HAIRCARE: HOW-TO

DIY BLOW DRY

Skip the salon, with this guide to a better blow-out in the bathroom

That salon feeling is good, but a pro-level blow-dry is possible to copy at home. These are the tricks that the experts swear by.

THE KIT

What you need to get this look

1 Colour

Rock & Ruddle Radial Small Hair Brush $44.95

ROUGH DRY EVERYTHING

Spray or slather in a good quality heat protectant like Wella System Professional Perfect Hair Treatment. It's got a balm-like texture that smooths frizz and softens brittle ends. Don't neglect hair at the back – it needs protection too. Section hair into manageable segments and dry one-by-one. Start at the temples, and crown, and move backwards to get to the nape, so you master the most visible first.

PROTECT IT ALL

Spray or slather in a good quality heat protectant like Sebastian Potion 9. It’s got a balm-like texture that smooths frizz and softens brittle ends. Don’t neglect hair at the back – it needs protection too. Section hair into manageable segments and dry one-by-one. Start at the temples, and crown, and move backwards to get to the nape, so you master the most visible first.

POST-DRY POLISH

Enthusiasm for styling products is what separates most salon blow-dries from the result you get at home, so don’t be afraid to use them liberally. Polished, not fluffy ends, takes the average blow-dry up a few notches. Good quality bristles, like those in a Rock & Ruddle Small Rose Gold Metallic Brush, and a thorough misting of shine spray will prep freshly blown hair for extra shaping. Use the sides of the brush or your fingers to get a bend in the ends, especially the pieces around the front hairline.