Sleek, shiny and perfect—if only we could afford to get our hair blown out every day by a professional.Professional blow outs are usually just for special occasions, so unless you are a celebrity or have a hairdresser on-call, getting your hair done every day is unlikely. Blowing out your hair at home is possible, but time-consuming (and requires a practiced hand). So, how do you make your salon blow-dry last a few more days?
With a little bit of patience and the right tools, you can preserve your blow out for up to a week. Try these tips to help maintain your sleek ‘do:
Avoid using styling products
This may seem counterintuitive, as your first instinct is to use hairspray, mousse and oils to help keep hair sleek, smooth and in place; however, styling products (particularly silicone and oil-based) will only attract dirt from the air and trap the oil your scalp produces—which will cause your blow out to go limp much faster.
Do use dry shampoo to sop up oil
Depending on how much oil your scalp produces, your roots might need a touch up by the end of day one, two or day three following your blow out. Dry shampoo is basically a powder that absorbs excess oil that can be sprayed or sprinkled over greasy areas.
Many dry shampoos are scented, so they can help mask the scent of hair that hasn’t been washed in a few days. When applying the dry shampoo, focus on the roots and spread or spray along your parts.
Minimize touching
While you might be tempted to flip, muss and play with your freshly blown-out locks (so smooth! so shiny!), the more you touch your hair, the more dirt you will transfer to the hair, weighing it down. Plus, playing with your hair can cause an increase in oil production—which, with the extra dirt, can shorten the lifespan of a blow out. If you need to rejuvenate your hairdo, try to style just once during the day, with dry shampoo on hand to whisk away greasy spots.
Just wash the bangs
If you have bangs or fringe, these are usually the first sections of your hair that will become flat and greasy after a professional blow-out, and even more so if they touch your face. Although you do have the option of using dry shampoo on the bangs, dry shampoo is usually more effective in denser areas of hair. If you feel that your bangs are weighing down the look, you can just wet the area, shampoo the fringe with a gentle balancing shampoo, and then blow it out.
Tie up your hair in a loose bun
If you are going to work out after a blow out, put your hair up in a loose bun to keep your hair from getting in your face. Not only will you help preserve your blow out while exercising by keeping water away from it, but you can actually create additional volume and body at the roots by putting it up in a bun. Use a soft hair tie that doesn’t press down too tightly on the hair (to avoid creating any creases or lines in the hair).
Use a shower cap
Heat and water are the enemies of your blow out, but you can’t go without showering just to keep your hair smooth and sleek, especially after you work up a sweat at the gym. So, when you bathe, wear a fabric lined shower cap (the fabric will help keep your hair smoother and drier than conventional plastic ones). The cap will keep out any stray drops of water, steam or heat that can cause the hair cuticles to expand and frizz.
Extending your blow out can also help improve the overall condition of your hair as you’re not subjecting your hair to heated styling tools as frequently, therefore, there’s less wear and tear on the delicate strands. Next time you get your hair blown out, straightened or styled at the salon, prolong your smooth style with these tips.
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer and mother who shares valuable tips and tricks for hair, skin and nails. As a mother of three, she doesn’t always have the time to go to a salon to care for her hair, so she follows these tips in between her visits. Follow her on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter to find more tips like these!