Do you put heat protectant or hair oil first?

Author: Mrs. Ardith Jones  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 23, 2025

If your chosen hair oil doesn't have true thermal protection qualities, then apply it after a heat protector like Kérastase Thermique but before heat styling. As a post-styling finisher, hair oils can tame unwanted frizz caused by heat styling, define hair shape, and leave hair with more shine and subtle fragrance.

Should I put heat protectant before or after oil?

Hair oil is meant to soak into your hair, whereas the heat protectant is meant to form a barrier around it to protect it from the heat. Use the hair oil first!

What is the correct order of hair products?

You may have heard the golden rule of layering your skincare: lightest to heaviest. When it comes to hair care, Lee says the guideline is FSF: foundation (shampoo, conditioner, masks), structure (nourishing leave-ins and protectants), and finish (styling products and texture sprays).

In what order do you use heat protectant?

Heat Protection first use your shampoo, then conditioner, then curl cream, then your heat Protection spray. and follow on with your styling products. and dry as usual.

Is it better to put heat protectant on wet or dry hair?

When you should use your heat protection spray will depend on how it is formulated. Some sprays are meant to be used only on damp hair, while others are meant only to be used on dry hair.

The Secret to Fixing Oily & Dry Hair

Do you put hair oil before or after leave-in conditioner?

It's best to apply hair oil after your other styling products, including leave-in conditioner, because hair oil forms a barrier that can prevent other products from being absorbed into your hair.

Is hair oil a heat protectant?

While it's tempting to grab whatever oil you have on hand, it's important to realize that only certain oils will serve as a natural heat protectant for hair before straightening, curling, or blow-drying. Choosing an oil that has a high smoke point of at least 350 degrees or higher is crucial.

Should I apply hair oil before or after straightening?

Apply hair protectant.

By using Argan oil on your hair before you flat iron, you can protect your strands from the heat, add moisture and shine to your hair and reduce frizz all at the same time! For best results, apply protectant to damp hair.

What order curly hair products?

The recommended order of products for curly hair is typically pre-shampoo treatment, shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioning treatment, and leave-in conditioner. Lastly, styling products and oil or serum should be used.

Do I put hair oil on wet or dry hair?

For day-to-day use, simply apply your oil to damp hair and let it air dry. If you're using a hair dryer or other heat-styling tool to achieve an effortless blow-out look, apply a few drops of hair oil through damp hair before applying heat. This will help lock in moisture and result in a smooth, polished finish.

Can you use leave-in conditioner and heat protectant at the same time?

Using both a leave-in conditioner and a heat protectant in your haircare routine can have numerous benefits for every hair type. By using a leave-in conditioner first, you can moisturize and hydrate your hair, making it more resilient to breakage and helping to repair existing damage.

What heat protectant is the best?

The Best Heat Protectant Sprays
  • Best Overall. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer. ...
  • Best on Dry Hair. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protectant Spray. ...
  • Best on Dry Hair Runner-Up. Hot Tools Pro Artist Heat Lacquer Seal Thermal Activated Hi-Shine Spray. ...
  • Best on Damp Hair.

What order should hair products go in?

How to Properly Layer Hair Products
  • Pre-shampoo. Pre-shampoos are optional but can help set your haircare routine up for success. ...
  • Shampoo. ...
  • Rinse-out treatments. ...
  • Conditioner. ...
  • Leave-in treatments. ...
  • Hair mousse, gel, or cream. ...
  • Hair serum or oil. ...
  • Finishing sprays.

Why is my hair frizzy even after oiling?

This is because as time passes the hair cuticle opens up. Hair at this stage is porous and susceptible to frizz. Running your hands through hair with hair oil will rough up the cuticle further and even with oil you risk making things worse.

Should I use hair oil or heat protectant first?

If your chosen hair oil doesn't have true thermal protection qualities, then apply it after a heat protector like Kérastase Thermique but before heat styling. As a post-styling finisher, hair oils can tame unwanted frizz caused by heat styling, define hair shape, and leave hair with more shine and subtle fragrance.

What do I put on my hair before straightening it?

Use a Heat Protectant

Use a hair mousse, lotion, spray, or serum before using the hair straightener. The heat causes the hydrogen bonds to break and thus cause moisture loss. A heat protectant will create a barrier around the hair strands so it doesn't burn or break under thermal pressure.

Does hair oil go on first or last?

Hair oil is most commonly used as the last step in your styling routine to add moisture, shine, and eliminate frizz. Simply apply a small amount of hair oil to your hair after styling, focusing on the ends and any other areas that tend to frizz. You can also use a tiny drop to smooth down any flyaways.

Should you use hair oil before or after straightening?

DO Use on dry hair before curling or straightening. Even if you're working with dry hair, you should always protect your strands from the heat of your styling tools. Prepping your hair for curling or straightening with a hair oil or elixir will prevent damage and make styling even easier.

Is oil replacement a heat protectant?

Plus, unlike natural hair oil, Pantene's Oil Replacement will keep your hair safe from the heat – whether natural or from styling tools, helping the health of your hair in the long run instead of just improving its look for a few hours.

What oil is best for heat damaged hair?

Macadamia Nut Oil: Best for Manageability

It is also used to fight frizz and repair heat-damaged hair.

Do you put heat protectant before or after other products?

Do you put heat protectant on before or after other hair products? Always use heat protectants after all other products as they need to be in direct contact with any heat to activate. If you put it anywhere else in your routine, you might as well not apply it.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

Do you put hair oil in before or after drying?

The best way to use oil for hair care is, to apply it both before and after the dryer. When wet, hair's cuticle is open, so moisture tend to escape easily from hair. By using oil before dryer, we can protect the cuticle and prevent it from drying out due to the heat of the dryer, which results in less hair damage.

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