Blowout: practice makes perfect

Swingy, glossy, straight hair is ever popular, and a few key blow-drying tricks will help you master the moves at home. Whether you do it yourself or opt for help from a salon, the results should last for several days if it’s done right.


Here are a few hints:
Step 1: Wash and condition your hair with products designed for your hair type.
The first line of defense to the hair shaft is a good conditioner, said stylist David Evangelista on an edition of CBS’s “The Early Show.” Then towel dry it with a good absorbent towel. “Do not rub it! If you rub, you could damage the cuticle,” explained Evangelista, “and for the perfect blowout, you really want the cuticle to be smooth and unruffled. If you rub, you're going to get frizzy and there goes the look. Just blot."

Work a leave-in conditioner through your hair from the tips up to the roots. Distribute it evenly over every strand. If your hair is fine, use a leave-in spray. If your hair tends to curl, use a richer cream. .Hold off on shine serums until the end of the blowout session, since they tend to evaporate with heat.

Step 2: Detangle sections of hair with a wide-tooth comb. Then divide it into four segments with a pointed tail comb. Make one big section on each side of the head and two in the back. Twist up all but one part and secure with sturdy clips. If your hair is über-thick, divide each bigger segment into three mini sections. Everything but the part you work on should be pinned out of the way. (Start with one of the front segments.)

Make sure you use a brush designed for your hair type. For course or curly hair, a boar bristle brush is a good choice. For finer hair, select a metal brush which will help manipulate style and lift into the hair as you blow-dry.

Step 3: Hold the dryer an inch from the roots of your hair. Slide your fingers close to the scalp and pull the section out a few inches, making sure the tension is evenly distributed throughout the strands. Once the roots are dry, hold the dryer above the hair and roll a round brush forward, down through the section. Repeat if necessary until you get a nice finish. Then, progress slowly through the other sections of the hair. Patience is key to a good outcome.

Step 4: When you finish drying, go back in with more products that give shine and protect the hair from humidity. Finishing oils are good for dry hair with flyaways, but a lighter shine cream is better for fine hair.

Now that you have the know-how, why don’t you give it a try. “Practice makes perfect,” the saying goes, but if you find yourself needing extra help, we are available. Located in Palos Heights, Ill., about 18 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, we would be happy to answer your questions or set up a hair-styling appointment, so email us or give us a ring.


For more info, please call for free hair analysis

Salon Trendz
12859 S. Harlem Ave.
Palos Heights, IL 60463.
Tel: 708-671-1333
http://www.SalonTrendz.com