By now, if you read here regularly, you know about my DreamDry addiction. How to do a blow out just didn’t seem like a skill set I’d ever master. I’ve always had the hardest time blowing out + taming my (super thick, naturally wavy) mane of hair. Blowouts are the one beauty expense that I will continue to rationalize over and over again. I’m great at doing my own nails, my own brows, and so on and so forth… but I’ve never quite been able to master the at-home blowout… (if I do my own hair I typically have to go over it with a straighter or my beloved beachwaver.)
Alas, today I convinced Jay to help me make today’s hair tutorial an at-home blowout. It wasn’t easy, but it took me a lot less time following his directions. Proof that we all can get Kate Middleton hair at home.. or at least close to it!
So, we did cheat a little bit… Jay washed my hair for me. When blowing out your hair, it really helps to wash it twice. That way you’ll get your hair as clean as possible; allowing your blowout to last longer. Apply conditioner to the ends only (for the same reason.)
We towel dried my hair using the microfiber towel that comes with DreamDry’s Dream Dryer… using a super absorbent towel is also very helpful as it will help to cut down drying time.
To the ends, I applied Oribe’s Split End Shield (this product is a life saver if you are like me and color/heat style your hair frequently!)
Next… it’s all about sectioning! Sectioning is going to allow you to focus bit by bit on one piece at a time. While it’s a little work at the beginning, it helps the blow out to go by much more quickly. Jay instructed me to split my hair into two pigtails, leaving out the nape of my hair.
I twisted up the two pigtails and secured with large duck clips.
From there, I rough dried the hair at the nape of my neck (using my fingers, no brush yet.)
Then, I took about a finger tips amount of Oribe’s Rock Hard Gel. From there, I wrapped the section of hair around the round brush and blew it dry. This is really the secret to the perfect blowout… rough drying the hair, applying the gel, and then blowing dry using a round brush. The gel gives you a lot of control and tames fly aways… so if you are not a pro (hand raised), it will let you get the style you want with a bit more ease than usual.
I used Jay’s ceramic brush with wide bristles. This one is very similar. the heat passes through the brush, sealing the cuticle.
Once you’ve completed the back section, let the hair twist up back into itself… rolling under naturally, and then pinning with another duck bill clip.
Next, split each of the two pigtails into two sections, clipping the top part of each section back up.
And, repeat! Rough dry, apply Rock Hard Gel, and use the round brush to get it smooth and sleek. Once complete, roll the curl back up into itself and secure with a duck clip.
When you’ve completed those sections and get to the two remaining top sections, split each of those into three sections. For these sections, (since you want maximum control + sleekness), apply the gel before rough drying. Then, rough dry each section, blow it out, and pin it up. It’s important here that you blow the hair out away from the face, pulling the round brush forward against the blow-dry.
Once you’ve completed the blow out, spray each section with Oribe’s Thick Dry Finishing Spray.
One by one, drop each section down, splitting each section in half. Using a 1.25″ curling iron, curl each half section (curling away form your face.) Leave the ends out.
To reiterate that last point… each pinned up section will become two curls!
Finish off with anti-humidity spray and break up the curls!
photography by Lydia Hudgens.
I’m fairly good at drying my super thick wavy hair (a little shorter than yours) but I need to get some of those duck clips for when I’m done sectioning – it’s brilliant to just leave those sections in tact to separate and curl when you’re done drying. Thanks for the tutorial!
Love your hair like this, beautiful style!
http://www.mintnotion.com
My hair is super-thick and naturally wavy also, and it is SUCH a pain to blow out that I had given up trying. Thank you for the post–you’ve inspired me to give it another go!
Yay! I hope you find it helpful!!
I’m surprised that you need super clean hair to best achieve this look (usually things work better with day old hair), so thank you for sharing!! I would be wrestling with uncooperative, dirty hair if it weren’t for this post!
oh yes, 100%! You never want to blow out dirty hair, that would be a waste of time.. you want it nice and clean… that way it lasts for a long time. 🙂
This post actually really really helps and is so clear. I’ve always wanted to master a blow out at home. I always try to blow dry my hair all at once instead of sectioning it off. I’m trying this tomorrow!
So happy to hear that – thanks!
Awesome job! Thanks for the tips. I have to try it out.
Great post! I love Oribe products but have never tried the Rock Hard Gel. I may have to give it a test run. I do love the Crème for Style for my perfect blowouts
Jamie // Hello There, Lady!
Thank you for this post! I’ve struggled with round brushes a lot and I don’t always like to spend money on a blowout (my last one was horrible!) so this is definitely going to help me up my blowout game.
Your hair looks gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial!
I have super thick and wavy, frizzy hair too. Blow drying makes my arms tired because I struggle to wrangle all my hair around a brush and lose patience! This looks absolutely gorgeous on you, you did great!
Megan || Oh Hey! blog
Fun post and you, and your hair, look great!
Xo Ally
http://www.allysoninwonderland.com
Very helpful! About how long would you say this takes?
I would say between 30 minutes to an hour. When I did it and Jay was there guiding me, it took me about 35 minutes (and I have crazy thick hair.) When I did it myself it took 50 minutes. 🙂
OMG!! thank you for this!!
I’m going to try this asap…blow outs are my #1 cause of breaking the piggy bank.
But I think with time, I could master this…good to know to do the curling back under to get it more volume.
Thanks!
Your hair could not look more fabulous!! I love this style and look forward to trying it this weekend – thank you for the instructions!! You look flawless 🙂
YESS! Totally going to give this a try. ORRRR just go back to Jay.
Such a cool idea! looks easy too
Happy Medley
Your hair looks stunning! Way to go on doing it yourself!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Thank you for going through the steps one at a time & detailed. I’m anxious to get it a try.
“Thank you for this info,much appreciated”.