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“What is a Dominican blowout?” is a common question people with natural hair ask. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including who it’s best for and things to consider before getting one.
What Is a Dominican Blowout?
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A Dominican blowout is a hair straightening method for natural hair. It comes from the Dominican Republic and, like all blowouts, it involves shampooing and blow-drying.
However, flat irons and chemicals aren’t used, so it’s a less-harsh way to change up your hairstyle and get shiny, bouncy locks. Even though the style originated in the Dominican Republic, it’s found its way into the United States.
Plenty of salons in larger cities now offer this service to clients, and many people choose a Dominican blowout because of its versatility. You can wear yours down, but it’s also easy to pin up or wear in a ponytail.
Read Next: What Is a Hair Blowout?
How Is a Dominican Blowout Done?
So what can you expect when you go to a salon for a Dominican blowout? The process includes four steps: washing, rollers, blow-drying, and wrapping. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
1. Washing & Deep Conditioning
The first thing your stylist will do is wash your hair. They’ll use a clarifying shampoo to get the hair nice and clean and remove any buildup. Without freshly washed hair, achieving a smooth finish is almost impossible.
After shampooing, it’s time for a conditioner. Conditioning is perhaps the most critical step when getting a Dominican blowout, as it lets the stylist achieve a straight hairstyle while minimizing heat damage.
They apply the deep conditioner to your hair and let it soak in for a few minutes. But your stylist won’t use just any conditioner—the product must be a Dominican deep conditioner, which is incredibly rich and nourishing.
Using these special conditioners helps smooth the hair, and they also make your locks softer and more pliable, making the straightening process easier and faster.
2. Rollers
Once your hair has been deep conditioned, the stylist will set your hair on rollers. This step begins the process of stretching and straightening the hair, which makes it easier to blow dry straight later.
The rollers are also responsible for the characteristic volume and bounce that the Dominican blowout is known for. At this point, you still won’t have any product in your hair.
Then you’ll sit under the dryer until your hair dries, normally somewhere between an hour or two hours. The time this process takes will depend on how long your hair is and how porous it is.
3. Blow Drying
After your hair dries, the stylist will remove the rollers and use a heat protectant on your hair before they begin blow-drying. You’ll notice that they’ll work quickly, which is part of their training.
They’ll use a blow dryer and a round brush until your hair has been blown to a perfectly smooth and straight finish.
In some cases, the stylist may finish with a flat iron. They’ll only do so if needed to tackle any hair resisting their efforts. Otherwise, the stylist will finish things off with an oil or serum to lock in moisture and give some shine.
4. Wrap
The last step is to wrap the hair. You may hear this part called the “Doobie,” and it’s when the stylist wraps your hair around your head. The Doobie gets your hair totally straight and gives you that smooth finish. It also helps give the hair more bounce and makes it easier to maintain long term.
How Long Do Dominican Blowouts Last?
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Dominican blowouts are temporary. They last anywhere from one to four weeks, until the next time you decide to wash your hair. The most significant factor influencing how long your hairstyle will last is how porous your hair is.
If your hair is more porous, the style will last about two weeks at most. On the other hand, those with low porosity hair can wear this style for up to a month.
Another critical factor is how well you take care of your hair (which we’ll go over below). For many people, the temporary aspect of a Dominican blowout is a con.
No matter how well you care for your hair, it won’t give you straight hair for longer than a month. But for others, this method is a perfect way to change up their look for a short period.
Extending the Life of Your Dominican Blowout
There are several things you can do to extend the lifestyle of your Dominican blowout:
- Avoid water/steam as much as possible. Keep a hair cover in your purse in case you find yourself in the rain or caught in a windy day.
- Wear a shower cap in the shower
- Avoid butters and water-based moisturizers
- Wear a satin wrap at night to maintain shine and bounce
- Cover your hair during exercise or wrap it tightly
- Apply a bit of light oil (castor oil or olive oil are fantastic options) to the ends of your hair daily
Things to Consider
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re considering a Dominican blowout:
- Session length. Despite being a temporary hairstyle, a Dominican blowout requires you to sit for a long session at the salon. For some people, spending hours on a style that will last a month or less is not worth it.
- Salon reputation. While negative experiences are hardly the norm, some salons have known to put a relaxer in their shampoos without the client’s knowledge. People with natural hair often avoid using a relaxer because of the chemicals in it that break down the hair. Do research on the salon before going to make sure it’s reputable, and speak to your stylist beforehand to ensure that they aren’t going to use a relaxer.
- Loss of curl pattern may occur. Trustworthy salons will do everything they can to ensure that your natural curls stay healthy and intact. However, no matter how good the salon is, sometimes the heat used during the blowout process can damage the hair, causing a loss of curl pattern. In more serious cases, it can take a few months to return to normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Let’s explore the topic further with some questions people often ask.
Do Dominican blowouts damage the hair?
Despite being a natural straightening method, a Dominican blowout does have a downside: the stylist will apply plenty of heat throughout the process. It’s always possible to damage the hair when you apply heat to it, so any reservations you may have about heat styling are perfectly normal.
However, if your stylist is good and your hair is healthy, the risks shouldn’t be too high. You can also protect your hair when you’re not at the salon by following the care tips above and staying away from blow dryers and flat irons.
Do Dominican blowouts hurt?
Not necessarily. Some stylists are more gentle than others, but the process itself should not be painful. However, you should be aware that there is a certain amount of tugging and pulling involved, especially for those with natural hair.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t get a Dominican blowout?
Anyone with chemically treated hair or extensions should avoid this treatment. Likewise, if you have damaged hair, in which case it’s best to avoid using heat on it.
Damaged hair needs to be given time to heal, and if you use any heat while it’s being repaired, you can set back the process. You’re also likely to get a poorer result, as your stylist will probably have a harder time getting your damaged hair to cooperate.
Can you do a Dominican blowout on short hair?
Lots of people with short hair wonder if they can still experience the benefits of a Dominican blowout. And the answer is yes—the process just may look a bit different if your hair won’t wrap all the way around the rollers.
In this case, your stylist can do a partial Dominican blowout. You’ll get a slicked-back look, just without a full curl. The stylist will likely have to use a flat iron for smaller sections.
Can I do a Dominican blowout at home?
Yes, technically you can do your own Dominican blowout at home. But doing it on your own requires the use of a specific round brush technique, and you also need a hood dryer and large rollers. Most people don’t have these things at home, so it’s easier to go to a salon.
How often can I get this treatment?
You can get it as often as your hair can tolerate it without getting damaged, which may look different for different people. If your hair is damage-prone, once every six weeks maximum is the recommendation.
So, What Is a Dominican Blowout?
A Dominican blowout can get you straight, shiny, and bouncy hair without the use of harsh chemicals or flat irons. Plenty of people choose it as a low-commitment way to change up their look.
However, it’s best for those with healthy hair. When in doubt, consult your stylist to see if it’s right for you.