Mommy Maven: Psst, I Wash My Hair Once a Week

In case you missed it, here is a recent post from “Rosie to the Rescue”, my blog for Parents Magazine.  In this post I gave away my #1 secret to looking stylish with little time.  Don’t miss the rest of the “Rosie to the Rescue” posts, available here.

People sometimes ask me, “What do you do to pamper yourself?” But with three kids under 4, a husband, and a crazy work schedule, there really are no spa days in my world. And there certainly aren’t yoga retreats sprinkled with juice cleanses and some guy named Rodolpho (think male model) to massage my stressed limbs.

But I do believe in figuring out ways to make my life less stressful while also injecting a dose of glam (my version of pampering). So now, let me present to you… “The One-Wash Wonder.” That’s right: Unless I manage to fit in a workout, I only wash my hair once a week. Why? Because it takes forever to blow-dry, I’m not very good at it, and I would simply rather savor the taste of my coffee beans if I have any spare time in the morning, or get a few more minutes in bed than to be hurriedly running shampoo through my tresses. I have it down to a fine art and now after years of perfection, I will share my secret with you:

Sunday: Wash thoroughly with some high-quality shampoo and conditioner. You should splurge on these. Only using them once a week means they’ll last forever, so you can justify the cost! Put very little conditioner on the roots, but do use lots elsewhere. Blow-dry really well using your favorite products (but keep to a minimum) and stay away from waxes and hair sprays or other products that make your hair more greasy or prone to needing to be washed. Use curlers, and then leave in a loose bun on top of your head till morning.

Monday: Wear with illustrious pride: You are a walking hair model. Repeat bun at night.

Tuesday: Oh yeah, still looking good. No need for a bun tonight; let hair hang loose and relax those roots.

Wednesday: Spruce up with a little dry shampoo (baby powder works, too). Do some curling-iron action if necessary, then brush out those curls for a more natural look. I’m a fan of the Mason Pearson hairbrush, made with boar bristles (put it on your Christmas list, because it’s expensive). Leap into the day with your curls, but keep your brush handy for spruce-ups throughout the day! Sweep back into that loose bun at night.

Shop my collection!

Thursday: Ponytail day! That’s right, ponies don’t look good just on teenagers. Make sure your tail’s not too high, but not too low either. Think sleek, and use water instead of spray to tame the wild frizzy bits up front. Wear as you wish at night. Always save a few strands to wrap around your hair tie for a more polished look.

Friday: Make a defined part in your hair, and wear your ponytail low and sleek.

Saturday: Sweep your tresses into a sleek bun. Go crazy today, hair spray and all. I like a high bun, others low. Choose what looks best for your head shape.

Sunday: Repeat that bun (high, low, however you like it) and relish in the fact that tonight is wash night and you’re actually looking forward to it. Voilà, glamour without the hours!

And next time you see me, maybe you’ll crack a smile, knowing exactly where I am in the weekly cycle of the one-wash wonder!

Tags: beauty, hair care, mommy IQ, shampoo