Blow-drying your hair might not seem like that big of a deal to some of you. To others, it”s like climbing a mountain. So, if you have mastered the art of getting from freshly-shampooed to perfectly-polished with ease, this message is not for you. Clip it out and share it with a friend.
The single most asked question in all of my workshops and in my salon is: “How do I blow-dry my hair to get the same look that I get when you do it?” Well, I do not pretend to know it all, but when you have blown, fluffed and round-brushed as many heads of hair as I have over the span of 20 years, it just comes naturally. That part, I can”t teach you, but here are a few tips.
Try this
First, towel dry the hair until it is slightly more than damp, because soaking wet hair will take forever to blow-dry. You will become discouraged before the first half of your head is done. Absorb most of the excess moisture with a clean, 100 percent cotton towel before combing the hair with a wide-toothed comb.
Think of blow-drying as you would anything else, and begin with the best tools. The blow dryer itself is essential, and I only use one with a nozzle and a control button that adjusts to provide warm, hot or cool air. Try directing the flow of the air onto one section of hair without blowing all the strands at once.
If your goal is to embrace your naturally curly or wavy locks, then use a diffuser. Most diffusers are just little socks that fit over the end of the hair dryer to allow the heat to evaporate the moisture without the force of the air. This enhances natural curls or waves. If big is desirable, go for it! If not, apply pomade for curl, and diffuse until beautiful.
If you are working with or going for straight hair and have shoulder-length or longer hair, put the hair into butterfly clips. Dry small sections at a time, beginning in the back. As one layer gets dry, carefully part the hair off and work with another section until all the back is completely dry. The reason we begin in the back is because it is usually the challenge, unless you have eyes in the back of your head.
Front and center
Once the back is done, the fun begins in the front. Remember to hold the dryer at least 6 inches from the hair with the dryer pointed downward to smooth the top layer. This process leads to a shiny end result.
A few more pointers: If you want to add volume to flat hair, blow dry the hair in the opposite direction from how it will fall. For example, if you part your hair on the right, blow it to the left, thus lifting the base of the hairstyle up, up and away for added flair.
Also, you will want to rub a few drops of styling product into the hair before beginning the blow dry, and maybe even a thermal heat protector, which adds a shield to safeguard against frizziness caused by excessive heat.
Finally, remember to hit the cold button a few times, and blow some cooler air over the strands to lock in the style and seal the strands. Practice makes perfect, and don”t hesitate to slow your stylist down the next time he or she whirls the blow dryer like a magician. Feel free to ask questions. Remember that old TV show, “Who”s the Boss?” Well, that”s easy. You are!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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