A high-end blowout can cost up to $325, depending on where you live, your hair length, and other factors. If that's out of your budget, you're in luck because it's easy to learn how to blow out hair at home.
The great thing about home blowouts is that you can customize the style to your preferences. There's a common misconception that blowouts can only create straight hair. The truth is you can make your hair curly and wavy, too.
Not sure where to begin? This guide has tips to help you create the perfect blowout at home. Read on for ten hair-changing pieces of advice from our hair experts.
1. Start With Clean Hair
It is possible to do a blowout on dirty or pre-styled hair. But for best results, you want to start with clean, conditioned hair.
Your choice of shampoo and conditioner can make a major difference. Ideally, go for a lightweight clarifying shampoo that removes buildup without leaving a residue that will weigh down your strands.
If you want a blowout to add volume to your hair, the right shampoo and conditioner can help with that, too. Reach for products with lightweight formulas enriched with vitamins for added thickness.
Tangly hair can benefit from a detangling spray. Your hair must be completely smooth to streamline the blowout process and avoid running into any snags- literally.
2. Use the Right Tools
The tools you need for an at-home blowout are a round brush, hairdryer, and concentrator attachment. The concentrator is optional but extremely helpful for focusing air on the sections you're working with.
The best brush for blowouts will depend on your hair type. Those with straight hair will benefit most from a vented ceramic round brush. The ceramic absorbs heat and distributes it evenly onto the hair without causing damage.
If you have very curly or coily hair, you may want to consider a boar bristle round brush. These brushes put more tension on the hair strand, giving you a better grip and reducing frizz.
One of the biggest struggles with blowouts at home is feeling like you don't have enough hands to manage. Using a dryer brush is way more convenient and will speed up the process.
3. Protect Your Hair
Heat damage is detrimental to your hair, but don't let that stop you from learning how to do a blowout.
A heat protectant product will keep your hair safe from thermal damage. Plus, a good thermal protecting spray will provide added benefits like a faster blow dry and softer, more voluminous locks.
Heat protectants work by creating a thin film around each hair strand. This film allows hair strands to heat up gradually instead of all at once, which can cause damage. It also allows heat to distribute more evenly throughout the hair.
As an added bonus, heat-protectant products seal moisture into the hair cuticle. With all that moisture, your hair won't get frizzy, and your style will last longer.
Do You Put Heat Protectant on Wet or Dry Hair?
You can put most heat protectants on wet and dry hair, though some products may work best when used on one or the other. Follow the directions on the label for optimal results.
But remember that using a heat protectant will keep your hair safe during blow drying and when using a straightening or curling iron.
4. Pre-Dry Your Hair
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their first-time blowout is starting with wet hair. There are a few reasons why you should start with slightly damp or even fully dry hair.
First, wet hair is more fragile. Using high heat on soaking strands may cause damage or, worse, breakage.
Second, if your hair is on the thicker side, trying to do a blowout on wet hair will take you a long time. Starting with damp or dry hair will significantly cut down on the time it takes to style.
The perfect blowout-ready hair is 60% to 70% dry. Minimize hair damage by towel and air drying. But you can also do a rough blow-dry if you're short on time.
5. Section Your Hair
People with thin hair can skip this step unless their hair is very long. In that case, divide your locks into two sections to make your length more manageable.
If your hair is on the thicker side, sectioning is key to maintaining control and getting the salon-quality results you want. Straight hair can be sectioned into four quadrants: bottom left, bottom right, top left, and top right.
Thick and curly or coily hair should be sectioned off even further. The smaller your sections, the better your blow dryer or dryer brush will be able to smooth out your strands.
You can also consider sectioning off your bangs or face-framing pieces, as this is the most important area to focus on (more on this in a moment).
6. Start With the Back
Some home blowout enthusiasts swear by starting at the front and working toward the back of your hair. But if you do that, you run the risk of the damp strands messing up the front sections you've already worked on.
We recommend starting with the back of your head first for this reason. Plus, the front sections are way easier to style, giving you some sweet relief after all the hard work you've done already.
What Is the Best Blowout Technique?
Whether you use a hair dryer and round brush or a 2-in-1 dryer brush, the best blowout technique is to hold the brush horizontally, applying the heat from the top of your strands to the bottom.
Applying the heat from the bottom of your hair sections toward the top may provide slightly more volume, but it comes at a cost. This technique will send flyaways and split ends toward the top of the hair, giving a not-so-smooth final result.
7. Twist and Clip Each Section as You Go
Each time you complete a strand, twist it gently in your hands. This will give your hair a soft curl at the ends. Always twist the hair away from the face to promote volume at the roots.
For even more curl and volume, clip each twist to your scalp. You can use the same hair clips as the ones you section your hair with. Or you can use large rollers to hold each twist in place while you finish the rest of your hair.
8. Focus on the Bangs
When it comes to styling the front of your hair, there's a huge debate. Some say blow drying your bangs bottom-to-top offers the most volume. Others swear by using the same top-to-bottom method as you do for the rest of your hair.
You can try each approach and see what works best for your unique hair type and individual preferences. But remember that the top-to-bottom method is best for preventing frizz and promoting sleekness.
Regardless of which technique you use, ensure your blow dryer or dryer brush is on its lowest speed and heat setting to avoid damaging these delicate strands.
Also, consider switching out your round brush for a vented flat or paddle brush to get a smoother, sleeker, and more modern look.
9. Seal the Style
You're almost done with your salon blowout at home! The final step is to seal in your style. There are two ways to do that.
Turn your hair dryer to the cool setting and give your locks a quick blow. A brief shot of cool air not only benefits your style but also reduces frizz.
Finally, end with a finishing product. A finishing oil can be great for dry ends. If you have fine or thin hair, you may be better off with a texturizing spray that can add thickness to your roots and lengths.
10. Make Your 'Do Last Overnight
Blowouts take time, even when you follow these steps. The last thing you want is to have to start the process all over again because you didn't care for your blowout.
To keep your hair looking fresh from the salon for longer, avoid:
- Getting your hair wet
- Touching your hair, especially at the roots
- Wearing your hair down while you sleep
Instead, always pull your hair up into a high bun or ponytail while you sleep. This will keep your hair volumized for longer.
If your hair starts getting oily, reach for a dry shampoo instead of washing. You can even try spraying dry shampoo on your roots immediately after your at-home blowout to absorb the oil before it leaves your strands limp and lifeless.
Follow the tips we've listed here, and your at-home blowout can last three to five days or even longer.
This Is How to Blow Out Hair at Home
We hope this guide on how to blow out hair has demystified the process. When you follow these tips, you will love your results and never want to pay for a professional blowout again.
Are you searching for the tools and styling products you need for the perfect home blowout every time? Voloom has everything you need to turn your dull and lifeless hair into the locks you've been wishing for.
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