How to prep your hair for styling?

Author: Prof. Broderick Cole  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Before you start styling your hair, it's important to wash and condition your hair thoroughly. Use a mild shampoo that matches your hair type and a moisturizing conditioner. This will prepare your hair for styling.

How do you prepare your hair before styling?

For best results, do 3 really thorough shampoos, or use a clarifying shampoo followed by your regular shampoo. Ensure you scrub your entire scalp and underneath your hair using your fingertips. Follow with conditioner, leaving for five minutes before rinsing. Avoid getting any conditioner near the roots of your hair.

What should I condition my hair before styling?

After making sure your strands are tangle-free, it's best to kick off with a hydrating leave-in conditioner. You'll want to apply this while the hair is still wet—not only is your hair more receptive when damp (your cuticles are open), it will also protect your strands from frizzing out as it dries.

What should I put in my hair care routine before styling?

Let's cover the basics:
  1. Step 1: Cleanse. The first step in any haircare routine is to cleanse. ...
  2. Step 2: Condition & nourish. The next essential step in your washing routine is to condition. ...
  3. Step 3: Detangle. ...
  4. Step 4: Protect, prime & style. ...
  5. Step 5: Moisturize. ...
  6. Step 6: Treatment.

How do I prepare for a hair styling appointment?

Prep Your Hair Before You Go

Arrive with clean, dry hair so your stylist can work their magic. Clean hair ensures even color application and better results. Avoid heavy products like gels or oils, which can create barriers during treatments.

Lala's Styling Prep Tool How to

Should I wash my hair before a hair styling appointment?

Short answer: Clean hair please! While we want you to feel pampered and enjoy the experience of a relaxing shampoo, it's ideal for first time clients to visit the salon with clean hair.

Do hairstylists like when you bring pictures?

Bring Photos

Describing the type of layers or shade of color you're looking for can be difficult, and the stylist might imagine your words differently. A picture is worth a thousand words. Don't worry. We have all the options to get you started.

Should I wet my hair before styling?

Applying styling products to the hair when it's soaking wet helps strands retain moisture, making them less prone to brittleness and frizz, for smoother, shinier hair. Easier styling. Wet hair is easier to style, especially if you have very curly or natural hair.

What is a basic hair routine?

Basic Hair Care Routine

Most hair care routines include, at minimum, the following steps: Shampooing and conditioning. Moisturizing. Detangling. Styling and protecting.

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.

How to prep hair for styling female?

How to prep your hair before styling
  1. Step 1: Oil. A hair oil is a great way to intensely moisturise dry strands and is super effective in adding shine. ...
  2. Step 2: Shampoo. ...
  3. Step 3: Conditioner. ...
  4. Step 4: Mask. ...
  5. Step 5: Brush. ...
  6. Step 6: Prime. ...
  7. 7 antioxidants you need for glowing skin. ...
  8. 10 of the Best Hair Oils for all Hair Types.

How do you moisturize your hair before styling?

Apply a nourishing hair serum

After lightly towel-drying your hair to remove excess water, you can apply a hair serum to help trap in moisture. Different serums can target different concerns, but for those battling dryness, we suggest using the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free.

How to prepare for professional hair styling?

The Night Before:
  1. Wash Your Hair: Give your locks a good wash the night prior. ...
  2. Blow Dry: Flip your head upside down and blow dry your hair to give 'lift' at the roots. ...
  3. Avoid Heat Styling Tools: Resist the urge to use a curling iron, straightener, or any other heat tool other than a hairdryer.

Should I condition hair before styling?

“Leave-in is a key step before styling your hair,” says Tsapatori. “Opt for a leave-in conditioner depending on your hair type. Use an oil followed by a serum if your hair is dry or damaged. If you have oily hair, avoid using too much product.

What is the best product for your hair after a shower?

One of the best ways to care for your hair after a shower is to use a leave-in conditioner. This type of conditioner is designed to be left in your hair and can help to restore moisture and prevent breakage. Another option is to use a hair oil or serum, which can help to add shine and protect against heat damage.

Can you use too much conditioner?

Too much conditioner will eventually coat your hair in heavy build-up, leaving you with a lifeless, unmanageable mane. If you don't use enough conditioner, your hair will be hard to comb out and look dry. Be sure to match your application of conditioner to your hair length and type.

What is the correct order of hair care?

Mastering The Art Of Layering Hair Products: Your Ultimate Guide To Nailing Your Routine
  1. Shampoo. First things first – shampoo. ...
  2. Conditioner. Next up, conditioner. ...
  3. Leave-In Conditioner Or Hair Mask. For an extra boost, consider adding a leave-in conditioner or hair mask to your routine. ...
  4. Heat Protectant (Hair Serum)

What should I put in my hair every day?

Use a Hair Treatment

You can't go wrong with leave-in kinds like Whole Blends Hair Honey Repairing Serum for very damaged hair. Everyday wear-and-tear can add up, so counteracting it with a hair treatment can be more restorative than your usual hair care routine alone.

Which hair serum is best?

WishCare Hair Growth serum concentrate contains Redensyl. This helps to make this serum the best hair growth serum in India.

Is it better to style dirty or clean hair?

Potempa recommends showing up to your appointment with clean hair. “I love styling clean hair because you can totally control the prep and products that are being used in the hair to help get the best results without having any leftover product from days prior,” she says.

What is hair scrunching?

Scrunching is a specific technique for curly hair to get more out of your curls. Scrunching is basically a hand movement that you make in your hair. You make upward pinching movements in your hair with your hands as we show you in the photo: Sample photo on how to scrunch your curls (Justcurly.com):

Do hair stylists prefer wet or dry hair?

Pastor says it's no secret why stylists have chosen to cut wet hair for so long: It allows stylists to cut the most precise lines. Because wet hair condenses, cutting hair while it is wet is ideal if you're looking for a cut with sharp lines, like a bob.

Do hairdressers like when you talk to them?

It's a common stereotype that hairdressers love a good chat, and there's some truth behind it. For one, hairdressing is a highly social job that involves close personal interaction. Hairdressers, like the friendly team at Salon No. 100, are often experts in making clients feel comfortable from the moment they sit down.

What not to say to a hairdresser?

8 Common Phrases You Say To Your Hair Stylist That Are Actually Rude
  • “My previous stylist messed up my hair.”
  • “Sorry, I didn't come prepared today.”
  • “My haircut looks fine.”
  • “Can I have a discount?”
  • “I don't care what you do with my hair.”
  • “Let me tell you all about [insert deeply personal issue here].”

How much does a hair stylist charge for a photoshoot?

The cost of a stylist can vary depending on their level of experience and the complexity of the shoot. On average, the cost of a stylist for a fashion photoshoot can range from $500 to $3,000 or more.

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