How to Apply Hair Products in the Right Order? Step-by-step guide to perfectly applying haircare and styling products

You probably already have the fundamentals down pat if you go into your haircare cabinet. Conditioner and shampoo are essential. Leave-in to give dull locks some sparkle. But it can be challenging to perfect the blending and matching of some products when styling your hair with a few extra steps in between. What order should you choose a shine spray or styling mousse? What about heat shields? It transpires that there is a proper application sequence that will assist you maximize the effectiveness of your mane-care tools.

Applying skincare products involves going from lightest to heaviest. The opposite is true when it comes to hair care. We enlisted the help of renowned hairstylists Yianni Tsapatori and Hiral Bhatia to deconstruct the complex topic of layering conditioners, creams, and gels when styling hair.

How to Apply Hair Products in a Right Order

1. Shampoo and conditioner

Your styling routine begins in the shower, although you should keep that in mind. To put it another way, you want to be sure that the shampoo and conditioner you use are appropriate for your hair type. Regardless of whether you have fine, straight hair, thick, curly hair, kinky hair, or color-treated hair, the appropriate shampoo and conditioner may bring out your hair’s natural texture and give it the push it needs to make styling a bit less difficult.

Choose a product that is designed for color-treated hair (i.e., one without parabens and with less surfactants) if your hair is dyed, moisturizing if it is damaged, and volumizing if it is limp. And Lee advises using a clarifying shampoo as least once a week to remove any remaining style product from your scalp.

2. Hair mask

Bring out any rinse-off hair masks or treatments right away. According to Lee, run your fingers through the hair, avoiding the scalp, and keep it in for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. If your hair is particularly dry or damaged, you can choose to double up on the hair masks even though they can replace your usual conditioner. Just be careful not to overdo it because too much application might weigh down your strands.

3. Detangler

Use a detangler as soon as you get out of the shower (and before applying anything else) because your style products won’t absorb properly over knots and tangles. This will help prevent potential breaking that can occur while styling in addition as balancing the porosity of the hair so your wet products apply more uniformly. To prevent your scalp from looking oily, just keep your detangler on the center to ends of your hair.

4. Leave-in treatments、conditioner and/or hair oils (if not heat-styling)

It’s ideal to start with a hydrating leave-in conditioner after making sure your strands are detangled. Applying this when the hair is still wet will protect your strands from frizzing out as it dries and make it more receptive to the product because moist hair’s cuticles are more open.

Depending on your hair type, choose a leave-in conditioner. If your hair is dry or damaged, use an oil followed by a serum. Aim to use as little product as possible if your hair is oily. I always use a few drops of argan oil to get shinier, smoother strands. Work your way up, beginning at the nape,” he continues.

Given that they can be applied to both wet and dry hair, hair oils are a little more challenging. The components will absorb into your hair the greatest at this time if you don’t want to heat style them. Hold off if you want to heat style, though. Applying it right away will effectively fry your hair, making it more prone to injury. Lee adds that not all oils are created equal: “When in doubt, always check the recommendations. Some oils are for blow-drying, while others are for after.”

 

5.Mousse or thickening spray

Turn up the volume now. If you have fine hair, Bhatia believes mousse will be your best friend. It functions best when used on moist hair. To seal in the smoothness, apply mousse to the roots before blow-drying by taking a palmful and working it through damp hair from the bottom up, she advises. To add more volume, “you can also spritz in a root-lift spray.”

6. Heat protectant

Apply a heat protectant now if you want to use any hot tools, such as your blow-dryer, curling iron, or flat iron, to avoid heat damage. To make sure the product is dispersed evenly from root to tip, spray it all over your hair and then brush it with a fine-toothed comb. You can then continue to heat style your hair as you choose after that.

7. Styling cream and/or hair oils (if heat-styling)

To enhance shine, highlight hair texture, and get rid of unwelcome frizz after style your hair, use a styling cream or oil. With oils, a little goes a long way, so a small amount ought to work.

8. Beach or texture spray

To seal in your style, use a beach or texture spray to cap off your hair care routine. Never use a hairspray on damp hair, whether you’re looking for shine or grit, as it can lead to stickiness and clumping. And because going overboard would undo all your hard work, start with a smaller amount on completely dry hair and gradually increase as necessary.