If you’re like most people you’re tempted to just blast away with the blow dryer until your hair is dry. And often do. But getting the best results takes a lot more time, effort, and attention. After practicing these tips for shiny, bouncy, full-bodied hair at home you’ll really appreciate all the work that your stylist puts in.
For Best Results
There’s a lot of detail for the techniques of brushing and aiming the blow dryer that we won’t go into here. Instead, let’s go over the key points that get you the farthest along the way to professional results.
- Preparation Work in a heat-protecting mask, leave it in, then rinse as directed on the product’s instructions. Alternatively you can use a protective styling spray. Nutritional shampoos and conditioners can weigh down your hair. So skip them on the days and nights you want to look your best.
- Wait If there’s just one piece of advice to remember it’s don’t blow-dry your hair when it’s wet. You’ll have more tangles and your locks will be exposed to more heat. Most people should let it air-dry until it’s about 65% dry (two thirds). For fine hair that’s more like 80% (about three-fourths) and for thicker hair that’s about 50% (half).
- Technique
- Your hair is covered by cuticles that act like tiny shingles to protect the inner fiber. Blow drying starting at the roots with the air directed away from the scalp then working down the length of your strands keeps those “shingles” in place, locking in moisture.
- Drying from the roots first also improves height and lift. Keep the brush close to roots, pulling upwards and following with the dryer.
- Work in sections, letting your hair cool down on the brush before moving on to the next section.
- Start at the temples, hairline, and crown then work backwards to nape of your neck. Now the most visible part has the best styling .
- Hair Spray? Avoid strong hold formulations, and use all lightly. Consider using a blow-dry lotion instead.
The key theme is to protect your hair from the heat of blow drying!
Special Situations
General instructions are for those with typical hair. But who’s typical!? Here are a few more-specific tips.
- Have dry, flyaway, frizzy, or fine hair? Use a hair oil before and perhaps after drying.
- Have thick hair? It’s important to use a quality blow dryer with the right air volume and heat settings.
- Have curly or wavy hair and want to keep that way? Work in heat-protection and styling products while your hair is wet, then squeeze out the excess water. When it stops dripping it’s time to blow dry.
- Want more volume? Use a thickening or styling spray.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few “don’ts” to keep in mind.
- Don’t blow-dry too often. There’s always at least a little heat damage, so science says never blow-dry. But lets be practical. If possible drop it from your everyday routine. Use the right products and don;’t rush by cranking up the heat.
- Don’t over-do nutritional conditioners, oils, or styling spray. Use them lightly.
- Don’t forget to use the nozzle that came with your dryer. You want a smooth well-behaved finish, but blasting away rather than controlling the air flow is more like a wind storm than styling.
- Don’t leave your hair wrapped in a towel for too long. Keep it well under 30 minutes. Otherwise the rubbing and compression does a little damage of its own. Plus you want some time air drying.
SmoothAir
Our SmoothAir brushes are designed for better styling and to protect your hair. Their ceramic construction speeds drying yet reduces heat exposure. And their tourmaline bristles generate negative ions to reduce damage and control frizz.
Do your arms ache after careful blow drying? Our SmoothAir nozzle makes it quick and easy to properly aim the air for the very best results without putting your wrist and arm in stressful positions.
Want to learn more? Check out https://www.redbookmag.com/beauty/hair/advice/g756/blow-drying-tips/.