Left it too late to book the salon, or just want an easy way to glam up at home? A blowout is the answer. Big, bouncy, blow-dried hair has been having a long moment. The 90s supermodel blowout, made famous by the likes of Cindy Crawford, is the look most people are after. Your feed is probably full of tutorials for it. The good news is that you do not need a blow dry bar to get there. You need a little patience, the right tools and a method that works. In this article, we explore how to get a salon-worthy blowout at home, step by step, and how to protect your hair whilst you do it.
How do you prep your hair for a blowout?
A great blowout starts in the shower. The smoother and healthier your hair is to begin with, the better the finish.
Wash with a nourishing shampoo and conditioner to clear away oil and product buildup. Shampoo twice. If your hair is heavily coated in product, start with a clarifying shampoo before your usual wash. A gentle scalp scrub helps too, especially if you are dealing with dandruff or a flaky scalp.
Follow with an intensive mask and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. This is what gives you the smoother, glossier result later. Whilst the mask works, run a wide-tooth comb through your hair. Detangling now means you are not fighting knots once you start drying. Rinse, then wrap your hair in a microfibre towel. It absorbs water without roughing up the cuticle, which sets you up for a sleeker blowout.
How do you protect your hair from heat damage?
This is the step people skip, and it is the one that matters most for the health of your hair. Blow dryers, straighteners and curling tools all reach temperatures that damage the hair shaft. Over time that leaves it dry, brittle and prone to breakage. A heat protectant is not optional.
Use one before any heat touches your hair. They come as sprays, mousses, creams and serums, all designed to put a buffer between the heat and your strands. Fine hair does well with a lighter, volumising mousse. Thick or curly hair suits a richer, smoothing cream. Apply it generously from roots to tips and comb it through so every strand is covered. Then rough dry with the dryer until your hair is about half dry, ready for sectioning.
How should you section your hair?
Do not skip this part. Sectioning makes the whole blowout easier and stops you missing patches. It lets you focus on one piece at a time and gives a far neater result.
Divide your hair into four equal sections, then split those into smaller ones depending on length and thickness. The more hair you have, the more sections you will want. Hold each one out of the way with crocodile clips or a hair tie. This is also the moment to set your parting, centre or to the side, so the front sections fall the way you want.
What is the best technique for the actual blowout?
With a regular dryer, fit the concentrator nozzle. It directs the airflow downwards, which smooths the cuticle and gives that sleek finish. For a big bouncy result, a large round brush works best. Boar bristles are ideal, as they grip and smooth the hair as you go.
Start with the lower layers and work up. Wrap a section no wider than the brush. Pull the brush downwards and follow it with the dryer pointing the same way. Unwind slowly and repeat until the section is dry and smooth. Keep the dryer about six inches away and keep it moving, so no single spot takes too much heat. That distance is not just about the finish, it protects the hair from scorching.
For extra volume, wrap each finished section around a velcro roller whilst it is still warm. This is the true 90s supermodel trick. Leave the rollers in until the hair is completely cool. Taking them out cool helps the curl set and hold for longer.
How do you finish and protect the style?
Once your hair is cool, work a little serum or oil through the mid-lengths and ends for shine. Loosen the curls with a boar bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb for that soft, wavy, bouncy finish. If your roots or edges are still frizzy, run a straightener over just those areas first, then add the serum. A flexible hairspray to finish and you are done.
To make it last, sleep with your hair in a loose high bun. A silk pillowcase or bonnet helps too. In the morning, a quick blast of the roots with a little mousse refreshes the style, especially after a day or two.
One last thing worth keeping in mind. A blowout always looks better on hair that is healthy underneath. Heat styling, colour and daily wear all take a toll. The styling is only ever as good as the condition of the hair you start with. Looking after your scalp and the strength of your hair is what makes every blowout sit and shine.
At City Skin Clinic, we are passionate about personalised hair care. We offer safe and effective custom treatments using ingredients like minoxidil, tretinoin, melatonin, spironolactone, dutasteride and finasteride where appropriate through our online clinic. Our doctors treat hair loss in women and hair loss in men using topical bespoke hair treatments designed around your needs. To get started, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great skin and hair starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
