That fresh out of the salon feel is second to none. While we can buy the same products and tools to try and recreate the experience at home there is something about a hair stylist’s hands that creates the perfect blowout. Well as they continue to tighten restrictions and we’re all left to try and save costs where we can, why not look into perfecting your at home blowout?
Here are some of my favourite products and tools to get the best tresses at home (even if they’re not salon quality.)
Styling Products
Fresh out of the shower, the products used for prep is just as important as the tools. Before your hair sees any heat, please, please, PLEASE use a heat protection spray. Any products layered work best on towel dry hair – if you’re hair is dripping wet either give it a few minutes. Right now, I am using the Bumble & Bumble Protective Primer ($32), which is a great multi-use product. Not only does it protect my luscious locks from heat damage but it works as a great post-shower softening detangler and it smells delicious.
To add a bit of natural body to my hair I use the AG Hair Cloud ($26) – it’s 98% natural, ultra lightweight and is never sticky! I also love the entire AG Hair Naturals line and usually opt for mousse that comes in a non-aerosol foam.
After blowdrying I use the teensiest (literally just a few drops) of the Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil ($50) to add a bit of a shine and to smooth my ends.
Using a Round Brush & Hair Dryer
This is the traditional way to blowout your tresses. I usually start with a rough blowdry to get my hair mostly dry and just use my fingers to comb through my hair. When it comes to dry your hair the type of hair brush you use is important. A round brush is ideal to create a natural wave or curl. Note, the smaller the brush the tighter the curl!
The style of brush you’re looking for is the type with vents to allow for air circulation plus the metal base works similarly to a styling wand and holds heat for better styling. (Something like this Verb one is what I would recommend!) While picking out a brush, boar bristles have a time and a place, but for beginners I would steer clear. For curling and rolling your hair there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to boar bristles. Boar bristles also collect dust like no other so you have to be mindful to keep your brush clean!
Using a Hot Air Brush
Two birds, one stone? Hot air brushes were all the rage in the 90’s but they still work to create an Instagram worth hairdo from home. This is the combination Pizza Hut Taco Bell of hair drying. Like round brushes, it’s available with and without boar bristles but instead of holding a brush and hair dryer you’ll only be working with one tool. The heat and airflow comes from the brush itself and comes out through the vents. Plus, a hot air brush is seemingly more intuitive to use than a round brush/hair dryer combo.
The one I use is from Hot Tools ($80) and I got it from London Drugs. These hair tools can get pricy, so in generally I would not recommend this to anyone who isn’t a hair dry enthusiast.
Technique
Divide and conquer, that’s always the best bet to tackle any hairstyles. I use clips to section off my hair into 1-inch sections and when I use a blow dryer I make sure to aim the nozzle downward to avoid irritating my hair cuticle. With the brush (hot air or otherwise) I roll each section of my hair around the barrel and curl inward and upward to add extra body. I always finish each style with a shot of cold air to really lock it in.
The Verdict
Listen, I am a blow dry bitch. I always blow dry my hair until it’s bone dry post shower and letting my hair air dry is excruciatingly time consuming and my hair looks terrible when I do. Because I am all about that blow-dry life I think that a hot air brush is worth the investment. Drugstores have tons that are under $100 and if you really want to go balls to the wall the Dyson Airwrap has a brush head attachment (that makes it worth $700.)
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