“The primary function of a shampoo is to clean and reset your hair, so if you’re using something that’s really heavy and is trying to do too much, then it’s probably not going to be cleaning your hair properly in the first place,” he says.

“So, if in doubt, use a lightweight shampoo that doesn’t make too many claims. Clarifying and deep cleansing shampoos can be good too, but not all of them are suitable to use every day or during every wash, so it’s best to alternate them with your regular one.”

How to shampoo hair properly

Finally, how you use shampoo is also important. It might seem like a simple task, but because it’s something we all do so mindlessly, there’s likely to be room for improvement.

“First, it’s important to make sure you’re distributing the shampoo properly over your scalp before you start lathering it up,” says Smith. “Tap it onto different areas of your scalp, then rub your hands together and start to lather it in. The sign of clean hair is that there’s even lather through your scalp, so it’s important to systematically move from one area to another.”

Then, it could be worth doing a second shampoo. It’s something that happens when you’re in the hairdressers so it makes sense to also incorporate a double cleanse into your at-home hair-washing routine.

“That’s really going to set you up for success in terms of achieving a longer lasting style and a better-looking blow dry,” explains Smith.

This is how often you should be washing your hair, according to a hairdresser