Healthy hair isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing things in the right order

It’s so common to wonder why hair routines that work for someone else just leave you feeling flat—or even frustrated. The truth is, one-size-fits-all advice rarely gives you real results, especially when it comes to the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair. Your scalp and your ends usually need different things, and trying to treat them the same way just doesn’t cut it.

When you tailor your routine, it means picking the shampoo that sorts the scalp out (whether that's oil, flakes, or needing some gentle love) and a conditioner that really nurtures the mid-lengths and ends. This simple shift gives your hair the targeted care it’s been craving and can make all the difference in how every wash turns out.

It isn’t just about following the trends—it’s about making smarter, kinder choices for your own confidence and wellbeing. If you’re ready to feel in control and genuinely happy with your hair, starting with the right basics is the move.

Why Fix Your Hair in This Order?

It’s not random that we recommend working through your routine in this order: scalp → damage → hydration → smoothness → colour → sensitivities. Each step creates the foundation for the next, so you’re not just covering up symptoms—you’re solving the root of the problem.

Key Takeaways

#1 First Scalp:

Priority One: Balance the Scalp First

Every great hair day starts at the roots—literally. If your scalp feels itchy, tight, oily, or simply off, finding the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair type won’t matter much until you sort out the foundation. It's a simple truth: when you put the scalp first, every wash and style goes further. The scalp sets the tone for your ends, your mood, and honestly, how you feel about your hair when you look in the mirror.

Think of your scalp as the “soil” for your hair. Just like healthy soil sets up a thriving garden, a balanced scalp gives every strand its best shot. You can’t expect flowers to bloom in dry, depleted dirt—your hair follows the same logic. Taking care of the scalp isn’t some fancy ritual. It’s a small, grounded act of self-care in the middle of busy weeks.

Why the Scalp Matters More Than You Think

A lot of hair struggles—frizz, flakes, or feeling greasy by lunch—actually start with what’s happening at your scalp. When the balance is off, everything else falls out of place. Fix the base, and the rest starts falling in line.

Here’s what an unbalanced scalp can look or feel like:

• Flaky patches or stubborn dandruff
• Excess oil, sometimes making you reach for dry shampoo way too often
• Itchiness or general discomfort, even on “good” hair days
• Redness or bumps, which can make styling a pain

Addressing these issues early with scalp-focused products means you’re not just covering up symptoms, you’re genuinely making a difference from the root up.

The Basics of Scalp Balance: What to Look For

When you shop for the best shampoo and conditioner, scan the label for words like “balancing,” “soothing,” or even “scalp care.” This doesn’t mean you should ditch luxury or your favourite fragrance. You just want formulas that care for your skin and don’t mess with its natural state.

Look for these simple features:

• Gentle, scalp-friendly ingredients (like chamomile, aloe vera, or oat protein)
• No harsh detergents (think sulphates) that can strip your natural oils
• Added moisture for dry or sensitive scalps
• Lightweight, non-clogging formulas for oil-prone skin

You can find shampoos that do this job well, whether you’re after plant-based, salon-only, or fragrance-free options to target dryness and flakes without upsetting sensitive skin, leaving you with a fresh, healthy base. Interested in more top-rated options?

How to Tell if Your Scalp is Balanced

You know your scalp is healthy when things just feel comfortable. No constant itch. No weird oily patches. Just softness and a nice clean feel for at least a couple of days after washing.

Here are some signs your scalp is in a happy place:

• No visible flakes or redness
• Minimal itching between washes
• Your hair stays fresh (not greasy or limp) for longer
• The best shampoo and conditioner you use actually seem to work their magic

If you’re not quite there yet, don’t worry. It can take a few tries to land on what really works for you. Remember, everyone's scalp is a little different, but care and gentle ingredients are never wasted.

Getting Started: Small Changes that Add Up

If you want to reset the scalp (and give your hair the best chance at shining), start with a few low-pressure changes.

Try these steps:

1. Switch to a balancing or soothing shampoo as your first step.
2. Wash less often if you can—over-washing irritates most scalps.
3. Massage as you shampoo, focusing on the roots (not just the hair).
4. Give your roots real air to breathe—occasionally skip heavy styling products.

Balancing the scalp first is about setting a solid, practical foundation. When your scalp feels good, your hair follows—and you can get so much more out of every other product in your bathroom shelf.

Priority Two: Prime for Hair Growth

If your hair feels like it’s stopped growing, breaks before reaching your goal length, or sheds more than usual, you’re not imagining it. Hair growth isn’t just about making new strands appear — it’s about keeping the ones you already have strong enough to stay. Once your scalp is balanced, the next step is to feed and protect every centimetre of growth that follows.

Think of this stage as building on good soil — now it’s time to nurture what’s growing. Breakage and shedding can make it seem like your hair isn’t progressing, but in most cases, length is being lost mid-way. Focusing on strength and retention ensures the effort you put into your hair care actually shows up in the mirror.

Why Strength and Growth Go Hand in Hand

You can’t grow long, healthy hair without giving it structure. The outer cuticle acts like protective armour — once that weakens, hair starts to split, fray, and snap. If you’re constantly trimming damaged ends or noticing shorter pieces that never catch up, your routine likely needs a boost in strengthening ingredients.

Common signs your hair needs growth support:

• Excess shedding during washing or brushing
• Split or thin ends that don’t seem to hold length
• Mid-length breakage that makes hair look uneven
• A weak, limp feeling even right after conditioning

What to Look For in Growth-Focused Hair Care

A good hair growth routine is as much about protection as stimulation. You want to wake up the scalp while reinforcing the lengths — keeping strands intact from root to tip.

Look for products with these features:

• Scalp-stimulating ingredients like peppermint, rosemary, or caffeine to encourage circulation
• Protein or bond-repair ingredients (hydrolysed rice protein, keratin, or amino acids) to strengthen weak points
• Lightweight conditioners and leave-ins that protect without weighing hair down
• Heat and UV protection, since environmental damage slows progress

How to Support Growth Day-to-Day

Healthy growth is about consistency, not perfection. Start small — a few mindful tweaks can completely change the way your hair behaves over time.

Try these steps:

• Gently massage your scalp for one minute daily to boost circulation
• Detangle carefully with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers
• Minimise heat and mechanical stress (towel rubbing, tight hairstyles)
• Add a strengthening or growth serum to your routine 2–3 times per week
• Protect your ends — they’re the oldest, most fragile part of your hair

The Bottom Line: Grow What You Keep, Keep What You Grow

Hair growth doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when you care for your scalp and strands in the right order. You can’t rush biology, but you can create the ideal environment for your hair to thrive — strong roots, resilient lengths, and ends that last.

When you commit to nurturing your hair growth from the inside out, every centimetre counts — and you’ll finally see that steady, satisfying progress you’ve been waiting for.

Priority Two: Restore Strength and Repair Damage

Once your scalp feels balanced, the next step is repairing the strength of your strands. Damage can happen for so many reasons—colouring, bleaching, chemical treatments, heat styling, even tight ponytails or rough brushing. Over time, these stresses break down the internal bonds that give hair its structure, leaving it weaker, more fragile, and prone to breakage. Repairing this damage isn’t about chasing flawless hair; it’s about giving your strands the support they need to feel strong, resilient, and healthy again.

How to recognise damaged hair:
If you’re finding split ends, snapping strands, dullness, or colour that fades too quickly, your hair is signalling that its inner structure needs help. Ignoring these signs only makes things worse, but the right care can bring back softness, shine, and manageability.

What damaged hair really needs:
The key to repairing damage is rebuilding from the inside out. Look for products that focus on:

• Bond repair – to reconnect broken bonds and restore the hair’s natural framework.

• Strengthening proteins – like hydrolysed rice or soy protein, which reinforce weak spots.

• Cuticle support – to smooth the surface so hair resists breakage and reflects shine.

Choosing the best shampoo and conditioner for damage:
Not every formula does true repair—some only coat the surface for temporary softness. The best damage-care shampoos and conditioners are sulphate-free, gentle on weakened strands, and enriched with bond-building complexes or proteins. These work with every wash to restore resilience rather than just hiding the problem.

Healthy repair is a process:
There’s no single miracle product that fixes damage instantly. Instead, think of repair as consistent, kind care. Use a repairing shampoo and conditioner a few times each week, leave your conditioner in a little longer so it can penetrate, and treat your hair gently with wide-tooth combs and microfibre towels. Every small step adds strength back into your hair—and over time, you’ll notice less breakage, more shine, and strands that feel stronger in your hands.

Choosing the Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Damage

Not all haircare fixes damage the same way. Some products only mask symptoms, while others get right into the nitty-gritty—literally repairing the bonds broken by colour, bleach, and heat. The best shampoo and conditioner for you will both strengthen from within and smooth the outside, so your hair isn’t just pretending to be healthy.

Look for formulas with these features:

• Sulphate and sodium chloride free: Less likely to strip your natural oils or irritate.
• Rich in natural oils and hydrating plant extracts: Think coconut, jojoba, or marula for bounce and shine.
• Bond-building complexes: Look for bond repair or hydrolysed proteins for true repair.

Building Healthy, Stronger Hair—One Wash at a Time

Repairing damaged hair isn’t a single blowout or one “miracle” bottle on the shelf. It’s repeated, gentle rituals—just like washing your face or taking a slow moment before the chaos of the day. Showing up for your hair in small, reliable ways helps you feel more like yourself every day.

To make sure your routine is working:

• Rotate in a repairing shampoo and conditioner two to three times a week.
• Leave conditioner in for a few extra minutes, letting moisture and repair ingredients do the heavy lifting.
• Take it slow with detangling—use a wide-tooth comb and a soft towel blot instead of a rough rub-dry.

Worried about finding the best shampoo and conditioner when your hair is getting regular colour, heat, or sun? It’s about picking products that rebuild what life takes away, and being willing to celebrate each small win—like softer ends, less breakage, or that first flick of shine under sunlight.

Everyone’s repair journey looks different, but every bit of kindness you show your hair adds up. Your confidence will follow.

Priority Three: Hydrate Dry and Control Dry Frizz

Once your scalp feels comfortable and your hair’s structure gets the reassurance it needs, the next hurdle is dry, frizzy lengths. If your hair still looks puffed-up, crunchy, or rough—even with a better scalp and some bond-repair on your side—this step actually lets you see and feel the change. This is where confidence really builds. Hair that feels soft, smooth, and touchable is truly energising, and it means you can actually enjoy those hair-down days, not just survive them.

Why Frizz and Dryness Can Happen Even After Repair

It’s frustrating when your hair’s surface stubbornly refuses to behave, no matter how much you nurture it. You brush, you try to style, and your ends stay thick and fuzzy or feel rough. There are a few reasons this happens:

• Environmental stress—wind, sun, humidity or heaters can zap hair moisture in no time.
• The outer cuticle layer can remain open or rough after repeated colouring, sun, or heat.
• Hair type makes a difference; waves and curls simply need more hydration.
• Skipping rinse-out conditioner or hydrating treatments leaves your hair thirsty.

Truthfully, frizz isn’t just about appearance. It’s your hair waving a little flag for more water and protection—especially for those of us whose hair is as much a weather forecast as a style statement.

The Role of Hydration: What Your Hair Really Needs

For truly thirsty hair, the best shampoo and conditioner routines will be focused on adding water and locking it in. Hydration is the backbone of smooth, soft hair and the key to controlling frizz before it spirals. Once you start restoring that moisture balance, your hair rewards you fast—less flyaway fuzz, more shine, and hair that moves how you want.

What to include:

• Shampoos with gentle, hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, oat protein, or coconut-based surfactants
• Conditioners rich in oils and butters (think shea, argan, jojoba) to blanket the cuticle and soothe roughness
• Leave-in treatments and masks for a bigger boost between washes

Choosing the Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry Frizzy Hair

No one wants hair that feels weighed down or lifeless just to keep frizz away. The best shampoo and conditioner for dry, frizzy hair gives you hydration and softness, but stays light enough to keep your natural texture happy, too. If you’ve shopped supermarket shelves and never found “the one”, there’s a reason: salon-quality formulas tend to include better, more nourishing ingredients and skip harsh detergents and cheap fillers.

Practical Tips for Keeping Frizz Down and Hydration Up

If you want results that stick (not just a few hours of smoothness), a consistent, low-fuss routine can make a world of difference. These steps work because they protect the hair’s moisture and outer layer—a true shield against the cold, the sun, or a mad morning rush.

Try these everyday habits:

• Always use conditioner, even if you’re in a hurry—skipping it sets up frizz.
• Blot, don’t rub, your hair with a towel; harsh drying roughs up the cuticle.
• Comb damp hair with a wide-tooth comb, never a brush, to avoid breakage.
• Use leave-in creams or lightweight oils on ends if they’re stubbornly dry.
• Consider a silk or satin pillowcase; it really does reduce overnight friction.

The best shampoo and conditioner for your hair will always give priority to hydration and softness. Combine these products and habits and you’ll start to feel the difference, not just see it. When your hair finally sits the way you want—shiny, silky, and less wild regardless of what the weather throws at it—it becomes a little daily win.

Hydrated, frizz-free hair isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving yourself care that actually lasts, and remembering that your hair is allowed to take centre stage in your routine. That’s confidence you can feel, every single day.

Priority Four: Smooth Your Halo Frizz

After you’ve balanced your scalp, given your strands the strength to bounce back, and hydrated the dry ends, the next thing you might notice is that stubborn “halo” frizz. You know the type—the fine, floaty hairs that gather around your crown and seem determined to catch every bit of light (just not the way you planned). Halo frizz can show up even when the rest of your hair looks and feels healthy. It's not just a surface issue; it's often about how your hair cuticle sits, reacts to the air, and holds onto moisture.

Smoothing your halo frizz isn’t about flattening your natural hair personality. It’s about helping your hair look polished, calm, and in sync with how you actually feel. Little details—those flyaways—can shift your mood when you catch a glimpse in the mirror. Let’s look at simple, caring ways to get those floaty bits under control, so you can walk out the door feeling sorted from top to tip.

Understanding Halo Frizz: Why Does It Appear?

Halo frizz happens when the fine, shorter hairs around your roots lose moisture and stand up. These can be baby hairs growing in, new growth after breakage, or just the pieces most exposed to the elements. If you’ve been through stress, heat, colour treatments, or even just have naturally wavy or curly hair, the “halo” is a common sight.

You might notice halo frizz:

• Right after you finish blow-drying or after air-drying
• On humid or rainy days (the ultimate frizz culprit)
• When you run your hands over your head and feel static or little stubs

This fuzz can feel personal, but it’s really your hair trying to protect itself or cope with change. Even if you use the best shampoo and conditioner, that crown can still need a little extra TLC.

What Your Hair Needs to Smooth Out Halo Frizz

To smooth halo frizz, you want to bring the cuticle back down and help hair stay hydrated at the root. Frizz thrives on dryness and gentle neglect, so consistency wins out over any single product miracle.

Key steps to beat halo frizz:

• Hydration: Water matters. Hydrated hair cuts down on static and flyaways.
• Lightweight oils or creams: These settle down your crown without leaving you greasy or limp.
• Gentle handling: Aggressive brushing or rough towel drying just creates more little breakage.

When you're shopping for answers, look for products labelled as anti-frizz or smoothing, especially those with nourishing but non-heavy ingredients. Some formulas have added humidity protection—that extra guard you’ll be thankful for on wild weather days.

The Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Smoothing the Halo

Not every anti-frizz product will be right for halo frizz, especially if you want to avoid heavy or sticky finishes at your roots. When choosing the best shampoo and conditioner for this delicate job, go for salon-quality formulas that:

• Hydrate and soften without weigh-down
• Include gentle, plant-rich ingredients (think argan or camellia oil)
• Skip harsh detergents and focus on a kind, pH-balanced cleanse

Fun fact: Sometimes, the products you find in the grocery aisle are loaded up with heavy silicone and filler that make halo frizz look better for an afternoon—but don’t fix the problem. Haircare Superstore only stocks brands you’d otherwise have to buy through a salon, meaning you actually get the ingredients your hair craves.

Easy Everyday Fixes That Actually Work

If the right products are half the equation, a few gentle changes to daily habits make all the difference.

Try these quick wins:

• Always blot hair with a soft T-shirt or microfibre towel instead of rubbing; it keeps the cuticle smooth.
• Finish your style with a pea-sized dab of leave-in cream swiped gently over your crown.
• Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to help reduce static and friction overnight.
• Resist the urge to over-brush—wide-tooth combs and fingers treat your crown far more kindly than a bristled brush.
• When possible, let hair air-dry to 80 percent before hitting it with heat tools.

Keep an eye out for humidity spikes, either from weather or steamy showers, as those can make halo frizz reappear quickly. On busy days, a quick touch-up with an anti-humidity spray or light oil saves loads of time and struggle.

Smoothing halo frizz doesn’t have to mean taming away every bit of personality from your hair. With the right combination of the best shampoo and conditioner for frizz-prone types, a few targeted habits, and a lot of kindness, you can let your hair shine—without those stubborn flyaways stealing the spotlight.

Priority Five: Keep Colour Vibrant and Fresh

Coloured hair is personal. It’s an investment in how you feel and express yourself. Once you’ve balanced your scalp, rebuilt strength, locked in hydration, and tamed frizz, protecting that colour is the last piece to having hair you genuinely love. A good salon visit can make you feel on top of the world—but if your colour fades fast or gets brassy, it takes the shine out of every wash.

Keeping your colour vibrant isn’t only about looks; it’s about preserving that small boost of confidence you get every time you catch your hair in the light. The good news is, the best shampoo and conditioner routine for colour treated hair can take most of the stress out of maintenance. You can make your hard-earned colour last longer, look fresher, and feel soft all the way to your next salon appointment.

Why Colour Care Is Different

Colour does more than just change the surface of your hair. Colouring—especially lightening—opens the hair’s outer cuticle, which leaves it more thirsty and sensitive. This means colour fades away faster if you aren’t using the right products. Hair can turn dull, lose tone, or start to feel rough and tired.

If you’ve ever noticed your rich brunette turning drab or your blonde getting brassy after a couple of weeks, your hair is telling you it needs extra support. The best shampoo and conditioner for colour treated hair works to close that cuticle again, hold onto pigment, and give you hair that feels as good as it looks.

The Key Needs: Sustain Colour, Shine, and Health

To really keep colour fresh, your hair needs more than just gentle cleansing. Here’s what makes the difference:

• Sulphate-free formulas: Detergents like sulfates pull out colour faster. Your routine should start with a kind, gentle cleanser.
• UV and heat protection: Coloured hair loses vibrancy fast when exposed to sun and styling tools. Many salon shampoos and conditioners add light filters or protective ingredients.
• Pigment-preserving, pH-balanced care: Look for ingredients that lock in moisture while helping the cuticle lay flat—especially important for vivid or pastel shades.
• Anti-brass/toning support: If you love blonde, silver, or pastel tones, a purple or blue shampoo in rotation fights off brassy hues.

The easiest way to remember what matters: if an ingredient helps your hair feel smooth, soft, and easy to brush, it’s likely helping your colour, too.

How to Choose the Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Colour Treated Hair

Don’t worry if you’ve felt burned by grocery store shampoos or if salon care seems confusing. The best shampoo and conditioner for colour really do make colour last longer, and you don’t have to use fancy bottles to get results—just trusted, salon-quality formulas that don’t promise what they can’t give.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Salon-quality brands: These are the formulas created directly for colourists and aren’t typically found at your everyday supermarket.
2. No harsh stripping agents: Always check for label terms like “colour-safe,” “sulphate-free,” or “gentle cleansing.”
3. Moisture-rich and pH-balanced: Keeping hair hydrated is step one to keeping colour luminous.
4. Added shine boosters: Think nourishing oils, amino acids, and plant extracts for a glossy finish.

Simple Steps to Keep Your Colour Lasting Longer

A few everyday changes protect and freshen up your hair for longer between appointments.

• Wash your hair less often if possible—every second or third day keeps pigment from slipping away.
• Always use cool or lukewarm water to rinse. Hot water lifts the cuticle and fades colour faster.
• Condition from mid-length to ends, not the scalp, so you hydrate where it matters most without weighing roots down.
• Add a weekly hydrating or colour mask, especially after days at the beach or in the sun.

You might also consider alternating your regular gentle shampoo with a purple or blue shampoo every second or third wash—this helps keep your blondes bright and brunettes rich.

Ingredients and Formulas That Really Work

When hunting for the best shampoo and conditioner, scan ingredient lists for:

Last Thoughts Before You Move To The Next Fix

Coloured hair is personal, expressive, and sometimes downright stubborn to maintain. With the right routine, you protect your investment and keep every wash a little act of self-celebration. Building the best shampoo and conditioner game for colour care isn’t about making things harder; it’s about bringing a bit of that salon joy and confidence home—one gentle, effective wash at a time.

Priority Six: Account for Sensitivities and Lifestyle Choices

Not every hair challenge is about damage, dryness, or frizz. Sometimes, the real secret to a routine that actually works is simply pausing to ask: does my shampoo and conditioner fit me—not just my hair, but my skin, my rituals, and my values? This step is about listening to your own needs, not just ticking a box. For many of us, unaddressed sensitivities or daily habits can turn even the best shampoo and conditioner into a source of stress. Your lifestyle and personal skin sensitivities shape what your hair loves and what it simply can’t handle.

Adapting your routine to these details isn’t extra work; it’s a genuine act of self-care. It’s making sure every wash matches who you are and what your body needs right now.

Sensitivity in Focus: When Haircare Needs to Be Gentle

You know your body best. If you’ve ever felt itch, redness, or even a burning tingle from regular shampoos or conditioners, you’re not alone. Sensitive skin—on your scalp or elsewhere—often reacts to fragrances, strong detergents, and even some “natural” extracts. It’s about what your body says no to, not what a label promises.

Signals your scalp or skin is asking for gentle care:

• Redness, flaking, or itch lasting after you rinse
• Tightness or stinging at your roots or hairline
• Bumps, rashes, or increased shedding that don’t match your normal cycle

Simple swaps can be the key. Look for formulas labelled as hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, or sensitive. These usually skip common irritants and stick to the basics. Shampoos with oat extract, aloe, or amino acids offer gentle cleansing while soothing inflamed or reactive skin.

Lifestyle Choices: Your Routine, Your Values

The right haircare has to suit your life, not someone else’s. This means thinking about how you spend your days, what matters most to you, and where you find meaning in the small moments.

Here’s how lifestyle factors play out in your choice for the best shampoo and conditioner:

• Time constraints: If you’re always running on empty, stick to low-maintenance routines—multi-taskers like 2-in-1s or leave-in hydration mists can save you minutes and sanity.
• Eco-consciousness: Prefer brands with refill options, less packaging, or a reputation for donating excess stock or reducing waste. Building sustainability into your routine might mean fewer bottles, but also more gratitude for what you do buy.
• Family-friendly needs: Kids (or partners) sharing your products? Prioritise gentle, fragrance-free, and allergy-safe formulas. One bottle, everyone happy.
• Self-care rituals: Maybe your hair wash is five chaos-free minutes in your day. Make it count—pick formulas with soothing scents (if you tolerate them), creamy textures, or luxe salon-only ingredients for that perfect little reset.

Common Sensitivities and How to Navigate Them

If your scalp or skin is sensitive, you’re probably used to scanning ingredient lists. Still, hidden triggers can pop up almost anywhere. The three most common:

1. Fragrance or essential oils: Even “natural” doesn’t always mean kind to your skin. If something smells too strong, it might be a sneaky culprit.
2. Sulphates and strong detergents: These strip away your natural oils—avoid if you’ve ever felt squeaky-tight after washing.
3. Proteins or extracts: Some hair types or scalps react to too much protein or plant extracts. Rotate in protein-free days or stick to the gentlest blends you can find.

Quick Table: Switching for Sensitivities and Lifestyle

Your new hair journey starts now

Tailoring your hair routine is about starting with your scalp and working down the list of real, everyday needs. Choosing the best shampoo and conditioner means picking what works for your roots first, then layering in care for damaged, dry, frizzy, coloured or sensitive hair as needed. Mixing and matching lets you target problems one-by-one, so you get better results and waste less time (and money).

Don’t shy away from changing things up as your hair, health, or environment shifts. Even the best shampoo and conditioner for you today might need a rethink in six months. If something’s not working or things feel off, a quick chat with a trusted salon pro can make all the difference.

Your hair routine is yours to shape, and you deserve to feel confident and cared for every step of the way. Thanks for being here—if you have a tip, a story, or a “best shampoo and conditioner” that’s been a life-saver, share it below. We’re all learning together.