I've never been able to dry my hair properly. For years I used the 'wiggle it about and hope for the best' technique, soon after followed by the 'add a nozzle and turn up the heat' approach. I've spent hours working with hairdressers, attempting to understand how they always get my barnet looking perfect (and make it look super easy,) to no avail. I have a fancy bit of equipment, oodles of products, more brushes than Boots and bounds of enthusiasm, but until I spent a little time in Aveda's flagship salon with one of their super-dooper stylists it didn't make a blind bit of difference. However, after a hands-on approach to hair styling and simple tips that I can implement at home, I think I've finally cracked it. Here are the ten tips I've learned to ensure the perfect super smooth, yet bouncy, blowdry.
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Tip 1: When adding conditioner to hair, apply to the mid-sections and ends only to avoid overloading the roots. Comb through hair after applying to distribute the treatment evenly and ensure a smooth result; without the combing the result is 'like tie-dye', preventing all of the strands from being conditioned and smoothed effectively.
Tip 2: Dry hair by pressing a towel over the surface to delicately absorb the moisture, rather than rubbing or ruffling it. This causes the surface of each hair strand to become rough, as the cuticles are pushed upwards, and inevitably results in frizz.
Tip 3: Aveda's Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother (£21.00) can help prep hair for styling, speed drying time and help activate styling products. Adding a small penny-sized amount to hair (and combing through) will help create the perfect base and help defend against humidity for up to 12 hours. Always a bonus.
Tip 4: Using Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight (£20.00) will help smooth hair and minimise frizz. (Use the same amount as the width of your ponytail for guidance!) The product has a cumulative effect too, meaning if you use it five times in a row it will keep hair smoother and frizz-free for another three washes without the need for more product.
Tip 5: Split hair into quarter sections and dry each one at a time, starting from the base of the scalp and working your way up to the top of the head. It's much easier to split hair and manage each section effectively, rather than trying to do too much all at once.
Tip 6: Use the nozzle attachment on your hairdryer and aim it downwards, keeping it flat against the surface of hair and the angle high. Always work the hair from the root down and avoid blowing hot air upwards; you may be tempted to do so and create volume, but it will only backfire!
Tip 7: Spend time drying roots in particular. If they hold onto moisture it can puff and frizz out later on, ruining the look you've created. The nozzle will help direct air onto this area, but make sure you turn down the heat setting so you don't burn yourself!
Tip 8: If it's too hard using a brush to style and dry hair, your hands will suffice. You can stretch the hair & using only your fingers and get it pretty straight; don't underestimate the power of your digits in helping to move hair and ensure a smooth finish.
Tip 9: Brushing with a paddle brush will help to smooth out the hair easily and provide much more control. Round barrel brushes can get you all in a tangle and cause more problems than they help solve, so use the flatness of the paddle brush to guide hair and ensure cuticles are dried flat.
Tip 10: The 'wrap drying' technique helps to create a super smooth finish, but with a touch of volume at the root. Brush hair completely over to one side repeatedly, then swap and go the other way; the aim is to ensure you brush out any kinks or frizz, while simultaneously giving hair lift by not working to your usual parting.
And there you have it! Using all ten of these tips I've been able to practically perfect my blowdry technique at-home, ensuring a sleeker finish that minimises the need for straighteners. Will you be giving any of these tips a go, or do you follow any of them already?![]()
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Tip 1: When adding conditioner to hair, apply to the mid-sections and ends only to avoid overloading the roots. Comb through hair after applying to distribute the treatment evenly and ensure a smooth result; without the combing the result is 'like tie-dye', preventing all of the strands from being conditioned and smoothed effectively.
Tip 2: Dry hair by pressing a towel over the surface to delicately absorb the moisture, rather than rubbing or ruffling it. This causes the surface of each hair strand to become rough, as the cuticles are pushed upwards, and inevitably results in frizz.
Tip 3: Aveda's Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother (£21.00) can help prep hair for styling, speed drying time and help activate styling products. Adding a small penny-sized amount to hair (and combing through) will help create the perfect base and help defend against humidity for up to 12 hours. Always a bonus.
Tip 4: Using Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight (£20.00) will help smooth hair and minimise frizz. (Use the same amount as the width of your ponytail for guidance!) The product has a cumulative effect too, meaning if you use it five times in a row it will keep hair smoother and frizz-free for another three washes without the need for more product.
Tip 5: Split hair into quarter sections and dry each one at a time, starting from the base of the scalp and working your way up to the top of the head. It's much easier to split hair and manage each section effectively, rather than trying to do too much all at once.
Tip 6: Use the nozzle attachment on your hairdryer and aim it downwards, keeping it flat against the surface of hair and the angle high. Always work the hair from the root down and avoid blowing hot air upwards; you may be tempted to do so and create volume, but it will only backfire!
Tip 7: Spend time drying roots in particular. If they hold onto moisture it can puff and frizz out later on, ruining the look you've created. The nozzle will help direct air onto this area, but make sure you turn down the heat setting so you don't burn yourself!
Tip 8: If it's too hard using a brush to style and dry hair, your hands will suffice. You can stretch the hair & using only your fingers and get it pretty straight; don't underestimate the power of your digits in helping to move hair and ensure a smooth finish.
Tip 9: Brushing with a paddle brush will help to smooth out the hair easily and provide much more control. Round barrel brushes can get you all in a tangle and cause more problems than they help solve, so use the flatness of the paddle brush to guide hair and ensure cuticles are dried flat.
Tip 10: The 'wrap drying' technique helps to create a super smooth finish, but with a touch of volume at the root. Brush hair completely over to one side repeatedly, then swap and go the other way; the aim is to ensure you brush out any kinks or frizz, while simultaneously giving hair lift by not working to your usual parting.
And there you have it! Using all ten of these tips I've been able to practically perfect my blowdry technique at-home, ensuring a sleeker finish that minimises the need for straighteners. Will you be giving any of these tips a go, or do you follow any of them already?