Here’s How To Achieve the Perfect At-Home Blowout

Nothing says glamour like a bouncy, voluminous blowout. And while we’ll admit that nothing rivals the joy of hitting the salon for a little self-care, you don’t have to sit in a salon chair to achieve the look. At-home blowouts are surprisingly straightforward—all you need is a little practice, the right products, and the proper technique.

Here, we’ll teach you how to blow out hair at home and offer recommendations on the best products to use for full, luscious-looking strands. Read on and get ready to learn how to score silky, salon-worthy hair from the comfort of your home.

What is a Blowout?

Before discussing how to blow out hair at home, we thought it’d be helpful to review what a blowout is.

Put simply, a blowout is a bouncy, voluminous hairstyle created with only a blow dryer and a hair brush. The overall idea is to get shiny and manageable strands without having to turn to other heat-styling tools, such as a flat iron or curling wand. Unlike a blow dry—which simply involves drying your hair with a blow dryer—a blowout utilizes a specific technique to help give your hair body, bounce, and volume that can last for several days.

How To Do a Blowout At Home

Step 1: Prep your hair

How you prep your hair for a blowout is as important as the technique you use to blow out hair. First, wash and condition your hair with products designed for your hair type. If you have dry, fine locks that tend to fall flat, use a “plumping” shampoo and conditioner system before you start your blowout. We love L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner, Paraben-Free, as the duo cleanses, hydrates, and replumps dry hair for up to 72 hours without weighing strands down. You could also try a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to help give your hair a fuller, thicker appearance.

After showering, gently squeeze the lengths of your hair to help remove excess water. Then, work a heat protectant, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Hair, throughout your lengths and ends. It helps protect against temperatures as high as 450^OF and leaves the hair silky, smooth, and frizz-free for up to 48 hours.

Step 2: Detangle your strands

Next, use a wide-tooth comb to gently free any knots and ensure your strands are tangle-free before you start drying your hair. Take your time: hair is more fragile when it’s wet, and rough brushing can contribute to breakage.

Step 3: Rough blow dry your hair

Once your hair is detangled, you can begin rough-drying your hair. Hold your blow dryer about six to eight inches away from your head and dry your hair, using your fingers to tousle it as you go. You don’t need a brush or any tools for this step—just be sure to turn your blow dryer off once your hair is about 80% dry.

Step 4: Section your hair

Here’s where the actual blowout really begins. Start by parting your hair horizontally into two sections as if you were about to create a half-up hairstyle. Secure the top half at the crown of your head with a clip, then divide the bottom part into two equal sections like pigtails. Your parting doesn’t have to be ultra-precise—the goal is to simply to keep the sections that you’re not working on out of your way.

Step 5: Blow out hair

Next, pick up a brush—aside from your blow dryer, it’s the only tool you’ll need to nail your blowout. We suggest using a round brush if you’re looking for a voluminous, bouncy look. Keep in mind that the bigger the brush you use, the softer the curl will be. If you’d prefer a sleeker, straighter blowout, a paddle brush is your best bet.

Starting with one of the two pigtails, begin brushing your hair from roots to ends, following the path of the brush with your blow dryer (use the dryer’s air concentrator attachment to ensure the air goes exactly where you want it to). Work slowly: the key to a perfect blowout lies in the technique.

If you’re using a round brush, we recommend brushing your hair straight until a few inches above your ends. Then, twist the brush to create a soft curl and hold the dryer over it for a moment to help the curl dry in place. If needed, you can repeat the process to ensure your hair is completely dry. Doing a straight blowout is a bit more straightforward: just run the paddle brush down the length of your hair and follow the path with the dryer as you work. Repeat the process for each section of hair until your blowout is complete.

Editor’s tip: Your hair may dry faster on the hottest setting, but all that heat can be damaging to your strands. Instead, we suggest using the least amount of heat possible for your mane. The blowout may take a bit longer to complete, but the payoff—less damage—is well worth it.

Step 6: Finish with hairspray

Finish your at-home blowout with a generous misting of hairspray to help lock your look in place. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray - Unscented, as it offers brushable hold without any stickiness, stiffness, or visible residue.

Are Blowouts Bad for Your Hair?

It’s easy to think that a blowout, which uses heat to style your strands, could be bad news for your hair. The truth is, it really depends on the health of your hair and how often you get blowouts. With most blowout sessions, stylists work with super hot temperatures that will help you achieve a great style but can damage your strands if done too frequently.

The best way to protect against damage when doing an at-home blowout is to prime your strands with a heat protectant and set your dryer to the lowest heat setting. If you’re still worried about hair damage, save blowouts for special occasions and consider opting for heat-free hairstyles the rest of the time.

How Long Does a Blowout Last?

The longevity of your blowout depends on several factors, including your hair type, the weather, and how you sleep with it.

Generally, a blowout can last anywhere from three to five days for most people. Those with naturally straight or slightly wavy hair will likely be able to hold their blowout a bit longer because their hair requires less manipulation to achieve smoothness and volume. On the other hand, those with curly or textured hair may find that their blowout begins to lose its shape and smoothness sooner because the hair can revert to its natural curl, becoming frizzy or less sleek over time.

No matter your hair type, dry shampoo will be your friend. If you find your roots becoming greasy but your blowout remains sleek and smooth, spritz your roots with an oil-absorbing dry shampoo. It’ll help keep greasiness at bay and can help inject volume into your carefully crafted at-home blowout.

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Photo Credit: IG @velash.hairstudio