Banishing Bad Hair Days since 1997!™

A Guide To Blow Drying! Hair Styling Tips

Introduction

Model With Scrunched Hair

When it comes to drying hair, there have always been several options including:

1. Towel blotting 2. Air Drying 3. Wet setting with rollers and a hood dryer 4. Blow drying utilizing a variety of brushes 5. Diffuser drying which often uses a blow dryer base 6. Heat drying with lamps

Since the blow dryer was first invented it has never gone out of style and continues to evolve through a range of technological enhancements ranging from the silent motor to a wide range of setting and a myriad of attachments.

Blow dryers are multi-purpose because when combined with the proper styling tools they can create sheets of silky stick straight strands or can enhance natural waves and curls.

Blow dryers are often the first step to creating a range of finished hairstyles from straight to lush loose curls and waves. Blow drying can also be finished with a curling iron or hot rollers to add more controlled texture.

Blow drying, also referred to as blowing out or blown out hair is a technique which involves a variety of steps. Blow drying can be performed with or without other tools such as a short or long finger diffuser and/or a range of hot irons.

Although many types, textures and lengths of hair many benefit from blow drying, the technique is not the best for everyone. Because blow drying involves directing air, usually warm to hot, over the top of wet or damp tresses, the process can cause heat damage, strand dehydration and other potential types of damage.

People with long or very long hair concerned about heat damage, split ends or rips may benefit more from towel blotting and air drying versus blow drying. Or they may utilize a wet set for special hair events opting to sit under a less damage hood or bonnet style hair dryer.

Blow Drying Instructions - Cleanse Hair

Model With Blow Dried Hair

The key to a great blow out starts with great cleansing and the proper hair products.

1. Cleanse your hair in luke warm water utilizing a product and method which works best for your hair type, texture, length and current condition.

You may wish to utilize a full shampoo, Diluted Shampoo (DS) Conditioning Only method (CO), Water Only (WO), Low Poo (LoPoo) or No Poo (NoPoo) cleansing system. Or you may prefer a combination of the hair cleansing methodologies depending on your goals for your hair.

If you wish to enhance your natural texture consider using a hair texture enhancing product mix like PhytoCurl which helps define curls or Phytobrush which was specifically developed for use in blow drying and heat styling.

2. Rinse well. Gently squeeze excess moisture from hair.

3. Apply the appropriate rinse out conditioner to your strands from the tops of your ears to your ends. While some people may benefit from applying conditioner from the roots down, most benefit from applying conditioner from the top of the ears down. It is also beneficial to concentrate conditioning product to the most damaged areas of the hair.

4. While rinse out conditioner is still applied to the hair use fingers or a hair-friendly detangling comb to completely detangle strands. Work in small sections and from the ends to the roots. Go slowly to avoid tearing or ripping strands.

5. When hair is completely detangled rinse conditioner from hair. Finish with a cool or cold water rinse to seal in moisture and encourage shine.

6. Carefully squeeze out any excess water with your fingers. Remember to never rub wet strands, but use a combination of techniques from squeezing out the excess water and then blotting strands with a towel.

Blow Drying Instructions - Prep Hair

Model With French Twist

1. Towel blot with a thick towel. It is best to wait to apply products to super wet strands since some of the product will drip off in the process.

2. Apply the styling cocktail of choice to the middle and ends of your strands. Avoid applying product near the roots which may weigh them down except in the case of adding volume sprays like Phytovolume Actif or similar. Your styling cocktail might include but not be limited to a leave-in conditioner, a good frizz fighter, mousse or a styling cream.

3. Don't be afraid to layer product to get the best look. You may wish to mix a defrisant products along with your styling product to add texture and block frizz at the same time. It is possible to mix Phytodefrisant with your favorite mousse, glaze or paste.

Blow Drying Instructions - Step By Step

1. Once your hair has been properly prepared with the styling products of your choice and completely detangled, use a hair friendly wide tooth comb and separate hair into 4 equal sized horizontal sections.

Note: If 4 sections are too much to handle with ease, feel free to create more sections. Clip each individual section with a duckbill or similar smooth clip to prevent the formation of ridges in damp hair.

2. If you have a fringe always dry it first since it may air dry the fastest. Just in case some of the sections, like your fringe area, dries before you get to them keep a little water bottle handy to spritz the air dried section for a more uniform blow out.

Model With Blow Dried Hair

3. Lift each individual section up towards the ceiling and direct air flow up from the ends to the roots. This will add maximum volume. Remember that if you blow dry hair by pulling hair down the hair will dry flatter. To add smoothness as you finish each section dry the top of the section with the air directed downward.

4. To avoid tangling damp strands in your brush make sure not to over turn the brush. As you begin to blow dry a section turn the brush only slightly to create tension to anchor and smooth the section.

After you pull the brush away from the scalp to the midpoint of strand length, then you can safely start twisting the brush to create shape and curl while under the pointed jet stream of your blow dryer.

5. Hold the desired brush (round, paddle, vent or similar) in your stronger dominant hand and the blow drying in your weaker hand. Since you will achieve better styling and movement when you hold your brushing tool in your dominant hand.

6. Continue to blow dry each section working around your head until all hair is 100% dry. If hair is cool or cold to the touch it may still be harboring dampness which can turn into frizz. Hair should feel warm but not hot to the touch.

Blow Drying Instructions - Helpful Hints

  1. For the most successful blow out remember to relax and take your time. Blow drying should never be a race.

  2. Some hair experts suggest that sitting while you blow dry is the best approach because it is less tiring on the body and there is less need for upper-body strength and movement. Some people prefer to stand while blow drying. If that works best for you and your hair then follow your heart.

  3. Avoid holding the hairdryer too close to your hair. Although you may want to hold the mouth of the dryer right up next to your strands, don't do it. This is what causes heat damage. Strive to keep the nozzle at least one to two inches from strands.

  4. As you dry the strands keep the dryer nozzle parallel to each section of hair you are drying. Avoid overheating the strands which may rough up the cuticle, leaving you with fuzzy heat damage.

  5. It's also important to keep the dryer moving to make sure that all of the hair dries evenly at the same rate.

  6. Never use a brush with broken or damage bristles which can scratch, pull or damage your tresses.

  7. If your blow dryer is on the fritz be sure to replace it rather than risk overheating your tresses.

  8. Clean and maintain your brushes and blow dryer on a regular basis to get the best results.

Blow Drying Instructions - Adding The Appropriate Finish

Model With Side Pony

Since blow dried hair can sometimes look rough around the edges, consider using a shine serum like Phyto's PhyoLisse or Rene Furterer's Spray Gloss.

Apply the shine serum or spray of choice to the palms of your hands. Rub the product into the palms and then lightly glide over the top of the teased style to add instant shimmer and shine and remove any roughness.

Spray well with hairspray like Phytolaque or Jessica Simpson’s favorite Phytolaque Soie made with real silk that adds a soft sheen to the final look and will also help soften the overall finish.

General Blow Drying Guidelines:

  • Experiment with styling products designed to be most compatible with your hair texture and type. In general it is best for all hair types to avoid styling products such as heavy gels, thick waxes or molding products that might make your strands sticky or give them that "too gelled" look after they dry. Note: Mousse, light sculpting creams and styling sprays tend to be lighter and offer more control and a softer overall hold for fine to medium textures. A good hair glaze or hair paste works for thicker hair types and textures.
  • Select the proper brush for your final styling goals. If you wish to create stick straight strands use a paddle style brush. Round brushes will create volume, shape, curl and movement.
  • Take your time when you blow dry. It should never the goal to finish in a flash. Enjoy the experience and your hair will thank you for it. Be methodical.
  • Always section your hair before you blow dry for better control and uniform results.
  • Experiment with sitting and standing to determine which requires the least effort.
  • Keep your blow dryer away from your hair to avoid heat damage, fuzz, fizz or puffing.
  • Use your best hand for your styling and your weaker hand to hold the blow dryer.
  • Avoid tangling hair while blow drying by not over turning the brush.
  • Remember to take your time and experiment with different styling techniques/
  • Make sure hair is always 100% dry. When it isn't completely dry fizz and pouffing can rise up almost instantly. Hair should be room temperate after blow-drying to signal that it's completely dry. If hair is cool or cold it may still be hiding water.

Summary

Kate Hudson

After a few times of blow drying you will know exactly the best products to use to create the results you desire and will be a blow drying pro.

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