This is Part 2 in a 2-part series. See Part 1 for product recommendations for the perfect at-home blowout.
Getting a perfect in home blowout is never easy, even with the right tools. But, with lots of practice in combination with the right tools, there could be awesome results. Proper hair upkeep is crucial to up keep your hair healthy and less likely to break and dry up when blow drying. Well-maintained hair is more likely to handle the heat, and stay strong.
Three essential tools make blow drying a success: a good snag free paddle brush, a round brush, and a blow dryer with three (hot, warm, cool) heat settings. In my first post on this topic, I suggested using Kerastase Resistance Volumactive Mousse as a straightening product, but it depends what your goal is with the blowout. I like to get bouncy shiny hair -- I don’t go for the stick-straight look. If you want straight, sleek hair you may want to use straightening balm and a flat iron. Using the right products is essential to help you get the results you want.
For some expert hair advice I asked Cassy DaSilva, a hair stylist in La Jolla, California, how to get a sleek salon look without actually going there. “First you need a paddle brush to guide your hair while you’re drying it,” offered Cassy. She recommended getting a brush that won’t snag or break hair. I found a paddle brush that is getting two thumbs up from reviewers and may end up being one of your essential brushes in the hair drawer -- the Denman Paddle Brush.
→ Buy the Denman Large Paddle Cushion Brush, $14.12 (was $16.56), at amazon.com.
After you have guided your hair in the direction you wish, then you can section it off to prep it for blowout. Make sure your hair is about 95% dry before sectioning to prevent frizz and damaged heir. After you have sectioned it off in pieces that are manageable for you, then you can proceed by grabbing a round brush.
Most experts agree that you should start from the bottom sections. But, I always do my bangs first, and then I start from the bottom. I do this because I get lazy towards the end of the blow dry and my technique starts slacking big time. For an easy grip round brush, try the Monroe Pink Brush. This is perfect if you are looking for that Victoria's Secret straight, yet luscious look.
→ Buy the Monroe Ceramic Brush, $17.50 (was $26.86), at amazon.com.
Lastly, getting a good hair dryer is crucial. It’s not necessary to get a super expensive hair dryer because you aren’t doing 20-30 blow dries a day like a professional stylist would. I just bought a Turbo Power MegaTurbo 3000 Professional Hair Dryer and I’m very happy with it. My hair gets shiny and soft as a result of this lightweight blow dryer made in Italy. It has 5 temperatures and 2 speed settings-- more than enough! Remember to have the nozzle facing down when blow drying to avoid frizz, and blow dry from top of the hair to bottom.
→ Buy the Turbo Power MegaTurbo 3000 Professional Hair Dryer, $67.20 (was $93.69), at amazon.com.
Happy blowout ladies!
Editor's Note: This post originally appeared on November 9, 2009. It has since been updated.
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