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How to blow-dry hair isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Depending on texture, coarseness, length, and more, you could require totally different brushes and products than even one of your family members. But regardless of how the process may differ from person to person, one thing holds true: Anyone can blow dry their hair “the right way.”
To help us tackle some of the main at-home blowout issues, we reached out to two experts from nationally recognized hair brands. “The secret to the perfect blowout is in the products we use to prep the hair with,” Joico’s Mai Hernandez tells Mane Addicts. “Keeping those to a minimal amount will get you the most beautiful, voluminous, bouncy, long-lasting results.” Whether your hair is naturally curly, straight, frizzy, or flat, there’s a right routine designed for you. Keep reading for the best pro tips on how to blow-dry hair.
(Image Source: Getty / Dowell)
About the Experts
Tatiana Ramos is a New York-based hairstylist and educator for Pureology.
Mai Hernandez is Joico’s Los Angeles-based Artistic Educator and Brand Content Creator.
How to Blow-Dry Your Hair Correctly
How to Blow-Dry Curly Hair
With curly hair, you’ll want to start with a smoothing or moisturizing shampoo and conditioner because curls tend to be on the drier side. Then you’ll want to apply a detangler. Pureology hairstylist and educator Tatiana Ramos suggests using Mizani 25 Miracle Milk.
“I then section the hair into Bantu knots to retain its moisture,” Ramos explains. “Then I take down the Bantu knots, working in the same section, and add Pureology Smooth Perfection Lotion and Mizani Smoothing Raincoat Serum to offer maximum heat protection to the hair. The amount of product should be determined by the texture and density of the hair. Less is more in this case. I suggest working in these sections to keep things neat and allow for a very flawless blow-dry.”
When it comes to the actual blow-dry process, Hernandez starts with a boar bristle brush and rough-dries, focusing on the roots. “Once the hair is 30% dry, I switch to a boar bristle round brush and strategically start smoothing the hair out with a good amount of tension,” she says. “Once the hair is dried, I use Joico Power Spray to set it and then I apply Joico Defy Damage Invincible as my last step.”
How to Blow-Dry Straight Hair
“When it comes to straight hair types, I love to build a structure with products before going in and styling,” Ramos says, adding that she kicks things off with a wash and condition using Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. “This gives a super clean base to work with, making product layering much more effective.”
She then spritzes Pureology Color Fanatic 21 Benefit Leave-In Spray from mid-shaft to ends. Next, she sprays Pureology Instant Levitation Mist in the crown area and follows with the Pureology Beach Waves Sugar Spray liberally. “This spray offers lightweight texture and movement that straight hair can sometimes lack,” Ramos explains. Next, she combs and brushes the product from roots to ends and rough-dries until it’s about 75% done.
Hernandez completes this part of the process with a paddle brush, lifting at the roots to create volume. Once 75% to 80% dry, she takes a ceramic round brush to smooth the hair out and mold it. To finish it up, she uses Joico’s Defy Damage Invincible and Joico’s Body Shake.
How to Blow-Dry Frizzy Hair
To tame that stubborn frizz, Hernandez opts for Joico’s Defy Damage Shampoo and Conditioner. Once the hair is clean, the stylist sprays Joico’s K-Pak Luster Lock, followed by a few pumps of the brand’s Defy Damage Protective Shield and YouthLock Blowout Crème. She then rough-dries hair at the roots with a boar bristle brush, creating tension and volume to about 50% dry. Next, she switches to a boar bristle round brush and finishes smoothing the strands to blow-dry the hair. She tops it off with Joico Humidity Blocker, followed by the brand’s Defy Damage Invincible.
“Frizzy hair is hair that lacks moisture, so use your discretion if the hair needs a little more love,” Ramos says. “To add the maximum amount of moisture back into the hair, determine if it’s thicker/coarser or fine to medium. For thick/coarse hair, use Hydrate Soft Softening Treatment. For finer to medium hair, use Hydrate Superfood Treatment, leave on for five minutes, and rinse.
How to Blow-Dry Flat Hair
Flat hair needs the most volume and bounce, and Hernandez says Joico’s Joifull Shampoo and Conditioner will get you there. Once hair is clean, she uses the brand’s JoiWhip at the root and a pump of JoiFull Volumizing Styler. She then starts rough-drying the hair at the roots lifting and overdirecting from its natural fall up to 75% dry. Next, she takes a small to medium ceramic round brush creating volume and body. To finish it up, she sets the blowout with a light coat of Joico’s Flip Turn Volumizing Hairspray and Defy Damage Invincible.
Pro-added tip? Ramos says, “Working in clean sections, I like to start in the front of the client’s hair and set the crown area with duckbill clips while I work. I blow-dry hair off the scalp for max volume.”
