Forget the frizz! How to achieve a perfect salon blow-dry at home

Achieving the perfect salon blow-dry at home may take some time to perfect, a beauty expert says, but with the right products and technique (and a little arm work), you could switch that messy lockdown look for sleek and luscious locks.

While hairdressers were given the all-clear to remain operating amid the coronavirus crisis, some have chosen to shut their doors and many Aussies have decided to limit visits to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. So, if your hair is looking a little worse for wear, you’re certainly not alone.

But fear not, because Priceline’s hair and make-up director Sarah Laidlaw has some great tips on how to achieve a salon blow-dry from the comfort and safety of your own home.

A professional hairdryer makes all the difference

Grabbing a cheap hairdryer from your local store is an easy option but, according to Laidlaw, for the best results it’s worth spending a little extra on a professional dryer. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds, with the best options costing between $6o to $100.

“Whether it’s a big bouncy blow-dry, a sleek and straight look or a tousled French-girl wave, a salon style result takes practice (there’s a reason that your hairdresser trained for four years!),” Laidlaw says.

“[But] A Professional hairdryer makes all the difference! A few of my favourites are the VS Sassoon 3Q Hairdryer or the Remington Salon Professional Hair Dryer.”

Product is essential

Blow-drying your hair without any product at all could lead to a frizzy mess, so depending on what your desired look is, some kind of spray or hair mask is required, Laidlaw suggests.

For example, if you have fine hair and you’d like it to look fuller, you’ll need bodifying products, like a thickening spray. Whereas, if you have thick, coarse hair and you prefer it silky then softening and hydrating products, such as strengthening masks, are beneficial.

However, Laidlaw says a heat protectant is essential for everyone as, unlike your hairdresser, you won’t be as careful with the direct heat of a hairdryer.

Technique is the key

Blasting the hairdryer on its hottest setting may dry your hair quicker, but unfortunately, it won’t lead to the gorgeous look your hairdresser achieves. Laidlaw says technique is key, and with some patience and arm work you’ll have the look you desire.

“The direction you pull the hair, the way you move the hair around the brush and the amount of heat/cooling time you give each section makes all the difference,” she says. “Depending on how thick your hair is and if it tends to naturally hold a lot of moisture about 15 to 30 minutes would be the expected blow-dry duration.”

After prepping your hair with the right products you can begin the hair-drying process. Start by placing the brush in your dominant hand and the hairdryer in the other. This will give you more control and help keep any potential frizz at bay.

Work in sections to blow-dry your hair, pinning pieces out of the way with a clip or hair-tie. Start by drying at the bottom and work your way up to the crown, making sure every strand of hair is dry. If it’s cold to touch, then it’s not dry yet and could turn frizzy if you leave it to air dry.

And even if you’ve got short hair, achieving a great salon look is achievable. Laidlaw adds: “Short hair is often a lot easier to blow-dry than long hair (providing you have a good haircut!). If it’s a great shape that suits your natural kinks and movement and is cut to complement your face shape, then with a little finesse it will virtually do itself.”