Here's the Correct Order to Apply Hair Products, According to Stylists (2024)

We know that certain skincare products deliver better results depending on how often you use them and the order in which you apply them. And the same can be said of haircare and styling products, too. While it’s fairly obvious to start with shampoo and conditioner when you start to bring hair masks, leave-in conditioners, styling creams, hair oils, shine spray, and more into your routine, the sequence can get jumbled—and as a result, your hair may look less than stellar.

Don't sweat it, though: We chatted with two celebrity hairstylists—Christopher Naselli and Ben Talbott—to uncover the proper product sequence once and for all.

Ahead, the pro-recommended order to apply haircare products and make every day a good hair day.

Does the Order You Apply Hair Products Matter?

Before diving into the step-by-step sequence, let’s first go over why applying your haircare products in a specific order is so beneficial. Picture this: You apply a leave-in conditioner on dry hair, only to wonder why your mids and ends look super greasy. Or maybe you apply shine spray while your hair is still damp, only to find that it hardly makes a difference once it is dry. In both cases, it’s because the product was applied at the wrong step of the sequence. When you misapply haircare products, you forego the results they can deliver.

But before you think that there’s only one right haircare routine for everyone, think again. According to Naselli, the proper hair product sequence varies from person to person. “It truly depends on hair type—everyone has different textures, and people have different routines that they are accustomed to,” he explains.

Still, you can follow a few basics before tailoring your haircare routine to your texture.

The Best Order to Apply In-Shower Haircare Products

1. Start with shampoo: Shampoo is designed to cleanse hair of any built-up sweat, dirt, and oils. Due to its deep-cleansing nature, shampoo is sometimes thought to be stripping (even though most modern formulas are designed without the most common stripping ingredients, parabens, and sodium lauryl sulfate). For this reason, it’s best applied first so that the conditioner can replenish any moisture loss.
2. Follow with conditioner: Conditioner is designed to hydrate, smooth, and detangle hair.

Generally speaking, Talbott says that most people benefit from washing their hair two to three times per week. “I don’t recommend shampooing hair every day as this can strip the hair and scalp of precious natural oils [even if it’s a high-quality shampoo],” he explains, noting that stripping can lead to dryness and flyaways.

Aside from basic shampoo and conditioner guidelines, Talbott notes that certain hair types—fine, coarse, and curl—require a more customized approach.

The Best Order to Apply Hair Products for Fine Hair

Fine hair lacks volume, so a fine haircare routine should incorporate products that provide lift. Of course, employing volumizing products alone won’t do the job—they have to be applied in a specific order.

1. Start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner: Trust us, you want to look for that magical keyword when shopping for your hair cleansing products. “These products are carefully developed not to weigh your hair down,” Talbott explains. “It thickens the hair fiber and adds a boost to flat roots.” While Talbott recommends volumizing conditioner, Naselli says to skip it if possible, as even the most well-intended volumizing products can potentially weigh down fine strands if over-applied. In his eyes, the one exception is if you have color-treated hair. “If you’re a highlight girl, or if you color or have any sort of chemical process, just apply a small amount of a good hydrating conditioner to your mid-shaft to ends,” he says.
2. Towel-dry hair: Don’t reach for a classic terry cloth towel, though. Instead, use a microfiber towel, as they’re gentler on strands and less likely to cause breakage for folks with already fine hair.
3. Apply leave-in conditioner: If your fine hair is particularly tangle-prone—and mainly if you avoided conditioner in the shower—lightly spritz your strands with a weightless leave-in conditioner.
4. Follow with a thickening treatment: Fine hair benefits from lift and thickening agents. When looking for a thickening treatment, Talbott suggests opting for something that will leave your hair soft, conditioned, and virtually weightless.
5. Apply a lightweight hair serum: If you have frizz-prone hair, applying a small drop of a lightweight hair serum throughout your hair can lead to smooth strands post-styling. Naselli points out that hair serum, while often thought too heavy for fine hair, can also boost overall hair health and lead to a healthier scalp. So it’s not something to be avoided—just be very light-handed with your application.
6. Apply mousse: Remember: Volume is key for fine hair. To give your roots a boost, Talbott says to massage mousse into your roots and mids to prevent hair from falling flat throughout the day.
7. Blow out your hair: After applying mousse, Talbott says to use a round brush to add body to your tresses. “[Doing so will] create beautiful bounce and volume,” he assures us.

Overall, Talbott says that with fine hair, less is more. “You don’t want too many products layered because that can drag hair down and make it feel greasy,” he warns. With that in mind, experiment with this fine hair product sequence and add or subtract products as your strands deem fit.

The Best Order to Apply Hair Products for Coarse Hair

1. Start with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner: When you have thick, coarse hair, Naselli says that the first thing you’ll want to do is wash and condition it with hydrating products. “This will enhance shine and provide moisture,” he says.
2. Towel-dry hair: Again, a microfiber towel is best to avoid disturbing or aggravating the hair's texture.
3. Apply a leave-in conditioner: Naselli recommends always applying a leave-in conditioner after towel-drying hair and before continuing with your haircare routine.
4. Apply a no-rinse hair cream: Not only will a hair cream further hydrate the hair, but Naselli says it will help protect it from heat damage and nourish the hair for a better blowout, too. “It will also leave the hair feeling soft and silky,” he says.
5. Finish with lightweight hair oil: The coarser your hair, the duller it can look. “I always finish with a hair oil to enhance shine and add nutrition to the hair,” Naselli says, which remedies the issue.

“In addition to these steps, I always recommend doing a hair and scalp mask and a scalp scrub once a week,” Naselli adds. “A scalp scrub is a must.” The reason? It deeply cleanses the scalp by removing buildup and everyday pollution. He also points out that scalp scrubs and masks can help promote hair growth.

The Best Order to Apply Hair Products for Curly Hair

1. Opt for a co-wash: Since curly hair has a knack for getting dry, Talbott recommends foregoing shampoo in favor of a co-wash. “It's also known as conditioner-only washing and no shampoo, and it keeps hair hydrated,” he explains. “If your hair is coily, mixed-textured, curly, or extremely dry, your hair care routine could benefit from using a co-wash product.” (That said, he warns that fine hair won’t benefit from it.)
2. Apply a curl-specific leave-in conditioner: Keeping the hydration coming for curls never hurts. That’s why Talbott says to follow up co-washing with a leave-in conditioner.
3. Add a little traditional conditioner: Talbott says you can apply classic conditioner to your hair outside the shower if you have dry curls. “I find taking a small amount of your conditioner and leaving it in the mid-lengths and ends really helps hydrate and tone those curls into a perfect shape,” he says.
4. Diffuse your curls: After hydrating your curls, Talbott says to follow up with a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer.

The Final Takeaway

Applying your haircare in a specific order can boost the effectiveness of the products. A rudimental hair wash routine should start with shampoo and end with conditioner. But, depending on your hair goals or hair type and texture, more steps and products may be advised. If you're looking for a more individualized routine, consult a hairstylist for their haircare routine recommendations.