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“What is a hair blowout?” If you’re asking this question, read on. We’ll explain this year’s hottest trend in hair, what it is, why you should get one, and how to get a salon-quality blowout at home.
What Is a Hair Blowout?
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It may have been around for decades, and you may even have friends who talk about it or have walked past hair salons that offer it but have never really fully engaged.
You guessed it — we’re talking about the hair blowout.
Not to be confused with other definitions of the term (think a big party or a tire bursting). Instead, a hair blowout is when you dry your hair after you’ve washed and conditioned it so that it looks sleek and smooth, without the use of curling irons or hair straighteners.
In this blog post, we’re giving you the low down on:
- What a hair blowout is
- How to prepare your hair for a blowout
- The types of styles you can create with a blowout
- How long a blowout lasts
While it’s undoubtedly the case that many, if not all, salons and blow dry bars offer this, you can still achieve this look from the comfort of your own home. That’s enough explaining; let’s get down to it!
The Definition of a Hair Blowout
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We’ve already covered some of the details, but it’s worth pointing out that a blowout isn’t just about having straight hair. It also adds volume to your mane, or if you prefer, soft curls.
Straight or curly, the choice is yours. Whichever you opt for, your hair will be frizz-free and boast tons of healthy-looking bounce!
Don’t want to spend an hour or more at the salon every week? You don’t have to (unless you want to). A hair blowout can either become a must-have regular part of your weekly beauty maintenance routine or something you reserve for special occasions.
Think parties, weddings, a big date night, trips away, an anniversary, or any other occasion when you really want to look your best.
Preparing Your Hair
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Your hair needs to be clean before your blowout. There’s no complicated technique where preparation is concerned. Just comb or brush any tangles out, then give your mane an intense shampoo and conditioning before towel drying it.
This squeezes out any additional drops of water. Apply some styling product just before drying, like a volumizing mousse, and detangle and/or hair protection spray to protect your hair from damage from the hairdryer’s heat.
Hairstylists use intense heat when creating a blowout, so heat protection spray is essential, particularly if you’re going to get regular blowouts. Once all your products are applied, comb out your hair, so the products are evenly spread throughout.
Blowout Styles
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A blowout is achieved by separating sections of your hair into strands using clips (such as claw clips). There are tons of YouTube videos you can refer to if you want to see how the professionals do it.
Next, you’ll need your hairdryer and a round brush to curl the ends of your hair (if you want that loose curl look). Dry your hair until it’s around 80% dry.
Then separate your hair into sections as we described. Use your brush at your hair roots and work it into your hair tightly. Point your hairdryer down as you dry the sections as you pull your brush down towards the ends of your hair. Repeat with all the sections of your hair until it’s dry, and finish off by blasting your roots with cold air to give them some lift.
If that all sounds way complex and you’re more interested in letting the pros take care of your blowout, there are some great styles and looks they can help you achieve. For example:
- Long and straight with volume
- Long gentle curls with big volume
- Messy and beachy-style waves
- A straight and sleek-looking bob
- A messier but balanced version of the straight bob
Suffice to say, you don’t need super long hair for a blowout, but at least jaw-length is a great place to start.
Read Next: Best Hair Brush for Blowouts
How Long Does a Blowout Last?
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A lot of the answer to this question depends on how well you take care of your blowout. If you’re careful, your blowout will last anywhere between 3-5 days, but some of that depends on the texture and thickness of your hair:
That said, here are a few tips for ensuring your blowout lasts for as long as possible:
- Don’t use any hair products on the day of your blowout.
- Go hands-free. Try not to handle your hair to help the style settle and stay in place after your blowout. In the coming days, avoid touching your hair, so you don’t inadvertently pass oils and dirt from your hands to your hair.
- When it’s bedtime, pop your hair into a loose ponytail or a bun if it’s shorter to protect your hair from developing any kinks overnight. Also, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase; it will help reduce any hair frizz or snagging.
- Use an anti-humidity spray if you live in a hot and/or humid area.
- After a few days, try using some hydrating shine spray to add some luster or gloss to your hair.
- If your hair starts to get a bit greasy at the roots, keep things going with a good quality dry shampoo; just don’t overdo it. A light application will help absorb any unwanted oils and moisture without ruining your locks.
- Blowouts and workouts don’t really go hand in hand. To reduce your hair getting wet from sweat at the gym, use a moisture-absorbent headband. The same goes for showers; avoid your hair getting wet by investing in a gorgeous new shower cap!
- If you opt for a curly blowout, keep them going with a curling iron for some added volume when it starts to get flat; just make sure the iron has a large barrel. Otherwise, you risk giving yourself ringlets.
At-Home Blowouts
Blowouts make your hair look gorgeous. But there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars at a salon. You can do it yourself with the Dyson Supersonic. Arguably the best hair dryer on the market, it’ll have your hair shinier than ever.
It’s expensive — $400 expensive — but consider that you’ll bring a salon-quality hair dryer to your home. And, if you regularly get blowouts, it’ll pay for itself in 3 uses.
So, What Is a Hair Blowout?
Hopefully, having read this post, you’re sold on the idea of having your first blowout or returning to them if you’ve had a break. So, what are you waiting for? Get bouncier, straighter, and shinier hair today.