Want Sleek and Lustrous Hair? Discover How to Apply Hair Serum, Its Benefits and Say Goodbye to Dry, Rough and Damaged Hair (2020)

When it comes to hair products, a typical line-up of hair care routine includes a shampoo and a conditioner with a possible hair mask once a week, and a heat-protecting leave-in treatment after shower. However, there’s another major product you may be missing out on – Hair Serum. Enriched with a strong concentration of active ingredients, a hair serum can not only soften, smoothen and protect your hair from environmental pollutants to keep it sleek and shiny, but also keep it hydrated and protected from humid weather conditions. With a dual role of acting like a pre-styling treatment and then a finishing product, a hair serum is ideal for wash days, in-betweens and on-the-go touch-ups.

While some serums get a bad rap for being too heavy and slick for fine, thin or oily hair types, our specially engineered hair serum is 100% customisable, meaning it will work for every single hair type – period. The key to getting the most out of your hair serum, however, is learning how to use it properly, which is why we have put together some quick dos and don'ts for you to follow as detailed below:

One of the most significant reasons to use a hair serum is to block out humidity and give way to a sleek and elegant finish with a perfect glass look. Avoid using a hair serum just on damp hair prior to heat styling, and use it also in place of your hair spray to tame your flyaway strands. Rub a small amount of serum on your palm and then using 2 fingers to apply it to the hair, pressing gently on areas you want additional frizz control. Avoid pressing the serum on your scalp which will give it an oily look.

While the idea of having super shiny hair from root to tip may sound like a great, in theory, trust us when we say that you’re going to want to avoid applying your serum directly on your roots or scalp. This holds especially true for those of you with naturally fine or oily hair, as even the most lightweight serums have the potential to weigh the hair down, cause product build-up, and making your roots look greasy. For that reason, it is recommended to apply your serum to the ends first and slowly working your way up to the mid-shafts from there. This will not only ensure that you don’t overload on the product, but that you’re also only applying it to the part of your hair that needs it most, viz. your naturally drier ends.

Compared to a hair oil, a hair serum is thicker in consistency which can make it a bit difficult to apply. Avoid applying the serum as soon as you take it out of the container. You can opt for warming it up between your palms for a few seconds instead, and allow it to liquefy a bit. By giving it a few moments, you will allow the serum to soften up allowing it to become a little easier to seep into your hair, making it perform better and ensuring a seamless and even application.

Steer clear of over application! Irrespective of whether you have long or short hair, a thick or thin mane, there’s a fine line to be maintained between coming out perfectly elegant and flat out greasy! On that note, it is important that you take a small amount of hair serum and then gradually work with more as required. When in doubt, begin with the least number of pumps required for your hair type and then slowly work your way from there, for a little goes a long way.

Just as not all hair is made the same, all hair serums don’t come with the same formulae. Choose a hair serum which is customised to your hair type and objectives you aim to achieve. Identifying a formula which suits your hair type may seem daunting but to choose one that’s apt for you, look out for features like:

A significant benefit of using hair serum is the fact that it protects your hair from environmental aggressors like dust and pollution and for it to work to its maximum potential, it should be used on clean and freshly washed hair. Hair serums act as shields against grime and whenever it is possible, they should be applied to damp hair before applying any other styling product to lock-in the serum benefits. You can also use the serum throughout the day for touch-up. But be sure to apply it for the first time on clean hair only.

Hair serum should only be applied to cleansed hair and unlike a hair mousse or hair spray, a hair serum is an essential contributor of nourishment in addition to disentangling and styling your hair. There are brands which manufacture an entire range of hair grooming products that include a shampoo, conditioner and hair serum which complement each other. If you’re trying a hair serum for the first time, choose one that comes as part of the hair care range with a complementing shampoo and conditioner.

Once you’ve applied the serum nicely to your hair, brush it downwards to disentangle your hair easily. Blow dry your hair next to ensure it is completely dry, as damp hair can invite dirt and grime to stick to your hair and scalp. In case you use a hair straightener often, it is best to apply the serum first and then straighten your hair as it will protect your hair from any damage caused by heat styling and breakage.

If you don’t have a hair serum or don’t want to apply a store-bought hair serum then you can opt for a homemade hair serum. Take 4 tbsp of avocado oil with 2 tbsp jojoba oil, 2 tbsp almond oil, 2 tbsp of argan oil and 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil and blend all the oils together. This natural blend is the best thing you can use to achieve shinier and bouncier tresses, although it may not give you the lightweight appeal of silicone oils!