Step-by-Step Blow Molding

Use a blow dryer with heating and cooling features, or blow molding will be tough.

Getting that fresh from the salon look can be daunting to most. Professional stylists often achieve the most beautiful styles with a simple blow dryer and brush. Soft, bouncy and shiny hair can be achieved with the proper blow-drying techniques. Learning to properly blow mold can save you tons of time, and the results can last for days if done correctly. With a little practice and the know-how, you will have fresh-from-the-salon-looking hair every time you step out of the house.

Things You'll Need

• Blow dryer equipped with cool button
• Round brush
• Vent brush
• Hair clips
• Mousse or gel

Instructions

1. Begin with wet hair that has been brushed thoroughly. Apply a liberal amount of mousse or gel throughout the hair with your hands. Make sure to cover problem areas such as cowlicks or places that tend to frizz such as around the face. Shake out the hair to allow air to reach the roots and hair shaft. This can be done by flipping your head over and messing your hair with your hands.

2. Section off a 3-inch portion of hair under the ears and pin the rest up with hair clips. Choose the type of brush that you would like to use. Round brushes are great for adding body and lift, while vent brushes are ideal for straight styles or for removing curl from naturally curly hair.

3. Place the brush under a section of the previously sectioned-off hair. Switch the blow dryer to high heat and begin manipulating the hair while drying. For extra lift, direct the brush toward the scalp while drying; this will train the roots upward. For a straighter style, pull the hair down toward the shoulders while drying. Always hold the blow dryer in a downward position while drying; this will keep the cuticles on the hair sleek and help prevent pesky fly-aways.

4. Manipulate the ends of the hair on the hairbrush into the desired style and press the cool button. For example, if your finished style required the ends of your hair to be flipped under, direct the warm hair over the brush and angle under. Press the cool button on the dryer and cool the hair down while still on the brush. This will set the style.

   For straighter styles with flipped ends, do the opposite. Direct the hair upward before cooling down. Continue on with the style, letting down 4-inch sections of hair at a time until the style is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• To cut back on drying time, allow hair to partially air dry after applying styling product, or finger dry with the blow dryer for a few minutes.

• Do not hold the dryer in a single position for too long. This could result in burns to the hair and scalp.

• Never operate a blow dryer around running water.

Resources

• Hair Boutique: Celebrity Hairdresser Tips--Blow Drying Your Hair