By Fashion and Beauty Daily Staff
Why Salon Blowouts Are So Expensive
Professional blowouts at salons can cost anywhere from $30 to $80 or more, depending on your location and the salon’s prestige. The price reflects not just the stylist’s time but also their expertise, the high-quality products they use, and the professional-grade tools that deliver superior results. The good news is that with the right techniques and tools, you can achieve comparable results at home for a fraction of the cost.
Start with the Right Prep
A great blowout begins before you even pick up the dryer. Start with a volumizing shampoo and a lightweight conditioner. Towel-dry your hair gently with a microfiber towel to remove excess water without roughing up the cuticle. Apply a heat protectant spray evenly throughout your hair. Follow with a volumizing mousse at the roots and a smoothing serum on the mid-lengths and ends. Let your hair air-dry until it is about 70-80 percent dry before you begin blow-drying.
Sectioning Is Essential
Proper sectioning is what separates salon-quality results from messy home blowouts. Divide your hair into four sections: the top crown, two side sections, and the back. Use alligator clips to keep each section separate. Work from the bottom up, starting with the nape of the neck, then the sides, and finishing with the crown. This systematic approach ensures every section gets proper attention and dries smoothly without missed spots.
The Right Brush Technique
The brush is your most important tool for a smooth blowout. Use a round brush with a ceramic or boar bristle barrel. The barrel size determines the result: larger barrels create smooth, voluminous styles while smaller barrels add curl and bounce. Hold the brush under each section of hair and point the dryer nozzle downward to follow the brush. Keep the dryer moving constantly to avoid overheating any one section. The tension created by pulling the hair taut with the brush is what creates smoothness.
Master the Cool Shot
The cool shot button is your secret weapon for a lasting blowout. After each section is dry and smooth, hit the cool shot button for 5-10 seconds while holding the hair in the brush. This thermal shock seals the cuticle and sets the style in place, helping your blowout last longer and maintain its shape. Never skip this step if you want results that last multiple days.
Finishing Touches
Once your entire head is dry, flip your head upside down and blast with cool air at the roots for extra volume. Apply a tiny amount of hair oil to your palms and smooth over the surface layer for shine and frizz control. If you want added curl at the ends, wrap sections around the brush and hit with cool air. For extra staying power, apply a light mist of flexible hold hairspray from at least 12 inches away.
Making Your Blowout Last
A good blowout should last 3-5 days with proper care. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction. Use a silk scrunchie to loosely tie your hair up at night. In the morning, refresh your blowout by steaming your hair in the bathroom while you shower, then touching up only the sections that need it with a round brush and warm air. Dry shampoo at the roots absorbs oil and refreshes volume between washes.
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