The Secret to a Great Hairstyle? It Starts Before You Style
If your hair never quite sits right — limp at the roots, flyaways everywhere, or it droops halfway through the day — chances are the problem isn’t your styling product. It’s your prep. The foundation you build before styling often dictates how the final result looks, lasts and feels.
Barbers always talk about “prepping the canvas.” In practice, that means three simple, smart steps: Clean, Prime, Style & Set. Nail those, and every product you apply afterwards works that much better. Below, we’ll walk you through why each step matters — what really happens inside the hair shaft and on your scalp — and how to do it properly (with minimal fuss).
This advice is evergreen: use it today, revisit it tomorrow, and let it become your grooming habit.
Step 1: Clean (Without Over-Stripping)
Why “just clean” isn’t enough
Your scalp naturally produces sebum — oils that travel down hair shafts to help protect, lubricate, and give hair subtle grip. If you shampoo too often or use harsh detergents, you strip away that natural oil barrier. The result? Hair becomes slippery, less responsive to styling, and more prone to frizz and breakage.
Experts generally advise against daily shampooing, unless your scalp is extremely oily or you're sweating heavily. Many men see best results when washing every 2–4 days, adjusting for lifestyle (gym, weather, work). Real Simple+2Hims+2
How to clean smart
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Focus shampoo on the scalp and roots, not just sliding it along the lengths.
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Use a gentle, low-lather or sulphate-free formula to preserve moisture balance.
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Rinse thoroughly, ideally with lukewarm water — too hot water opens cuticles and accelerates moisture loss.
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After rinsing, apply conditioner (mid-lengths to ends) to smooth the hair, reduce friction, and rebuild manageability.
Pro tip: For dry or low-maintenance hair types, consider “co-washing” (conditioner-only rinse) on in-between days.
When done well, cleaning gives you a scalp that breathes, hair that responds, and a canvas ready for texture and grip.
Step 2: Prime (Texture, Grip & Volume)
Now that your hair is clean (but not stripped), priming is the bridge between clean hair and workable style. It adds the “foundation” your styling product needs to perform.
What priming does
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Adds grit or micro-texture so styling products can grip and layer
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Helps distribute moisture and prep the hair shaft for better absorption
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Controls flyaways or static, giving structure before final products go on
How to prime
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Damp hair is ideal: Not dripping wet, but not bone-dry — ideally towel-blotted so hair is still slightly damp.
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For lighter texture, sea salt sprays (or salt + humectant blends) help create a matte, tactile surface.
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For coarse, wavy, or stubborn hair, a light cream or pre-styler can smooth and tame before you layer stronger products.
Barbers often use priming to “set the base” — making the next layering step (Fibre, Mattifier, Pomade, etc.) more effective, balanced and consistent.
Step 3: Style & Set (Locking in the Look)
With your hair clean and primed, you’re now ready to style — and to lock it in so it lasts.
How to style
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Use less, not more. Start with a small amount (pea to dime-sized) of your styling product, warm it between palms, then apply from the back forward to evenly distribute. The London School of Barbering
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Choose your finish based on mood, hair type or occasion:
• Matte, textured = Mattifier
• Moderate hold + natural movement = Fibre
• Controlled shine & structure = Pomade
How to set
Once styled, finish with a cool-air blast (blow-dryer on low/no heat) across all sides, especially at the crown and outer layers. This helps “seal” the cuticle, reduce frizz, and increase hold longevity.
Also consider finger styling or light combing to nudge hair into place before it fully sets.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Over-washing
If you wash your hair every day, you may be undermining your styling. Try stretching days apart, or using a lighter touch when you do wash.
Applying product to soaking-wet hair
Products get diluted, lose effect, and your styling lacks hold. Always towel-dry so hair is damp, not drenched.
Too much product, too early
More doesn’t mean better. Over-application ruins texture, weights hair down, and makes styling more cumbersome.
Skipping the cool airflow
Neglecting the final “set” step often leads to a style that melts, frizzes, or loses shape mid-day.