There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a fresh, bouncy blowout. Your hair has gorgeous volume, brilliant shine, and effortless movement that makes you feel like you just stepped out of the salon. But as perfect as that just-blown-out look is, we all know it’s fleeting – by the next day, it can turn limp, greasy, and lackluster.
Don’t resign yourself to short-lived blowout bliss. With the right techniques and products, you can keep your hair looking flawlessly sleek and full of body for much longer. From the blowdry method to the brushes and tools you use to the way you treat and sleep on your hair, we’re breaking down all the expert tips to maximize your blowout’s lifespan.
Start With The Right Blowdry
The secret to making a blowout last is to do it right from the very beginning. You want to get as much root volume and tension as possible, ensuring your hair cuticles are super smooth so they resist moisture and oil absorption. That all starts with a stellar blowdry technique.
Prep damp hair with a volumizing mousse or root lift spray before drying to give strands a grippy, full-bodied base. Then, divide the hair into sections and dry each one thoroughly with a high-quality ceramic or tourmaline blow dryer. Go slowly to avoid roughing up the cuticle, working in small sections and directing hot air flow from roots to ends to stretch and smooth hair. Keep the nozzle concentrated on each section and use your brush to keep tension.
When detailing and polishing the ends, switch to a lower heat setting to prevent damage. Finish with a cool shot of air to seal the cuticles for maximum shine. Avoid excessive brushing once hair is dry – it can rough up the outer cuticle layer and cause frizz and flyaways.
Use The Right Brushes and Tools
The brushes and tools you use can significantly impact how long your blowout holds its shape and volume. Ceramic or metal-based brushes with ionic technology and ball-tipped bristles work best for drying and smoothing hair. As you dry, use a vented brush with a flat, paddle-shaped base and bristles for lifting and creating tension at the roots.
Always use the concentrator nozzle on your blowdryer – it provides focused airflow for better control and tension as you style. Add a round brush into the mix for creating extra volume, curl, and movement. Boar bristle rounds grip strands firmly so you can really wrap and set the hair.
Avoid brushes with rigid plastic bristles – these can generate frizz by roughing up the cuticle. When finishing and polishing the blowout, go over ends lightly with a soft, natural bristle brush to smooth the outer cuticle layer. Don’t brush hair excessively once it’s dry.
Choose The Right Products
The products you use before and after your blowout play a huge role in how long it lasts. You’ll need a combination of volumizing stylers, heat protectants, and smoothing serums or creams.
Before blowing out your hair, start with a volumizing mousse, root lift spray or texture cream at the roots for grit and grip. This gives strands separation and fullness at the base.
Next, apply a thermal protectant all over damp hair before drying. Look for a lightweight heat-shielding formula – cream, serum or spray versions all work well. Avoiding anything too heavy or oily that could weigh hair down.
Lock in all your hard work with a frizz-fighting, anti-humidity hairspray and shine-boosting serum, cream or oil when your blowout is complete. Mist a flexible-hold hairspray all over, then lightly smooth a pea-sized dab of serum or cream just on your ends to tame flyaways and add sleekness.
Finish with a shine spray or lightweight oil mist for a glassy luster. Just avoid products with heavy oils, butters or waxes.
Sleep Smart
The way you sleep is another crucial factor for preserving your blowout. All that tossing and turning, plus the friction against your pillowcase, leads to flat roots, frizzy ends and creasing.
First, prep hair before bedtime by spritzing with a light moisture mist or setting spray. Avoid heavy products that could transfer to your pillowcase. Then, secure hair into a loose topknot or bun to prevent friction and creasing while you sleep. Use a soft scrunchie or silk hair tie to avoid dents and crimping.
Treat your pillowcase with the same care as your hair. Cotton pillow cases create friction and absorb moisture and oils from your hair. Opt for a silk or satin pillowcase instead – the super smooth surface helps hair glide effortlessly across it and won’t absorb any oils or moisture. Splurging on a silk pillowcase is one of the best investments for prolonging blowouts. Bonnets will also keep your hair in better condition limiting breakage no matter what your hairstyle.
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Extend It Day-To-Day From one day to the next, there are some easy techniques you can use to refresh and reboost a blowout that’s starting to fall flat.
In the morning, flip your head over and lightly spritz dry shampoo directly onto roots and massage in with your fingertips. The dry shampoo absorbs oil and grease while adding grit and volume to limp roots.
You can also reactivate the products in your hair by misting on a setting spray or light styling spray, then blast roots with the blowdryer for 2-3 minutes to reintroduce volume. Use your fingers to lift and scrunch at the roots to amp things up.
To smooth and resmooth the lengths and ends, spritz a shine spray or lightweight hair oil all over and run a natural bristle brush through once or twice. Not only does this smooth out any roughness, but the oils also help block moisture and humidity.
Implement these quick refreshing techniques for 3-4 days to keep your blowout looking fresh and “just done” before you need to wash and restyle.
Less Washing = Longer Lasting It should go without saying, but washing your hair less frequently is key to preserving your blowout. Any time you get it wet, your hair regains its natural texture, eliminating all your hard work instantly. Limit shampooing to just 2-3 times per week if you can.
When you do need to get your hair wet, take care to protect your blowout as much as possible. Pull hair into a tight topknot or bun before showering so it doesn’t get soaked and frizzy. Skip shampoo and opt for a shower cap or rinse and condition only, gently squeezing out excess moisture with a soft towel.
Avoid intense workout classes where you’ll be dripping sweat. If you do get sweaty, use a dry shampoo afterwards to soak up any grease and moisture before it has a chance to ruin your style.
Make Your Blowout Last Longer
While there’s no miracle solution for making a blowout last forever, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can implement to maximize its lifespan. From the initial drying method and products used to the way you sleep and treat your hair day-to-day, smart styling and maintenance make all the difference. With these expert-approved tips in your beauty arsenal, you can rock those voluminous, smooth and shiny blowout vibes for days on end.
