How to Make a Blowout Last

You've spent a lot of time and money to get the perfect blowout at your favorite hair salon. Now you want it to last as long as possible. This article will give you tips on how to keep your hair looking salon-fresh for a few days after your salon blowout.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• scrunchies, hair clips, or barrettes (with gentle springs)
• shower cap
• dry shampoo
• satin pillow (optional)
• terrycloth headband (optional)

1. After getting your hair blown out, two things will cause it to lose volume and shine: moisture and pressure. Moisture will rob your hair of volume and create frizz. Pressure (whether caused by tight barrettes, narrow elastics, or sleeping on the hairstyle) will flatten hair closer to the scalp and leave dented, rather than smooth, strands of hair.

2. Avoid getting your hair wet or even damp. This means pulling your hair up when standing over a pot of boiling water or washing dishes. Also clip hair back when you wash your face.

3. 

   When you take a shower, make sure to wear a shower cap to protect your hairstyle. Don't take the cap off until you're out of the steam-filled bathroom -- any humidity will derail a blowout.

4. Another reason hair gets damp is because we sweat during workouts, in hot weather, or just running around. Your goal is to contain any dampness to the hair nearest the scalp, and to keep the ends of your hair dry and away from your face. To do this, you will need to pull your hair back.

5. 
   Use wider, fabric-covered hair elastics.

   Here's where you need to be careful. While you must keep your hair pulled up, remember that you don't want to squash it. Always treat hair gently and use hair accessories that won't leave dents in hair.

6. 
   Avoid these!

   Although it's convenient to use banana clips or hair clips with large teeth, resist the temptation. Those types of clips will leave you with unattractively squashed hair.

7. 

   During workouts or other strenuous activities pull hair up and back into a ponytail. Remember to use hair clips or barrettes with low-pressure springs. Although they aren't fashionable, fabric scrunchies and terrycloth headbands will help pull hair back gently and they will absorb sweat as well.

8. After working out (or even coming back inside after a hot day) take hair down and blow dry the roots (using the cool setting) to dry and restore volume. If this is not possible, shake your hair out to air dry it a bit.

9. 

   Sleeping on hair can also derail a blowout. The same rules apply: keep your hair pulled back with a scrunchie or clips while you sleep. Given that you're not going out anywhere, another option is a using wide terry cloth headband that will lift hair away from your hairline or wrapping your hairstyle gently in a scarf.

10. 

    Even if your hair is kept as dry as possible, the natural oils on your scalp will eventually flatten a blowout. For this reason, you might consider using a dry shampoo or hair powder (such as Bumble and Bumble's) on the second or third day after a blowout. Apply the powder -- on the roots only -- to help lift hair and absorb moisture.

11. Finally, a word of advice: if your blowout gets ruined by a sudden rainstorm or other unexpected event, don't let it ruin your day. Blow dry the roots the best you can (if possible) then put the hair into a messy bun. Your hair may not look like it did at the salon, but lived-in hair can actually have some very nice texture -- why else would they sell products called "beach hair" or "bed head"?

Tips & Warnings

• If you know you'll be trying to keep your hair blown out for several days, plan ahead. Ask your stylist not to go too crazy with hair products, as the more product you use, the more quickly it will make hair oily and flat.
• As old-fashioned as it seems, a satin pillow really does help preserve hairstyles -- the slippery surface prevents hair from getting squashed.

Resources

• How to Get The Perfect Blowout