HOW TO ACHIEVE A SALON BLOW OUT AT HOME
You’ve got this.
Some tasks seem
Straightforward until you do them. For example, many people don’t know how to blow-dry their hair, so it looks like the work of a professional stylist, which of course, is totally understandable. you may not realise it, but there’s so much more to the task than simply grabbing a dryer, pointing it at your head, and blasting your hair with heat. in fact, getting a gorgeous at-home blowout requires using the right products, keeping your hair healthy, and getting a little bit of practice.
01 INVEST IN A GREAT BLOW DRYER IF YOU CAN.
If you have the budget, you may want to invest in a tool that offers functions to minimise hair damage and help cut down on your drying time. For example, some dryers offer features such as multiple heat settings, a cool shot to close hair cuticles, and ionic air technology.
02 AIR OR TOWEL DRY YOUR HAIR.
Keeping your hair healthy will help you avoid dry ends, resulting in shinier blowouts. and one of the best ways you can do this is by minimising the amount of heat you apply to your hair, says dermatologist shilpi Khetarpal. she recommends towel drying or air drying your hair to remove as much moisture as possible.
03 DRY YOUR HAIR USING THE RIGHT KIND OF TOWEL.
“Using a heavy, bulky bath towel creates a lot of weight and tension in our hair, and that can make it more likely to break or shed,” explains dr Khetarpal. she recommends drying your hair using a small microfibre towel, which not only reduces tension but also decreases friction. the result? you’ll have fewer flyaways and less frizz, she says.
04 PICK THE RIGHT BRUSH FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE.
You should pick a brush based on the results you’re looking for and your hair type, says creative director giovanni Vaccaro. typically, stylists like using a round brush to create a voluminous, bouncy style. giovanni advises his clients with straight hair to use ceramic brushes because they retain heat to offer more volume. he prefers using boar-bristle brushes on people with coarse hair because the material provides the right amount of tension needed to smooth their strands.
05 ALWAYS USE A HEAT PROTECTANT.
Yes, heat protectants work, and you should be as diligent about using them as you hopefully are with your SPF, says dr Khetarpal. there are a variety of products that you can use on either wet or dry hair.
06 REMEMBER TO APPLY STYLING PRODUCTS EVENLY THROUGHOUT.
“When some people use a serum for frizzy hair or a thickening spray for volume, they just spray the top of their hair, instead of all around,” says celebrity hairstylist Jennifer yepez. she advises parting your hair, creating sections, and working the product from mid-shaft to ends. you can apply the product using either your fingers or a comb.
07 USE YOUR BLOW DRYER ATTACHMENTS.
You know that flat, nozzle thing that attaches to the end of your hair dryer? don’t ignore it. Blow drying with the diffuser on is less traumatic for your hair, says dr Khetarpal. and as giovanni says, “a nozzle is a must for a smooth finish! the nozzle keeps the airflow concentrated, and without it, the hot air disperses, causing frizz.”
08 DRY YOUR HAIR FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK.
According to giovanni, many people mistakenly start blow drying the back of their head first. it’s better to start at the most visible sections (bangs, temples, hairline and crown) first, and then work your way back.
09 PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO YOUR ROOTS.
You’ve got to lift your hair from the roots if you want some major volume, says Jennifer. an easy way to do this is by flipping your hair upside down and brushing in the direction of the ground. or, you can get volume by wrapping your hair around large rollers. Jennifer recommends putting the rollers in immediately after you finish blow drying. then, remove the rollers once your hair is completely cool. “you will get full volume and a nice wave,” she says.