Spruce Up For Spring

How-To Recreate A Salon Worthy Blow Dry At Home

We all know there is nothing better than walking out of the hairdressers with that perfect, glossy, salon blow dry, but as much as we'd like to make this a daily ritual, our purses probably wouldn't. That's why learning how to blow dry your own hair effectively is a real time and money saver and will ensure your hair stays styled for hours.

Whether you want to add some extra volume to hair that is lacking lift or want to create a power hold for a special event, the perfect blow-out is your new best friend. Hair maestro Asgar Saboo, who has styled the likes of Cindy Crawford, Eva Longoria, Katrina Kaif and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, is here to share his top tips on how to achieve the perfect blow-out that will leave you looking and feeling like you have just stepped out the salon.

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

A renowned figure among celebrities and a regular on red carpets, the name Asgar Saboo is synonymous with headline grabbing, style-worthy hair. He is trusted by supermodels Cindy Crawford and Twiggy, Hollywood actress Eva Longoria, as well as A-list stars including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and legend Rekha. His name is tantamount with cutting-edge and sophisticated hairstyles and his hair creations have been showcased at glittering premieres, showbiz events and multiple awards ceremonies. 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. 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. He is pivotal in the styling of business moguls, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and royalty, such as members of the Sultan of Brunei’s household and is sought after by the top names in the film, Royal and fashion fraternities.