How to Use a Round Hair Brush to Blow-Dry Your Hair

If you’ve ever tried to replicate the effects of a professional blow-dry, you won’t need us to tell you that blow-drying your hair at home can be a major challenge. It’s one thing everyone can agree on. As for what exactly makes blow-drying your hair so hard to master, you can blame everything from your blow-dryer to your hair type, but the reality is, a lot of the issue is likely to be with your hair brush. If you’re blow-drying your hair with help from any old brush or comb (or none at all), chances are you won’t get the perfectly coiffed hair style you’re after. The key to achieving a beautiful blowout all on your own is to pair your blow-dryer with a round brush. They may not look quite as easy to yield as your much-loved paddle brush, but trust us, you’ll catch on quick. Here’s exactly how to blow-dry your hair with a round brush.

Step 1: Allow Hair to Air Dry (Partially)

A major mistake that gets made when it comes to blow-drying is to break out a blow-dryer and start using it on strands that are still soaking wet. While it might technically work, you’re actually supposed to wait until your hair is partially dry. Squeeze out excess water in the shower, then go about your business until your hair has air dried part way. When it’s less sopping and more damp, you’re free to move on.

Step 2: Spritz with Heat Protectant

Anytime you’re going to use heat on your hair, you need to use a heat protectant first. No exceptions! After all, you wouldn’t want to compromise the integrity of your hair for a blowout. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Quick Dry Primer Spray to clean, damp hair, spraying evenly 6-8 inches from your hair. Not only will the spray provide heat protection, but it will cut down on drying time, too!

Step 3: Prepare Your Tools

In addition to having a round brush on hand, make sure your blow-dryer has a nozzle attached. You may have tossed the nozzle aside when you first opened up your blow-dryer, but it’s actually important. The small attachment serves multiple purposes, helping to minimize frizz.

Step 4: Section Off Strands

The less hair you try to dry at once, the faster it’ll go. Instead of pointing a blow-dryer at your head and hoping your hair will end up completely dry, separate your hair into small sections. That way you can dry just one section at a time.

Step 5: Wrap and Blow Dry

Take your first section of hair and place the round brush underneath, then wrap the hair around the brush. When you turn on your blow-dryer, direct it at the top side of the section. As you blow dry, slowly move the blow-dryer further down the section of hair. At the same time, pull the brush up and away from your head to get more volume and curl. Repeat this step on each section of hair until completely dry.

Editor’s tip: You may find it easier to work with both a blow-dryer and hair brush if you’re sitting down!

Step 6: Blast Hair with Cool Air

The cool air button on blow-dryers is often ignored—but it shouldn’t be. Hot air is important, but you’re missing out if you don’t utilize cool air, too. Giving your hair a quick blast of cool air will set your style in place and help ensure you don’t immediately lose the shape and body you just created.

Step 7: Use Shine Serum

Almost every hair style looks better with a bit of healthy shine, and a blowout is no exception. Smooth a shine serum through your mane, then you’re almost done.

Step 8: Finish with Hair Spray

Last step! Don’t go anywhere until you’ve locked your look in place with hair spray. Try the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT High Lift Creation Spray, which provides workable hold and amplified fullness.

Want more hairstyling tips? Here are 3 Hairstyles You Can Create with a Flat Iron.