New York Colourists Swear By The “Shampoo Sandwich” For Maximum Colour Retention
Hairstylists have some of the best tricks of the trade. Like how to pin curl after a blow dry (the only way, really, to ensure your bounce stays bouncy), or applying conditioner only to the mid-lengths and ends if you’re susceptible to oily roots. Others are less widely known, such as the shampoo sandwich – a technique born in New York salons and now rising fast on TikTok.
What is a shampoo sandwich?
A shampoo sandwich is just what it sounds like: the process of sandwiching your application of shampoo between layers of treatment. It’s a way to maximise colour retention while still looking after the hair. Here’s how to do it:
- Apply a reparative or protective treatment or conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.
- After leaving on for the allotted time, rinse the treatment out.
- Then, shampoo as you usually would, either once or twice.
- Reapply the treatment, mask or conditioner.
- Rinse, and your done!
Why try a shampoo sandwich?
Applying a treatment, mask or conditioner before shampooing helps protect the parts of your hair that are naturally drier or a little more damaged. By coating the hair fibre, the subsequent shampoo cycles stop the lengths and ends from drying out while allowing the scalp to still be effectively cleansed. The result is shinier, less damaged hair.
Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Hair Mask
What are the benefits of a shampoo sandwich?
A shampoo sandwich achieves two goals at once: effective cleansing and deep hydration. It is particularly well suited to anyone with naturally oily roots, and mid-lengths and ends that tend to skew drier. It’s especially beneficial to anyone with colour treated hair, as the pre-treatment will help to limit how much colour is lost during the shampoo cycle. For people with wavy and curly hair, a shampoo sandwich helps to retain moisture in the hair which, down the line, boosts shine and definition.
Bleach London Reincarnation Mask
Who should avoid a shampoo sandwich?
This approach can be too product-heavy for people with very fine hair. If you do want to try it, seek out a lighter, silicone-free pre-treatment for your shampoo sandwich.