All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Giving yourself a great blowout at home can be challenging.
Basically, #thestruggleisreal.
Here, they give us their seven best blow dry tips and hacks.
Towel off the right way.
“Don’t twist and toss your hair around with your towel.
You want to start blow drying with fairly wet hair to get the smoothest result, according to Richman.
Play rough (with your hair, that is).
Choose a prep spray based on your hair’s needs.
All of them provide heat protection, as well as benefits like volumizing, hydrating or detangling.
Then, you should proceed to blow dry with your brush.
PRODUCT TO TRY:Living Proof Blowout Styling and Finishing Spray, $24;livingproof.com.
Say no to thermal brushes.
More importantly, they can lead to hair damage.
Bristle density also matters, particularly for efficiency.
It’s also important to dry hair completely to avoid frizziness for all hair types.
TOOL TO TRY:Spornette DeVille Round Boar Bristle Brush, $22;bigdaddybeauty.com.
Dry three ways for pin-straight hair.
Craving a perfectly straight Gwyneth-esque style?
Both Richman and Rogers recommend using a paddle brush or flat brush rather than a round brush.
And technique is everything: First, brush your hair forward towards your face while following with the blowdryer.
Then after a few passes, brush it towards the back or your head.
Finish up by drying your hair straight downward, directly perpendicular to the floor.
TOOL TO TRY:Bumble and bumble The Flat Brush, $95;sephora.com.
Don’t worry about the back.
“If the front has a great shape, your hair will look amazing,” Richman says.
Put the brush on top of the hair and roll it down the hair section.
(See example demonstrated on Olivia Holt, top.)
Use that technique on both sides and on vertical sections in front of the ears.
TOOL TO TRY:Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer, $195;sephora.com.
Rediscover the diffuser.
Don’t use your fingers, because that can cause frizz, according to Richman.
If your hair is very curly, Richman suggests using a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to avoid frizz.
“It gives a lovely dent,” says Rogers.
TOOL TO TRY:Conair Pro Universal Tourmaline Finger Diffuser, $10;sallybeauty.com.
Focus on proper pony placement.
Avoid elastics, as they will leave a dent.
(This might mean embracing the scrunchie!)
TOOL TO TRY:Ricky’s No Crease Medium Bobby Pins, $7;rickysnyc.com.
