Breaking down the ‘blow dry’

By Erica Vella

So you walk out of a salon with that wicked blow dry and think to yourself, ‘I am totally going to try this at home’, but when you do, your hair looks like something out of a horror film.

How does that happen? Your stylist makes your blow dry look absolutely effortless. How can it be THAT challenging?

Fear not friends:

This month, P & H Salon and Spa is breaking down the blow dry.

Step one: Turn sopping wet hair to damp.

What is the key to an excellent blow dry? Make it easy for yourself.

After you step out of the shower, towel dry your hair and get rid of excess moisture by gently blow drying your hair says Paolo Santelli, director of P & H Salon and Spa.

Step two: Apply desired product.

Brushing your hair can be painful when it is freshly washed. Santelli suggests using a leave in conditioner to remove those tough tangles.

“I suggest using OI by Davines. It gives hair a healthy looking shiny and also makes hair brush a gentle experience.”

Step three: The brush.

The tools you use will determine the type of blow dry you’ll end up with.

“The longer the hair, the larger the brush,” Santelli said. “If you want more curls and waves in your blow dry, use a smaller brush.”

Step four: The blow dry.

Every step up until this point has been relatively easy, but the best is yet to come.

Staying on track with our ‘make it easy for yourself’ mantra, part your hair in small, manageable sections.

“Taking on section at a time, blow dry your hair from roots to end,” Santelli says. “This will help you eliminate fly-away hairs and give your hair a glossy looking shine.”

Direct the nozzle down. Blow drying hair up will cause tangle.

Step five: Practice makes perfect.

Cliché, I know, but it’s true. Try these suggested techniques after every shower or bath and you will become a pro in no time.

Some extra tips:

Use a heat protecting spray when applying direct heat to hair.
If your hair is falling in the way you planned for it, don’t be afraid to try again.