How to Use Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner: A Simple Wash-Day Routine

To use Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner, wash your scalp first, rinse, then condition the mid-lengths and ends. With our Rosemary Shampoo, gently massage for 60 to 90 seconds, leave it on for another 1 to 2 minutes if possible, as this really helps the various nutrients work their magic, then rinse. Follow with our Conditioner for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. That is the foundation of the routine, without needing to turn every wash into a lengthy treatment.

If your roots get oily but your ends feel dry, or your hair looks flat soon after washing, it is worth looking at how you use your products as well as which ones you choose. Here is how to use Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner together, with a few adjustments for your own hair. The timings below are for our products, so check the label if you use another brand.

The short version

• Shampoo first. Apply to thoroughly wet hair and focus your gentle massage on the scalp.
• Follow the timings. Massage our Shampoo for 60 to 90 seconds, then leave it for another 1 to 2 minutes if possible.
• Rinse before conditioning. Use warm (not hot) water and rinse the shampoo out fully.
• Condition the lengths. Leave our Conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
• Keep washing flexible. Our recommended starting point is 2 to 3 washes a week, adjusted to how your hair and scalp feel.

1. Start with thoroughly wet hair

Wet your hair all the way through with warm water before adding shampoo. Take a moment to reach underneath the top layer too, especially if your hair is thick. Aim for comfortably warm rather than very hot water.

You do not need to add Rosemary Oil before every wash. Shampoo and Conditioner can be your whole wash-day routine. We will explain where oil fits a little further down if you already use it.

2. Massage Rosemary Shampoo into your scalp

Apply our Rosemary Hair Strengthening Shampoo and gently work it into a lather. Use the pads of your fingers, keeping the massage comfortable rather than scratching with your nails.

Focus on the scalp instead of piling your hair on top of your head and scrubbing the lengths together. The American Academy of Dermatology advises letting shampoo flow through the lengths as you rinse, rather than rubbing it into them.

For our Shampoo, massage for 60 to 90 seconds, then leave it on for another 1 to 2 minutes. These are the product directions, not a promise that leaving shampoo on longer will produce better results.

3. Rinse the shampoo out thoroughly

Rinse with warm water, working through the hair so you reach the back of your head and behind your ears. It is easy to rush this part when you are trying to get out of the shower.

You do not automatically need to shampoo twice. If your hair feels clean after one wash, move on. If you have used oil or have a lot of styling-product build-up, you may need another gentle wash. Follow how your hair feels rather than treating a double wash as a rule.

4. Apply Conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends

After rinsing, work our Rosemary Deep Nourishing Conditioner through the mid-lengths and ends. Use enough to spread through that part of your hair, paying attention to the ends rather than adding a large amount at the roots.

The right amount depends on your length, thickness and texture. Fine, short hair will usually need less than long, thick hair, so there is no useful one-size-fits-all dollop. If your hair tends to feel weighed down, start with less and add a little more only where needed.

Distribute it gently with your fingers. For curly or textured hair that you detangle while conditioning, a wide-toothed comb can help. Work through knots carefully rather than pulling. Leave our Conditioner on for 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Rinse, then dry gently

Rinse the Conditioner out thoroughly with warm water. It is a rinse-out product, not a leave-in treatment, so leaving some behind is not part of the directions and not something we advise.

After washing, gently blot or wrap your hair in a towel instead of rubbing it vigorously. If you use a hairdryer, choose a lower heat setting where practical. These are small habits, but they are useful ways to reduce unnecessary wear on your hair.

How often should you use Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner?

We recommend using our Rosemary Shampoo 2 to 3 times a week in place of your usual shampoo, followed by Conditioner each time. Think of that as a starting point, not a timetable you have to follow regardless of how your scalp feels.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends adjusting washing to your hair type and how oily or dirty it gets. Your own routine may need to change with exercise, styling products or the season.

If your scalp feels oily or uncomfortable between washes, do not force yourself to wait for a particular day. If your lengths feel dry, look at where you apply shampoo, how hot your water is and how you condition, as well as how often you wash.

Where does Rosemary Oil fit in?

Rosemary Oil is optional. You do not need all three products to have a useful routine, and adding more steps is not always what your hair needs.

If you use an oil designed for pre-shampoo application, apply it before washing, following its own directions. Then shampoo it out and condition as usual. Our guide to using Rosemary Oil for hair walks through that part separately. Keep the oil and shampoo steps separate rather than mixing essential oil into your shampoo bottle.

Keep the routine simple

A good wash day does not need to be complicated. Cleanse the scalp, condition the lengths and be gentle when rinsing, detangling and drying. Adjust one thing at a time if your hair feels too flat or too dry, so you can tell what makes a difference.

If you would like to try our pair, you can find them in the Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle. If you already have products that suit you, the same basic order still applies. Just follow their own application times.

Frequently asked questions

Written by Asif & Faz, founders of The Rosemary Company. We started the brand after Faz’s own experience with post-partum hair loss, with the aim of making hair care feel simpler and more approachable.