How to Blow-Dry Based on Your Hair Type

By intaglio_admin
October 30th, 2023
Blow Wave

Mastering the art of a salon-worthy blowout at home begins with understanding how to blow-dry based on your hair type. Different textures respond to heat and styling in various ways. This means you need different tools, products, and techniques to get that picture-perfect finish.

Whether you have fine, thick, or curly hair, learn to tailor your blow-drying technique for beautiful, healthy results.

Fine Hair: Amplifying Volume Without Overheating

Fine hair can be both a blessing and a challenge. It’s often silky and smooth but can lack volume and is vulnerable to damage from heat styling. Blow-drying fine hair correctly can add the desired volume, but there’s a fine line between achieving a voluminous look and causing unnecessary damage.

Pre-drying preparations. Start by gently detangling your hair using a wide-toothed comb. This separates your strands without breakage and ensures an even distribution of heat. Apply a lightweight volumising mousse or spray to the roots to give your hair a lift without weighing it down. Always apply a heat protectant before blow-drying. It creates a protective barrier between your delicate strands and the heat.
Rough drying. Start with the lowest heat setting on your blow dryer. Hold the dryer at least 15 centimetres away from your head to avoid excessive direct heat on your fragile ends. Aim the nozzle upwards, focusing on the roots, and use your fingers to gently tousle your strands and dry your damp hair until it is about 80% dry. This helps lift the hair at the base, giving the appearance of more volume.
Drying techniques. Section and clip your hair and start drying from the lower layers at the nape of the neck, moving upwards towards the crown. This gives a structured volume. Use a medium-sized round brush with boar bristles or tourmaline to add shine and minimise breakage. Roll it under sections of your hair while directing the airflow from roots to ends. This will create a soft, bouncy volume. Once each section is dry, use the cool shot function on your dryer. This helps set the style and gives it a shiny finish.
Post-drying tips. Avoid heavy serums or oils, which can weigh fine hair down. Instead, opt for lightweight finishing sprays or texturising sprays. For added height, you can tease the hair gently at the crown.

Thick Hair: Taming the Mane

Anyone with thick hair knows that while it can be lusciously voluminous, it can also be challenging to manage and style, especially when it comes to blow drying. The key is taming the mane without compromising its natural body and texture.

Pre-drying products. Thick hair tends to be more porous, which can lead to frizz. Start by using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner with ingredients like glycerin or shea butter to lock in hydration. Due to its volume, thick hair can get tangled easily. Use a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush to gently work through any knots.
The right tools. A high-wattage hair dryer can reduce your drying time. Look for one with multiple heat and speed settings. A nozzle attachment will focus the airflow and give you more control over the styling process.
Mastering the drying process. Divide your hair into smaller sections no wider than your brush. It’s easier to manage and ensures even drying. Thick hair needs a bit more heat, but don’t overdo it. Start on a medium setting and adjust as needed. Always direct the airflow from roots to ends. This helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and adding shine.
Techniques to try. Use a paddle brush to smooth out your hair while drying. The broad base of the brush can handle the density of thick hair. Use a round brush to curl the hair at the ends.
Post-drying finishes. Once your hair is dry, finish with a cool shot. This will seal the hair cuticle and lock in your style. Use a nourishing hair serum or a lightweight oil to add shine and reduce residual frizz.

Curly Hair: Enhancing the Natural Bounce

Curly hair is often considered hard to manage due to its tendency towards dryness and tangling. However, embracing and nurturing your curls can transform them into your signature feature.

Wash your hair correctly. Curly hair can be naturally dry. Opt for sulphate-free shampoos that won’t strip away natural oils and follow with a hydrating conditioner. Before rinsing your conditioner, use a wide-tooth comb or fingers to detangle wet hair. This prevents breakage and helps maintain your curl pattern.
The right tools. A diffuser is a must-have for curly hair. This attachment disperses the dryer’s airflow and reduces the force of the air, allowing for a gentler drying process that maintains curl shape. Before you start blow drying, remove excess water with a microfibre towel. It’s gentler than cotton and helps reduce frizz.
Techniques for defined curls. Before drying, apply a curl-defining cream or mousse. This will help keep the curls together and reduce dryness and brittleness.
Drying like a pro. Curly hair is prone to frizz. Using low heat and speed settings minimises frizziness while preserving your natural curl pattern. Push your curls upward towards your scalp with the diffuser, allowing them to sit in the bowl. Try not to touch your hair too much during the drying process. The more you touch it, the frizzier it can get.
Post-drying touches. Finish off with cool air to set the curls and add shine. A light hair oil or serum can help tame stray flyaways while adding lustre to your locks.

Wavy Hair: Achieving Balanced Definition

Wavy hair is not quite straight and not fully curly, which means standard blow drying can flatten its charm or make it a frizzy mess. To keep your waves looking their best, you need special techniques to maintain that gorgeous natural texture, combat frizz, and prevent damage. You can amp up the volume with the right approach or go for a chill, beachy vibe.

Prepare your hair. Wavy hair can often lean towards dryness. Always start with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner designed for wavy hair. After washing, use a wide-tooth comb to work through any tangles. Start from the ends and work your way up to prevent unnecessary breakage.
Equip yourself. A drying nozzle concentrates airflow in one direction, ensuring your waves are defined and not blown out of shape. Before applying heat, gently blot your hair with a microfibre towel to remove excess water and reduce drying time.
Styling for waves. Before drying, apply a wave-enhancing serum or spray. This will keep waves defined and protected from frizz. Sometimes, allowing your waves to air dry a little before blow drying can help retain their natural pattern.
Drying techniques. Divide your hair into manageable sections and use a medium heat setting to prevent overheating and damage. To create defined waves and boost your natural pattern, twist each section of hair and cup it gently in your hand. Angle the blow-dryer downward from the root to blast the twist dry. Once you’ve dried your head about 90%, dry the twists without cupping them to separate the strands.
The finishing touches. Finish your blow-drying session with a blast of cool air. This helps seal hair cuticles, locks in the wave pattern and imparts a healthy shine. For added volume and a beachy vibe, apply a texturising spray post-drying. This can give your waves an extra boost, especially at the roots.

Straight Hair: Maintaining Sleekness

Straight hair is undeniably sleek and shines effortlessly. But if you have this hair type, you might sometimes wish for more volume or find it becomes oily quickly. When blow-drying, the trick is to embrace its natural sleekness and introduce a touch of body.

Pre-drying rituals. Opt for a balancing shampoo. This cleans without stripping natural oils, ensuring your straight hair doesn’t end up too dry or too oily. Straight hair benefits from conditioners that don’t weigh it down, so look for ingredients like panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and hydrolysed silk protein. Focus the conditioner only on the ends.
Essential tools. Post-washing, detangle your hair starting from the tips and working your way up to the roots. A flat nozzle attachment directs the airflow down the hair shaft, enhancing smoothness and shine.
Boosting volume. Before blow drying, apply a root lifting spray to the roots. This gives a subtle lift and adds body. While drying, use a large round brush to introduce a bit of bounce and volume.
Drying techniques. Even though straight hair may seem easy to dry all at once, sectioning ensures uniform drying and prevents moisture pockets. Straight hair can generally tolerate slightly higher heat, but always ensure you keep the dryer moving to avoid concentrating heat on one spot. Always blow-dry straight hair from roots to tips. This ensures the cuticles lie flat, adding to the natural shine. Seal the deal with a blast of cool air.

Embrace Your Natural Hair

By understanding your unique hair texture and pattern – whether fine, thick, curly, wavy, or straight – you’re nurturing and protecting your tresses while styling. Intaglio Hair Salon is committed to equipping you with the expertise to highlight your hair’s best features.

Remember, the goal isn’t just about achieving a look; it’s about enhancing your hair’s natural beauty and maintaining its health. For more information on how to style and maintain your locks, book a consultation for a blow wave with a stylist at Intaglio Hair Salon.