How to do a curly blow dry
Do you want to have bouncy and glamorous curls that last all day? The curly blow dry is a popular hairstyle that adds volume and movement to your hair, giving you a stylish and polished look. Despite its seemingly complex appearance,creating a curly blow dry is actually quite simple and can be done at home with the right tools and techniques.
The first step in achieving a perfect curly blow dry is to start with clean and dry hair. Wet hair won’t hold a curl as well as dry hair, so it’s important to wash and dry your hair before you begin. If you have naturally straight or fine hair, you may also want to use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to add some extra body.
Once your hair is dry, divide it into sections. Start with the bottom layer and work your way up to the top. Using a rounded brush, like a barrel brush, and a hairdryer with a concentrator nozzle, smooth and curl each section of hair. Wrap the hair around the brush near the roots and apply heat from the hairdryer to set the curl.
Continue curling each section of hair until you’ve completed the entire head. Once all the hair is curled, it’s time to give it some extra hold. Use a hairspray or a styling product like mousse or a texturizing spray to help set the curl and add longevity. Finish by gently running your fingers through the curls to separate them and create a soft and natural look.
Prepare your hair
Before you begin the curly blow dry process, it’s important to properly prepare your hair. This will ensure that you get the best results and that your curls hold their shape for as long as possible. Follow these steps to prepare your hair for a successful curly blow dry:
- Start by washing your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. This will make sure that your hair is clean and hydrated, which is essential for achieving bouncy, defined curls.
- Gently towel dry your hair to remove excess moisture. Avoid rough towel drying, as this can cause frizz and damage to your hair.
- Apply a heat protectant to your hair. This will help to prevent damage from the heat of the blow dryer and curling iron.
- Next, comb through your hair using a wide-toothed comb or a brush specifically designed for wet hair. This will help to detangle your hair and ensure that the heat is distributed evenly during the blow drying process.
- Section your hair into manageable sections using hair clips or hair ties. This will make it easier to work through your hair and ensure that each section is thoroughly dried.
- Once your hair is prepped and sectioned, you’re ready to start blow drying and curling!
By properly preparing your hair before the curly blow dry, you’ll set yourself up for success and achieve beautiful, long-lasting curls. Remember to be gentle with your hair throughout the process to minimize damage and preserve the health of your locks.
Wash and condition
Before you start blow drying your hair, it’s important to wash and condition it properly. Follow these steps to ensure your hair is clean and ready for styling:
Step 1: Wet your hair
Begin by thoroughly wetting your hair with warm water. Make sure to wet it from root to tip to ensure that all strands are properly cleaned.
Step 2: Apply shampoo
Take a dollop of shampoo in your hand and evenly distribute it on your scalp. Massage it gently using your fingertips to create a rich lather. Focus on the roots and any areas that tend to get oily or greasy.
Step 3: Rinse
Rinse your hair thoroughly, making sure to remove all traces of shampoo. Use warm water to rinse off the shampoo until the water runs clear.
Step 4: Apply conditioner
After rinsing out the shampoo, apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair. Start from the mid-lengths and work your way to the ends. Use your fingers to comb through the conditioner to distribute it evenly.
Tip: | Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate and moisturize your hair. |
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Step 5: Rinse with cool water
Finish by rinsing your hair with cool water. This helps to seal the cuticles, adding shine and making your hair more manageable for styling.
Once you’ve washed and conditioned your hair, gently squeeze out any excess water with a clean towel. Your hair is now ready for the next step: blow drying!
Towel Dry
After washing your hair, gently squeeze out the excess water with a towel. Avoid rubbing or scrunching your hair, as this can cause frizz and damage to your curls.
Instead, use the towel to blot your hair and remove as much moisture as possible. Be careful not to tug or pull on your hair, as this can lead to breakage.
If you have thick or long hair, you may want to consider using a microfiber towel, as this can help to reduce frizz and cut down on drying time.
Remember, the key to achieving a curly blow dry is starting with well-prepared, towel-dried hair. So take the time to gently dry your hair before moving on to the next step.
Apply heat protectant
Before starting the curly blow dry, it’s essential to protect your hair from the heat of the hairdryer. Applying a heat protectant spray or cream helps reduce damage caused by heat styling.
To apply a heat protectant:
Step 1: | Start with clean, towel-dried hair. |
Step 2: | Mist the heat protectant spray evenly onto your hair. Make sure to distribute it from root to tip to ensure all your strands are protected. |
Step 3: | If using a heat protectant cream, take a dime-sized amount and rub it between your hands. Apply it evenly throughout your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. |
Step 4: | For thicker or longer hair, it may be necessary to apply additional product. Use your judgment to determine if more protection is needed. |
Allow the heat protectant to fully absorb into your hair before proceeding with the blow dry. This step is crucial in keeping your hair healthy and preventing heat-related damage. By adding a protective barrier, you can enjoy your gorgeous curls without compromising the health of your hair.
Create volume at the roots
To achieve a curly blow dry with lots of volume, it’s important to create lift and body at the roots of your hair. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Prepping your hair If you have fine or flat hair, start by applying a volumizing mousse to your roots. Massage the product in using your fingertips to lift the hair and create texture. |
2. Sectioning your hair Divide your hair into sections using hair clips or elastics. Start by sectioning off the top half of your hair, leaving the bottom half loose. This will allow you to focus on adding volume to the roots more easily. |
Remember to always use a heat protectant spray before using heat styling tools and avoid using too much product, as this can weigh down your hair. With these techniques, you’ll be able to create volume at the roots and achieve a stunning curly blow dry.
Section your hair
Before starting your curly blow dry, it’s important to section your hair. Sectioning helps to ensure that all parts of your hair are evenly dried and styled.
To section your hair, follow these steps:
- Start by dividing your hair into three main sections – top, middle, and bottom. Use a comb or your fingers to create a clean parting.
- Clip each section of hair out of the way using hair clips or hair elastics. This will help keep the hair separated and prevent it from getting in the way as you work on each section.
- Working with one section at a time, release a small section of hair from the clipped up area.
- Brush through the section of hair to remove any tangles and ensure it is smooth and ready for styling.
- Once you have finished working on a section, re-clip it and move on to the next section.
- Repeat this process until you have completed all sections of hair.
Sectioning your hair before blow-drying will make it much easier to achieve a salon-worthy curly blow dry. It allows you to have better control over your styling, ensuring that each section of hair is properly dried and styled.
Use a round brush
To achieve the perfect curly blow dry, it is essential to use a round brush. The round brush helps to create volume and shape in your hair, resulting in beautiful, bouncy curls.
Start blow drying your hair using a round brush from the roots to the ends. As you blow dry each section, twist the round brush to create additional curl. The round shape of the brush will help to lift the hair at the roots and add extra bounce to your curls.
It’s important to choose a round brush that is the right size for your hair length. If you have short hair, a small round brush will be more suitable, while those with longer hair may prefer a larger round brush to create bigger curls.
Remember to use the round brush to guide and direct the hair as you blow dry. Pull the brush through your hair in the direction you want the curls to go, and use your other hand to keep the hair taut. This will help to smooth the hair shaft and enhance the curl formation.
For more defined curls, you can also use a curling iron after blow drying with a round brush. Take small sections of hair and wrap them around the barrel of the curling iron, holding for a few seconds before releasing. This will add extra hold and definition to your curls.
Top tip: To prevent your curls from falling flat throughout the day, mist them with hairspray before and after using the round brush.
With the right technique and a round brush, you can achieve a salon-worthy curly blow dry in the comfort of your own home.