Your Guide to How to Use a Hair Dryer for Salon-Quality Results at Home
Achieving salon-quality hair at home is easier than you might think with the right techniques and tools. Generally speaking, a professional blow dryer can be a powerful ally in your hairstyling arsenal, allowing you to create sleek, voluminous, or textured looks with ease.
This guide will walk you through the steps to use a hair dryer effectively for professional results without leaving your home.
Hair Preparation
The foundation for any great hairstyle begins with proper preparation:
1. Start with Clean, Towel-Dried Hair
Ensure your hair is clean and free of product buildup by using a suitable shampoo and conditioner. After washing, gently towel-dry your hair to remove excess moisture. Avoid rubbing your hair vigorously, as this can cause frizz and breakage. Instead, gently pat or squeeze your hair with a microfiber towel or a soft t-shirt.
2. Apply a Heat Protectant
Before using any heat styling tool, it’s crucial to protect your hair from potential damage. Apply a heat protectant spray or cream evenly throughout your damp hair. This creates a barrier against heat and helps maintain your hair’s health and shine.
Use a Hair Dryer
With your hair prepped, it’s time to start drying and styling:
3. Section Your Hair
Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips. This allows for more controlled drying and styling. Typically, you’ll want to start with the lower sections and work your way up to the crown and front of your hair.
4. Choose the Right Settings
Select the appropriate heat and speed settings on your hair dryer. For most hair types, a medium heat setting is sufficient. Use a higher speed setting for faster drying, but switch to a lower speed for more precise styling. If your dryer has a cool shot button, use it to lock in your style once you’re finished.
5. Use the Right Attachments
Explore hair stylers and use attachments that come with your hair dryer to enhance your styling:
- Concentrator Nozzle: This attachment focuses on the airflow, allowing for precise styling and smoothing. It’s ideal for straightening hair or creating sleek looks.
- Diffuser: Perfect for curly or wavy hair, a diffuser helps maintain natural texture while minimizing frizz.
6. Employ the Right Technique
For a smooth, straight look, use a round brush to pull sections of hair taut while directing the airflow down the hair shaft. This technique helps seal the cuticle, adding shine and reducing frizz. For volume, lift sections of hair at the roots with the brush while drying.
If you prefer a more natural, tousled look, use your fingers to lift and scrunch your hair as you dry. This technique works well with a diffuser attachment to enhance curls and waves.
Complete Your Finishing Touches
Once your hair is dry and styled, add the final touches to perfect your look:
7. Cool Down
Use the cool shot button on your hair dryer to set your style. The cool air helps close the hair cuticle, locking in shine and reducing frizz.
8. Add Styling Products
Finish your hairstyle with hair styling products from Dyson to enhance your look and hold. Use a lightweight serum or oil for added shine, a volumizing spray for lift, or a texturizing spray for a tousled finish. Apply a light mist of hairspray to hold your style in place without weighing it down.
Forward-Thinking Hairstyles With Your Hair Dryer
With the right preparation, techniques, and tools, achieving salon-quality results at home is entirely possible.
By following these steps and using your hair dryer effectively, you can create a variety of styles that look professionally done.
Whether you prefer sleek and straight or voluminous and curly, your hair dryer can help you achieve the perfect look every time.