Blow dry and brush tips:
The trick to perfect blow dries is using the right styling products and learning how to use the right sized brushes in conjunction with the blow dryer for the desired results.
Learning to skillfully utilize a brush and a blow dryer at the same time". Many people have to practice using a brush in one hand and a dryer in the other in such a manner as to be able to successfully anchor the section of hair being dried with the brush while still directing airflow from the top down.
By dividing hair into several manageable sections that are 2-4 inches in thickness, the rest of the hair can be "clipped out of the way" and there is less hair to worry about for the moment. This allows easier co-ordination between a brush and blow dryer because less hair is in play at any one time.
Those who blow-dry at home need to understand that a perfect blow-dried style: whether for straight, curly or a wavy look, takes time. Whether you're using a paddle brush to achieve stick straight hair or a long finger diffuser attachment to encourage curls and waves, it is best to go very slowly and focus on each individual section of hair before moving to the next one.
The heat from the blow dryer "opens the cuticle and allows a style to be formed". Finishing a section with a blast of cool/cold air from the blow dryer will help to close the newly created texture or lock in the straightness of the section. Start with hot and finish with cold on every section to first build in the desired style and then lock in the style. Forget Shaking The Blow Dryer, One mistake that many people make is that they feel the need to "shake their blow dryers back and forth". This really doesn't have any benefit at all to the hair; worrying about overheating individual sections is unnecessary. The way to avoid overheating is not to shake the nozzle but to use a medium heat setting, hold the nozzle at least 6 inches away from the head and not direct the airflow at any one section more than a few seconds at a time.
To get that super sleek straight look, the airflow from the blow dryer needs to be directed "down" the hair shaft from the roots until the ends.
The products you use on your hair before you blow dry can make all the difference in the results.
Listed below is a general overview of hair textures and recommended blow drying products:
· Fine and thin strands do better with lighter products such as mousse or gel mousse combinations.
· Medium textured hair can behave well with lighter products such as mousse or gel mousse as well as with regular gel, glaze, liquids and creams.
· Thickly textured hair needs heavier products such as extra strength mousse, gel, creams or wax.
Select Best Styling Products:
Recommendations according to desired blow-dry texture (straight, curly, wavy).
For stick straight blow dries, utilize temporary straightening products such as
Straightening creams, gels, balms, glaze or other liquids.
Enhance curls with products designed to give them body and definition.
Encourage Natural Waves with Mousse, gel/mousse and gel products.
Keep in mind that the less styling products that you use, the softer the set.
Use a heat protecterant product if hair is prone to damage.
Remember that a paddle brush is for blow-drying straight styles while a round brush is for encouraging bend, volume and texture. Vary the size of the brush "head" according to how much hair you are working with and how loose or tight you want the look or texture.
Tackle Hardest Part Of Hair First, whatever section that might. Therefore, if the front tends to wave or curl or develop odd drying patterns, those areas should be dried first.
The illusion of body and blow-drying techniques are very important. Start from
the crown and take long sweeping sections. Use a wide-toothed vent brush parallel to the hairline and lift the hair up and towards the crown putting a slight crease at the root, so to put the lift in at the roots before styling the rest. Use a few large Velcro rollers around the crown when the hair is still warm from blow-drying; this can give added lift. Put them in, spray with hairspray and then dry for five minutes with a hairdryer before allowing them to cool down properly.
What you'll need for that professional Hairdressers finish:
· A paddle or round brush.
· A hairdryer with a nozzle to concentrate and direct air flow and reduce frizz.
· Large clips to hold up sections of the hair that you are not working on.
· Products to help smooth and straighten hair.
How to:
First, it is important to begin with just washed hair, especially if you want the look to last more than a day. Start by patting wet hair with a towel until the excess moisture has been removed, then shape the hair into the style that you want. Begin drying back part of the hair to start with. Keep the hair that you aren't working on at this time clipped up away from the hot air. If your goal is to straighten the hair, use the brush to stroke hair from root to ends, directing the hot air on hair as you comb the brush through.
If you want to keep some of your hairs natural texture, blow dry hair by directing the hair drier towards the roots and combing through the hair with your fingers.
Work your way through the back of the hair and through the sides. When you reach the top sections of your hair, use a brush to lift hair straight up and blow dry.
Raising the hair from the scalp in this way will help to add volume to your hair.
When hair is almost dry, the style you want will decide how you should finish the blow-drying. If you want extra straight hair, keep blow-drying hair as before until hair is completely dry. Then, use a styling iron all over the hair and add a smoothing pomade to finish the look.
If you want a more textured look, separate small sections of hair and lift them up. Twist each section slightly and apply a low heat until each section is dry. Then, allow each section to fall naturally and shake head slightly to let the hair fall into a natural position.
If you like to add a slight curl or wave at the ends of your hair, use the round brush to curl hair into the shape and angle of your choice and dry each part until thoroughly dry. You can create more texture by using styling gel and your fingers to shape individual sections of hair. When blow drying, it is vital to make sure the hair is completely dry so to prevent frizz. Complete the look with gentle holding spray.
Dry Hair Faster:
To make your hair styling quicker and easier, wrap your head in a towel for a good 5-10 minutes after shampooing and conditioning so that when it comes to drying your hair the towel would have absorbed most of the excess water.
Fringe Finesse:
For an unruly fringe not sitting correctly due to a cowlick, blow dry fringe in the opposite direction. This will give root lift and settle the cowlick and allow hair to be more settled when placed back in its normal position.
Beat the Frizz:
To avoid frizzy hair always blow dry down and never up. By blow-drying down you will smooth all the cuticles the one way avoiding fuzz.
Get organized:
After shampooing, blot excess moisture from hair. Never blow-dry hair that is dripping wet or 100% dry. Totally wet hair takes too long to dry. Blow drying hair that is completely dry will easily damage and burn your hair.
Gently detangle your hair, using a wide toothcomb. Part your hair and comb in the direction you want your hair to fall. Clip the top half of your hair on top of your head. Now you can start to blow dry hair at the nape of your neck and work towards the top of your head in 1"-2" sections.
Round is best:
Use a round brush to give hair lift, control, or fullness. The size of the brush is determined by the length of the hair: The shorter the hair, the smaller the brush. Using a larger round brush works best on most hair. They can make curly hair straight or add movement to straight hair.
Lift your blow dryer high so you can aim the dryer pointing down. This will make it easier to control your hair dryer and help to prevent frizz. Never over dry your hair. This will make your hair look dull, dry, and fried.
Own it:
Now is the time to make the final adjustments to your hair. Brush it through for a more controlled look or use your fingers to comb through or place hair for a softer look. The old “head flip” with a pinch of hair spray is an easy way to add support and extra volume and fullness.
if your hair is wavy, use a shine-enhancing shampoo and conditioner, but make sure you rinse your hair well. After washing your hair, smooth and separate wet strands with a wide-tooth comb, then cover it with shine enhancing hair spray from its ends to roots. For the best results, dry your hair using a hairdryer with a tapered nozzle to direct air down the hair shaft and seal the cuticle.
Alternatively, if you have straight hair, use a deep-cleansing shampoo daily to stop the hair becoming greasy when it sits naturally against your scalp. You could also use a clarifying gel at the roots once a week to prevent oil building up. After blow-drying you hair, use hair strengtheners to enhance your hair’s shine and keep it perfectly straight.
Other top tips for looking after your hair include not overloading it with styling products, having it trimmed regularly at a hairdressers (every three to four weeks for short hair, and every six to eight weeks for longer hair), and investing in the best hairdressing products for your hair, as recommended by your hairdresser.
Generally speaking its better to use a comb rather than a brush as it is gentler on the hair. If you prefer brushing, then choosing the right type of brush is important.
Vigorous brushing weakens the hair by removing some of the cuticle – the outer cell layer. It breaks it off and, by constant traction, pulls the hair out. Furthermore, any sharp points remove the top layer of skin.
Choose a brush with long, widely spaced, plastic bristles. Plastic bristles are smoother, blunter and kinder than natural bristles., which tend to be sharper and tufted together. Above all, avoid anything with metal prongs.
Brushing hair should never be regarded as exercising it. Try brushing a wool sweater 40 times a day and see how quickly it wears out. Also do not pull at tangles after shampooing: It is better to remove them with a comb first starting at the bottom of the length of hair and working up the shaft. Over brushing wet hair can easily snap hair like a rubber band.
When choosing the correct comb, never use a metal one. Choose one that does not have an obvious molding seam as this can tear at your hair, feel the comb carefully ensuring that there are no rough edges. It is vital when using brushes and combs to make sure they are cleansed regularly, as they are prone to collect dirt.
