Why is it that when you have your hair blow-dried at a salon, it looks great for days, but you just don't get the same result at home? We asked Sydney hairdresser and Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year (2006), Brad Ngata, to show us how to blow-dry like a professional.
1. After washing your hair, towel-dry it. "It's best to squeeze the moisture out first," Ngata says. "I like to make a towel turban and leave it on the head for a little while — this absorbs a lot of moisture."
2. If your hair is thick, apply an anti-frizz serum evenly over the length of your hair. "Use your fingers as a comb and start at the back, wiping the product from roots to ends," he says. "Less is always more, as it can weight the hair down if you use too much. If your hair is fine, use a volumising mousse. Squirt an amount about the size of an orange into your palms and distribute through your hair."
3. Blast your hair until it's 40-percent dry before sectioning.
4. Apply a directional nozzle to your drier, then, starting at the nape of your neck, take sections about the width of your brush and begin to dry. "Use a firm bristled brush and dry the hair out from the roots," Ngata says. "Keep your drier nozzle pointing down so that the cuticle dries as smooth as possible. Lift hair up to create body or pull down for a sleeker look."
5. Work your way up the head. "Keep the hair pulled down and taut for a straight, polished blow-dry or wrap it around your brush and let cool for a bouncy or wave effect," he says.
6. "Once you've finished, you may need to smooth the top layers with straighteners," Ngata says. "Alternatively, twist the hair through the straightening iron (like you would when curling a ribbon) for a wavy finish."
7. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray. "If the weather is hot or rainy, use an anti-humidity spray first to lock the blow-dry in," he says.
Tip: "Professional dryers are 240 volt and can deliver up to 2400 watts of heat," explains Ngata. "Obviously, the more heat, the quicker the drying time. And the best bristle brush is by Mason Pearson (pictured), which is made from natural fibres."
