Do You Have Combination Hair?

Most of us do, experts say. The bigger question is what type of combo. Once you discover that, find out here how to adjust your routine and bring out the healthy, silky, shiny hair you were always meant to have.

- Mara Santilli

Whether it’s oily roots and dry ends, a damaged top layer and greasy hair underneath, or flat strands in some areas and frizz in others, the majority of us have more than one thing happening on our heads. In fact, active women can be especially susceptible to combination hair because they sweat, wash, and heat-dry so frequently, which can affect how hair looks and feels—and also mess with your scalp’s condition. “Your scalp is skin, just like your face, and its health has huge implications on how the hair grows,” says Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist at Philip Kingsley. The good news: No matter what your combo, creating a new routine to cover all your needs is easy. “The secret is to address separate issues at the same time,” Kingsley says. Find your key moves here.

Damaged, dry top layer oily underneath

Sweating heavily during HIIT or hot yoga causes an oil buildup on the under layers of your hair, especially where moisture gathers at the nape of the neck. Add in lots of outdoor fun plus any colour treatments, and you’ll find that “your top layer is damaged because of its direct exposure to UV rays, heat styling, and bleaching,” says Jet Rhys, a hairstylist in San Diego.

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