4 Tips For A Better Blow Dry

Do you only love your hair when you leave the salon? Do you hold your stylist on a pedestal because you can’t quite replicate what they do? Well I’m here to tell you you CAN look fabulous without going to the salon for a blowdry. With just a few tips, a little elbow grease and some practice, you’ll feel like the best version of yourself every time you leave your house! 

I’m about to share 3 simple tips to help you look like you’ve stepped out of the salon and into your own real life commercial. Intrigued? Well let’s get started! 

1. It all starts with having the right products. Many people prefer the way their hair feels without an abundance of products in their hair but I’m here to tell you that products are your best friend! Beauty pros wouldn’t be able to do their job without a plethora of products perfectly selected to tame, protect, and plump up your tresses. You don’t have to be a product junkie, like me, but even a few potions will make the biggest difference in creating and maintaining your blowout. Applying these potions correctly is just as important as using them. Distribute them evenly in the hair, use sparingly, and keep them off of your scalp.  You can always add more but once you’ve applied too much there’s not much you can do to lighten it up.
   
   
   

2. Let’s talk about hot tools. Blowdryers, Flat irons, wands, curling irons etc are a favorite to help perfectly coif your gorgeous mane, but so many people get confused on what to look for. If your hair is fine or fragile, the use of high heat is a no-no. Opt for tools that have a variety of temperature settings. Set them on the low to medium and turn it up a few degrees at a time if it’s not strong enough to give you what you’re looking for. Doing this will ensure you’re not frying your locks, which will protect the color and integrity of your hair. Coarse, thick tresses need the heat and the air strength, but start out with lower heat and work your way up slowly until reaching the temperature that helps you achieve the look you love. 
   
   
   
   Other non-heated tools are also important. Selecting the right brushes and combs have a lot to do with the end result. Using a brush that’s too large will likely end with flat hair and a brush that’s too small will likely give volume where it’s not wanted or it could potentially get stuck in your hair. Boar bristle brushes are great to achieve a beautiful blowout, but I’ve noticed that the individuals that typically purchase them don’t have the quantity and texture of hair for whom it’s targeted. Boar bristle brushes work best in coarse hair textures that can withstand the tension this powerhouse of a brush can deliver. Purchasing the correct brushes are important but getting the tools that are perfect for you are important in achieving what your stylist creates. 
   
   
   

3. The following sentence is one I’ve asked hundreds of times in my career as a hairstylist and it will likely resonate with you…”Have you ever done your hair and you think it looks great, but then see yourself 10 minutes later and it’s either flat or frizzy or both and you’re confused to why it doesn’t resemble what you accomplished 10 minutes ago??” A sudden “YES!!” and a sense of intrigue is the usual response while anticipating my solution. Well I’m here to educate you that there was still a little moisture left in the hair and if there is even a little bit of moisture in the hair the blowout won’t stay. Here is my tip to eradicate that issue: 
   
   Take a section, no wider than your brush, and work on it. When you think that section is done, do it a couple more times. Then drop down that next section and repeat. It will likely take you a few more minutes but the extra time spent on your drying time will have lasting effects all day and for days to come. 
   
   
   
4. My last tip tip and arguably the most important is to pick your stylist’s brain! Get the most out of your appointment and have them show you what they do to achieve the beautiful blowout you love so much. Ask them to show you how much product they use, what temperature they’re using, how they hold the brush, etc. Turn your appointment into a blow dry lesson, take notes if you need to, or even video, and with a little practice that beautiful, bouncy blowdry will be your signature look.