In many ancient cultures, hair was a symbol of strength, wisdom, and sensuality. Long before modern-day trends, the best haircare routine began with a slow, deliberate ritual, all practised in the everyday lives of grandmothers, healers, and queens alike.
From herbal oils to hairwash powders, these rituals worked in harmony with the rhythms of nature and your hair. They are a way of honouring the scalp and strand with nature’s generosity.
Today, that rhythm returns with our guide on the best haircare routine steps inspired by traditional rituals and practices. Old School Rituals invites you to explore this everyday ritual of hair care, regardless of hair type, gender, or age.
Knowing The Challenges & Concerns Before Haircare Routine Begins
Even the healthiest strand can falter. Stress, pollution, irregular diets, harsh chemical treatments and hormonal changes leave the scalp overwhelmed and the strands parched. For some, it is premature greying. For others, the challenges manifest as frizz, split ends, or hair fall. On top of it all, there are babies with their delicate tufts that need the gentlest of beginnings.
Nevertheless, every challenge holds a cure in the form of ancient rituals. These traditions offer an answer not in speed, but in rhythm: a return to slow care with natural hair products. These haircare routine steps are time-honoured practices that support your scalp like soil, allowing your hair to bloom without breakage.
Below is not a rulebook but a framework to personalise and adapt.
Best Haircare Routine: Step By Step Rituals

Nourishing Hair Oil Champi (Massage)
Many old traditions revered hair oiling as a ritual, much more than conditioning. The practice of hair oiling signified devotion of touch and warmth. People prepared specialised oils infused with nature’s essence to bring your hair strength, shine and grounding.
This remains the cornerstone of a best haircare routine. Whether you seek deep repair or gentle daily nourishment. Old school hair oil massage delivers a sensory experience that soothes both scalp and mind. This is the practice of slow massage, with fingers trailing thoughtfully over the scalp, to invite circulation and relaxation.
This haircare routine step for adults can utilise a rich blend of richly extracted botanicals, such as traditional hair oil. It nurtures roots and restores lost lustre. For your little ones, we suggest using a gentle hair oil for babies that honours their delicate beginnings with tender strokes.
The Cleansing Ritual For Haircare

Cleansing is a gentle and effective ritual practised with nature’s bounty. Several ancient cultures speak finely of milled powders that cleanse without stripping away your hair’s innate vitality.
Such natural hair products transform cleansing into a ritual. Cleansing with hair wash powder requires patience; your fingers gently work across the scalp, ending with a rinse that removes impurities with respect for your hair. The intention is in the act that says my hair deserves this time.
Let your hair-washing hair care routine become your quiet opening to a ceremony of self-care. With this ritual, your hair feels lighter, residue-free, and ready to receive the next nourishment.
Nourishing Hair Mask Ritual
A weekly mask revives tired strands and strengthens roots. They held power in ancient practices with slow application that envelops your strands in restorative care. Masking as a ritual offers you strength, shine and protection.
In this haircare routine, masks invite stillness, allowing nature to work its magic. It's the best hair care routine step that reminds you to indulge in self-care, while also protecting against environmental stressors and styling heat.
Proper Rinsing To Finish With Care
Ancient rinse waters were often infused with herbs. Natural ingredients such as vetiver, rose water, and rice water have all become treasures for hair care. Poured gently after washing, they sealed the strands, balanced the scalp’s pH, and perfumed the hair.
Pour your infused water gently over the scalp; the rinse seals in the benefits of oiling and cleansing. It possesses cooling and calming properties. Such practices combine the simplest elements, such as water, time, and intention, to deliver the best results.
Combing & Braiding As Intention

The best haircare routine does not end after washing. Each stroke of a comb, each braid tied before sleep, matters. Use a wooden comb to glide through your hair without breakage, while helping you distribute oil evenly and soothe the scalp.
Braiding at night prevents tangles, protects against friction, and carries the day’s ritual into a restful sleep. You can choose to add a silk scarf to wrap the braid, which adds a touch of luxury. Your best haircare ritual invites daily mindfulness.
Indulge In Beauty Beyond The Strands
Hair reflects inner well-being. Ritualistic care embraces more than oils and powders. It includes mindful eating, restful sleep and quiet moments of gratitude, along with the best natural skincare products.
Lastly, it is worth noting that ancient cultures believed that beauty and health are inextricably intertwined. They believed in a calm mind, a nourished body, and a joyful spirit for healthy hair. Enhance your routine with these lifestyle changes to provide the strand with the best care.
- A nourishing meal
- A peaceful walk under the open sky
- A deep, nightly sleep
Wrapping It All Up
These haircare routine steps provide a framework, not a set of commandments. Ritual care welcomes personalisation, exploration and evolution. What works best is what resonates with your hair and skin.
Old School Rituals honours these time-tested practices in our offerings, a carefully curated haircare collection of natural ingredients. Those who cherish slow care and meaningful lifting will find in our skincare hampers the spirit of legacy wrapped in modern elegance.
With the above step practised consistently, along with complementary skincare, reclaim your ritual. Choose a care that celebrates and embodies timeless beauty for your hair.
FAQs
What is a good haircare routine?
An excellent haircare routine consists of oiling, using nourishing masks, gently washing with powders, and rinsing with care. It honours the inherent balance of your scalp, adjusting to the changing seasons, and promotes gradual, regular care rooted in long-standing customs.
How often should I oil my hair?
Oil your hair 1 or 2 times a week as part of a routine. Frequent oiling relaxes the scalp, strengthens strands, and nourishes roots, turning hair care into a calming ritual that revitalises hair with each gentle massage.
In what order should I do my hair routine?
Start by deeply nourishing the scalp with oil, then purify without stripping it with a gentle powder cleanse. Each step completes your timeless ritual: apply a rich mask to rebuild strength, and rinse mindfully to seal care.