The Perfect Blow Dry

balmain1

Perfect Prep

Ensuring a great blow dry means preparation should begin from the moment you step into the shower. Finding formulas that boost volume, add texture and leave locks feeling light is crucial, so opt for a shampoo and conditioner that add volume to the root. Christophe Robin’s Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner with Rose Extracts are gentle and do not contain colourants or silicones that make hair heavy.

Go sparingly with conditioner in order to keep hair feeling light; “Apply conditioner only on the lengths of the hair and comb it through starting from the ends, moving up to the root area,” says Valentina Ingrosso, Top Stylist at Windle & Moodie. Once a week, incorporate a pre-shampoo treatment into your routine in order to prep hair for the intense heat it will experience in a blow dry. The Rossano Ferretti Prodigio Regenerating Treatment is rich in keratin, which helps to restore and repair elasticity and damage caused by previous heat use, and prepare it for more.

After towel-drying hair (“by gently squeezing the water out, but NOT scrunching,” says Valentina), brush through with Tangle Teezer’s The Ultimate Brush, which has teeth specially designed to de-tangle wet hair without pulling or snapping. Let hair air-dry until it is around 40% dry, then get to work on applying your pre-blow dry styling products. Start with a frizz-defying hair oil such as Windle & Moodie’s Shine and Smoothing Oil, which nourishes the hair cuticle for ultimate smoothness.

Focus on the mids to ends of hair when applying your oil, rather than the roots; this will ensure your hair stays clean and fresh for longer. Next, use a little mousse at the root to boost volume and add texture. The Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Spray Blow Dry combines the wave-enhancing properties of a sea salt spray along with the volumising power of a mousse. Finish by spraying Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer all over the hair to protect from heat damage.

Techniques & Tools

Perfecting an at-home blow dry might seem tricky but with some practise and the correct tools, it’s simple. After letting your hair dry naturally (around 40%) and applying products, hair should feel damp yet primed. Split it into three sections: one underneath, and two to both sides. Pin up both sections on the side of your head, and begin at the back, rough drying strands until they’re around 75% dry.

Now, grab your brush; we recommend a round, barrelled style such as Oribe’s Medium Round Brush. Select a two-inch piece of hair and wrap around the brush, then starting at the roots point your hairdryer at the section and pull down with the brush as you dry. Re-wrap and repeat, starting at the top of your head again. T3’s Featherweight 2 Dryer is the perfect blow dry companion, as it comes with a targeted nozzle attachment that directs the airflow downwards and encourages a sleek finish. Repeat these steps with all hair at the back, then move to the sections on the sides. Finish your style with a little product, such as a textured wax or spray just to define the shape and keep things in place. The Windle & Moodie Matte Paste and Matte Texture Spray are both easy-to-use options.

Lasting Styles

While a great blow dry can be easily learned, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes so with that in mind, it’s worth learning some extra tricks that will give your style longevity and make it last for longer than a single day. First, invest in a ‘memory spray’ that helps to memorise your style; we like the OUAI Memory Mist, which is applied pre-styling and locks in your style until your next shampoo.

The biggest single factor when it comes to ruining your style during the day? “The weather,” says Valentina. “Moisture in the air and strong winds can stir up all kinds of frizz in hair.” The best way to combat this is to avoid adverse weather as much as possible (invest in a sturdy umbrella), or if you have to go outside during rainy or windy periods, try to cover your head.

If you must brave the elements, sleeping on a silk pillowcase helps hair remains smooth and frizz-free overnight and will set you in good stead for the day ahead. Before going to bed, tie your style up loosely into a top knot and secure with a large butterfly clip; keeping hair high on your head and out of the way means it won’t be affected as you move in your sleep, and avoiding hair bands will ensure no kinks. When you wake up, unclip hair and tip your head upside down, before blasting some cold air onto the style and adding in some product to retain texture. The ultra light Windle & Moodie Invisible Day & Night Cream feels invisible but imparts some serious polish.