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If you have ever struggled to blow-dry your hair with a round brush, you are not alone. It is one of the trickiest skills to master, just ask your hair stylist. Chances are it took them a hot minute to figure out how to blow-dry with a round brush before perfecting their technique. With the interest in at-home blowouts and blowout brushes rising ever so steadily, many are looking for all the help they can get. We chatted with a few experts to get the 411 on how to blow-dry hair with a round brush at home. Read their expert advice below!
(Image Source: Mane)
How to Blow-Dry Hair with a Round Brush, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Cue the Prep Work
Kimberlee Blakley, Senior Director of Product Development and a trichologist with The Mane Choice, tells us that, “A fabulous blow-dry begins with a thorough cleansing and conditioning regimen. Eliminating any product buildup, dirt, or oil, and replenishing essential moisture and hydration is key to creating a bouncy, smooth, and shiny blow-dry style.” She recommends washing your hair with The Mane Choice’s The Alpha Easy On The CURLS - Detangling Hydration Conditioner and Shampoo.
After your hair is properly washed, it’s time to get rid of any excess moisture. Tylor Johnson, expert hair colorist and founder of Nous Haircare, shares that “it is really important to brush your hair out before wrapping it into a towel to make sure all of the excess moisture is out.” The experts recommend that you have damp hair (around 50% dry) when starting the blow-dry process to avoid excessive heat on wet hair.
Once you’re done with that, it’s time to protect against heat damage and use protection. “Apply either a heat protectant product and/or volumizer, and comb it through the hair for even distribution,” says Clara Purvis, stylist and founder of Blue Dunes and Noordwyck Hair Salon.
Step 2: Section Out Your Hair
Now that your hair is properly prepped, it’s time to section it out. Yes, this is technically part of the prep work but it deserves its own section. Get it? Poor pun aside, sectioning your hair before blow-drying with a round brush does make a huge difference, but don’t take our word for it, let the experts be the ones you turn to.
“Considering hair length and your confidence in styling, sectioning can be beneficial for the organization during blow-drying,” shares Blakley. “I prefer dividing the hair into quads and then subdividing each quad into two sections.”
Step 3: Time to Blow-Dry with a Round Brush
Time to break out the blow dryer and round brush. If you don’t have one, we suggest a combo of our This Totally Blows! Ionic Compact Hair Dryer and our BRB Ceramic Round Brush (available in 43MM and 33MM). Blakley recommends “drying the roots first until they are approximately 50% dry. This helps to lift the hair and establish volume from the base. Once the roots are halfway dry, move on to the mid-lengths of the hair until they are 50% dry. Focus on drying them thoroughly while maintaining tension to smooth and shape the hair. After the mid-lengths are adequately dried, proceed to the ends of the hair until they are 50% dry. Once each section is at the 50% mark, revisit the roots, mid-lengths, and ends sequentially, drying them until they reach 100% dryness.”
Next, it’s time to focus on volume. Johnson says, “For volume, I always recommend doing the rough dry upside down and then pulling the section upward when drying with the round brush. For ultimate volume, set each section in a roller and use a volumizing mousse before styling. One of my favorite hair products for volume is the KEVIN.MURPHY BODY.BUILDER.”
As far as round brush techniques go, Purvis notes that there are many different hairstyling techniques but one she prefers. “I always like to elevate the section while applying the heat towards the brush because that helps to create the lift,” she says. “Also, twirling the brush gently as you come down the hair shaft can give it a bit of a soft wave.” Johnson echoes this sentiment, noting to “always twist the ends and glide the hair out of the brush. Repetition is key here!”
Another hair-drying tip Purvis shares is to “allow the hair to cool off for several seconds before removing the brush from the section. This allows the body and wave to set in.”
Step 4: Finish and Style
Once your blow-dry is done, Johnson recommends setting the hair with pins and rollers to let it cool naturally to hold its shape. But if you don’t have time, that’s where the cool setting on your blow dryer (like our This Totally Blows! Ionic Compact Hair Dryer) comes in handy. Blakley says, “I love to blow-dry the hair, set each section in pin curls, and hit it with a cool shot to lock in lasting curl, smoothness, and volume.”
When you’re ready to take the hair out of the rollers, set it with a styler of your choice. Blakley recommends something that is anti-frizz and anti-humidity, like The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Sweet Oil & Honey Endless Moisture Sealing Cream. This will seal and protect your hair from humidity and other elements so it lasts longer.
With these tips (plus a reliable blow dryer and a round hair brush), you're now equipped with the knowledge of how to blow dry hair with a round brush like a pro.
