampoo and conditioner whenever warmth starts to creep in, then switch back to your regular milk_shake favourites once your brunette looks perfectly cool.

• Oily scalp, normal ends:
  

  • Shampoo: milk_shake normalizing blend shampoo
  • Conditioner: milk_shake  make my day conditioner

• Hardwater area or product build up:
  

  • Shampoo: milk_shake deep detox shampoo
  • Conditioner: Pick a conditioner based on your hair type

• Thinning, coloured hair/alopecia:

  • Shampoo: milk_shake energizing blend shampoo
  • Conditioner: milk_shake colour care conditioner