How to Apply Hair Products Correctly: EGGIE’s 3-Step Guide for Baton Rouge Hair

You spent time styling your hair this morning, and by lunch it fell flat, felt heavy, or turned greasy. The frustrating part is that the products probably weren’t the problem. The order you applied them was.

At EGGIE Salon Studio in Baton Rouge, one of the most common questions our stylists hear is how to apply hair products correctly. The answer matters more than most people realize.

Applying products in the correct order helps each one do its job. It gives you more volume, longer-lasting style, better heat protection, and healthier-looking hair. Applying them out of order causes buildup, weighs your hair down, and makes your style disappear faster.

Rachel Eggie Gibbs, owner of EGGIE Salon Studio, recommends following three simple steps every time you style your hair.

The routine at a glance

To apply hair products correctly, use this three-step order every time you style: heat protectant first (before any hot tools), root spray or volumizer second (before blow-drying), and flexible hairspray last (once your style is complete). Applying products in this order helps each one do its job, prevents buildup, and makes your style last longer, especially in Baton Rouge humidity.

Why does the order of hair products matter?

Think about building a house. You wouldn’t install the roof before building the walls. Hair products work the same way. Each product is designed to do a specific job, and they work best when they’re layered correctly.

Heat protectant needs to coat your hair before you use hot tools. Root spray needs to reach your roots before other products weigh them down. Flexible hairspray works best as the final step because it holds your style without making your hair stiff.

Following the right routine also prevents unnecessary product buildup. When too many products layer in the wrong order, they collect on the hair instead of absorbing properly. That leaves your hair looking dull, feeling sticky, or becoming greasy more quickly. If your products aren’t working for you, the order is the first place to look.

Why this matters even more in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge summers bring humidity that routinely climbs above 75% from June through September, which puts a whole different level of stress on your style. A blowout that survives four hours in a drier climate can fall flat in ninety minutes here. Add LSU game day heat, outdoor weddings that run May through October, and festival season, and the wrong product order shortens the life of your style even faster.

The three-step routine below is what our stylists coach every EGGIE client through, because it’s the routine that holds up in Louisiana weather.

Step 1: Start with a heat protectant

If you’re using a blow dryer, curling iron, flat iron, or hot brush, a heat protectant should always be the first styling product you apply.

Heat protectants create a lightweight barrier around each strand of hair. This barrier reduces moisture loss during styling and protects the hair cuticle from excessive heat.

Without one, high temperatures slowly weaken your hair. Over time, repeated heat styling without protection leads to dryness, split ends, breakage, frizz, faded hair color, and hair that feels rough or brittle.

Even if you only use heat a few times each week, protecting your hair should become part of your routine.

Rachel’s product pick

• Heat protectant: Kérastase Nectar Thermique is our go-to for Baton Rouge clients. It protects against heat while smoothing the hair for a softer, shinier blowout, which is exactly what humidity-prone hair needs.

How to apply a heat protectant

Less is more. Start with a small amount and work it through damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Use a comb or brush to distribute the product evenly before blow-drying. Applying too much leaves hair feeling heavy, so it’s always easier to add more if needed.

Do I really need a heat protectant every time?

Yes. Every time you use heat, your hair is exposed to temperatures that cause damage. A heat protectant reduces that damage and keeps your hair healthier over time.

Should I apply heat protectant to wet or dry hair?

Most heat protectants are designed for damp hair before blow-drying. Some formulas can also be used before curling or flat ironing dry hair. Always follow the directions for your specific product.

Step 2: Apply your root spray or volumizing spray

Once your heat protectant is evenly distributed, it’s time to create the foundation for your style. If volume is one of your goals, root spray should always come before hairspray.

Many people finish their hair and then try to spray volume into their roots afterward. By that point the hairstyle is already set, and it becomes much harder to create lasting lift.

Root sprays support the hair while it’s being styled. They add texture, lift, and body at the roots without making the hair feel stiff. Whether your hair is naturally fine or falls flat throughout the day, this step makes a noticeable difference, especially in humidity that flattens volume within hours.

Rachel’s product pick

• Root lift volumizer: Kevin Murphy Anti.Gravity.Spray is one of EGGIE’s best sellers for creating lightweight volume while keeping the hair’s natural movement.

How to apply root spray

Section your damp hair before blow-drying. Spray directly at the roots, concentrating on the crown and areas where you want more lift. As you blow-dry, use a round brush or lift the roots upward to create lasting volume. The product works with your styling technique to hold the shape you’ve created.

Can I use root spray on dry hair?

Some products refresh volume on dry hair, but most volumizing sprays perform best on damp hair before blow-drying.

Why doesn’t my hair hold volume?

Several factors cause hair to lose volume: product buildup, humidity, your haircut, and the order in which you apply styling products. Using a root spray before styling gives your hair a stronger foundation and helps lift last longer.

Step 3: Finish with a flexible hairspray

Once your hair is dry, styled, and exactly how you want it, it’s time for the final step: flexible hairspray.

Many people think hairspray should make hair feel stiff or crunchy. That’s no longer the goal. Today’s professional formulas hold your style while allowing your hair to move naturally.

Rachel recommends using a flexible hairspray as the last step because it locks in your style without weighing your hair down. It also protects your style from humidity and everyday movement, making it more likely to last through a Baton Rouge afternoon.

Whether you curled your hair, created volume with a blowout, or straightened it smooth, flexible hairspray holds everything in place while keeping a soft finish.

Rachel’s product pick

• Flexible hold finishing spray: Kevin Murphy Session.Spray is our recommendation for daily use. It provides strong, flexible hold, resists humidity, and brushes out easily at the end of the day.

How to apply flexible hairspray

Hold the can about 10 to 12 inches away from your hair. Instead of spraying one area heavily, use a light, even mist over your finished style. If you curled your hair, allow the curls to cool completely before applying hairspray. This helps the curls set and last longer.

Should hairspray be the last step?

Yes. Hairspray is designed to hold your finished style. Applying other styling products after hairspray reduces its effectiveness and leaves your hair feeling heavy or sticky.

Five product layering mistakes we see all the time

Using great products is important, but even the best products won’t perform as well if they’re used incorrectly. These are the mistakes our stylists see most often.

Mistake 1: Applying oil before volumizing products

Hair oil smooths frizz and adds shine, but it should almost always be one of the last products you apply. Applying oil too early weighs down your roots and makes it harder to build volume.

Use your volumizing products first, then finish with a small amount of oil on the mid-lengths and ends. Kevin Murphy Young.Again is our go-to finishing oil.

Mistake 2: Using too much product

More product doesn’t mean better results. Using too much leaves your hair looking greasy, feeling sticky, and becoming difficult to style. Professional products are concentrated, so you typically need much less than you think. If you’re unsure how much to use, ask your EGGIE stylist during your next appointment.

Mistake 3: Skipping heat protectant

This is one of the easiest mistakes to fix. Heat damage doesn’t usually happen after one styling session. It builds over time. Adding a heat protectant to your routine takes a few seconds and keeps your hair healthier long term.

Mistake 4: Layering too many products

Every product should have a purpose. If you’re using six or seven styling products every morning, you’re probably making your routine less effective, not more. Choose the products that solve your biggest concerns instead of applying every product you own.

Mistake 5: Using products that aren’t right for your hair type

Fine hair has different needs than thick, curly, or color-treated hair. A product your friend loves may not give you the same results. That’s why professional recommendations matter. Your EGGIE stylist can help you build a routine that works specifically for your hair.

Rachel’s pro tips for better styling results

Want your style to last even longer in Baton Rouge weather? Rachel recommends these habits:

• Start with clean hair and avoid heavy product buildup. Add a clarifying wash like Eufora Urgent Repair to your rotation once a week to reset your hair.
• Apply products in the correct order (heat protectant, then volumizer, then hairspray).
• Use only the amount of product your hair needs.
• Blow-dry your roots completely before using hot tools.
• Let curls cool before brushing or touching them.
• Finish with a flexible hairspray instead of a heavy, stiff formula.
• Schedule regular trims to keep your ends healthy and your style looking fresh.

Small changes to your routine make the biggest difference.

Build a routine that works for your hair

There isn’t one styling routine that works for everyone. The right products and the right order depend on your hair type, texture, length, and styling goals. If your hair feels flat, frizzy, greasy, or hard to manage, your routine likely needs a few adjustments.

Our stylists take the time to recommend products based on your individual hair needs, show you exactly how to use them, and answer any questions you have, so you can recreate your salon style at home.

Ready to build your routine?

Stop by our Goodwood location at 8221 Goodwood Blvd Suite D, or our Perkins Road studio at 3535 Perkins Rd #350, to shop Rachel’s favorite styling products. Or book an appointment online with one of our stylists. We’ll help you build a routine that keeps your hair healthy, makes styling easier, and gives you results that last long after you leave the salon.

Frequently asked questions about applying hair products

What order should I apply hair products? The correct order is heat protectant first, root spray or volumizer second, and flexible hairspray last. This order lets each product do its job without interfering with the others.

Does the order really make a difference? Yes. Applying products out of order can cause buildup, flatten your volume, and shorten how long your style lasts. It can also make your hair feel greasy or sticky when the products don’t absorb properly.

Should I use mousse before root spray? It depends on the products. In most cases, root spray goes directly on the roots first, while mousse is worked through the mid-lengths and ends. Your stylist can recommend the best routine based on your hair type.

Should I apply hair oil before or after styling? Hair oil is usually one of the final steps. A small amount after styling smooths frizz, reduces flyaways, and adds shine without interfering with your other styling products.

Why does my hair feel greasy after I style it? Using too much product, applying products too close to the roots, or layering products in the wrong order all leave your hair feeling greasy. Professional products are more concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Why doesn’t my hairstyle last all day? Several factors affect how long your style lasts: humidity, your haircut, your hair type, and the products you’re using. Following the correct product order gives your hairstyle the best chance of lasting longer, especially in Baton Rouge humidity.

Can I use styling products every day? Yes, as long as you’re using products appropriate for your hair type and cleansing your hair regularly to remove buildup.

How often should I use a clarifying shampoo? If you regularly use styling products, swim, or notice buildup on your hair, a clarifying shampoo every one to two weeks helps remove residue and leaves your hair feeling refreshed. Your EGGIE stylist can recommend how often is right for your hair.

Do expensive hair products really make a difference? Professional hair products are typically made with higher-quality ingredients and more concentrated formulas than many products found at grocery or big-box stores. That means you often use less product while getting better results. More importantly, professional products are designed to work together, helping support healthy hair while addressing concerns like dryness, frizz, volume, or color protection.

Does Baton Rouge humidity change how I should apply my products? Not the order, but it does change how important each step becomes. Heat protectant matters more because humidity is already stressing your hair. Root volumizer matters more because humidity flattens hair faster. Flexible hairspray matters more because it forms the final humidity barrier for your style.