Flat hair is the stuff of nightmares. Let’s face it, no one wants to be walking around with limp, lifeless locks. The perfect, bouncy blow dry is a salon classic, giving you a professionally polished appearance. The bouncy blowout is a timeless, elegant hairstyle that looks fabulous on a range of hair lengths and types. This look is easily achievable and versatile for all occasions.
The bouncy blow dry has several celebrity fans, ranging from Pamela Anderson and Cindy Crawford in the nineties to the iconic influencer Matilda Djerf and even British royalty, The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton. If you’re wondering how you can achieve the highly sought after look at home, keep reading!
How to do an at-home bouncy blow dry
1.Prep the hair:
The styling process starts with proper haircare. Shampoo twice, massaging the lather into your scalp using your fingertips and a medium-firm pressure to stimulate blood flow. Double shampooing ensures that any product or oil buildup has been completely washed out, leaving you with silky smooth locks.
2.Moisturize the hair:
Use a good quality conditioner on your mid lengths and ends. Once you’ve let this soak in, you can rinse out and apply a hair treatment mask to fully nourish your strands. Again, rinse this out and your hair wash routine is complete!
3.Treat the hair:
After washing your hair, it’s time to take care of your locks during the rigorous drying and styling process. Start by applying your favorite heat protectant product all over damp hair, ensuring an even distribution from root to tip. Follow this up with a small amount of volumizing mousse or texture spray throughout your locks.
4.Dry the hair:
Before beginning the styling process, blow dry your hair until it is 80% dry. Section out the top, mid-section and bottom of your hair into even parts. Clipping the rest of your hair out of the way while you style the bottom first.
5.Style the hair:
Use a round brush and a hair dryer with a nozzle attachment. Take sections of hair approximately one inch wide and slowly pull the brush down the length coming from underneath the hair. Use the blow dryer to apply heat, curling your locks inwards towards the face as the brush pulls outwards.
6.Set the hair:
Once this section of the hair is completely dry, release the brush from underneath and turn the hair dryer off. Coil the curl around itself, starting from the ends and tucking under. Secure in place at your scalp with a creaseless clip to cool and set the curl while you work on the rest of your hair. Alternatively you can use a Velcro roller to curl the hair from underneath, fixing in place at your scalp with a grip or elastic band.
7.Finish the look:
Once you have completed a full head of pin curls or rollers, leave to cool for 20-30 minutes before releasing. Unwind the hair, starting from the bottom and working your way up. When all the clips or rollers have been removed, tip your head upside down and finger comb through your locks. This will volumize and add texture to your curls, giving them a gorgeously natural and voluminous appearance. Spray a generous amount of hairspray all over your hair to hold in place throughout the day.
Some of the key secrets to achieving the perfect bouncy blow dry are:
1.Focus on adding volume at the root, this will be where you achieve the most lift.
2.Focus on adding curl at the ends, you can always use a curling tong to add an extra flick.
3.Layered hair will have the most dramatic blow dry effect, as the varied lengths will be exaggerated.
4.Naturally curly hair may take extra effort to manipulate into smooth waves. If you struggle to achieve this style, start on hair that has been blow dried straight before using the round brush.
5.The bigger the brush barrel, the more voluminous your finished look will be.
6.The shorter your hair, the smaller your brush barrel needs to be.
Remember, the method to achieving a salon quality blow dry from the comfort of your own home is that practice makes perfect! Although it’s understandable that technical hairstyles can be frustrating to attempt yourself, especially as a beginner, the process of making an effort with your appearance can be a great form of self-care. Take the time to pamper yourself, ask a friend for help, and prioritize having an enjoyable experience. Remember, you can always tailor different looks to fit your personal preference, so use these tips and tricks to create a unique look that makes you feel comfortable and confident!