It’s day why-bother-counting of quarantine and so far, you’ve managed to whip up a new variation of pancake every day, almost successfully created your own kitchen garden and are waiting to taste the fruits of your hard work (how long does a cherry tomato take to be visible to the human eye?), added home-baker to your skill set (congratulations, just like everyone else, you now know how to make the perfect banana bread), read and re-read a lot of Julian Barnes (in life, every ending is just the start of another story… sigh), and have finally decided to reveal the hibernating Jane Fonda in you (knew those leotards would come to good use one day).
But, do you know how to give yourself the perfect blow-dry yet? Who else is missing those bouncy, natural waves, or silky-straight strands that look effortlessly in place? We got you. Hairstylists Michel Baltazar, Rod Anker and Franco Vallelonga are here to give you all the tips you need—we’d bookmark this if we were you.
The pre blow-dry prep
- Brush your hair for at least five minutes. Do it if you have thick hair or your hair tends to get greasy. “Brushing produces oils and helps keep your hair cleaner for longer,” says Vallenloga.
- Wet your hair thoroughly with warm water. “Warm water opens up the cuticle and allows products to penetrate the strands to promote deep cleansing,” explains Vallenloga. Shampoo your scalp well as that’s where dirt settles and oil is produced.
- Condition according to your hair type. Find that jar of hair mask you’ve been saving for a rainy day and use it now. “Masks are more nourishing and restorative, and great to detangle. Wring your hair well after shampooing (towel drying works best), because hair that is too wet will dilute the mask,” says Baltazar. If you have more time on your hands, wrap it up in a hot towel to open up the cuticles for better penetration of the product. But if your hair tends to get greasy and is thin and frail, “reach for a lightweight conditioner and work it on mid-length and ends,” says Vallenloga.
- Always detangle in the shower. According to Baltazar, detangling your hair with a comb when you have a mask on has the potential of the mask touching your scalp, making it heavy and oily quickly. He suggests combing through strands after rinsing off the mask. But if you can successfully leave your scalp alone while combing, Franco suggests using a wide-toothed comb and working the conditioner through the hair. End your wash with cold water to avoid frizz. Plus, Gently towel dry your hair. Being harsh during this process can lead to frizz and static.
- Use a heat protectant. “A sea salt spray is possibly my favourite as it adds grit to the hair without weighing it down, and gives you flexibility to style in various ways. It’s also a great volumiser,” says Anker.
How to blow-dry your hair at home
Tools you'll need: hairdryer (preferably one with at least an 1,800 watt motor with multiple heat settings, and a nozzle to give the air direction. Or, the one that you have right now in front of you without a clue of aforementioned technicalities, will do just fine); medium to large round brush (it helps create shape and make ends flip), styling products like volumising, texturising or thickening spray or smoothing cream; finishing product like a hair serum, oil, cream or spray.
- Semi-dry before your actual blow-dry. “Remove 80 per cent of the moisture in your hair before you start styling,” says Anker. Then, “section the hair on top of your crown and secure it with a clip. Begin drying the underneath layers with a brush, using high heat. Point the dryer’s nozzle downward to help smooth hair and create shine,” explains Vallenloga.
- Set your heat settings right: “Medium heat is best for pre-drying your hair. High heat manipulates your hair’s shape, and cool air sets a style,” says Vallenloga.
- Decide the look of your blowout. “Remove the clip and use it to hold the dry underneath layers back and away. Twist and clip them into a bun to add waves, or a very loose low ponytail for a straighter look,” says Vallenloga. For curls, he suggests rolling them under with a round brush, blast with heat, and set with cold air. For a straight finish, pull the brush through while drying ends with warm air; then set with cold air.
- Manipulate your brush. “Use a large round brush to dry the hair gently and keep a distance between the dryer and the brush. The brush is like a paintbrush that will draw the shape you want,” says Baltazar. His most crucial step? “Drying your hair in the right direction—from top to bottom.”
- Work the top section. Vallenloga suggests aiming the nozzle at the roots to add volume, then working toward the ends, using the brush to pull hair forward and out.
- Always cool down. “The cold feature smoothes the hair down if it has gone frizzy,” says Anker.
Post blow-dry tips
After that mammoth task of getting your hair back to the way you’re used to seeing it (read fabulous), it will be tragic to watch your handiwork get washed away the next day. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
Michel Baltazar: “To keep the volume and the hold, I use the L’Oreal’s Elnett spray. It keeps your hair shiny all day. And Olaplex No 7—the weightless formula minimises flyaways and frizz.”
Rod Anker: “The hardest thing I find is just how we touch our face mindlessly, we also tend to play with our hair. This one of the main reason’s why it gets frizzy or goes flat. Avoid touching it or flicking it around.”
Franco Vallenloga: “Using the right products for your hair type is very important for keeping your hair in place all day. Thick hair tends to stay in place quite well on its own. Therefore, use a lighter styling product and finish with a heavier styling cream to keep strong flyaways down. Finer hair needs to be held in place more and has the tendency of going flat. Therefore a stronger styling product concentrating at the roots is needed and a lighter finishing product such as hairspray to finish.”
No-heat cheat sheet
For times when blow-drying just doesn’t seem to fit into the day’s to-do list, these hairstyles work just as well. “On wet hair apply a beach waves mousse, make four sections, twist each separation and secure it. Leave it for an hour and undo the hair. For wavier curls, make four large braids," says Baltazar, who favours natural beach waves. Want a messy fishtail braid instead? “If your strands are too greasy, spray dry shampoo throughout the hair and blast it with a medium heat hairdryer to remove any residue from the dry shampoo. Unwashed hair is always good to work with when putting your hair up. Twist it down into a messy fishtail," says Vallelonga. If you're looking for the easiest option, a half-up top knot always works. “Roll the top half section of your hair into a top knot. Leave the texture at the bottom with some sea salt spray, gently scrunching it to create movement," says Anker.
Also read:
10 hair products that will save you the trip to the blow-dry bar
Addicted to blow-drying your hair? Protect it from heat damage with these expert tips
How to preserve your hair colour between salon appointments this season
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
