A step-by-step guide to prepping, protecting, and styling like the pros

© Volarre

Whether you’re battling humidity or craving a glossy, salon-worthy finish, this routine covers everything you need. We’ve consulted top stylists and trichologists to bring you pro tips, insider secrets, and the best products on the market—including K18 Peptide Prep and Color Wow Dreamcoat—plus our picks for heat protectants and professional-grade straighteners to deliver long-lasting results.

1. Repair & Rebuild with K18 Peptide Prep

Start by strengthening and restoring elasticity with K18 Peptide Prep. Its patented biokin peptide technology mimics natural keratin chains, penetrating the cortex to reconnect disulfide bonds broken by chemical processes and heat.

Science Snapshot: In a blind study, 83% of users reported significantly less breakage after four uses, as confirmed by fiber tensile-strength testing.¹

Salon Professional Tip: For optimal absorption, apply to towel-dried hair in 4–5 sections, comb through, and wait exactly four minutes before styling.

2. Prime & Protect: Color Wow Dreamcoat

Follow with Color Wow Dreamcoat Supernatural Spray. Its unique UV-activated polymers form a microscopic ‘raincoat’ on each strand, repelling moisture and sealing the cuticle for up to 72 hours.

Why It Works: Independent lab tests show Dreamcoat reduces hair porosity by 65%, minimizing frizz and improving shine under high-humidity conditions.²

Celebrity Hairstylist Bradley Leake: “I recommend Dreamcoat for red-carpet events and wedding days—it keeps sleek styles intact in any weather.” (People.com)

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3. Additional Essentials

• Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector—Houses patented bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate to reconnect broken bonds at the molecular level. Recommended by stylists like Jen Atkin for weekly use to maintain salon results.³ BUY NOW
• Moroccanoil Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner—Infused with argan oil and red algae extract to hydrate and fortify the cuticle. Used by runway professionals to prep hair before styling.⁴ BUY NOW
• GHD Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray—Features thermoprotect polymers that bind to the hair shaft, providing up to 450°F protection without residue. Trusted by over 600,000 stylists worldwide.⁵ BUY NOW

4. The Best Straighteners

Dyson Corrale

Flexing manganese copper plates gather hair neatly to reduce heat reliance by 50%. Paired with synchronized circuits for even heat distribution—minimizing hot spots and hair damage.

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GHD Platinum+ Styler

Predictive ceramic technology monitors plate temperature 250 times per second, maintaining a constant 365°F—the sweet spot for styling without compromising hair integrity.⁶

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5. Step-by-Step Routine

1. Wash & Prep: Shampoo and condition with Moroccanoil Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner. Gently towel-dry until hair is damp.
2. Bond Repair: Apply K18 Peptide Prep in 4–5 sections, comb through, and wait four minutes. Scientifically proven to increase tensile strength by up to 68%.¹
3. Blow-Dry: Using a nozzle attachment, blow-dry on medium heat until 90% dry to smooth the cuticle before straightening.
4. Protect: Mist GHD Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray, ensuring even coverage for up to 450°F protection.⁵
5. Seal: Spray Color Wow Dreamcoat, then comb through to activate UV polymers that lock out humidity.²
6. Straighten: Section hair into 1″ portions. Glide your chosen straightener over each section in 2–3 slow passes for optimal straightening with minimal damage.
7. Finish: Apply a pea-size amount of Living Proof Restore Repair Serum—its biomimetic ceramides lock in moisture and shine.