A great blowout is the hallmark of any stylist’s skillset. Clients leave the salon feeling polished, confident, and glamorous. But achieving a flawless blowout requires more than just a hairdryer and a round brush—it's an art that involves the right products, techniques, and attention to detail to ensure long-lasting volume and shine. Let’s explore the secrets behind creating a blowout that not only wows your clients in the chair but also holds up for days after they leave.
1. Start with the Right Foundation
A successful blowout begins before the first strand is dried. Preparing the hair correctly with the right shampoo and conditioner sets the stage for volume, shine, and manageability. For clients with finer hair, use lightweight, volumizing products to avoid weighing the hair down. For thicker, coarse, or textured hair, hydrating and smoothing products are essential to combat frizz and enhance shine.
Additionally, always assess the hair’s condition and recommend a treatment if necessary. For example, a deep-conditioning mask or bond-repair treatment can help improve the hair’s health, which will make the blowout smoother and shinier.
2. Towel Dry Correctly
How you remove excess moisture from the hair can affect the blowout's results. Rather than aggressively rubbing the hair with a towel, which can lead to frizz and breakage, gently blot the hair. Microfiber towels or soft cotton t-shirts are great alternatives to traditional terrycloth towels, as they are gentler on the hair and help reduce frizz.
3. Apply the Right Products for Volume and Shine
Products are key to creating the desired results. Here’s a breakdown of must-have blowout products:
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Heat protectant: Always apply a heat protectant to prevent damage from the dryer and other hot tools. Look for formulas that not only shield hair from heat but also add shine and smoothness.
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Volumizing mousse or spray: For clients seeking body and volume, apply a volumizing product to the roots. Mousse is excellent for creating lift without weighing down the hair, while sprays can provide targeted volume at the roots.
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Smoothing serum or cream: For frizz-prone hair, use a lightweight smoothing serum or cream to help seal the cuticle and enhance shine. Avoid heavy oils that can weigh down the hair, especially for fine-haired clients.
By customizing product application based on hair type, you’re setting the blowout up for success right from the start.
4. Section the Hair for Control
A well-executed blowout requires organization, and sectioning the hair ensures even drying and styling. Divide the hair into manageable sections, working from the nape of the neck to the crown. For extra volume, you can pin up the crown section and dry it last, ensuring that this area gets extra attention to maximize lift.
Working in smaller sections allows you to focus on controlling each part of the blowout, ensuring uniformity and preventing the common mistake of over-drying some sections while leaving others damp.
5. Master the Blow-Dryer and Brush Technique
Your blow-dryer and brush are the heart of any blowout. Here are a few tips to perfect the technique:
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Use a nozzle: The nozzle on the blow-dryer is crucial for directing airflow. It helps smooth the cuticle and reduces frizz, allowing the hair to reflect more light and appear shinier.
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Choose the right brush: For volume and bounce, use a round brush with a ceramic or metal barrel that heats up, helping set the hair as you dry. The size of the brush depends on the desired result: a larger barrel creates soft waves and volume, while a smaller barrel produces more defined curls or body.
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Angle the dryer for lift: For clients seeking volume, focus on drying the roots first by directing the dryer upward. Lift the hair at the roots with the round brush and angle the nozzle to follow the shape. This technique creates lift and body at the base, preventing flat roots.
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Create tension for smoothness: Use firm tension as you pull the brush through the hair to smooth out the cuticle. This tension is key to creating the sleek, frizz-free finish that clients love.
6. Cool Down to Lock in the Style
Once the hair is dry and styled, use the cool shot button on the dryer to lock in the shape. Cooling each section as you finish helps set the style, sealing the cuticle for added shine and ensuring that the blowout lasts longer. If your dryer doesn’t have a cool shot, simply turn the dryer to a cooler setting for the final pass.
7. Use Velcro Rollers for Extra Volume
For clients who crave maximum volume and a lasting, glamorous shape, Velcro rollers can be an excellent finishing touch. After blow-drying a section, roll the hair up onto a Velcro roller and let it set while you finish the rest of the hair. Once the hair has cooled, remove the rollers and lightly tousle with your fingers. This technique adds bounce and extra lift, especially at the crown.
8. Finishing Products for Shine and Hold
To complete the blowout, the finishing products you choose will enhance shine and help the style last for days:
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Lightweight finishing spray: Opt for a flexible hold hairspray to lock in the style without stiffness. Lightly mist the hair from a distance, focusing on areas where you want volume or control.
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Shine spray: For an added boost of gloss, finish with a shine spray. Be cautious to avoid overloading the hair—apply sparingly to avoid making the hair look greasy.
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Dry texture spray or powder: For clients who love texture and volume, a dry texture spray or volumizing powder at the roots can add extra lift and movement without weighing the hair down.
9. Teach Clients How to Extend Their Blowout
Clients love a blowout that lasts for days. To help them preserve the results, offer a few take-home tips:
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Dry shampoo: Recommend using dry shampoo on the second or third day to absorb oil at the roots and refresh volume. It’s also great for extending the life of curls or waves without having to restyle.
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Silk pillowcases: Encourage clients to sleep on silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction and prevent the blowout from losing its smoothness overnight.
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Hair wrapping: For clients with longer hair, suggest wrapping their hair in a loose bun or pinning it up at night to maintain the style’s shape and volume.
10. Rebook for Maintenance
Finally, offer clients the option to book regular blowouts. For those who love the look but may struggle with home styling, recurring blowout appointments can keep their hair looking fresh and polished. By building this routine, you establish long-term relationships with clients while providing them with the luxury of a consistently flawless look.
