Viral 11-Step Hair Routine Builder
Build your personalized routine based on the viral TikTok method. Save money by only buying products that work for your hair type.
What is the Viral 11-Step Hair Routine?
The viral 11-step hair care routine took TikTok by storm as a comprehensive approach to achieving healthy, beautiful hair. This science-backed method analyzes your unique hair characteristics including hair type, scalp condition, porosity, thickness, and specific concerns to recommend personalized products for each step of your routine.
Do I need all 11 steps every time I wash?
No! The routine is designed to be flexible. Some steps are essential for every wash (like regular shampoo and conditioner), while others are weekly treatments (like clarifying shampoo and deep conditioning) or completely optional based on your needs (like styling products and heat protection). Your personalized routine will clearly show which products are required vs optional for your hair type.
Why is hair porosity important for choosing products?
Hair porosity determines how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture, which directly affects which products work best for you. Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles that resist moisture, so it needs lightweight, water-based products and heat during deep conditioning. High porosity hair has raised cuticles that absorb moisture quickly but lose it just as fast, requiring rich, sealing products like oils and butters. Medium porosity hair is the most versatile and responds well to most products.
Not sure about your porosity? Take our Hair Porosity Test to find out!
How often should I wash my hair?
Wash frequency depends on your scalp type and lifestyle. Generally: Oily scalps benefit from washing every 2-3 days. Normal scalps can wash every 3-4 days. Dry scalps can go 4-7 days between washes. However, factors like exercise, product use, and environmental conditions can affect this. The key is listening to your scalp and adjusting as needed.
What's the difference between clarifying and regular shampoo?
Clarifying shampoo is a deep-cleaning formula designed to remove product buildup, hard water minerals, chlorine, and excess oils that regular shampoo can't fully eliminate. It's typically used once a week or every 2 weeks, while regular shampoo is for your normal wash days. Over-using clarifying shampoo can strip natural oils, so balance is important—especially for dry or color-treated hair.
Do I really need bond repair treatments?
Bond repair treatments are especially beneficial if you have damaged, color-treated, or high porosity hair. These treatments (like Olaplex, K18, or Epres) work at a molecular level to repair broken disulfide bonds in your hair, which are damaged by heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental factors. If your hair is generally healthy and you don't use heat or chemicals, bond treatments are optional but can still provide preventive benefits.
What if I have color-treated hair?
The routine is particularly beneficial for color-treated hair! When you select "Color-Treated" as your hair condition, the routine prioritizes bond repair treatments, color-safe products, and extra moisturizing steps to help maintain your color while repairing damage from processing. Regular bond treatments are especially important for chemically treated hair.
How do I know my hair thickness?
Hair thickness refers to the diameter of individual strands. Fine hair strands are thinner than a piece of thread and can barely be felt between fingers. Medium hair feels like a thread when rolled between fingers. Thick/Coarse hair feels sturdy and textured. Note: Hair thickness is different from hair density (how much hair you have)—you can have fine hair but lots of it, or thick hair with low density.
What products should I use for frizzy hair?
Frizz is usually caused by lack of moisture or raised cuticles. To combat frizz, focus on: deep conditioning treatments, leave-in conditioners with humectants (like glycerin), anti-frizz serums and oils to seal the cuticle, and avoiding sulfates that strip moisture. If you live in humid climates, look for anti-humectant products that prevent moisture from entering the hair shaft.
Can I download my personalized routine?
Yes! After completing the quiz, you'll see a "Download PDF" button with your results. This creates a personalized PDF document with all your recommended products organized by step, complete with instructions and tips. You can save it to your phone or print it out to take shopping with you.
How long until I see results?
Most people notice improvements within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. However, remember that hair grows about 0.5 inches per month, so seeing the full benefits on your hair length takes time. Scalp health improvements are usually noticed faster. The key is consistency—stick with the routine and adjust products as you learn what works best for your unique hair.
💡 Pro tip: Start with the essential steps (shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in) and gradually add other products as you learn what your hair responds to best. Building a complete 11-step routine takes time—consistency is more important than perfection!