It's officially the season for bouncy blow-dries—here's how to achieve it at home.
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With Google searches for "bouncy blowdry" soaring over 5,000% this month, it's no wonder that many of us are eager to learn how to achieve a bouncy blowdry, especially with the party season upon us. However, a bouncy blowout isn't the simplest hairstyle to create. Hairstylists spend years training to perfect the technique of blow-drying hair and using a round brush with a hair dryer to achieve that '90s supermodel volume and bounce. Fortunately for those of us who aren't professionals, the growing popularity of hot brushes and hair multi-stylers makes it easier than ever to get salon-quality bouncy blow-dry results at home.
Nevertheless, creating a bouncy blow-dry at home is truly an art form. After sitting in the chairs of many top hairstylists during my decade as a beauty journalist, I've taken note of the expert tips and tricks that elevate your blow-dry experience. That's why I sought the insights of Luke Hersheson, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Hershesons, to provide me with all the expert knowledge on how to achieve a bouncy blow-dry at home.
**How to Achieve a Bouncy Blowdry**
1. **Prep Hair**
I believe this is one of the most important steps to ensure a bouncy blow-dry. Start with a thorough double wash using shampoo. Ideally, choose a clarifying shampoo like Ouai Detox Shampoo (£28) to eliminate buildup at the roots, ensuring no leftover product or oil weighs down your hair. Apply a lightweight conditioner solely to the ends and rinse thoroughly to keep your hair feeling as light as possible. After towel-drying, I usually use one or two styling or volumizing products maximum before blow-drying. My go-to is Hair by Sam McKnight's Cool Girl Volume Blow Dry Foam (£28), which has a lightweight, airy texture that adds volume and hold without the sticky heaviness of traditional mousse. If you have fine hair, L'Oreal Professionnel Pli (£17) is an excellent lightweight styling spray for locking in your style; it's a staple in many hairstylists' kits for good reason. Also, since we're applying heat, I recommend misting a heat protector like K18's Biomimetic Hairscience Heatbounce Conditioning Heat Protectant (£48) onto your hair to safeguard it as you style. Hersheson suggests the Zhoosh Foam (£16), stating, "It provides instant lift and movement without crunch, simplifying the entire process."
2. **Rough-Dry**
For a bouncy blow-dry, your hair should be 80-90% dry. "Starting with wet hair will complicate things," says Hersheson. "Rough-dry first so you can work with damp, not wet hair, and use the proper products." I like to flip my hair to the opposite side of its natural fall and use the hair dryer nozzle to create lift and volume, especially focusing on the roots. Additionally, you can tip your head upside down and direct the hair dryer upwards to further encourage lift.
3. **Section Hair**
I highly recommend sectioning your hair before you blow-dry, as it simplifies the process. For long or thick hair, skipping this step can be a mistake! I separate my hair into two parts, clipping the top half up before working on the bottom half first. If you have particularly thick hair, consider dividing it into quarters. This makes it easier to effectively blow-dry each section without other hair getting in the way.
4. **Blow-Dry**
Now, it's time to blow-dry, and you have two options. You can use a hot brush or hair multi-styler with a round brush attachment, or, if you're skilled, use a traditional round brush with your hair dryer. Personally, I prefer the former, as it tends to be less strenuous on the arms! "For the technique, channel your inner '90s supermodel: prioritize width, movement, and confidence over perfection. Work in medium sections, wrap, heat, and set," advises Hersheson. Start by taking a small section (around an inch is ideal) and wrap it around the brush. I like to roll the brush under and over the hair a few times to dry and polish for added shine. The rolling direction affects the outcome: rolling with the hair on top of the brush adds root volume, while rolling underneath creates
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It's officially the season for bouncy blow-dries—here's how to achieve it at home.
Large hair this direction.
