To do a blowout at home you dry your hair most of the way then use a round brush and a hair dryer to smooth and shape it section by section. The key is working on damp not soaking hair and always pointing the dryer down the hair shaft.
A good blowout at home takes practice but the payoff is salon smooth hair for days. Here is the full method.
What You Will Need
- A blow dryer with a nozzle
- A round brush or two
- Sectioning clips
- Heat protectant spray
- A microfiber towel
- Optional volumizing mousse
A ceramic round brush helps smooth hair evenly. The nozzle on your dryer directs airflow which cuts frizz.
Prep Your Hair First
Prep decides the result.
- Wash and condition then blot with a microfiber towel. Do not rub.
- Apply heat protectant to damp hair from mid length to ends.
- Add a little mousse at the roots if you want volume.
- Rough dry until hair is about 80 percent dry.
Starting the brush work too wet wastes time and stresses your arm. Get most of the water out first.
How to Do a Blowout Step by Step
Work in sections. Patience here is everything.
- Clip hair into four sections and leave one down.
- Take a small piece about two inches wide.
- Place the round brush underneath at the root.
- Point the dryer nozzle down the hair following the brush.
- Roll the brush slowly from root to tip as the dryer follows.
- Give a cool shot at the end to set the shape.
- Repeat across each section working bottom to top.
- Finish the crown last for the most volume.
Always aim the airflow downward. That flattens the cuticle which is what creates shine.
For Volume vs Smoothness
| Goal | Brush technique |
| Volume | Roll the brush up and hold at the root with heat |
| Smoothness | Pull the brush straight down with tension |
| Bouncy ends | Curl the brush under at the tips |
| Flipped ends | Curl the brush outward at the tips |
Tension on the brush is what removes frizz. Keep the hair taut as you dry.
Choosing the Right Brush Size
Brush size shapes your result. Match it to your hair length and the look you want.
| Brush size | Best for |
| Small barrel | Short hair and tight curl |
| Medium barrel | Most hair lengths |
| Large barrel | Long hair and smooth volume |
| Extra large | Very long hair straight finish |
A medium round brush is the safest all rounder. Larger barrels give a smoother straighter blowout while smaller ones add bounce.
Blow Drying by Hair Type
Different hair needs a slightly different approach.
- Fine hair. Use low heat and add mousse for hold.
- Thick hair. Work in more sections and dry each fully.
- Curly hair. Stretch the curl gently with tension as you dry.
- Frizzy hair. Always point the nozzle down and use a smoothing serum.
Adjusting for your hair type prevents the two big problems. Flat results on fine hair and frizz on thick or curly hair.
Tools That Make It Easier
The right tools cut the effort in half.
- A nozzle on your dryer to direct airflow
- A cool shot button to set each section
- A ceramic round brush for even heat
- Sectioning clips to keep hair organized
- A heat protectant to shield the hair
If your dryer has a nozzle and a cool shot you already have what you need. Those two features do most of the work.
Make It Last
A blowout can last several days with care.
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase
- Loosely pin or wrap hair at night
- Use dry shampoo at the roots on day two
- Avoid touching your hair too much
- Skip washing for two or three days
Common Blowout Mistakes
A few slips are behind most disappointing results. Avoid these.
- Starting on soaking wet hair. Dry to 80 percent first.
- Aiming the dryer up the hair. Always point it down.
- Taking sections too big. Smaller pieces dry smoother.
- Skipping the cool shot. It sets the shape and adds shine.
- Over drying. Stop when the section is just dry.
Fix these five and your blowout looks far more polished right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you do a blowout at home for beginners?
Dry hair to about 80 percent first then work in small sections with a round brush and dryer. Point the airflow down the hair and roll the brush slowly. Finish each section with a cool shot to set it.
What brush is best for an at home blowout?
A ceramic or boar bristle round brush works best. A medium barrel suits most hair lengths. Larger barrels give smoother straighter results and smaller barrels add more curl and volume.
How do I keep my blowout from going flat?
Set each section with a cool shot use volumizing mousse at the roots and avoid touching your hair. A silk pillowcase and dry shampoo help it last into day two and three.
Why is my blowout frizzy?
Usually not enough tension on the brush or airflow pointing the wrong way. Keep the hair taut and always aim the dryer down the hair shaft to smooth the cuticle.
Final Tip Before You Start
A blowout is about tension and airflow direction. Keep the hair taut and point the dryer down. That combo gives you shine and smoothness.
Your next step is small. Practice on one section tonight with the dryer aimed down the hair. Once that section looks smooth the rest follows.
