7 Blow Dry Mistakes That Are Ruining Your At-Home Blowout
Blow-drying at home saves you the time and money of a salon blowout, but small technique mistakes are usually why your at-home results don't look quite as polished. Here are 7 common blow dry mistakes and exactly how to fix them.
7 Blow Dry Mistakes To Avoid
1. Blow Drying Dripping Wet Hair
Your hair should be at least 60% dry before you start blow drying. Styling sopping wet hair causes frizz and over-exposes your hair to heat, weakening it over time. Towel-dry thoroughly, or let hair air-dry for 15–20 minutes post-shower first.
2. Using The Highest Heat Setting
Blasting the highest temperature to dry hair faster causes more damage than it saves time. Use a medium heat setting and a lower, cooler setting to finish and set your style — it protects your hair's natural shine and strength.
3. Skipping Heat Protectant
Heat styling without a protectant spray leaves hair vulnerable to dryness and breakage. Always apply a heat protectant to damp hair before you start blow drying, no matter how quick the style.
4. Drying In Random Directions
Moving the dryer nozzle in every direction roughens the hair cuticle and causes frizz. Always point the nozzle downward, following the direction of your hair strands, for a smoother, shinier finish.
5. Holding The Dryer Too Close
Keeping the dryer right against your scalp or strands causes localized heat damage. Hold it at least 6 inches away and keep it moving continuously rather than lingering on one section.
6. Not Sectioning Your Hair
Trying to dry your whole head at once means some sections dry unevenly while others get overdried. Clip hair into sections and dry one at a time for a more even, salon-like result.
7. Skipping The Cool Shot
Finishing on hot air keeps the hair cuticle open, which fades shine and makes styles fall flatter, faster. Finish each section with your dryer's cool shot button to seal the cuticle and lock in shine.
Small adjustments to your blow dry routine can make a real difference in how long your style lasts and how healthy your hair looks over time.