Hilda R. Smith 
I’m going to be perfectly honest – my hair is a major factor in my daily self-esteem level. I could be decked out in a designer outfit and have my makeup applied by Bobbi Brown herself and still feel like hiding out at home thanks to frizzy hair. Because of this hair-dependence, I’ve become a master at making my style last for as long as possible. My secret weapon? A fantastic blow out.
Whether you’re practically a pro with a round brush and blow dryer in your bathroom, or you require regular visits to a true salon professional, a good blow out is an investment in time and money. It only makes sense to safeguard that investment. And by prolonging the time between blow outs, you’re eliminating the consistent stress and potential over-heating that daily styling can cause on your strands. Follow these quick tips to make the most of a good blow out.
Choose the Right Tools
Girl getting hair cut at a salonAn ionic hair dryer and a round natural bristle brush are essential in getting (and keeping) a great blow out. Ionic hair dryers are the gold standard in salons, and they’ve become more accessible and affordable for the rest of us.
What’s so great about ionic dryers? They don’t strip the hair of moisture during the drying process. Instead, ceramic heaters negatively charge to break down water molecules.
This technology allows you to dry your hair faster while maintaining its strength and shine. A natural bristle brush (like boar bristle) straightens and smoothes strands without snagging or tearing them.
Use as few products as possible (straightening lotion, sprays, etc) on your finished blow out. The more product you put into your hair, the more likely it is that your locks will attract dirt. You could end up with a very greasy scalp after just a day or two.
Hands Off
Avoid touching your hair and scalp. Every time you twirl, flip, or play with your hair, you’re drawing dirt from the air and natural oils from your fingertips right to your scalp.
You should also avoid pulling your hair back very tightly in either a headband or a ponytail holder. Doing so increases the likelihood of bumps, waves and lumps ocurring in your hair – not good come day two or three! Cut down on snarls while you sleep by resting your head on a satin pillowcase. A satin case has just enough “slip” to it to keep you from waking up with knots and frizz.
Touch Up As Needed
You may wake up the day or two after a blow out and need to do some minor touching up. The two spots that will most likely need a little maintenance are across the top layers of your hair and along your neckline.
Don’t worry if you have a little bit of frizz or if your part has fallen flat. Reach for your flat iron to set your hair straight where needed.
If you’ve got a touch of frizz, mist lightly with water and blow dry. If you notice a touch of greasiness along your scalp, hit it with a little bit of dry shampoo. There are lots of great formulas of dry shampoo on the market, both in aerosol and non-aerosol formulas.
Style Accordingly
The first and second days after a blow out are naturally the best times for you to wear your hair down and loose. On day three, try a half-up half down style. It’ll make the most of the straightness that a blow out can achieve while masking roots that may begin falling flat. On day four, make the most of the texture of your hair to create a sophisticated ponytail or a fun up-do
