Ever feel like you’re using all the right hair products but still not seeing results? The issue might not be what you’re using, but how you’re using it.
The order in which you apply hair products plays a major role in how well your hair retains moisture, holds definition, and stays healthy overall.
When you apply products out of sequence, you can block moisture instead of locking it in.
So, what’s the right order? It all starts with understanding the basics of layering: cleansing, hydrating, sealing, and styling.
Step 1: Cleanse thoroughly
Start with a clean slate. Use a gentle shampoo or a co-wash to remove product buildup, sweat, and oils. This helps prep your strands to fully absorb whatever you apply next.
Step 2: Condition and detangle
After cleansing, follow up with a conditioner or deep treatment. This step softens the hair and helps with detangling, which is crucial for reducing breakage. Rinse out completely or leave in, depending on the product type.
Step 3: Apply a leave-in conditioner
Leave-ins are lightweight moisturizers designed to hydrate your hair without weighing it down. They provide a soft base and help other products spread more easily.
Step 4: Layer a moisturizer or cream
This is where your LOC or LCO method comes in (Liquid, Oil, Cream or Liquid, Cream, Oil). Creams and moisturizers hydrate and nourish. If you have high-porosity hair, go heavier. If low-porosity, keep it light.
Step 5: Seal with oil or butter
Sealing helps lock in all the moisture you’ve layered in. Oils like jojoba, avocado, or castor are excellent choices. This step is especially important for textured and natural hair types.
Step 6: Style it up
Now your strands are ready for gels, curl definers, or edge control. Because your hair is properly moisturized and sealed, styling products can do their job without flaking or drying you out.
When applied in the right order, your products work together—not against each other. The result? Softer, shinier, more manageable hair that’s ready to slay.
