how to use hair serum

All About Hair Serum: Luxury Living For Your Locks

In Educate by El Garvinski6 Comments

Time to take your hair game to the next level. One of the most effective ways to add shine to your long strands is with a little elixir called serum. This versatile product can tame frizz, add shine, and protect your hair from damage.

In this guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of using hair serum to achieve your dream hair, offering you answers to the following:

  • What is a hair serum, and why might it be your new best friend?
  • How to select the right serum for your hair type?
  • What is the best serum for men's hair?
  • How to apply serum for hair?
  • Should we apply hair serum on wet hair?
El Rubio from The Longhairs combing his hair with his fingers

What Is Hair Serum?

Hair serum is typically a silicone-based hair care product designed to coat the surface of your hair, often blended with active ingredients like carrier oils, essential oils, and vitamins. While it’s considered a styling product, we think of it more as a maintenance product, and you’ll see why.

Sometimes called hair oil, the primary function of a serum is to smooth down the hair cuticles, the outermost layer of your hair. This smooths the hair shaft, reducing frizz while adding noticeable shine.

Three main types of hair serums are:

  • Smoothing Serums for frizz control that attract and retain moisture, preventing dryness and frizz.
  • Hydrating Serums for dry hair focus on nourishing and moisturizing the hair.
  • Protective Serums for heat protection create a barrier around the hair shaft, shielding it from heat damage.

By all accounts, serum is a fantastic hair care product, or as we like to say at The Longhairs, it looks great, feels great, and smells great.

A mix of hair with fingers coming through

Benefits of Using Hair Serum

Hair serum offers a broad range of benefits for all hair types and textures. 

Nourishment

Hair serums are like a concentrated dose of nutrients for your hair. The same way you prepare delicious smoothies packed with vitamins and minerals your body loves, serum can help you keep your hair shiny, strong, and healthy. Bonus - you don’t have to worry about the mess in your kitchen!

Active ingredients like argan oil penetrate deeper into the hair shaft, offering moisture, hydration, and conditioning. Meanwhile, serums containing proteins like keratin help repair damaged hair and strengthen the hair shaft.

Often rounded out with a pleasant fragrance, considerate brands may offer an unscented version as well.

Protection

One of the primary properties of quality hair serums for men is their ability to protect the hair against damage. That includes heat damage caused by styling tools.

You can also find serums that contain UV filters to guard against sun damage, which can lead to color fading and dryness – especially good to have around during those scorching summer months.

As a leave-in product, hair serum also creates a layer of protection, keeping those cuticles down and making your hair less susceptible to split ends, damage, and breakage.

Smoothness & Shine

One of the best outcomes hair serums provide, at least in our eyes, is the smoothness and shine that is hard to miss when you walk by.

When you struggle with too much frizz or want to add luster, a good serum is going to turn things around for you.

Strengthening

Nourishment plus protection equals hair that is healthy and resilient. Stronger hair is less prone to breakage and split ends, not to mention, it’s much easier to manage.

As you can see, the men's hair serum benefits are plenty. Each one is a stepping stone to hair that is your pride and joy. But how to select the right product for your hair?

Close up of hair strands. They look fantastic.

How to Choose the Right Hair Serum?

A hair serum can be a game-changer for your hair routine, but with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. Here's a guide to help you choose the perfect serum for your hair type:

Fine Hair

  • Ideal Serum: Lightweight, non-greasy formulas that add volume and shine without weighing your hair down.
  • Key Ingredients: Look for serums containing lightweight oils like argan or jojoba, as well as volumizing agents like keratin or rice protein.

Curly or Coarse Hair

  • Ideal Serum: Rich, moisturizing serums that tame frizz, define curls, and add hydration.
  • Key Ingredients: Opt for serums wth nourishing oils like coconut, olive, or shea butter, as well as humectants like glycerin to attract moisture.

Color-Treated Hair

  • Ideal Serum: Color-safe serums that protect hair color, prevent fading, and add shine.
  • Key Ingredients: Look for serums with UV filters to protect hair from sun damage, as well as antioxidants and color-safe ingredients to maintain vibrancy.

Ingredients to Look For

Here’s a helpful list of ingredients that many great men's hair serums will have:

  • Argan Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Shea Butter
  • Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
  • Keratin
  • Silk Amino Acids
  • Vitamin E
  • Silicones

                  Ingredients to Avoid

                  While many ingredients in hair serums can be beneficial, there are no one-fits-all solutions here. That’s why there might be certain ingredients that you’d want to stay away from.

                  Fine Hair

                  Heavy oils, such as coconut oil, can weigh down fine hair, making it appear limp and greasy.

                  Curly or Coarse Hair

                  Sulfates, alcohol, and wax/mineral oils should be avoided by the owners of this type of hair.

                  Best Serums for Different Hair Types

                  Hair Type

                  Recommended Ingredients

                  Fine Hair

                  Lightweight oils (argan, jojoba), keratin, rice protein

                  Curly or Coarse Hair

                  Rich oils (coconut, olive, shea butter), glycerin

                  Color-Treated Hair

                  UV filters, antioxidants, color-safe ingredients

                  Pouring out wood shop hair serum by the longhairs into a hand

                  How to Apply Hair Serum for Best Results

                  Now, let’s talk about the fun part – how to use hair serum for men.

                  While the application process is quite straightforward, we recommend getting a good hang of it right away. This way, you’ll be able to avoid common pitfalls like greasy roots or uneven distribution of the product on your hair – both of which can lead to less-than-ideal results.

                  Step-by-Step Guide:

                  1. Start with Clean Hair: Ensure your hair is clean and free of any product buildup. Use your cleansing shampoo and conditioner as you normally would.
                  2. Dispense a Small Amount: A little goes a long way. Dispense a dime-sized amount of serum into your palm. Remember, you can use the serum on both wet and dry hair.
                  3. Warm the Product: Rub your palms together to warm the serum, which helps it spread more evenly.
                  4. Apply to Mid-Lengths and Ends: Avoid applying the serum directly to the roots, as this can lead to greasy hair. Instead, focus on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, which need the most moisture and protection.
                  5. Comb Through: Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the serum evenly throughout your hair. This helps to prevent product buildup and ensures that every strand is coated.
                  6. Style as Usual: You can style your hair as usual, whether it's air-drying, blow-drying, or using heat styling tools. The serum will help protect your hair from heat damage and add shine.

                  Tips for Applying Serum on Different Hair Types:

                  • Fine Hair: Use a very small amount of lightweight serum and focus on the ends to avoid weighing down your hair.
                  • Curly Hair: Apply the serum to damp hair and scrunch it in to define your curls.
                  • Thick or Coarse Hair: Use a larger amount of serum and focus on the mid-lengths and ends.

                  Color-Treated Hair: Apply the serum to damp hair to help lock in moisture and protect your color.

                  Is it okay to use hair serum every day?

                  Like any hair care product, how often you should use hair serum depends on many factors, including your hair texture, scalp type, daily activities, environmental exposure, and the level of damage inflicted on your mane.

                  That said, daily hair serum is part of a quality moisturizing, detangling, and protective hair care routine. Outside of extenuating hair types or circumstances, it’s an excellent maintenance product for everyday use.

                  How To Use Hair Serum

                  We’re finally down to the brass tacks with El Garvinski on how to use hair serum.
                  Any tips, tactics or thoughtful questions? Let us know in the comments!
                  A close up of the bottle from the Wood Shop fragrance product from The Longhairs

                  Best Hair Serum for Men with Long Hair

                  Conceding our deep-rooted favoritism, it’s got to be our high-performance Argan Oil Hair Serum from The Longhairs.

                  Rich in Vitamin E and Omega-9, it’s formulated with pure, cold-pressed argan oil and a blend of conditioning agents that hydrate, smooth, and detangle your locks for a stunningly healthy mane.

                  Developed, tested, and used in-house, our hair serum is trusted by Longhairs of all different hair types from around the world.

                  Delivered in a provocative aluminum bottle that can be recycled forever, it all adds up to the conclusive hair serum for guys with long hair - while preferred by women over the leading brand.

                  Have one less problem on your list with our Argan Oil Hair Serum

                  Check our offer and get the best discounts!

                  A close up of the bottle from the Wood Shop fragrance product from The Longhairs

                  Common Mistakes to Avoid with Hair Serum 

                  1. Applying Too Much Serum:

                  Why it's a mistake: Excess serum can weigh down your hair, making it look greasy and lifeless.

                  How to avoid it: Start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed. A dime-sized amount is usually sufficient for most hair types.

                  2. Using It On the Roots (Unless Needed):

                  Why it's a mistake: Applying serum to the roots can make your hair look greasy and heavy, especially for those with fine or oily hair.

                  How to avoid it: Focus on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, where it needs the most moisture and protection.

                  3. Not Choosing the Right Serum for Your Hair Type:

                  Why it's a mistake: Using the wrong type of serum can lead to various hair problems, such as dryness, frizz, or greasy hair.

                  How to avoid it: Consider your hair type and specific needs when choosing a serum. For example, fine hair requires a lightweight serum, while curly hair benefits from a moisturizing, heavy-duty serum.

                  Conclusion

                  And there you have it! By following these simple tips, you can harness the power of men’s hair serum to achieve your hair goals. Remember, a little goes a long way, so start small and adjust as needed. With the right serum and application technique, you'll be well on your way to healthier, more beautiful hair.

                  Argan Oil Hair Serum from The Longhairs

                  Looks great. Feels great. Smells great.
                      Photo lineup of all 4 fragrances from The Longhairs.
                  LUXURY LIVIN

                  QUICK TIPS

                  You don’t need to be a hair expert, but there are a few things every guy with long hair needs to know. Get the fundamentals from the guys with flow.
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