Hair Serum: What Is It and How Do You Use It?
As far as essential hair products go, you probably think you’re pretty well-stocked at this point. You shampoo and condition, apply a hair mask at least once a week, and use a heat-protecting leave-in treatment post-shower. What else is there to consider?
As it turns out, you may be missing out on one key product with major multitasking benefits — hair serum!
Packed with a potent concentration of key ingredients, hair serums can effectively smooth, soften, and protect the hair from environmental aggressors. This way, your hair stays sleek and shiny all day long.
Love the idea of a hair serum but aren’t sure how to work it into your hair care routine? Below, we’ve broken down all of the essential dos and don’ts of using this all-in-one product so you can start making most of your daily hair goal. What Exactly Is Hair Serum?
Not to be confused with hair oil, hair serum is a silicone-based styling product designed to coat the hair’s surface to help impart added shine, smoothness, hydration, and humidity and pollution protection.
Intended to be used on wet or dry hair, serums can act as both a pre-styling treatment and a finishing product. It’s perfect for wash days, in-between washes and great for on-the-go touch-ups.
The key to getting the most out of your hair serum, however, is learning how to use it properly. That’s why we’ve put together some quick dos and don’ts for you to follow below.
Do Use It for Hairstyling
Whether you want to blow-dry or flat-iron your mane, a heat protectant is key to toning down hair damage. Hair serums that offer serious heat protection, like Function of Beauty’s custom hair serum, are your best friend when it comes to hairstyling.
One of the greatest benefits of using a hair serum is its ability to block out humidity and create a sleek, polished finish. Simply put, there’s no better product to use when you’re trying to create that perfect glass hair look.
Rather than just applying your serum to damp hair before heat styling, we suggest also using it in place of your hairspray (a frizz-fighting no-no) to help tame any unruly strands.
Simply rub a small amount of serum through the palm of your hands. Then, using two fingers, gently apply it to the strands using a pressing motion anywhere you want a smoother hair texture.
Don’t Apply Serum to Your Roots
The idea of having super-shiny hair from root to tip may sound like a good idea in theory. But trust us when we say that, unlike a scalp treatment, you’ll want to avoid applying your serum directly on your roots or scalp. This holds especially true for those with naturally fine or oily hair, as even the most lightweight serums have the potential to weigh the hair down, cause product buildup, and make your roots look greasy.
Applying your serum to the ends first and slowly working your way up to the mid-shafts. 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 (aka your naturally drier ends).
Don’t Apply Your Serum Right Away
Unlike hair oils, hair serums tend to be a little thicker in consistency, which can make working them into your hair a bit more difficult for some.
Our tip? Don’t try applying your hair serum as soon as you dispense it. Instead, try warming up the product between your hands for a few seconds so that it has the chance to break down and liquefy a bit, giving you a little more slip. This’ll not only help your serum perform better but also ensure a more seamless, even application.
Don’t Over-Apply
There is no such a thing as using too much hair serum.
Whether your hair is long or short, thin or thick, there’s a fine line between looking perfectly polished and flat and greasy. That’s why it’s important to start with a small amount of serum and then gradually work in more only as needed.
When in doubt, start with the least number of pumps recommended for your hair type and then slowly build from there. Whatever you do, just remember: a little goes a long way.
