5 Tips for the Perfect Blow-Dry at Home
So many of you say to us you wish you could blow-dry your hair to look like it does when you step out of Shine, with that tell-tale, just been to the hairdressers bounce. Obviously, we’re seasoned pros (!) and it’s our job to make sure you and your hair look a million dollars, but- and without wanting to do ourselves out of a job, there are a few tricks and hero products you can try to help you achieve an *almost* salon-worthy blow-dry at home. Here are Veronica’s top tips:
Preparation is Key
There’s no doubt about it, frequent heat styling takes a toll on your tresses. But there are lots of great serums, oils and sprays which will protect your hair, and your stylist will be happy to recommend the best product for your hair. A couple of our go-tos in the salon are Aveda’s Texture Tonic, which is perfect for creating loose textured waves and fighting the frizz, and Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother for a smoother, sleeker finish.
Rough ’n’ Ready
Before you start any styling with a brush, firstly towel dry your hair to remove excess moisture, pressing the towel to the hair rather than rubbing. Then rough dry using your hands and the dryer, until it’s about 70% dry. Section off your hair and dry with a brush, starting with the lower sections. Point the dryer’s nozzle down the length of the hair to smooth and add shine.
Brush strokes
A professional ceramic round brush is the secret to achieving a good blow dry at home. Because it’s ceramic it retains and helps distribute the heat, to produce maximum shine. Different sizes will get different results- go for a medium-sized brush for a bit of movement, or choose one with a large barrel for volume and smoothness. Start by placing the brush at the root area and then run down through your hair, directing the heat from your dryer at the barrel, being sure not to touch the brush with the hairdryer nozzle and burn the hair shaft. We love this brush from ghd.
Pump Up the Volume
Add a bit of extra va va voom to fine or straight hair by flipping your head upside down as you finish blow drying, brushing down the length with the dryer.
The Need for Speed
Sometimes there is just not enough time in the morning rush to give your hair due attention, we get it. But what if your blow-dry suddenly got a whole lot quicker? Aveda have just launched their new blow-dry primer, Speed of Light Blow Dry Acclerator Spray, which claims to reduce your drying time, as well as protect your hair from heat damage and breakage. And with a few precious minutes saved you might actually get to finish that cuppa.
WIN! WIN! WIN!
We're giving one of you the chance to win a blow-dry here at the salon, and the styling product recommended by your stylist to help you perfect your blow-dry technique at home! For the chance to win simply head over to either our Instagram or Facebook page and comment on the post which shares this blog post, letting us know why you deserve to win. And while you're at it why not spread the love and tag any friends who might like to enter for the chance to win a pamper too?
(One winner will be selected at random from the entries across Facebook and Instagram. Competition closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 25th November, and the winner will be notified via Facebook/Instagram the following week. This competition is in no way endorsed by Facebook or Instagram and entrants must be 18 or over and be from the UK/Ireland only.)
From the Salon Floor: What Everyone’s Talking About This Month
Skol!
Okay, so we don’t want to be the first to mention the ‘C’ word. BUT, the clocks have gone back, it’s got a bit nippy and the shops are suddenly full of tinsel and baubles. Even Jonathan has to accept it’s coming. So be thankful for Thor’s pop-up Tipi Bar, which has opened just around the corner from us on Jubilee Square and is running up until the end of the year. Escape the chill and the Christmas shoppers for some mulled wine or hot chocolate by a roaring fire and immerse yourself in a bit of festive hygge, Viking style.
Chills and Thrills
If Halloween didn’t give you enough of a fright-fix, you might want to check out the reboot of the sassy ‘90s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch. This is definitely no remake though. Forget talking cats and cute comic asides, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a darker, scarier, more macabre beast- more Stranger Thingsterritory, with a kick-ass young feminist witch in Sabrina.
Soho on Sea?
It’s been rumoured for years and much-delayed, but it seems a new opening from exclusive members’ club group Soho House is now on track to grace our fair seafront on Madeira Drive next year. Expect sumptuous interiors, a killer cocktail list and apparently dining courtesy of the team behind The Ginger Dog in Kemptown and The Ginger Pig in Hove. Oh, and no doubt a fairly hefty membership fee. One for the Christmas list maybe?
And Finally...
A massive congratulations to our Nathan, who only went and won the Apprentice of the Year Award at the National Hairdressers Federation Hair & Beauty Business Awards earlier this month! Go Nathan- we are sure you will all agree this is so well deserved, and we couldn't be prouder.
