The 5 Day Blow Dry: How To Get A Salon Look At Home

While can all agree that there’s nothing in the world much more satisfying than the bounce, body and perfect polish of a salon blow-dry, they’re notoriously difficult to achieve at home. This may well be part of their mystique, but what if we told you that it is 100 percent possible? Follow our step-by-step guide, tips and techniques for not only achieving a professional-looking blow-dry, but keeping it looking that way for up to a week.

Cleanse And Condition Correctly

Great hair starts in the shower. Using the right shampoo for your hair type is crucial for keeping your locks looking their best – using a colour-treating range will keep colour looking shiny and vibrant, while dry hair needs as much moisture as possible to keep it nourished and tamed. Always do a double wash – the first lather removes all the old styling products, oil and scalp build-up, while the second infuses hair with all the targeted benefits of the shampoo. Only apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends and after leaving it for a few minutes to penetrate, make sure it’s rinsed out very thoroughly.

Lay Your Foundations

Once you’re out of the shower, gently remove moisture from wet hair by squeezing with a towel. Never rub as this can cause frizz and damage – hair is super delicate when it’s wet. Soaking wet strands can’t be blow-dried effectively, so allow a little time for them to air-dry. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and then apply a heat protectant. This is another crucial step to prevent the damage that’s caused by hot tools, as well as seal the cuticle. Apply it to the mid-lengths and ends and be sure to keep it away from the roots if your hair is fine. Instead, inject volume to this hair type by applying a little mousse at the roots.

Dry Time

Take the nozzle attachment off your hairdryer and give it a rough dry to get as much of the residual moisture out of it as possible. This will also make it easier to tame and smooth strands. The key to getting an all-over perfect result is to divide hair and dry it in small sections, so clip it away and start drying from the bottom up. Put the flat nozzle attachment back on and use a large round bristle brush to dry each section, always pointing the nozzle down the shaft of the hair to minimise frizz. Once you’ve finished, apply a finishing cream, oil or serum to the ends.

Maintain Your Mane

While five days may seem like a long time, it’s actually good for hair health to not wash it too frequently. Over-washing can fade colour and cause damage, and can be incredibly time-consuming. Dry shampoo is your best friend here – there is a huge range available and one to suit all hair types, scent preferences and budgets. Give it a good shake and hold it 20cm from your part and around your temples. Give it a good spray then wait a couple of seconds for it to absorb and then massage it in or brush through. Overnight, put your hair up in a very loose top knot and sleep on a silk pillowcase – this will keep your blow-dry looking shipshape for as long as possible.

The Toolkit