Blowout Basics: Achieve Salon-Quality Results at Home

Have you ever tried to reproduce that same salon blow-dry look at home? I know it's hard, so let me help you!

I love a fresh blowout.

I didn't come out of the womb knowing how to blow-dry my hair with a round brush. It took practice. Trust me, there were many brushes stuck in my hair and lots of F-bombs in the learning process. I've put together some tips to help you get started on achieving that smooth, salon-made blowout. These tips can help prevent the brush from getting stuck in your hair!

1. Use good-quality products

Using good products will help you get a smooth, frizz-free look. It is also a good idea to use a product that protects your hair from the heat of the dryer.

I do use different products depending on the look I'm going for and what my hair needs. Here are some of my go-tos.

When my hair is towel-dried, I like to use a couple of leave-in conditioners. I have a lot of tangles, so I Enjoy conditioning spray. This not only helps detangle my hair but also adds moisture.

Another leave-in conditioner that is a must for me is Kenra's Blowdry spray. The blow dryer can get very hot, so it's very important to use protection. This spray provides intense heat protection up to 428 degrees. Other benefits include humidity resistance, adds moisture, and cuts down your blow-dry time. It's a game-changer.

Add oil, especially if you have extensions in. Davines Oi hair oil is my go-to. It adds shine, smoothness, and a polished finish. If you're looking for an oil that offers a bit more damage control, K18's Oil is best. It's very lightweight.

If you're having a hard time keeping the blowout style, a mousse might be your friend. I like using Kenras blow-dry mousse 12. You would use this after your leave-in conditioners while the hair is still wet. The numbers on the Kenra bottles indicate the strength of the hold. The higher the number, the stronger the hold.

I have provided all my affiliate links. If you click on a brand above, it will take you to the company's store on Amazon. I do have all the products in the Salon, but I know it can be easier to have Amazon ship them to you. If you are ordering hair products, be sure the company sending them is actually the brand. You'll usually find that info at the bottom of the photo. Enjoy is the only company that is not on Amazon. You can find it at Charm. We offer pickup and shipping options.

2. Choosing the right brush

The size and material of the round brush matter. I could write one full blog on just brushes. I will make a long story short. Your hair should wrap around the brush at least once. I prefer two times to get the maximum volume and or curl.

I like to use bigger round brushes on myself because I have long hair.

The smaller round brushes get tangled in my hair. If your hair is shoulder-length or shorter, a brush with a smaller diameter is ideal.

The two most common ones I use are the vented metal round brushes and the boar-bristle round brushes. The vented metal round brush is good for getting a curl, and the hair tends to dry faster. Just keep in mind that a hot blow dryer on metal will heat your hair. Boar bristle brushes are better for keeping your hair healthy. They're also good for helping you keep the tension in the hair—more on that on tip number 5.

For my brush recommendations, I like Olivia Garden's vented round brushes. It has a nice grip so that you can hold the tension on the hair better. For boar bristle, I like the DomDom round brushes or Ibizas.

3. Start using the round brush when your hair is about 90 percent dry.

If you start the blowout right off the bat with a round brush you are just drying your hair. You are using a lot of energy and your arms will pay the price. If this is how you've been doing your blowouts, I can see why this would be an unenjoyable experience for you. This can also dry out your hair. Your hair will only start forming to the brush while it's at that percentage of dryness.

The above does not apply to you if you have extremely curly hair. You may have to start drying right away. Start in the front at the flyaways.

4. Use a blowdryer attachment

Use the concentrator nozzle. Many blow-dryers come with attachments. This specific nozzle looks like the one in the picture. The way it is shaped helps concentrate the airflow to achieve that smoothness.

5.Take small sections

Until you have mastered the blow-dry, I suggest you take smaller sections to have better control. This will prevent you from getting "lost." This will also help control frizz. Use the con

6. Keep the tension

This is so important for the smoothness of your blowout. You have to keep the tension so that the hair forms without frizz. If this step is difficult for you, I highly suggest you get a boar bristle brush.

7. Cool it down.

Ever wonder why blow-dryers have that cool setting? It helps set the curl. The heat forms it, and the cool sets the shape. Cooling the hair also helps the style last longer. As your hair is still wrapped in the brush, you can use the cool setting, or, as I prefer, just hold the brush there without the blow dryer until the hair has completely cooled down.

I hope these tips were helpful. Let me know how they worked for you. Better yet, tag me! IG at @charmedbycrystal or on FB @SBcharmstudio

*all links are affiliate links