Are you 'pre-pooing?' Pros say this step can give you stronger, frizz-free hair

A woman with short, coily hair, washing her hair in the shower and smiling on a pink watercolour background.

It may seem counterintuitive that something you apply to hair before washing can have any lasting or significant benefits. After all, you’re rinsing it down the drain and then shampooing hair clean, right? Surprisingly, when it comes to the best pre-shampoo treatments, there’s science to say otherwise.

That’s why, in the quest for better hair repair, strength and a soft, shiny finish, using one of the best hair masks or oils that has been specifically formulated to use before you shampoo and condition – what’s become known as 'pre-pooing' – is increasingly popular.