Dry Conditioning: The Pre-Shampoo Hair Trend Explained by Hairstylist Xavier Velasquez

Dry conditioning entails applying a treatment to dry, last-day hair prior to showering, allowing it to sit as instructed, and then washing as usual. Xavier Velasquez, cofounder of Franklin's salon in Manhattan, notes that this method helps prevent excessive tangling in the shower and hydrates areas of hair that oil may not reach, particularly the mid-shaft to ends. This concept isn’t new; in 1974, British trichologist Philip Kingsley developed a pre-shampoo mask called Elasticizer for Audrey Hepburn. Social media has popularized it under a new name. Positive feedback includes Stephanie Mendoza featuring it in her conditioning tutorial and Tina Prokas enhancing it with heat for a glass hair effect. Velasquez endorses it for color maintenance but cautions that it may not suit everyone. For those with hair that becomes flat or oily quickly, he advises skipping it after shampooing. Vogue suggests several conditioners, including Gold Lust Repair & Restore and Elvive Hyaluron Plump. Readers can reach out to Vogue's senior beauty & wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com for inquiries about trends.