For beginners, blow drying your hair can feel like an upper body workout. Manoeuvring a round brush and a hair dryer whilst dividing your hair into small sections is no mean feat and one that you may give up halfway all too often. Sure, going to the salon for a blowout is amazing, but unless you’re willing to spend a major chunk of your moolah on your mane, you’re going to have to get the hang of the process sooner rather than later. To help you do just that, we’ve put together an easy guide to blow drying your hair at home.
How to prep your hair for a blow dry
It is best to blow dry clean hair because why would you want to put in all that effort only to wash your mane the next day?
Begin by washing your hair with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo and condition it well.
Try to remove all the knots and tangles in the shower while conditioning your hair. To do this, you can use your fingers or a wide tooth comb. Rinse it off and pat your mane dry with a microfibre towel.
Apply a leave-in conditioner on damp hair to retain moisture.
Make sure your hair is 60 to 80 per cent dry before you apply a heat protectant and then start using a hair dryer. This will help reduce damage.
While blow drying your hair, let the section cool off on the brush and then move to the next part. This will help lock in your hairstyle.
How to blow dry straight hair
Straight hair looks great but may sometimes fall flat at the roots. This is where your blowdryer can be your mane BFF.
Hold your brush in an angle vertically and roll it away from your face. Re-roll it up and repeat till your hair is dry.
While unravelling your hair, give it a twist so that you have a bouncy curl at the end of the section.
To give your roots an added boost of volume, hold a brush horizontally at your crown and lift your hair up. Let it cool and take the brush out.
How to blow dry wavy hair
If wavy hair is your natural texture and you want to opt for a more defined finish, simply try these tips.
Start at the roots and glide the brush through your hair horizontally whilst keeping the dryer at least 15 centimetres away from your hair.
Release the section from the brush when it is warm and immediately curl it with your finger. If you want to define it some more, roll it and clip it at your nape using a flat pin.
Post blowdrying your hair, take some shine boosting spray or oil and run your fingers through your locks.
How to blow dry curly hair
Drying curly hair with a dryer is a slightly more challenging task in terms of the combination of products you use. After shampooing your hair, take a heavy styling cream and comb it through your wet hair.
Scrunch your hair with a thin towel or your fingers and then apply a leave-in conditioner.
Using a diffuser, cup your hair in the bowl for 15 seconds and then move on to the next section. Do this for your whole head without touching your strands as much as possible.
Once done, use a defining cream to smoothen flyaways.
Post this, if you want, you can begin the process of straightening your hair using a blow dryer and round brush.
Conclusion
Drying your hair with a hair dryer seems like such an easy thing to do but when you really get into the nitty-gritties of it, you’ll realise it can be a damaging process if carried out incorrectly. Maintaining the right distance, using the right tools and applying the correct cocktail of products to your mane are the three most important things one should keep in mind. Blow drying your hair once in a while won’t do much damage but continuous use of heat tools can lead to a dryer mane.
FAQs
Is using a blow dryer with a nozzle important?
Yes, because it redirects the airflow and concentrates it on one section at a time for easy drying.
Can I blow dry dry hair?
This isn’t advisable as hair will end up damaged. Dampen hair and then begin the process.
Can I skip using heat protectant before using a hair dryer?
No, this is a bad idea. Heat protectants act like an added layer of protection on the strands and prevent them from getting too damaged.
Does blow drying hair with cold air help in setting the style?
Yes, cool hair does help seal in your hairstyle.
How can I make my blowout last for as long as possible?
Resist the urge to touch your hair as much as possible.
Don’t tie it up too tightly.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase as the smooth texture wont mess up your strands.
Sleep with your hair over your pillow instead of it being using your head.
On day three, consider using a dry shampoo. Make sure you brush your hair well post that do you get rid of all the oil-soaked powder from your roots.