Styling tips from an expert: how to make your blowout last longer
5.7.2023
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Natalie Hemengül
Blowouts exude effortless flair, but there’s much more to this hairdryer-created style than most of us would guess. I asked an expert what you should do to ensure you get the best out of your blow-dried hair for as long as possible.
When it comes to hairstyles, I’m sorely lacking in creativity – and, to be honest, talent. Wanting to compensate for being all thumbs, I invested in a Dyson Airwrap a few years back. Ever since, I’ve been using the curling attachments to style my hair into a blowout – always with the same technique. Basically, I fake the traditional hairdryer and brush method. I haven’t quite figured out yet how to make my creations last as long as possible. The longevity of my hairstyle seems to depend on the day. As hairstylist Yianna puts it, «A blowout can look good for days after styling, depending on your hair type.» While at work at the Dyson Demo Store on London’s Oxford Street, she reveals what can make or break the style – whether you use the classic brush and a hairdryer combo, or the Airwrap (as I do).
The right cut
According to Yianna, the perfect blowout starts with the right haircut. «The more layers are in your hair, the better the blowdry will come out and the more voluminous it’ll look.» Layers make your hair shorter and therefore lighter in places, which allows your locks to retain their bounce for longer. If your hair is all the same length, it’ll be weighed down, causing the style to lose its bounce faster.
Prepare the hair
Before blow-drying your hair, towel-dry it and add heat protection. Then add a few spritzes of salt or texture spray to the ends. This makes the bouncy part look more voluminous later, and allows it to hold for longer. «I prefer to use Aveda’s Speed of Light Accelerated*. It’s got heat protection in it too,» Yianna tells me.
Tools and settings
When it comes to styling, it all depends on getting the settings right. «If I want the bounce to last several days, I go for the curl attachment with the narrowest diameter. This creates tight curls in the hair at first, and keeps it bouncy for longer – even after brushing it or sleeping on it,» Yianna says. You can get the same effect with a narrow round brush. «When curling your hair, select the highest heat setting and wait at least ten seconds.» The hotter the tool, the more long-lasting the style. «If your device has a cooling function, you can use it to set the style before releasing the strands from the wand.»
Source: Natalie Hemengül
Brushing
If you work with Airwrap curling attachments, your hair will look seriously curly at first. By combing your hair, you make the style look more like a blowout achieved with a hairdryer and brush. When doing this, there are two things you should bear in mind. First of all, «You should only comb your hair an hour after styling. This way, the curls have time to cool down.» Secondly, steer clear of brushes. «Go for a wide-toothed comb. This will keep as much bounce in your hair as possible. And it’ll loosen up the corkscrew movement in your hair,» Yianna explains. Finish off with a bit of hair spray and you’re ready to rock.
*Transparency disclaimer: Dyson partners with Aveda.
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
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