How To Blow Dry Hair At Home In 5 Easy Steps

The perfect blowout has the power to flip a #BadHairDay into a practically #NeverBetterHairDay in no time. And it’s a total myth that you cannot achieve a salon-style blowout at home. With the correct blow-drying tips, you’ll be strutting out with a fresh blowout almost every day. But before we get into how to blow dry hair at home, we need to also look at the right tools required to do a blow-dry at home, the perfect pre and post-hair care routine to maintain that fabulous mane, and finally the much-anticipated step-by-step guide to blow-dry different types of hair.

So, without further ado, let’s get into the process of blow-drying your hair at home. Read on to learn how to blow dry your hair like an expert:

Best Tools Required To Blow Dry Hair At Home

Here are some of the tools you will need if you are learning how to blow dry hair at home.

Dryer

Choose a dryer that meets the following criteria:

• Multiple heat settings for different hair textures
• Multiple nozzles for combing, volumising, and concentrated blow-drying
• A long cord for convenience
• A cool shot setting for cooling your hair
• Ionic technology that emits negative ions to cancel out the positively charged water molecules present in the hair

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Round Brush

The main intent of blow-drying your hair at home is to add that much-needed volume that your dull and weighed-down hair needs. The best way to add volume is to use a thick round brush that adds depth and definition to your hair for that irresistible bounce and movement.

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Hair Sectioning Clips

The best way to blow-dry your hair is to divide it into smaller sections. When you divide it into small sections, you will get a better handle on your hair, and every strand will get dried equally. You can also give your hair an even distribution of heat and volume.

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How To Blow Dry Your Hair At Home

How To Blow Dry Straight Hair

• For straight tresses, a blow-dryer with 1800W and multiple heat/air settings works best.
• In case your hair is too limp, start by distributing a volumising leave-in cream or mousse through it when it's damp.
• Secure the crown section with a hair clip and start drying the lower section with a round brush. Divide it into smaller sections and point the nozzle downward for long-lasting smoothness.
• Once the lower half is done, secure it and start with the upper half. Aim at the roots to add more volume, using the brush to pull hair forward and out.
• Once all sections are complete, flip all hair behind, part and dry the area above your forehead.

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How To Blow Dry Curly Hair

• Since you don’t want to distort those gorgeous curls, 1200W with a (very critical) diffuser is all you need.
• To keep the moisture intact in your curls, apply a creamy leave-in curl-defining conditioner before you begin with the blasting heat.
• Set the dryer to medium heat and speed. Now starting at the nape, place the diffuser at the roots and gently move around drying all the roots.
• Let the ends dry naturally because blow-drying curly ends tends to make them frizzy.
• You can also gently scrunch the ends of your hair with some product to highlight the curls.

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Pre-Blow-Dry Prep

1. Start by brushing your hair around 3–4 times before wetting it. You can also use a hair oil to massage your scalp and improve blood circulation before washing it.
2. Use some lukewarm water to open up your cuticles, use your regular shampoo and cleanse your hair of all the dirt, dust, and grime.
3. Use a conditioner on your strands to smoothen and detangle your hair.
4. Give your hair a final wash with some cold water to close your pores.
5. Apply some smoothening and volumising heath-protectant serum to your hair.

Post-Blow-Dry Prep

1. Make sure your hair is not completely wet before you blow-dry, a little damp is fine, but wet hair can burn your hair under heat.
2. Detangle your hair with a heat-protecting serum and part it into multiple sections.
3. Start with a lower temperature and increase the heat setting slowly.
4. Use the round brush and manipulate your hair for that extra volume.
5. Start from the top and work your way to the bottom.
6. Use the cool setting to remove any frizz and smoothen your hair.

Common Blow-Drying Mistakes That You Should Avoid

Here are some tips for blow-drying hair:

• Investing in a cheap blow dryer, thinking that it’s good enough to do the job is the biggest mistake you can do. Though smarter dryers need you to chip in more moolah, they come with amazing hair-saving features like high power, multiple heat settings, a cool shot, and ionic air technology. Basically, you still get to have complete control over the heat damage.
• You keep wet hair wrapped in a towel for way too long. A better idea would be to let your hair air-dry while you get dressed, and then start the blow-drying process. Going from a towel to a blow-dryer in seconds feeds your hair fall problems since roots are the most vulnerable when wet.
• Minimizing heat damage is possible with a little help from a trusted heat-protectant spray. We recommend using the Wella Professionals EIMI Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray, Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Repair Rescue Shampoo With Arginine or the Moroccanoil Protect And Prevent Spray, L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Perfecting Essence.
• You’re probably using the wrong brush. Go for a round brush for a voluminous, bouncy look. A boar-bristle brush is ideal for coarse, frizzy hair.
• Constant movement is the key to striking the balance between a great blowout and minimal heat damage. Don’t hold the nozzle at one spot for long; go for an extra two rounds with the brush instead of one prolonged round.
• Despite how daunting the task may seem, especially if you’re blessed with thick hair, sectioning your hair correctly is very important. Keep in mind that the smaller the sections, the better the blowout. Comb your locks to remove any tangles, and then neatly create individual sections. Use hair clips to hold them in place.

Are you always in search of long hairstyles? Check out: Simple Haircuts and Hairstyles for Long Hair.

Parting Thoughts

Learning how to blow-dry your hair is very simple if you have the right tools and pre and post-care routine set. Use a high-quality hair dryer that has multiple settings for different hair textures and types. Make sure to never skip a heat-protectant serum that will reduce the effects of thermal damage on your hair. Last but not least, don’t wait for an occasion to give your hair that gorgeous lift and bounce, let it sway and move whenever your heart wants to sing.

FAQs

1. How to blow dry your hair at home?

   Make sure to wash and condition your hair before you blow dry it. Apply heat-protectant serums or volumising hair sprays before you start using the heat setting. Part your hair in several small sections to better manage and style your hair.

2. Which nozzle is best for hair?

   If you have straight hair, use a concentrated nozzle with a round hair brush to add volume and bounce. If you have curly hair, use a diffuser to maintain the shape of your curls along with movement.

3. What type of brush should I use for a blow dry at home?

   Use a paddle brush near the scalp and a round brush for the lengths. A paddle brush can pick up a lot of hair and the round brush can help manipulate the strands.

4. What is a good heat-protectant serum or spray?

   If you are learning how to blow-dry your hair at home, then don’t forget to use a heat-protectant spray. We recommend the following:

   • Streax Heat Protect Spray for Hair Styling For Men & Women, Hair Spray
   • Love Beauty & Planet Argan Oil And Lavender Heat Protection
   • BBLUNT Hot Shot Heat Protection Hair Mist with Grape Seed Oil

5. Can I blow-dry my hair at home every day?

   While blow-drying your hair at home is safe for your hair, avoid doing that every day. Excessive heat can damage your hair and make it lose moisture.