Straight hair parted down the middle, a style that was popular in the 70s is making a comeback. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have given it a modern twist while still keeping its classic appeal, and it's now trending. Want to try this great look?
Learning how to blow dry hair straight is key to this trend. It may seem daunting at first, especially if you've got naturally curly or unruly hair. In our article, we tell you everything you need to know about blowdrying straight hair.
Follow our steps to get that sleek, salon-worthy look in no time. With a little bit of know-how and the right hair products, you'll enjoy long-lasting results from every blowout. Learn what tools are needed, and which techniques will give smooth locks.
Read on to discover how to blow dry hair straight. Learn how to get your hair straight by simply using a hairdryer. Let's go!
How to Blow Dry Hair Straight
Here's our easy-to-follow guide on how to blow dry hair straight. Follow these simple steps for the glossiest locks you've ever had.
Step 1: Preparation
Begin with a good shampoo and conditioner. Start by washing your hair using a moisturizing shampoo and follow up with a conditioner for an added boost of hydration. This will ensure that your hair looks smooth and healthy after blow drying it straight.
Step 2: Towel Dry Hair
Before beginning your blowout, make sure that your hair is only damp. Do not dry it completely with a towel dry your hair until it's about 50% dry. You want to leave some moisture in the hair for easier styling.
Step 3: Detangle and Brush Through Hair
It's important to detangle and brush through your hair before starting the blow drying process. This will help you get a smooth finish and prevent any unwanted frizz. Use a wide-tooth comb and work your way through the hair from root to tip.
Step 4 Section the Hair
After you have towel-dried your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to section it into four large chunks. This will help you keep track of each section as you move along and also make the drying process easier.
Sectioning your hair to help you manage it better. Use clips or a comb for easy division. This will also make it easier for you to blow dry each section of your hair evenly and effectively.
Step 5: Use Heat Protectant on Each Section
Now that your hair is divided into sections, apply a heat protectant or any other styling product that protects against heat damage. This will help keep your hair healthy while you blow dry it straight. Make sure to coat every strand for maximum protection.
Not only does the heat protector work to protect your hair against the high temperatures of the hairdryer, but it will also add extra shine and texture to your locks.
Step 6: Blow Dry Hair With a Round Brush
Using a round brush, start blow drying the sections of your hair. Begin at the roots and slowly work your way down toward the ends. You can use a diffuser attachment to dry curly or wavy hair straight.
Keep the hairdryer moving and use a medium heat setting. Keep the round brush angled towards your head to create volume and bring out a natural texture. Make sure you don't focus on one section for too long, or it can cause damage to your hair. Once a section is nearly dry, move on to the next section.
Then work your way back around until each section is completely dry.
Step 6: Finish With Cool Air
Once all of your hair is completely dried, switch the hairdryer to its cool setting. This will help seal your cuticles while giving you a shiny, smooth finish.
You might want to apply a hair serum to flatten down any stray hairs and add a glossy shine to your hair. Finish with a light waft of hairspray.
Why Use a Round Brush?
A round brush is best to use when blow drying your hair straight because it provides extra volume and natural texture. It can also help control the direction of the airflow from the hairdryer, allowing you to target different sections of your hair as needed.
A round brush also helps keep heat damage to a minimum by spreading the heat evenly on each section. It also helps with finishing off, as you can disperse the cool air easier, which will help seal in a smooth finish and give you shiny results.
Do I Have to Use a Round Brush or Will a Different Type Work?
You don't have to use a round brush to blow dry your hair straight, but it is the best option.
Other types of brushes may not provide the same amount of volume or texture, and they are also unable to control the direction of airflow from a hairdryer. Other brushes can also make dispersing cool air tricker compared to a round brush can, meaning that you won't get the shiny results that you're after.
Tips for Blow Drying Your Hair Straight
Here are some useful tips to give you the best results for blow drying your hair. Find out how to achieve this season's sleek look.
Use a Heat Protecting Product
Before blow drying your hair straight, use a heat-protectant product to help reduce the potential for heat damage. Apply this to your hair after towel drying, as this will allow the product to soak in better and give you the best results.
Create Sections
Don't try to dry all your hair at once. Part your hair into several sections before blow drying as this will help keep things manageable and allow you to target different parts of your hair as needed.
We recommend dividing your hair into at least 4 sections. Imagine you're making a cross on the back of your head, running from ear to ear, and then your parting down to your neck. Use clips to hold these sections out of the way while you work on a different section. Start with the lower ones first.
Use the Right Tools
Although you can use any type of brush, it won't give you as good of a result compared to using a round brush. Opt for a high-quality round brush, with a metal core and hairdryer with different heat settings and attachments for the best results.
Let Your Hair Cool on the Brush
After you have finished drying your hair, put down your blow dryer and place the brush at the roots. Curl the brush slowly so that the hair wraps around the bristles. Wait a few seconds before gently removing the brush from your hair. This will help you achieve a sleek look and add some extra shine to your hair.
Be Gentle
Take your time while styling your hair and be gentle with the tools you use to avoid breakage. If your hair becomes tangled around the brush, stop and work through the knots with your fingers.
This will help minimize breakage.
Control the Airflow
You want to be able to control the direction of airflow from a hairdryer to ensure that you don't create little pockets of heat around your hair. Use the nozzle attachment and move it in small circles with each pass of the dryer, avoiding any one area for too long.
Finish Off With a Blast of Cool Air and Serum
To finish off, switch your hairdryer setting to cool air and give your hair a final blast for a few seconds. This will help seal the cuticles, giving you that beautiful shine and ensuring all of your hard work doesn't go to waste.
Use a glossing serum to finish off the look. Rub a small amount in the palm of your hands before applying it to your hair. This will flatten down any flyaway bits as well as give an extra boost of gloss.
Why Not Just Use Hair Straighteners?
Using a hair dryer to straighten your hair is better than using hair straighteners.
It gives you more control over the airflow and heat. This not only allows you to precisely target certain sections of the hair but also helps protect it from damage.
Additionally, using a round brush along with the hairdryer can give you more volume and create a sleek, smooth look. Hair straighteners have a knack for making your hair look flat against your head, and less voluminous, especially if you have very fine hair.
Finishing off with cool air helps seal the cuticles of your strands. Hair straighteners don't have a cold function, so your cuticles aren't sealed. This makes your hair more prone to fuzz later in the day.
Looking For More Great Hair Care Tips?
Blow drying your hair straight is a great way to achieve sleek, smooth locks without the damage associated with using straighteners. With the right technique and products, you can get salon-worthy results at home in no time!
By following these tips on how to blow dry hair straight, you are sure to have beautiful straight strands that last all day long. For more advice on achieving amazing hairstyles from home be sure to visit Voloom for even more helpful hints and tricks.