A full salon blowout could cost you $45 to $90 and an hour of your precious time. But with this seven-step guide, you can do it all on your own!
A full salon blowout could cost you $45 to $90 and an hour of your precious time. But when you’re a bridesmaid in a wedding, preparing for a ritzy date at school, or glamming up for a photoshoot, a trip to the salon is absolutely worth it!
However, it’s not the only option.
If you have a 1800W hairdryer, barrel brush, and an assortment of hair care products, you can bring the salon to you (minus the relaxation factor, of course).
Follow these seven easy steps to give yourself a salon-worthy, head-turning blowout from home.
1. Shampoo and Condition Your Hair
All salon-worthy home blowouts begin in the shower.
Start with a sulfate-free shampoo rinse-down to remove excess oils and grease from your scalp. Products like L’Oreal Ever Creme Shampoo will leave your locks flawless, shiny, and silky-soft.
Next, work a glob of conditioner into the ends of your hair. Give the conditioner about two to three minutes to soak deep within the strands.
Rinse those squeaky-clean locks under the showerhead, wring them out as much as possible, and hop out of the shower.
When you’re all dried off, it’s time to grab a towel.
2. Towel-Dry Your Wet Hair
Even with a salon-style hairdryer, a complete blowout will take forever — and possibly cause heat damage — if you’re drying soaking wet hair.
Before you plug it in, towel-dry your mane!
Now, there’s no single “right” way to dry your hair. You can try an ultra-absorbent microfiber hair wrap to soak up the majority of the water. Or, simply wrap a towel around your hair and squeeze tightly.
Once your hair is somewhat dry, you’re ready to detangle.
3. Detangle and De-Knot Your Hair
The most frustrating (and painful) aspect of hair care is getting tangles and knots out of those stubborn locks. Tugging the wrong brush through knotty, wet hair could tear or stretch those now-fragile strands, causing damage.
Professional hair stylists recommend two brushes for getting those snarls out:
- A wide-toothed comb
- A detangling brush
Instead of starting from the roots, start combing through the ends of your hair with full, long strokes.
If you already have weak strands, spritzing a detangling spray on your wet locks first can prevent broken hairs caused by pulling. Some varieties even reduce frizz once your hair dries.
You’re almost ready to whip out that hairdryer.
4. Spread Heat Protectant On Your Hair
The final step before you power up your dryer is protecting your delicate hair from that dreaded heat damage. A hairdryer can top 197 degrees, turning flowy hair brittle and stealing that envy-inducing shine.
These miracle-working products can also seal in moisture and guarantee ultra-smooth hair by the end of your home blowout.
Whether your hair falls into type 1, 2, 3, or 4, heat protectant is a must!
Coat your hair with heat protectant oil or spray, being careful to avoid your scalp. Run it through the strands gently with your hands, or use a comb to spread it evenly.
The wait is finally over; grab that hairdryer and plug it in.
5. Dry Your Hair About Halfway
Unfortunately, not every hairdryer will do! If you want a red-carpet-ready blowout, choose a hairdryer with 1800-2000W of power, sticking to the upper-end if you have thicker or curlier hair.
Then, set it to medium heat until your hair is a bit more than half-dry.
The goal here isn’t to dry or style your hair but rather to remove most of the moisture. Don’t worry about grabbing your barrel brush just yet or flicking your dryer to the highest heat setting.
We’re almost ready to do that long-awaited styling!
6. Break Out the Barrel Brush and Dryer Extension
Now that your locks are mostly dry, reach under the sink and grab:
- A barrel brush. Select one with a ceramic core and boar bristles, as they absorb more heat and eliminate those frizzies.
- A dryer nozzle. The better you can angle the air toward the brush, the more control you have over that final curl and blowout.
If you’re new to the haircare world, make sure your dryer nozzle is compatible with your hairdryer (it fits snugly) and that your barrel brush reflects the type of curl you’re imagining. The wider the barrel, the larger the curl.
7. Work From Front to Back
The difference between a standard blow-dry and a salon-worthy blowout boils down to your drying technique. In other words, you won’t move right to left brushing root to end like you normally would.
Instead, divide your hair into four to six sections, and clip them out of your way.
Then, follow these steps (and repeat)
- Set your hairdryer to medium heat again.
- Wrap your barrel brush around an unclipped section of your hair close to your scalp.
- Hold the dryer about an inch above the now-wrapped brush.
- Slowly tug the brush away from your scalp and follow it with the dryer.
- Don’t forget to dry the ends too!
Once one section is completely dry, unravel another lock and follow the same exact process.
Oh, and Don’t Forget Add Styling Products at the End!
Congratulations! You officially completed your first salon-worthy blowout.
Now, if you want this look to survive the entire wedding reception, date, or interview, you need to add some styling products.
The best post-blowout products include:
- Styling cream: Adds shine and reduces frizz
- Argan oil: Adds some bounce to dry hair
- Shine serum: Adds unforgettable shine to your blowout
- Hairspray: Stiffens your blowout to last all-day
Feel free to experiment with different products to see what works best with your hair type and style.
Conclusion
A salon-worthy home blowout might only take you 45 minutes, so don’t forget to leave yourself time to finish glamming up.
It’s also important to choose products, brushes, and hairdryers that mesh best with your hair type (straight, curly, thick, thin, etc.).
You don’t want any old blowout — you want a head-turning, long-lasting blowout that’ll make you feel beautiful.
Author Bio
Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Grove at Pullman to help them with their online marketing.
