A good blow-dry is mostly technique. Prepping hair, sectioning it and controlling heat give a smoother finish and protect hair. This guide shows a simple method you can use at home, with advice for different hair types.
Quick answer: towel-dry gently, apply a smoothing product and heat protection, rough-dry to about 70 percent dry, then dry in sections with a nozzle and brush on medium heat, finishing with cool air.
What You Need
- A shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair, such as Mane-A-Tame Repair Rescue Shampoo and Mane-A-Tame Repair Rescue Conditioner for dry, frizzy hair
- A smoothing serum such as Hair Fuel Smoothing Serum
- A blow-dryer with a nozzle, a round or paddle brush and clips
Step by Step
- Wash and condition, then squeeze out water with a soft towel. Do not rub.
- Smooth a small amount of serum from mid-lengths to ends.
- Rough-dry on medium heat, moving your fingers through the hair, until it is about 70 percent dry.
- Divide hair into sections and clip them up.
- Dry each section with the nozzle pointing down the hair shaft, pulling with a brush from root to tip.
- Finish with a cool shot to set the shape.
Heat Settings
| Hair type | Suggested heat |
|---|---|
| Fine or thin | Low to medium |
| Normal | Medium |
| Thick or coarse | Medium to high, used briefly |
| Bleached or chemically treated | Lowest setting that works |
Protect Hair From Heat
Use a heat-protecting or smoothing product before drying, keep the dryer moving and avoid holding it close to one spot. If hair already feels dry or rough, add a weekly mask. See Hair Mask Guide: How to Choose the Best Hair Mask for Your Hair and Hair Repair Guide: How to Repair Dry, Damaged, Frizzy & Chemically Treated Hair.Blow-Dry for Frizzy Hair
Frizzy hair benefits from a nozzle, smoothing product and a cool finish. Read How to Control Frizzy Hair and How to Reduce Frizzy Hair in Humid Weather for more on controlling frizz.Mistakes to Avoid
- Blow-drying on very high heat
- Brushing straight through tangled wet hair
- Skipping the cool shot
- Using too much product, which weighs hair down
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I blow-dry my hair smooth at home?
Smooth a serum through damp hair, rough-dry, then dry in sections with a nozzle and brush, and finish with cool air.
Is it better to air-dry or blow-dry?
Air-drying is gentler on hair, but blow-drying with the right technique and protection gives a smoother, more polished finish.
What heat setting should I use?
Medium heat for most hair, lower for fine or treated hair.
Should I use heat protection every time?
Yes, whenever you use hot tools.
How do I make a blow-dry last longer?
Dry fully, finish with cool air and avoid touching hair. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase also helps.
Do I need a nozzle?
A nozzle focuses airflow along the hair, which reduces frizz.
Can I blow-dry coloured hair?
Yes, with heat protection and a medium or low setting.
Explore the Orangewood Range
Smooth every blow-dry with Hair Fuel Smoothing Serum and care for dry hair with the Mane-A-Tame range.
Related Guides
- What heat does to your hair
- How to Control Frizzy Hair
- How to Reduce Frizzy Hair in Humid Weather
- Hair Repair Guide: How to Repair Dry, Damaged, Frizzy & Chemically Treated Hair
- Hair Mask Guide: How to Choose the Best Hair Mask for Your Hair
- Hair Serum Guide: How to Choose the Right Serum for Your Hair
Shop: Hair Fuel Smoothing Serum · Mane-A-Tame Repair Rescue Shampoo · Mane-A-Tame Repair Rescue Conditioner · Mane-A-Tame Repair Rescue Mask
