Whether you’re working from home and want to glam up your conference-call wardrobe (professional on top, PJs on the bottom), or simply have plenty of time on your hands, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an easy faux salon DIY blow-dry.
1. DIY blow-dry prep
First up, make sure you shampoo your hair twice. This is the oldest trick in the hairstylist’s book! The first washes, the second nourishes (and really scrub at that scalp to help remove product build-up).
Next up, condition your hair with a moisturising hair mask. This will help add moisture and elasticity to your hair and prolong the life of your DIY blow-dry.
Our picks:
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo &
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
RRP: $49.95 each
Stockist: www.olaplex.com.au
2. Protect, protect, protect!
In the salon, the pros always prep your hair with a heat protectant, and you should too. Unnecessary heat is not a friend to hair. By adding a heat protectant to your DIY blow-dry, you can help seal in moisture and protect against damage. Most of your favourite haircare brands should carry a heat protector in their range.
3. Air dry your hair
If your hair is dripping wet, it’s going to take double the amount of time to dry (and turn your hairdryer into a 15kg kettlebell). Towel-dry excess water with a microfibre towel and leave it 10 minutes to help air dry your hair before getting to work.
4. Boost your root!
Achieve a salon-worthy oomph with plenty of extra volume. To do this, use a volumising spray on your roots. Not only will this add volume but it will also help your bounce stay around longer.
Our pick:
Color Wow Dream Cocktail Carb-Infused Volume
RRP: $49.00
Stockist: www.colorwowaus.com.au
5. Use the right DIY blow-dry tools
You don’t want to spend time only to be blowing static into your hair. We love Cloud Nine’s Airshot Hairdryer, which uses anti-static technology to reduce the amount of negatively charged particles, diminishing frizz and flyaways and providing you with that high shine, silky blow-out look. The cool shot button also allows you to set that bounce in place for a long-lasting effect.
Our pick:
Cloud Nine Airshot Dryer
RRP: $240.00
Stockist: www.cloudninehair.com.au
6. Switch up the direction
Using a nozzle, dry your hair away from your face, back on itself, and then downwards will help your hair cuticles lie flatter making it smooth at the root. Add those bouncy waves by round brushing the mid-lengths and ends in alternating directions.
Our pick:
Cloud Nine Blow Dry Bristle Brush
RRP: $95.00
Stockist: www.cloudninehair.com.au
7. Make it last!
Investing in a silk pillowcase might seem la little decadent in the current climate, but if you’re serious about reducing the frizzies and maintaining your hairstyle for longer (not to mention helping to reduce sleep wrinkles), a silk pillowcase could be a very smart investment.
