Trend Report: The Perfect Blow-Out

It may require a lot of products, time and tools, but it's so, so worth it

By Bridget Brosnan Boscaccy
Published: Dec 01, 2007

If I had a dollar for everyone who told me that they wish I would come to their house and blow-out their hair every morning, I’d be sitting up there with Donald Trump, who could use my services, by the way. But since I won’t be making the rounds tomorrow morning, I’ve created a step by step guide so simple to follow even blondes (naturally) can manage.

First things first, you need to apply a base to your towel dried hair. I recommend Bumble and Bumble Prep spray. It acts as a foundation for your hair, evening out the porosity and allowing other styling aides to distribute evenly throughout your hair. I promise that’s as scientific as it gets.

Next, apply a pea-sized amount of an anti-frizz serum. I swear by Phytodefrisant—it’s derived from plant extracts, not silicones, so it doesn’t weigh down your hair. Work the product between your hands and apply it to the ends first, and then the rest. Follow with Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, applied in 2-inch sections all over your head, for fullness.

One last thing before we begin. You’ll need the proper tools. You should always have a few hair clips on hand to help keep yourself organized, and a paddle brush, even the paddle brush, a Mason Pearson. The combination of the natural boar and synthetic bristles gives the tension you need and distributes the oils from your scalp adding amazing amounts of shine and gorgeousness.

Start wherever your hair dries first, whether it’s the shorter back part of your new bob or your freshly-cut bangs. You need to style it before it styles itself. When doing your fringe, you want to use a back and forth motion on top of the hair, brushing it from one side to the other to work out any cowlicks you may have along your hairline. When that hair feels 90% dry, place your brush underneath the hair and smooth in a downward motion. The same technique can be used wherever there are shorter lengths.

On long hair, I typically start around the face and work in front of the ear, clipping away the hair from your crown for last. You should blow-dry the hair in the direction you’d like it to go. If you’d like your sides to be smooth and straight, keep the brush flat against your head and direct the blow-dryer in a downward motion. Do not move on to the next section of hair until the current section is completely dry.