The challenge does not only involve mastering the technique---it also involves using the right products that can provide the right amount of volume, smoothness, curl or straightness, depending on the look you’re going for.
But, no matter your style of choice, the goal is to end with the perfect blowout---AKA the right amount of shininess and lack of frizz that lasts not just hours, but days (3 to 5 days, in fact!). How do you achieve this? It starts with determining your hair type, says celebrity hairstylist Meaghan Frayne, of Angelo David Salon in New York City. “Each person produces a unique amount of natural oil on the scalp and the products selected to maintain the perfect blowout are based on how fine or thick the person’s hair is and also their level of color treatment,” she explains. “For example, most clients who’ve been color-treating their hair for a decade or more have very porous ends that require more heat protection and hydration than those with mid-lengths or roots in order to create a perfect blowout.”
While you can head to your local salon and let an expert work his or her magic, it’s not an impossible feat to attempt this in the comfort of your own home---especially if you have a powerful hair dryer, like the Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light---plus, it’ll easily save you anywhere from $30–$80 per session! Ready to put your own magic to the test? Here are some experts' tricks and the products they rely on to achieve the ultimate blowout with serious longevity.
1. Shampoo with vigor---twice
Most of us are very busy and often in a rush to get out of the house in the morning. When carving out some time for makeup and hair, especially when a blowout is involved, it’s easy to cut corners when it comes to other seemingly less-important things like shampooing. After all, you just have to apply some on your hair and rinse it out, right? Not exactly. “Most clients have not been taught the importance of massaging the shampoo into the scalp to loosen up buildup from products, working out and pollution,” says Frayne. “It’s also important to shampoo twice and condition only the ear-length of the hair down to maintain the longest blowout.”
Try: Julien Farel Haircare De-Frizz Shampoo
2. Use dry shampoo in-between washes
The gold standard of prolonging the look of clean hair, dry shampoo masters the task of absorbing root oil and extending the life between blowouts. But simply spraying dry shampoo onto your roots isn’t enough. Frayne points out that you need to use a quality boar bristle brush, like Mason Pearson Handy Bristle Hair Brush, over your dry shampoo in order to blend and absorb oil. Additionally, she recommends against using hair ties to hold your hair back, as they leave a crease in your strands and can damage the follicle. “Using hairpins or gentle hair clips instead will prolong the life of a blowout for many days,” she adds.
Try: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - Aerosol
3. Avoid getting your hair wet
Whether you’re showering your bod or simply washing your face, you can’t avoid water for the entirety of however long you’d like your blowout to last. A solid solution is to use a hair towel to tuck even the finest of strands away. Using one that’s specifically meant to hold just your hair is beneficial because it’s designed to minimize frizz, remain gentle on split ends, work for all textures and wrap easily around your head thanks to an easy-to-use button closure in the back.
Try: Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Towel
4. Maintain volume with rollers
If you’re worried about losing height, dry shampoo isn’t the only solution. Celebrity hairstylist, Felix Fischer, recommends sectioning off your hair at night and using rollers or pins to keep it looking fresh. “Sleep on it, take it out in the a.m. and you’re left with beautiful, wavy hair that looks like it was just recently blown out,” he says. For straight hair, he recommends keeping it in a ponytail or topknot overnight to maintain that volume or wavy texture.
Try: Caruso Medium Molecular Steam Rollers
5. Go easy on oils and serums
We love to use them---both to help fuse together broken ends and leave the hair looking smooth as can be---but when you’re attempting to maintain your blowout, it’s best to use fewer oils and serums as the days go on. Your best bet is to reach for a lightweight formula from the very start and one that won’t weigh down your hair and cause it to look greasy.
Try: Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Omega+ Anti-Frizz Dry Oil
7. Hands off!
When you’re rocking a stunning blowout, it’s hard to resist the temptation to take nonstop selfies and caress your beautiful locks. But experts agree that the quickest way to a limp blowout is to run your hands through your hair. Even when your hands are crisp clean, your skin attracts oils and dirt with the lightest touch of a doorknob or even a keyboard. If you have the habit of moving your bangs out of your face, celebrity stylist Sheenon Olson suggests rinsing them---and only them---to get rid of grease. “It is hard to wash only part of your hair, but it can definitely help when you are in a pinch,” he says.
