What to Apply Before Straightening Hair: 4 Must-Use Products
7 min read
Straightening hair can be damaging if you are not taking the right measures. Here is what to apply before straightening your hair.
Straightening your hair can be a great way to achieve a sleek and smooth look for any occasion. However, frequent exposure to high temperatures without taking the right preventive measures can be damaging, as heat affects the hair’s ability to retain moisture and strips its natural oils - causing it to look frizzy, dull and dry over the long run.
For this reason, taking the right steps to straighten your hair without damage is essential, especially if it’s a part of your daily or weekly routine. Let’s take a look at what to put on your hair before straightening to ensure that you are not taking a risk when it comes to your beautiful hair:
1. Hair primer
First on our list of what to apply before straightening your hair is a hair primer, which essentially acts in the same way as a makeup primer. This product should be applied after washing and conditioning your hair, and before heat styling.
While the hair primer should be applied to wet or damp hair, always make sure that your hair is completely dry before you turn your flat iron on, as ironing wet hair can be extremely damaging.
But what exactly is a hair primer?
A hair primer is a product that acts as a base for hair styling, sleeking and smoothing out your hair to create an even surface, which makes styling faster and easier. It also reduces frizz and keeps the hair moisturized. In addition, the hair primer adds an extra layer of protection against heat damage and environmental factors.
Essentially, the hair primer serves the purpose of a base for hair styling, speeding up the process and providing a better hold for the desired style.
NuMe’s Rise and Prime hair primer will be a great addition to your hair styling routine. Its natural ingredients with no harmful chemicals enhance the elasticity and flexibility of the hair, helping you get ready - and enjoy your lovely hairstyle all day long.
This must-have hair primer prepares your hair for styling while adding valuable nutrients in the process, such as:
- Hydrolyzed silk
- Sunflower seed oil
- Honey extract
- Isoparaffin
To replenish the hair with amino acids, control frizz, keep it hydrated and moisturized, and ensure a smooth and sleek hairstyle every time. NuMe’s hair primer can be used as a base for other products, or acts on its own as a leave-in conditioner.
2. Thermal heat protectant
If you are wondering what to apply before straightening your hair for maximum protection, the last product that you want to skip in your routine is your thermal heat protectant.
A thermal heat protectant works by creating a protective barrier between your flat iron and your hair. It forms a thin film on the surface of the hair, slowing down heat conduction and distributing the heat in a more even manner.
Thermal heat protectants also help to reduce water evaporation by sealing in moisture, allowing for a shiny, frizz-free hair. They lessen the heat shock, which translates to less overall damage from thermal hair styling.
However, some heat protectants don’t limit themselves to protection only - for example, NuMe’s Watch Me Werk also conditions the hair and helps prevent hair breakage due to its key ingredients such as Vitamin A.
It also contains Caviar Extract, which is source rich in Vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids. This provides the product with the added benefit of UVA and UVB rays protection, keeping your hair shiny and moisturized under the sun. Essentially, it works the same way as sunscreen for your skin, allowing you to enjoy additional anti-aging properties.
Keep in mind that not all heat protectants also provide sun protection, as it doesn’t require the same ingredients as protection from thermal heat damage.
NuMe Watch me Werk - Thermal Heat Protectant
3. Hydrating hair serum
Dry and dull-looking hair can really take a toll on your confidence, and unfortunately, there are many factors that can make your hair dry out.
Excessive heat exposure without protection, excessive hair washing or harsh shampoos, extreme weather conditions or malnutrition are just some of the factors that play a role in hair drying and breakage.
So, if you are wondering what to apply before straightening your hair to ensure proper hydration and moisturizing, one hair product that you should not forget about is your hair serum.
A hair serum is a treatment that adds a layer of protection over the hair fiber, providing shine, smoothness and hydration. It helps to control frizz and reduce dryness by forming a protective coating around the hair cuticle. The hair serum improves the ability of the hair to retain moisture, and prevents the strands from splitting.
If you are looking for the perfect hair serum, try NuMe’s Sleeky in a Bottle. This hydrating hair serum is rich in argan oils, macadamia seed oils, mineral oils and phytosterols, which help to combat frizz and shine out the hair from inside out.
In addition, it protects the hair from harmful free radicals in the environment, fights humidity, and leaves it bouncy and shiny - so you can enjoy a smooth and sleek hairstyle all day long.
NuMe Sleeky in a Bottle - Hair Serum
4. Split End Sealer
So, what else to apply before straightening your hair? While it’s important to keep in mind that there is no way to actually repair split ends, there is still something that you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place.
The split end sealer is a hair product that treats and prevents split ends, replenishing the hair with nutrients and providing the much-needed hydration to avoid further damage.
The product is usually applied to the ends of the hair as a sealer or a leave-in conditioner, where it seals and smooths the cuticles to prevent breakage and create a healthy, shiny appearance.
To prevent split ends, it is also recommended to maintain a healthy hair care routine, use high-quality hair styling tools with temperature control, as well as protective products when styling.
The NuMe Seal The Deal end sealer is a great option to prevent split ends from forming in the first place. It moisturizes the hair and closes the cuticles. Made with natural ingredients such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, corn protein and algae, it helps to replenish essential nutrients to the ends of the hair.
Just put a quarter-sized amount of the end sealer in your hands, and lightly massage the product into your strands - with the most focused being on the ends.
What to apply before straightening hair: conclusion
So, what to apply before straightening your hair? Let's sum it up:
Excessive exposure to high temperatures can be damaging for the hair if you are not taking the right measures to protect it. So, if you are wondering exactly what to apply before ironing hair, these are the 4 must-use products: a hair primer, a thermal heat protectant, a hair serum, and a split end sealer.
Taking these steps after thoroughly washing and conditioning your hair is essential before you begin your heat styling routine. Just make sure that your hair is fully dry before applying heat, as high temperatures boil the hair and cause a lot of damage over the long run.
FAQ
Should I put anything in my hair before straightening?
Yes, it is recommended to use a couple of hair products to ensure that you are not causing serious damage to your hair when straightening it: a hair primer to serve as a base for your hair styling, and a thermal heat protectant to form a protective barrier between your hair and your flat iron.
In addition, a hair serum and a split end seal will ensure that your hair is fully hydrated, sleek and smooth, without worrying about frizz.
Should I apply serum before or after hair straightening?
While the instructions may vary by brand, hair serum is generally applied before hair straightening. It should be applied right after washing and conditioning the hair, always ensuring that your hair is fully dry first.
How can I straighten my hair without frizz?
To straighten your hair without frizz, start with a clean and conditioned hair. Make sure to use a thermal heat protectant before heat styling to reduce damage from heat, and use a hair primer as a base for faster and more efficient hair styling.
Finish by applying a frizz-fighting serum or oil to your hair to help control frizz and provide a glossy, smooth finish.
