The Ultimate Hair Care Routine For Men (for All Hair Types)

Achieving healthy, strong, and vibrant hair is the goal of any good men's hair care routine. However, frizz, breakage, product buildup, itchy scalps, and other issues often plague many guys. These problems could stem from the shampoo and conditioner you use or may be related to your hair and scalp type.

To help you build the perfect hair care regimen, we've researched the best ways to care for men's hair while addressing common concerns like dryness, dandruff, and breakage. With the right approach, you can unlock your hair's full potential and keep it looking its best daily. 

In this article, we’ll explore how to create a high-quality hair care routine for men and what products you should use. 

Understand Your Hair Type

Before you can start building your ultimate—and 100% manly—hair care routine, you’ll need to understand your hair type. 

There are four main hair types: curly, wavy, straight, and coily. Each type of hair may require different cleansers, conditioners, and treatments. Here’s what you should know for each hair type. 

• Curly: Guys with ringlets and other loose curls should cleanse and condition their hair two to four times a week. How often you wash your hair depends on lifestyle factors like oil production, weather, and exercise. Men with curls should schedule bi-weekly or once-monthly treatments like deep conditioning, oil, or leave-in conditioners that make curls shiny and healthy. 
• Straight: Men with straight hair may notice their strands get greasy pretty quickly. This is generally because oil travels easily from the hair follicle towards the end of a strand. Based on your scalp oil production, you should shampoo and condition your hair between two to three times per week. Straight hair also benefits from treatments that help curb frizz and breakage. 
• Coily: Those with coily or kinky hair should co-wash hair once a week and deep cleanse the hair and scalp with shampoo once a month. (Co-washing is using conditioner to clean hair). Your routine should include a deep hair mask once a week, a pre-shampoo treatment, and leave-in hydrating products. 
• Wavy: Gents with wavy hair should shampoo and condition hair two to three times per week. Wavy hair may require extra hair treatments like keratin treatments or deep conditioning. 

The Best Daily Hair Care Routine for Men

Let’s get to the good stuff. Every guy should follow a basic hair care routine that keeps the hair and scalp healthy. While this may look different for different hair and skin types, three basic principles create the foundation of every great hair care routine. 

Here are the three basic steps every man should follow: 

1. Shampoo: Every good grooming routine starts with sudsing up with a quality shampoo. First, get your hair wet and squeeze or pump a dime—to quarter-sized amount of product into your hand. Rub your hands into the scalp and work it into a foamy lather. Massage your scalp and cover your hair in the cleanser from top to bottom. Rinse off the cleanser with lukewarm water. 
2. Condition: We know a lot of guys skip this part. (Or some are brave enough to use 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioners that claim to do both). But guys on top of their grooming game know they should follow their shampoo with a conditioner that restores moisture and nourishes the hair. After you’ve shampooed the hair, get a dollop of conditioner and work it from the midlength of the hair to the tips. Let it soak into your strands and revive dry hair. (If you have short hair, just apply it to the hair and scalp). 
3. Scalp Care: Once a week, give yourself a scalp massage. You can do it when you’re in the shower cleansing hair or sitting on the couch watching your favorite show. If you want to boost this simple hair care technique, get a scalp massager brush. 

Now, here’s the important part. You should follow this basic hair care routine with products that suit your hair type. That means gents with coily, curly, and kinky hair should opt for hearty moisturizers that can penetrate denser hair, while guys with straight or wavy hair should opt for lightweight shampoo and conditioners. 

Hair Care for Men: Monthly Regimen

For the ultimate hair care routine for gents, combine the basic hair steps above and add in the tips listed below. Depending on your hair type, each method listed below may not suit your hair and skin type. 

• Deep Conditioning: Guys who suffer from dryness and breakage or have thick, coarse hair should use a deep conditioner bi-weekly or once a month. Your hair type and issues will determine how often you deep condition your hair. Using one is simple: 20 minutes before you hop in the shower, get a quarter-sized amount of product. Comb it through hair from the mid-length to the ends. Let it sit for 20 minutes before showering and washing it off with shampoo.  
• Scalp Shampoo/Exfoliation: A good scalp shampoo dives into the skin to remove product build-up while waking up tired hair follicles. Once a week, replace your regular shampoo with a scalp shampoo that offers deeper benefits for the skin. You can apply a pre-shampoo scalp mask to make it even more purifying before hitting the shower. 

What’s the Best Hair Care Routine for Men? 

The best hair care for men addresses concerns like dryness and breakage while ensuring the hair stays clean and soft. 

Here are the top tips to keep your hair in optimal health:  

1. Wash and condition hair two to three times a week using lukewarm or cold water. (Don’t overwash hair). 
2. Pat your hair dry (instead of rubbing it dry). 
3. Massage your scalp and keep it clean.  
4. Apply hair serums, oils, or leave-in conditioners to frizzy, dry, damaged hair when needed. 
5. Use deep conditioners as needed.  
6. Avoid hot styling tools, tight hats, and chlorine. (They all damage hair). 

The Best Products to Build a Men’s Hair Care Routine

You should use premium hair care products to keep your hair healthy, vibrant, and strong. At Blu Atlas, we take men’s hair care seriously, which is why we formulate good-for-hair products that protect, cleanse, nourish, and strengthen your strands. 

Like every good routine, you should have a trusty Shampoo, Conditioner, and moisturizing treatment (Hair & Body Oil). Simplify your grooming routine with the Blu Atlas bundles that package up everything you need to get spic and span in a jiffy. Choose the Shower Bundle for all your deep cleansing needs, the Beard Bundle to keep your beard in mint condition, or the Essentials Bundle to cover all your grooming bases. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How should men take care of their hair? 

Men should follow a basic grooming routine that cleanses the scalp, restores moisture, and ensures the hair and scalp stay clean.