How to Layer Your Hair Products the Right Way

You already know how to layer your skin care products in the correct order, but have you ever stopped to think that maybe there’s a right and a wrong way to apply your hair care products, too? As it turns out, there is a proper way to layer on your hair care products—and it’s not as time-consuming or difficult as it sounds. Here, we’re walking you through the right order to apply all of your hair care products, from serum and hair cream to mousse and hair spray. Of course, you don’t have to follow every single step—you may decide to use just some of the products, but whatever products you do choose, the important part is to apply them in the correct order. Here are the general guidelines for layering your hair care (and hair styling) products:

1. SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

We know that this step goes without saying, because you don’t want to start layering products onto hair that’s dirty, but the key thing here is that you use the right shampoo and conditioner system for your hair type. Here are some of your options:

If you have thin hair...try the L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Conditioner.

If you have color-treated hair...use a moisturizing, anti-fade system, like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner.

If you have frizzy hair...reach for the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Conditioner.

If you have curly hair...use the L'Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Conditioner.

2. LEAVE-IN TREATMENTS

Once you’ve washed your hair and let it dry off a bit, the first product to actually layer onto your locks is a leave-in treatment, such as a leave-in conditioner or a repairing treatment, like the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Treatment. It’s an especially good idea to use a leave-in treatment if your strands are damaged, overly-dry, or color-treated, as they can help rehydrate and repair your hair with continued use over time. Of course, leave-in products typically aren’t necessary on the daily, so you can save this step for once or twice a week!

3. HEAT PROTECTANT

If you plan to use any hot tools, i.e. your blow-dryer, curling iron, or flat iron, your next step should be to apply a heat protectant, like the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray. This step is crucial for any type of heat styling because the high heat you’ll be applying to your hair can cause damage. Spray the heat protectant onto damp hair all over your head, from root to tip, then brush through to make sure the product is evenly distributed.

4. HAIR MOUSSE

Next up: hair mousse! If your hair lacks volume and you want to pump it up a bit, use a hair mousse that’s formulated to give your locks added height, like the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse. Put an egg-sized amount of product in the palm of your hand, then apply it to your hair, scrunching as you go to help build body.

5. HAIR SERUM OR OIL

What’s left? Oh right, a hair serum or oil! Both of these products should only be applied to the lengths and ends of your hair, and just a small amount should do the trick. If frizz is what you’re worried about most, try the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum, which will help polish the surface of your strands and block out any frizz. If dry, lifeless hair is your biggest concern, reach for the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Treatment. These products can also be applied to hair that’s damp or completely dry—so it’s up to you if you want to wait until your hair is totally dry or go straight from applying mousse to smoothing on your serum or oil.

6. HAIR SPRAY

Your final step should be a few spritzes of hairspray, which should always, always be applied to dry hair. Using hair spray on wet or damp hair is a recipe for stickiness, clumps, and overall hairstyle disaster. Stick with using a lightweight hairspray, like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray, as the final step in your hair care and styling routine to tame down any lingering frizz and lock in your look for the day (or night).

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