Stop Making These 9 Common Blowdrying Mistakes

Illustrated by Sydney Hass.

Effective blowdrying is all about understanding your hair texture and type, with attention to products and a focus on technique. Although it may seem easy enough — applying heat to soaked strands — I've found that people actually make a lot of mistakes with it. Although these blowdrying blunders won’t always do real damage to your mane, learning the proper blowout method is key to maintaining healthy, shiny, and lustrous locks. Read on for the top nine blowdrying mistakes — and how to get it right.

Starting From The Back
When blowdrying, it's best to start from the front. By progressing to the back, you can focus on smoothing out the hairline, which tends to be the frizziest part.

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Not Overdirecting The Brush
Overdirecting the brush while blowdrying is essential if you want to create volume. Hold it 90 degrees above the base of the section. Keeping your chin up, overdirect a boar-bristle brush, using it as a roller. Continuously roll your hair back, and release in a C-shape as you blowdry. You can use the cool button on your hairdryer to set your locks — it'll be your best friend throughout the process. For added volume, as you simultaneously backcomb at the crown, reach for a rat-tail comb to tease the crown area, but be sure to fully remove the comb's teeth after each downward stroke.

Blowdrying Too Soon
Most people start blowdrying as soon as they get out of the shower. But, you should never start blowdrying a soaking-wet head. It's essential to pre-dry: Flip your head over to get rid of excess moisture.

Illustrated by Sydney Hass.

Applying Products Incorrectly
Ladies with frizzy hair tend to apply too little product to all the wrong places. Make sure to focus anti-frizz serums on the hairline, where you really need it. And, make sure to section hair before applying products like root lifters.

Using A Low-Quality Blowdryer
A good blowdryer is worth the investment and will make a world of difference in the quality of your blowout. Generally, we find that the higher-quality (and pricier) ones are more powerful and run less hot. A good-quality hairdryer should also fit well in your hand and not feel too heavy. Look for a cord that's between 7 and 9 feet long to give you maximum mobility. Be wary of cheaper options, which often have longer drying times and very high heat, ultimately leading to hair damage. My go-to is the Sedu Revolution TGR 4000i.

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Illustrated by Sydney Hass.

Forgetting The Nozzle Piece
The nozzle is key to keeping air flow concentrated — otherwise, it disperses, causing frizz.

Styling With Too Large A Brush
Brushes that are too big make it impossible to create volume. Always opt for smaller ones. I am partial to the Ibiza Boar Bristle Brush for the fullest hair. Ceramic brushes can be easy to use at home, but they don’t offer the amount of tension needed for the optimal volume. Generally speaking, a 2- or 2.5-inch diameter is best.

Using Only A Volumizing Spray
Volumizing spray can be great for getting volume. But, using a straightening balm, too, can create a more finished look — especially if you're going for sleek. Pro tip: Use one roller at the crown of the head while finishing your blowdry in order to hold body.

Forgetting A Heat Protectant
Oil will reap the best results when you apply it from the mid-shaft to the ends. You should avoid the roots and pair your oil with a heat protectant in order to get a perfectly shiny, finished look. My favorite protectants are Oribe Foundation Mist and Kérastase Spray Fluidissime, which provide shine and control for unmanageable hair, fine to coarse.