I have a confession to make… I rarely use conditioner. And not knowing how to use conditioner properly is the issue many face, according to the experts.

This may be a huge faux pas, considering I’m a beauty journalist, but I guess I haven’t found the conditioner that suits my hair, plus I usually opt for a hair mask instead. I also don’t wash my hair more than once a week, but I guess that’s a story for another time. Nevertheless, there’s no time like the present to make new habits.

Let’s rewind: you shouldn’t be listening to me. Conditioner is a must in your haircare routine, no matter your hair type, and if you’re not yet using it, here are some tips on how to use conditioner in your routine, for the best results.

What does conditioner do?

The conditioner aims to provide moisture, smooth the cuticle and add back shine to the hair, it prevents breakage and split ends. It also helps to close the cuticle. This, says Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley, “protects your hair’s inner layer (the cortex) from damage and excess moisture evaporation.”

“Shampoo removes grease and dirt, but it also strips the hair of its natural oils that keep the hair moisturised,” says Jenna Spino, hairstylist at Maxine Salon. So, after shampooing, which generally dehydrates the hair, adding the moisture back in, is essential.

Step 1: Wring out hair before conditioning.

A big conditioning mistake is using product on hair that’s still too wet. “Another hair care no-no is applying conditioner onto hair lengths without squeezing out water first,” says hairstylist and L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador Min Kim. “Hair is a fibre; squeezing out the excess water before applying conditioner allows the conditioner to penetrate instead of rolling off hair that’s saturated with water.”

Translation? Just like with a sponge – or beauty blender – your hair won’t properly absorb what’s being applied if it’s still soaking wet.

Make sure to be gentle here, as hair is prone to breakage when wet.

Step 2: Apply conditioner only to midlengths and ends.

Now, onto technique: After wringing out your hair, be sure not to put any conditioner on your roots but instead to focus on your midlengths and ends. “Applying to the roots is unnecessary as this is newer hair that doesn’t require conditioning, unless you’re naturally curly, and can leave hair feeling flat especially if you’re on the fine side,” Kim explains.

Celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena agrees, sharing that built-up conditioner is not great for direct contact with skin. “It makes your hair and scalp greasy, and let’s say you’re using a conditioner that has silicone in it, it starts to drip into your skin, clogs your pores, and can cause breakouts on your back and skin,” he says. “And after a while, using too much conditioner in the scalp increases buildup, clogs your hair follicles, and can cause hair loss.”

This is an especially important rule to follow if your hair is naturally fine or limp, adds New York City hairstylist Dan Williams. “This will only cause your hair to get flat and greasy,” he says. So if you’re looking for volume, avoid the roots at all costs.

Step 3: Rinse out all of the product.

On that note, another common mistake is not rinsing conditioner thoroughly enough once you’re done. “Be sure to rinse well,” Spino says; otherwise, your hair could dry feeling greasy and flat. A good way to measure whether the product is out of your hair is when the slippery texture and feeling of conditioner has completely gone away. Something to keep in mind: rinsing with cold water can help with the shine and texture of your hair.

Plus, if you don’t rinse out all of the product and then style your hair with hot tools, you may end up damaging your strands.

Do all hair types need conditioner?

Yes – even those with fine hair can do with the extra moisture the conditioner provides. If you have fine hair you should look out for a lighter formula that won’t weigh the hair down. As mentioned, how you apply it can make all the difference.

“Many people think conditioner will make their hair flat, but even those with fine hair need a little conditioner, even if it’s just on the ends,” says Jenna Spino, hairstylist at Maxine Salon.

However, if you are co-washing your hair, the extra conditioner won’t be necessary. The same goes for a thick moisturising mask, which tends to have a similar pH to conditioner.

Don’t skip the leave-in products.

Sometimes the product you use in the shower isn’t enough to keep your hair adequately hydrated. “I think leave-in conditioners are often forgotten,” says Bronwen Robinson, senior stylist at New York City’s Suite Caroline Salon. “Traditional conditioners and hair masks are great and do add moisture and protection for the hair; however, much of it is still rinsed away in the shower. Leave-in conditioners come in spray, lotion, serum, or cream form to suit the needs of different textures.”

A good rule of thumb to find the best product for you? “Generally, sprays are good for finer hair, creams and lotions are good for medium to coarse textures, and serums may need to be tested,” Robinson says. “Play around to see what suits the texture. Leave-ins can protect the hair from heat and environmental damage. And they add much needed moisture, which calms frizz and can seal the cuticle to help the hair look shiny, be stronger, and prevent fewer colour molecules from escaping.”

Use high-quality products.

Finally, the quality of your conditioner matters too. “Use the shampoos and conditioners your colourist recommends,” says Robinson. “It’s a shame to spend money on getting your beautiful tones and colour application, and not spend money on preserving the work with products designed to do so.”

Some of Suite Caroline’s preferred products and lines include R+Co, Christophe Robin, and Olaplex, while Glamour editors swear by hairstylist-founded lines like Rōz and Rahua, as well as more affordable options L’Oréal Paris, Dove, and Odele.

This feature originally appeared on Glamour US.