Yes, The Order of Your Styling Products Matters — Here’s Why

Raise your hand if you've ever layered on a bunch of styling products and still ended up with flat, frizzy, or greasy hair. 🙋‍♀️ It’s not always what you use — but when you use it.

If you want salon-level results at home, getting the right order of application makes all the difference. Think of it like makeup: primer goes before foundation, right? Same logic applies to your hair.

So what goes on first — leave-in? mousse? heat protectant? Here’s your step-by-step cheat sheet to building the perfect style from the shower to the final spray:

The Correct Order to Apply Styling Products

1. Leave-In Conditioner or Detangler

   • Start with damp, towel-dried hair.

   • This is your first layer of hydration and heat protection. It helps detangle, add moisture, and prep your hair for everything that comes next.

2. Blowout Balm, Smoothing Cream, or Heat Protectant

   • Think of this as your foundation for styling.

   • Quarter-sized amount in the palm of your hand, and apply evenly throughout the sections from roots to ends, brushing through to ensure even distribution

   • You can start blowout from here; it will protect from heat damage and help create a smooth, polished look. If you want more volume and your blowout to last days, keep going ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

3. Styling Products: Mousse, Volumizing Spray, or Curl Enhancer

   • Choose based on your hair goals:

     • Mousse for volume and hold when doing a blowout

     • Curl cream or gel for definition when diffusing curls

     • Root lift or texture spray for fullness for either

   • Apply from roots to mid-lengths or throughout, depending on the product.

4. Blow Dry + Style

   • Now’s the time to work your magic with a round brush, diffuser, or iron.

5. Hair Oil

   • Adds shine, seals moisture, and helps control frizz — but go light to avoid weighing hair down. Use mostly on the ends.

6. Hairspray (Last Step!)

   • Lock in your style.

   • Light hold hairspray if you plan to wear the blowout for multiple days

   • Strong hold if you're going out or you are washing the next day

Bonus Pro Tips

• Apply products in two or four sections to make sure you apply enough (most people do not)

• After applying each product, comb or brush through for even distribution

• Let products absorb for a few seconds before blow drying.

  
  

Why This Matters

When you apply your products in the right order, your hair holds style longer, feels lighter, and stays healthier. You're not just layering products — you’re building a foundation that protects, shapes, and finishes like a pro.

Want help figuring out which products are right for your hair type or style goals? I got you. Ask at your next appointment or send a quick DM.

Better hair starts with better habits — and it all begins before the blow dryer.

Which Products to Use

So now that you have a guide to the order, which ones do you pick? Do you get all of them? Which ones are most important? All these are great questions, and I definitely have answers. First, check out my other blog post, which discusses the brands I love and the products I use from each one. After that, let's discuss it when you're in my chair. Book a consultation or a blowout, and we can go over how to achieve your style goals!

Remember I'm always here to answer any questions you have.

Happy Styling!!