Why You Should Always Put Hair Product in the Back First
Putting hair gel or paste in the back of your head first stops your hair from looking greasy in the front.
Most people make the same mistake every morning. They scoop up some hair paste or gel, rub their hands together, and slap it right onto the front of their hair.
Then, they wonder why their hair looks greasy, heavy, or flat.
There is a simple barber trick that fixes this right away: always start putting product in the back of your head first.
Why the Back Goes First
When you first rub hair product into your hands, your hands hold the most product they will have the whole time. If you touch your bangs or the top of your forehead first, all that heavy paste dumps into one spot.
Your hair in the front is usually thinner. The hair on the back and sides of your head is thicker and can hold more weight.
When you start at the back, the thickest part of your hair takes the biggest hit of the paste. By the time your hands move forward to style your bangs, you only have a tiny bit left on your fingers. This gives you a natural, light hold without the greasy clumps.
Step-by-Step Way to Style Your Hair
Here is how to do it like a barber:
Use a dime-sized amount: Start small. You can always add more later. Warm it up: Rub your palms together until you cannot see white clumps. Touch the back first: Rub your hands up the back of your head, near your neck, moving upward. Work to the top: Move your hands over the crown and sides. * Finish in the front: Use the tiny bit left on your fingertips to shape the front pieces.
Who Needs This Tip Most?
This trick works for almost everyone, but it helps the most if you have:
Thin or fine hair: Heavy product in the front makes fine hair clump together and show your scalp. Short textured cuts or crew cuts: It keeps the spikes looking clean, not crunchy. * Round or square face shapes: Heavy bangs can weigh down your face. Keeping the front light helps your hair stay lifted, which makes round faces look a bit longer and more balanced.
Ask Your Barber About Product
Next time you get a haircut, ask your barber what product they use. Ask them to show you how much to take. Watch how they move their hands through your hair. Good cuts are easy to style when you know the right moves.
Before you change your haircut, make sure it fits your face. You can use HairMatch AI to see any cut on your own photo first. Try our free face-shape check, and then unlock photo packs starting at $0.99 to test new cuts before you visit the barber.