Blow-Dry Your Hair Like the Professionals

Pre-dry

Pre-drying your hair makes it much easier to manage later on. Towel dry your hair slightly then detangle with a wide-toothed comb to minimise breakage.

Prep

In achieving the perfect blow dry, preparation is key! Smooth over towel-dried hair with a small amount of serum or natural oil, such as coconut or argan oil, but ensure you use on the mid to ends of your hair to avoid the look of greasiness. For curly hair, the trick is to ensure the curls remain constructed, so add a volumising mousse or curl enhancing product to set them. Finally, brush through again with a wide-toothed comb to spread the product evenly. Add a heat protection spray to dry or damaged hair.

Section

For particularly thick hair, sectioning it will make the process of drying a lot easier and quicker. Start by creating a horizontal parting along the back of your hair and fasten the top section of hair out of the way. Drying the bottom layers first will ensure all the hair is dried thoroughly.

Dry

The perfect blow-dry is about focusing the direction of the hair when it is drying. For this, it is best to use the concentrator nozzle of your hairdryer. Using a barrel brush, take a small section of hair and lay the top end over the brush. With the hairdryer on high heat but medium power, hold it adjacent to the hair and pull along the brush. Curl the brush under slightly when you reach the end of the hair to ensure it falls with a soft finish. For curly hair, using a brush will cause the look of frizziness so it is best to dry by scrunching and holding your hair under the heat.

Volume

The volumising mousse will have already added some va va voom to your hair but if you are looking for extra volume, Velcro rollers are a perfect way of naturally lifting and curling your hair. Focusing on the top layers, particularly for thicker hair, separate individual sections and place the roller at the roots underneath your hair. Pull the roller along the hair and when you reach the ends, roll it back under itself to the scalp. Fasten the roller onto your head with a grip and secure with a medium hold spray. Once you have secured all the rollers, give a final spray and warm gently using a low setting on the hairdryer.

Finish with finesse

Now your hair is beautifully prepped and dried, the final steps allow you to polish the look as much or as little as you like. For a bouncy blow dry, remove the rollers and shake your hair gently but be wary of running your fingers through the curls as this can cause the look of frizziness. Position your hair around your shoulders to beautifully frame your face. For a sleek and sultry style, carefully brush through the hair with a paddle brush to eliminate stray hairs and give a soft finish. Finish with a spritz of shine serum and spray to hold.

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Author: Asgar Saboo

Hairstyles of the Rich and Famous – Internationally Renowned Celebrity Hairdresser Asgar on his Brush with the Glitterati

From supermodel Cindy Crawford to Bollywood supremo and one of the world’s most beautiful women Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the name Asgar is synonymous with cutting edge and attention grabbing hairstyles. The UK based hair maestro has worked his magic on scores of celebrities and dignitaries the world over, making the front covers of several leading fashion magazines and item publications with his show-stopping and inspirational coiffures.

As well as having styled top models for the front covers of high-end fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Asgar’s work has also graced the fashion and style sections of national newspapers such as The Observer, The Times, The Independent and The Daily Mail. Imparting his words of wisdom on good hair care, Asgar has also been a regular columnist for the UK’s leading national newspaper targeting the South Asian Diaspora Eastern Eye since 2005. Asgar has appeared on several top TV and radio shows, including the BBC’s Clothes Show and the Asian TV Breakfast for three years.

A regular on red carpets around the world, Asgar’s hair creations have been showcased at glittering premieres, showbiz events and Awards ceremonies, and he is sought after by the top names in the film, Royal and fashion fraternities.

Asgar’s distinguished celebrity clientele includes supermodels Cindy Crawford and Twiggy as well as Bollywood A List stars Karisma Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and legend Rekha. He is also pivotal in the styling of business moguls, ultra-high net worth individuals and royalty such as members of the Sultan of Brunei’s household.

Asgar is famed for the headline grabbing hairstyle he created for Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan, which has been the inspiration for Hrithik Roshan’s wax work figure at London’s prestigious Madame Tussauds.