Expert tips for minimising greasy hair

Every girl has a hair washing regime. Ask any of your friends – they’ll tell you without a moment’s hesitation that they know the exact number of days they have between washes.

Mine’s three full days. Four if I’m feeling lazy (thank you very much, dry shampoo).

But some people can’t stretch it out that long and even two days is too much. So how do you solve the eternal problem of greasy hair? We got the experts - Brad Ngata, owner/creative director of Brad Ngata Hair Direction salons and Michele McQuillan, Freelance Session Stylist for Fudge – to give us some pointers on how you can keep your hair cleaner, shinier, and fresher for longer.

What causes greasy hair?

On a biological level, it’s overactive sebaceous glands on your scalp that can cause oil build-up. Brad explains that certain things can contribute to the production of more oils – “Activity [such as exercise] can cause oil levels to spike. Over-touching or over-brushing your hair can stimulate the oils too, so if you’re getting greasy, try and keep your mitts and brushes off it,” he says. Your hair is also more likely to become oily in summer thanks to the heat (the hotter it is, the more you sweat – even on your scalp).

Then there are the external things that can turn your silky locks into a greasy, heavy mess. “Heavy silicon based products can affect the levels of greasiness – especially on fine hair,” says Brad.

How can you minimise grease?

See Brad’s point above about leaving your hair alone. Stop touching it, stop playing with it, just pretend like you’ll get a shock every time you touch it. And if you can start using products that aren’t so heavy on the silicone, you’ll be doing yourself a favour, too!

Michele also has some handy tips when it comes to minimising and reducing oily hair. “Try and wash your hair less often. Work out how often you need to wash your hair for your hair type – everyone is different, it might not feel right, but less is better,” she says. Other tips from her include:
• Apply oils, creams and conditioners from the mid-lengths to your ends.
• Use as little styling products as possible. The more you use, the dirtier your hair becomes, and the more you will want to wash it. Washing your hair a lot will stimulate the natural oils in your scalp and cause your hair to become greasier quicker.
• Use lightweight conditioners and hair treatments when possible.

Which hairstyles will help reduce grease?

Unsurprisingly, having hair that’s out and flowing all the time will cause your hair to get greasy quickly. So Brad has some styling suggestions for you, “Definitely wearing it up would be the best option. So go for a ponytail or braid. If you want your blow dry to last all week, my guide would be to wear it out on day one and two, use a little dry shampoo on the roots and a loose ponytail or half-up style on day three, ponytail on day four, and a braid by day five.”

(Pssst! These styles aren’t only gorgeous, but they’ll help you combat that grease, too!)

Which products can you use to fight grease?

Fudge Detox Cleanser Shampoo – it works wonders to remove oils, toxins, silicone residue and product build-up from your hair.
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo – Brad recommends using this liberally to help freshen up your locks. Just make sure to rub out any residue!
KMS Hairplay Sea Salt Spray – “Sea salt sprays are also great at absorbing oils and can give you a really nice texture at the same time,” says Brad.

In need of a dry shampoo? Try one of these bad boys…

Hair a little oily? Try this fabulous ‘do!

How often do you wash your hair? How do you keep your hair fresh for that extra day?

108 Member Comments

neha.gamine 5 Feb 2018 12:49 AM

I have fine hair which require daily shampooing. I do agree with the fact that letting them loose will make them greasier so I keep them tied up, that way I can wash them every second day. I have heard that exfoliating shampoos are also good but haven’t used any so far.

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2663anne 18 Jul 2017 7:57 PM

I am a daily washer although I have finally found a dry shampoo that gets me to 36 hours. I haven't tried the Fudge shampoo (probably the only one on the market I haven't tried) I'm going to try it asap!

Chicklet 18 Jul 2017 7:21 PM

I used to wash my hair every day, whether it needed it or not. These days, I can easily go 4 days with it still looking good. I think not using styling products helps a lot.

Yohanna 2 Mar 2017 6:26 PM

I wash mine 2 times per week, tried once, but I sweat a lot doing daily yoga practices now. Also braids in between washes, as it looks good when hair gets sticky

onlyoni 1 Mar 2017 8:01 PM

I usually wash my hair every day. I have short hair which is in great condition - not greasy, not dry.

annieleex 4 Apr 2016 8:10 AM

Great tips!

Kezzaa86 13 Dec 2014 8:48 AM

great article!

Cherrykisses13 17 Apr 2014 8:32 AM

Such great tips

annieleem 10 Apr 2014 10:25 AM

Great advice,I am guilt for touching my hair all the time

Maryy22 25 Feb 2014 12:59 PM

Toni & Guy is by far the best I've tried! It does wonders to my especially because it gets oilyin just 3 days! :-/

Talha 18 Nov 2013 11:51 AM

Expert Tips on curly hair styles.

Britty1 20 Sep 2013 4:35 AM

love the hairstyles in that pic....especially Olivia Wilde's pony... tres sexy

Rebecca707 1 Sep 2013 7:18 AM

I struggle to go 2 days without washing my hair but sometimes I just can't be bothered! Am going to have to put it up more often I think.. and will try a braid too! I am yet to find an amazing dry shampoo but I will keep looking!

Sami935 29 Aug 2013 8:37 AM

im definatly going to try use these tricks

diabla 29 Aug 2013 7:31 AM

i wash my hair twice a week

Tash797 29 Aug 2013 3:52 AM

I was my hair when nearly every two days or nearly every day because I wear a hat at work and my gets so gross . I try to wash it every two days if I'm not working and I sometimes try to use dry shampoo if i have no time to wash for hair for that extra day :)

nali 29 Aug 2013 12:54 AM

I wash mine only once a week as its thin and I noticed it gets really dry. I experimented with timing for a few years and once a week works best for me, I don't get much build up of dirt or anything in that space so when I wash it, Im really just removing dirt, and not natural oils that keep your hair hydrated!

Princessleeya 28 Aug 2013 11:56 PM

I have trained the oil in my hair and only wash once a week. Always have.... I am 100% with Brad, leaving hair out 1st 2-3 days then ponytail, braid, bun etc. Thats my exact regime hehehehe xx

Krystanie 28 Aug 2013 1:45 AM

Read a great article on 'no poo', it was about letting your hair regulate its natural oils and it really struck a cord with me. I now try to wash it the least I can, showering without washing and dry shampoo usually gets me through. Great article.

Ennie 27 Aug 2013 5:19 PM

I wash my hair every 3-4 days and that works for me, although I occasionally use a hair refreshing spray if I have to.

niivana 27 Aug 2013 1:46 PM

My hair gets oily really fast and i never thought styling your hair up would reduce it from getting oily. I always leave down so that explains a lot.

labelgirl 27 Aug 2013 11:46 AM

Hadn't thought of using salt spray - with such fine hair, anything that boosts texture is welcome!!

Cherrykisses13 26 Aug 2013 9:50 PM

I wash every second day, I might give dry conditioner a try.

Beautifulnightmarex 26 Aug 2013 12:11 PM

my hair usually gets greasy when I have it down which is most of the time. By the end of the day I feel like it needs a good wash.

AussyAngel 26 Aug 2013 9:48 AM

I have unbelievably oily hair (always have, and so do my relatives) so I wash it daily. But because I colour my hair and it fades quickly, I do it every second day and dry shampoo or put it in a bun on the 24 hr mark. My Uncle and Dad do it every day or their hair is slick! Its a pain. Will try salt spray! Always up for something to help my oily hair.

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