The Easy Secrets to a Perfect Home Blow-Dry

To Blow-Dry Straight Hair

Illustration of a red hair dryer with nozzle — Brown Bird Design

The right dryer: Look for at least 1,800 watts and multiple heat and air settings, says New York City stylist Sarah Potempa. Medium heat is best for pre-drying hair. High heat manipulates your hair's shape, and air sets a style.
Nozzle: Don't discard this. It is key to a smooth look and keeps hair from getting too close to the heat.
Round brush: Straighten strands, make ends flip, or create waves with this tool. Time-saving tip: The bigger the surface area of a brush, the faster the drying time. Brushes with vents also shave off minutes.
Hair clip: It keeps layers separate and easy to manage and prevents damage caused by overdrying sections.

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Pick Your Products

Illustration of styling products for straight hair — Brown Bird Design

Mousse

If you want to add thickness, distribute Aveeno Nourish + Style Volumizing Foam ($6.50 at drugstores) through damp strands first.

Cream

To smooth and soften dry or damaged hair, apply Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Cream ($21, fekkai.com), before and after styling.

Hair Spray

To add lift and set hair, use Aussie Sydney Smooth 12 Hr Anti-Humidity Hair Spray ($4 at drugstores) on almost-dry roots and all over after drying.

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Straight Hair, Step 1: Predry and Section

Predry and section hair illustration — Brown Bird Design

After toweling off wet hair, set your dryer on medium heat and high air speed. Blow hair until it's 80 percent dry.
Gather the hair on top of your crown and secure it with a clip. Begin drying the lower layers with a brush, using more heat. Point the dryer's nozzle downward to help smooth hair and create shine.

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Step 2: Dry Top Layers

Dry top layers illustration for straight hair — Brown Bird Design

Remove the clip and use it to hold the now-dry lower layers back and away. Twist and clip them into a bun to add waves, or secure like a very loose, low ponytail for a straighter look.
Blow-dry the top section. Aim at the roots to add volume, then work toward the ends, using the brush to pull hair forward and out.

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Step 3: Shape Ends and Finish

Shape ends and finish illustration for straight hair — Brown Bird Design

Remove the clip. Flip all hair back. Part and dry hair around the forehead.
To curl ends, roll them under with a round brush, blast with heat, and set with cold air.
For a straight finish, pull the brush through while drying ends with warm air; set with cold air. Apply styling cream to tamp down flyaways, or mist with hair spray.

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To Blow-Dry Curly Hair

Hair dryer with diffuser — Brown Bird Design

The right dryer: Don't distort curls with too much power―1,400 watts is enough, says Ouidad, a salon owner in New York City and Santa Monica who caters to curls. Curls don't call for a high temperature, either. Stick with the low and medium settings for temperature and air.
Diffuser: This is the crucial component for creating soft, fuzz-free curls. Look for a design that's concave in the middle (not flat). This allows curls to rest inside and take a natural shape.

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Layer Your Products

Illustration of styling products for curly hair — Brown Bird Design

Conditioner

First apply a creamy leave-in conditioner, like Biolage Curl Defining Elixir ($14, biolage.com), to keep moisture in strands as you dry them.

Gel

Next, use a gel, such as Ouidad Clear Control Pomade ($27, sephora.com), to define curls and help set them in place. A gel also prevents frizz.

Finisher

After drying, use a product like Kérastase Paris Serum Oléo-Relax ($40, kerastase-usa.com) to hydrate ends and add shine and hold.

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Curly Hair, Step 1: Apply Leave-in and Gel

Apply leave-in and gel illustration for curly hair — Brown Bird Design

After applying a leave-in conditioner through wet (but not sopping) strands, flip most of your hair to one side. With your fingers, work the gel into four manageable sections, from roots down to tips, evenly distributing it around your head. Finally, hold the ends, shake your hands from side to side, then release to allow curls to spring back up to the roots.

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Step 2: Diffuse at the Roots

Diffuse hair at the roots illustration for curly hair — Brown Bird Design

Set your dryer to low or medium heat and medium speed.
Place the diffuser right at the roots, starting at the nape of your neck. Gently hold ends away from the dryer, letting them dry naturally (blow-drying curly ends, which tend to be dehydrated, makes them frizzy). Move the diffuser around until all roots are dry.

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Step 3: Smooth and Finish

Smooth and finish illustration for curly hair — Brown Bird Design

Put a pea-size drop of pomade on your palm and rub your hands together.
Grasp your hair in front, as if you were sweeping it into a ponytail, and run your hands from the hairline to the ends. Then let the curls go. This will help break up any gel crunchiness. Massage your scalp at the roots to add fullness.

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