In hair tips

how to blow dry your hair

You know that feeling you get when you leave the salon with fresh, perfectly styled locks? Do you want to maintain that following in between appointments?

Learning how to blow dry your hair properly can help you get salon-quality hair from the comfort of your own home.

Read on for some great tips that will teach you everything you need to know to get a professional-looking blowout.

Before You Blow Dry

Before you start trying to blow dry your hair, it’s helpful to have the following products on hand:

Blow Dryer

Of course, you’re going to need a good blow dryer if you want salon-grade locks.

For most people, the best blow dryer is an ionic model that is lightweight and easy to manage.

When you use an ionic blow dryer, your hair takes less time to dry and is, therefore, exposed to the heat for a shorter amount of time. This is better for your hair and helps prevent drying and split ends.

Brushes

At the very least, it’s good to have a round brush to use when blow drying your hair. Round brushes provide lots of volume and can be used to curl or straighten the hair.

A paddle brush can also be helpful if you want your hair to be perfectly straight when you’re finished blow drying it.

Style Product

The products you use on your hair can make a world of difference. Some essential products to pick up to get a great blow out include:

  • Heat-protecting spray/cream: As the name implies, heat-protecting sprays and creams provide an extra layer of protection and help your hair retain moisture.
  • Mousse: Mousse adds body and volume to your hair to make it look thicker and fuller.
  • Hairspray: Hairspray is great for setting a style and adding a little extra lift.
  • Hair serum: A little serum on the ends of your hair can help get rid of flyaways and add some extra nourishment to dry hair.

When you’re shopping for styling products, avoid ones that contain harmful ingredients like sulfates, isopropyl alcohol, and propylene glycol. These products can cause dryness, breakage, and scalp irritation.

How to Blow Dry Your Hair Like a Pro

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’ll be ready to start blow-drying your hair. These tips will make it easy for you to get a great look in no time.

Towel-Dry Your Hair

Before you even pick up your blow dryer, use a towel to blot your hair (don’t rub, as this causes breakage) and get rid of extra moisture. Get rid of as much moisture as possible. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend a lot more time drying your hair.

Apply Product

Next, apply your styling products to your damp hair. With the exception of serums, most products should be applied before you begin drying your hair.

Pre-Dry Hair

Now, you’re ready to actually start drying your hair. When you pre-dry your hair, you don’t need to be super precise. Just use your blow dryer to achieve 75-80 percent dryness.

If you’re blow-drying your hair on a day when you have a little extra time, you can skip this step and let your hair air dry 75-80 percent of the way.

Dry Your Bangs

If you have bangs, address them first since they’ll dry faster than the rest of your hair. Use a brush to style them so that they’re easier to manage later on.

Separate Your Hair Into Sections

Now, you’re ready to begin styling. Dividing your hair into sections makes this process a lot easier, especially if you have hair that is very thick or heavy.

Divide your hair into a top and bottom section, then divide those sections into at least two more sections (you made need to do more if your hair is thick). Use clips or ponytail holders to hold your hair out of the way while you work on each individual section.

Dry Hair with the Nozzle Pointing Downward

When you start with the first section of hair, make sure you’re pointing the nozzle downward. This helps eliminate frizz and seals the hair cuticle.

Use a round brush to control your hair and pull it taught. Try to dry it at a high heat and low speed for faster drying with less breakage.

Once each section is completely dry, before moving on to the next section, be sure to blast it quickly with cold air from your dryer. This helps lock in the style.

Finish with a Serum

Once all the sections of your hair are dried, apply a little bit of serum to the ends to smooth things out and help it look shiny and healthy.

Bonus Tips

If you follow these instructions, you shouldn’t have much trouble blow drying your hair. If you need a little extra support, though, these bonus tips should be helpful.

Don’t Spend Too Long with Your Hair in a Towel

After about 10 minutes in a towel, your hair will start to break. This is especially true if you’re using a cotton towel.

Target All of Your Hair with Your Styling Products

Make sure you’re applying your styling products evenly throughout the hair. Otherwise, you could end up with frizzy or hard-to-manage sections.

Use the Nozzle Attachment

Be sure to use the flat, nozzle attachment that comes with your blow dryer. If yours didn’t come with one, you can order universal ones online.

This attachment helps you get a smooth, silky finish and prevents flyaways.

Don’t Blow Dry Your Hair Every Day

Finally, just because you now know how to blow dry your hair properly, that doesn’t mean you need to be like 49 percent of women and blow dry it every single day.

Washing and blow-drying your hair this often can cause a lot of damage and leave your hair looking dry and lackluster.

Looking for More?

These tips on how to blow dry your hair will get you pretty far when it comes to getting the style you’ve always wanted. But, great hair doesn’t end with a great blow out.

Check out our blog for more hair care and styling tips to help you easily maintain your mane in between salon visits.

If you live in the Norwalk area and are in need of a haircut or style, feel free to contact us at Shear Genius Salon today for even more advice on how to get the best hairstyle for you.

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