Hair primer… your hair’s missing step

Do you ever find that your hair looks great after initial styling, but it falls flat after a few hours, frizz returning quickly? When it comes to haircare, most of us are familiar with the essentials: shampoo, conditioner, sometimes a mask too. but there’s a step that often gets overlooked and can change how your hair behaves after styling… and it’s a hair primer.

But what is a hair primer and what does it do? A hair primer is the bridge between your washing routine and your styling routine. It’s a lightweight, leave-in product that preps your hair for styling.

Here’s why a hair primer might be the step you’re missing in your routine.

Why you need a hair primer

“Using a hair primer with heat protection every time you style is essential for helping to prevent breakage, dryness and split ends caused by heated tools. It creates a protective barrier over the hair, helping to keep strands stronger, healthier and more resilient over time, which is why I always recommend using a product such as the Philip Kingsley Perfecting Primer Heat Protection Spray.” – by Anabel Kingsley, Brand President & Lead Trichologist at Philip Kingsley

Heat protection and humidity control

Heat protection is essential, particularly if you regularly use heat styling products. Hair primers can act as a barrier, protecting your locks from the damage caused by hair temperature.

Improves styling results

Hair primers can be that little extra boost in your routine. They can help your hair feel more manageable and reduce frizz, as well as helping your products to grip better and distribute more evenly. You’ll be looking more polished in no time!

They can even help reduce drying time.

Locks in moisture

Some hair primers can help your hair to retain moisture, preventing dryness and frizz. They help to smooth the cuticle so less moisture escapes, leaving hair looking shinier too and reducing evaporation.

The difference between a hair primer and leave in conditioner

These can often be confused… but there’s a difference.

A leave-in conditioner is part of your cleansing and conditioning routine. It works to hydrate the strands.

A hair primer is considered part of your styling routine and often works like a barrier product, helping to protect the hair against frizz and increasing the longevity of your hair style.

Yes, there’s certainly a crossover between the two – but you can also stack them in your routine.

 How to use a hair primer

As we’ve mentioned before, a hair primer is that step between your washing routine and styling. Most are applied to damp hair and depending on the formula, you tend to apply it through the mid lengths and ends, although sometimes all over.

All hair types can benefit from a hair primer… you just need to make sure you find the right one.

• If your hair is dull and dry, look for a hydrating primer.
• If you have more coarse or frizzy hair, look for a smoothing hair primer.
• If you use lots of heat, look for one with built in heat protection.

If your styling routine just isn’t holding up, a hair primer might just be the missing step you need in your haircare routine. Will you be trying one?