1). Choose Your Tools Wisely
Different hair types require different tools, so make sure you are using the ones that are right for you. If your hair is the type that curls at the roots, Webb says to use a large, boar bristle round brush, which will grab hair right at the root. If you have moderately frizzy hair, Webb suggests using a round brush with an aluminum core — the metal "heats up and works like a curling iron to smooth and shape the hair." For products, choose a light serum, oil, or pomade to smooth down flyaways, and always be sure to apply product only from your mid-shaft down — never on the roots. "Applying product at the root will just take two days off your blowout," she says. Webb also likes using hairspray to tame frizz; she sprays it on her hands and rubs it in the hair to get a smoothing effect without the sticky, tacky feeling.
2). Repeat After Me
The number one secret to getting your hair to look like a million bucks is repetition. "There is a reason it takes a stylist 45 minutes to do a blowout: They go through every single section to get it smooth," says Webb. Rough dry your hair about ten percent dry; Webb says it's easiest to manipulate the hair when it's wet. Grab a one-inch section of hair and, with the blow dryer directed downward, roll the brush down through the hair. Do it over and over again until the strand is dry and sleek, then move on to the next section.
3). Long Live The Blowout
While it varies by hair type, most blowouts can last as long as three days. If it droops or starts looking janky, Webb has a few tricks for reviving your 'do. "Your hairline is going to be the first area to deteriorate," says Webb. "Pull your hair back into a ponytail and isolate those sections with your brush and blow dryer." Be sure to have a mirror handy so you can tackle kinks in the back of your hair as well. You can also grab a curling iron and curl the ends of your hair — this will switch up your style and help get rid of any frizz. Last but not least, don't forget the humble bottle of dry shampoo. "I'm a huge fan of dry shampoo," says Webb. "Spray it a couple of inches away from your root to take out the oils, give your hair a bit of lift, and bump up the root area," she says.
Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo