After a long week, many of us need a moment to reset and indulge in some much-needed “me time.” And what better way to unwind than with a long, relaxing shower routine that seriously pampers your mane? Enter the “everything shower”—TikTok’s latest self-care trend. With over 680 million views, the everything shower is a step-by-step routine that supplies your locks with lots of extra TLC. Think of it like the ultimate self-care Sunday for your hair.
And while an everything shower is all about taking your time, cultivating the ideal everything shower hair care routine is super simple. We’re breaking it all down for you in this guide, including sharing the basic steps to follow and the salon-quality products you’ll need to create an everything shower for your strands.
What is an everything shower for your hair?
The everything shower, as the name implies, is meant to cover all your hygiene bases. For hair, that means a luxurious, pampering deep clean. The concept behind this routine is that it takes your daily shower routine one step further, going beyond your usual shampoo and conditioner routine with the addition of more targeted treatments like scalp scrubs and hair masks.
In short, an everything shower is the merging of two worlds, where your hair care routine and self-care routine become one satisfying yet productive ritual. The idea is to take your time as you make your way through each step, so try to schedule your everything shower on a day when you have some downtime.
What do you do in an everything shower for hair?
The everything shower isn’t a totally new concept. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve already embraced TikTok’s latest self-care craze at some point, like before a big date night. However, if you want to get the most out of an everything shower for your hair, there are a few things to keep in mind.For starters, you’ll need to customize your routine by choosing the ideal products for your hair type, texture, and primary concerns. It’s also important to follow the right steps in the correct order. This includes the following hair care steps: scalp treatment, pre-cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and hair oil or serum.
How To Do an Everything Shower for Your Hair
Everything showers are meant to be relaxing, so if you’re stressed about where to begin, take a deep breath—we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling to discover a breakdown of each step, along with some of our top product picks for every hair type.
Step 1: Exfoliate your scalp
Exfoliating before shampooing can help buff away dry, flaky spots and remove product build-up, dandruff, and excess oil. So, to begin, reach for a scalp scrub like Kérastase Scrub Apaisant Deep Clean Fusio Dose Scrub. This relaxing scrub instantly soothes itching and helps reduce flakiness, and it’s suitable for normal, sensitive, and dry hair types.
Step 2: Prep your mane with a pre-shampoo treatment
Next, it’s time for a pre-shampoo treatment. These hair care products are meant to be applied to your hair or scalp immediately before shampooing. They help prep your strands for shampoo and conditioner so that you can get the best results. One pre-shampoo treatment to consider is Mizani’s Style Shifter Society Wonder Crown Scalp Foaming Pre-Cleanser. This foaming pre-cleanser for all hair textures helps remove product buildup without stripping your scalp of natural oils.
Tip: Some pre-cleanser formulas are washed out before shampooing, while others are designed to be rinsed with your shampoo. Make sure to read the product packaging carefully to see if your chosen formula requires rinsing before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Wash your hair
You can use your go-to shampoo for this step—just ensure that the formula is suitable for your hair type. Or, if your mane needs a deeper clean, reach for a clarifying shampoo like Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo. This detoxifying formula for all hair types and textures helps remove product build-up, hard water minerals, excess oil, and pollution residue for shinier-looking, fresh-feeling strands.
Step 4: Apply conditioner
Hair professionals often recommend using a coordinating shampoo and conditioner since these products are usually designed to work together. Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo pairs perfectly with any Redken conditioner, so you can have your pick from any of their salon-quality conditioners. One option to consider if your hair is on the drier side is Redken All Soft Conditioner. This conditioner is made with 5% of Redken’s Moisture Complex and argan oil, making it ideal for hair in need of moisture. It helps leave your strands softer, shinier, and smoother.
Step 5: Treat your locks to a hair mask
No self-care shower ritual would be complete without a nourishing hair mask. We suggest choosing a hydrating formula that helps repair and resurface your strands, such as L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Instant Resurfacing Mask. This mask with gold quinoa and protein works to improve the look and feel of dry, damaged locks. Apply it to towel-dried hair and let it sit for approximately three to five minutes before rinsing. For more hair mask options for every hair type and texture, check out our hair mask guide.
Tip: Some people also choose to include skincare steps in their everything shower. So, while you let your hair mask sit, you can focus on skincare steps, if desired—like cleansing, exfoliating, and shaving.
Step 6: Complete your routine with a shine-enhancing hair oil
Your everything shower doesn’t end when you’re all toweled off. The final step in this hair care ritual is to finger-comb a hair oil, like Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Original Hair Oil, throughout dry hair. This luxurious marula oil-infused formula hydrates, tames frizz, and adds shine—without weighing your strands down.
The Bottom Line
When crafting the perfect everything shower for your hair, it’s important to remember that your locks are unique. So, while this routine is a great starting point, it’s essential to customize your products according to your hair type and personal preferences. If you need some help, use our salon locator to book an appointment with a hairstylist near you.
Next Up: The Ultimate Self-Care Hair Care Routine
Header image credits (left to right): Pureology and Kèrastase