Many women enjoy the luxury of weekly blowouts in the salon that last days before having to wash. Full, bouncy hair that is envy worthy! My hair is straight and limp without a proper blowout. I have been doing ant home blowouts for 7 years and needless to say, I have mastered the blowout at home. And, guess what? It turns out that it is all in the tools!
How to Do a Blowout at Home
What You Need to Do a Blowout at Home
Let’s talk about the items you will need for the perfect blow out, shall we? A clipie is simply needed to section off the hair for drying. Easy!
Round Brush Sizes That Work
Choosing the right round brush can make a huge difference in how your blowout turns out. In general, the shorter your hair, the smaller the barrel should be. Larger barrels work best on longer hair because they smooth larger sections, create softer movement, and make styling faster.
- 1 to 1.25-inch barrel: Best for short hair, including pixie cuts, bobs, and hair that falls above the shoulders. A smaller barrel gives you more control, adds lift at the roots, and makes it easier to create volume or flip the ends under.
- 1.5 to 1.75-inch barrel: Ideal for medium-length hair that falls between the shoulders and collarbone. This size offers a nice balance of smoothness and body, making it a great all-around choice for everyday blowouts.
- 2 to 2.5-inch barrel: My favorite size for long hair. It creates a smooth, polished finish while still giving plenty of movement and soft volume. I use a 2-inch round brush for most of my at-home blowouts because it helps me achieve that salon-style look without making my hair too curly or overly straight.
- 2.75 inches and larger: Best for very long, thick, or coarse hair. These larger barrels are designed for maximum smoothing and shine and can significantly reduce drying time when working with longer lengths. They create loose, effortless movement rather than defined curls.
A few things you will need to collect before getting started. If you have thin hair, you will want to get a root lifter. I like Pureology Root Lifting Mousse as it can be applied directly on the roots for targeted volume and not to weight down the rest of your hair.
The hairspray formula is very important as you do not want anything too stiff so that your locks will flow naturally, however you need something that will take care of any flyaways all day. My favorite is the Keratin Flexible Hold Hairspray.
The Hair Goddess Expansion System Primer is a primer that creates a weightless volume for the rest of your hair not targeted at the root. Give your hair volume and increase strength and flexibility, while fighting free radicals that damage and weaken hair with this primer. This product is also great for the next tool you will need as it gives the hair a thermal protection from heated tools. Speaking of the next item you will need, the Remington Wet2Style is the key to creating the perfect blow out.
The Remington Wet 2 Style blow dryer is the best tool for perfecting the blowout at home. This dryer comes with innovative attachments. The straightening attachment smooths. The blowout boost attachment is the one we will be using. The diffuser attachment helps define curls and the slipstream attachment for pre-straightening.
What Is A Hair Blowout?
A hair blowout is a styling technique that uses a blow dryer and a brush to dry and shape the hair at the same time. Instead of simply removing moisture, a blowout creates smoothness, volume, movement, and shine by directing airflow while stretching and styling each section of hair.
Unlike basic blow drying, where the goal is simply to get your hair dry as quickly as possible, a blowout is much more intentional. It involves sectioning the hair, using the right brush for your desired look, and controlling heat and tension to create a polished finish that can last for several days with proper care.
A professional-quality blowout can make hair look fuller, reduce frizz, add bounce, and help natural texture appear more refined without permanently changing the hair. The exact result depends on your hair type, the products you use, and the styling technique.
Different Types Of Blowouts
Not every blowout creates the same look. By changing your brush size, styling technique, and finishing products, you can achieve everything from sleek and straight to soft, voluminous curls.
Classic Smooth Blowout
The classic blowout is the timeless salon finish most people picture. Hair is smooth, shiny, and full of movement while still maintaining natural body. This style works well for nearly every hair type and is perfect for everyday wear, work, or special occasions.
Voluminous Blowout
A voluminous blowout focuses on lifting the roots while creating fullness throughout the hair. Large round brushes, volumizing mousse, and lifting each section upward while drying help create maximum body. This style is especially flattering for fine or flat hair that needs extra dimension.
Bouncy Blowout
A bouncy blowout creates soft curls or flipped-under ends that move naturally with every step. This look is achieved by wrapping sections around a round brush and allowing each section to cool before brushing through. It’s a favorite for medium and long hair because it creates a glamorous, healthy-looking finish.
Sleek Straight Blowout
For those who prefer a polished appearance, the sleek straight blowout minimizes volume while maximizing shine. The hair is dried with consistent tension using a paddle brush or large round brush to create an ultra-smooth finish. Anti-frizz products and lightweight finishing serums help maintain the sleek look.
Curly Hair Blowout
A blowout doesn’t have to eliminate natural curls completely. Many people with curly or coily hair choose a stretched blowout that elongates the curls while preserving softness and movement. Using a heat protectant, diffuser or brush attachment, and gentle tension helps reduce frizz while creating a smoother style without permanently altering the curl pattern.
Beach Wave Blowout
This relaxed style combines the smoothness of a blowout with loose, effortless waves. After blow drying, sections can be twisted around the brush or lightly enhanced with a curling iron for a lived-in texture that looks casual and modern.
Brazilian Blowout (Chemical Salon Treatment)
Despite the similar name, a Brazilian Blowout is not the same as a styling blowout you can do at home. It is a professional chemical smoothing treatment performed in a salon that coats the hair to reduce frizz and make styling easier for several weeks or even months. While many people love the smoother results, it is considered a chemical service rather than a styling technique.
Keratin Blowout (Chemical Salon Treatment)
A keratin blowout, sometimes called a keratin treatment, is another salon chemical service designed to smooth the hair, reduce frizz, and make daily styling faster. Unlike a traditional at-home blowout, this treatment changes how the hair behaves for an extended period and should only be performed by a trained professional. If your goal is to learn how to create beautiful blowouts at home, the styling techniques in this guide are the ones you’ll want to follow.
Blowout Step By Step
- Spray the roots section by section with the Pureology Root Mousse.
- Spritz the rest of your hair with the Hair Goddess Primer.
- Lightly blow out your hair without any attachment until it is barely damp. I like to flip my hair over and do it upside down.
- Secure the blowout attachment and section off your hair like the images above.
- With a round brush begin at the roots, for volume, and begin blowing out like the pictures above.
- Once you are finished, spray a little hairspray over the crown of your head and smooth down any fly away! Now how’s that for bouncy, luxurious hair!
Blowout Tips For Beginners
If you’re new to doing at-home blowouts, don’t worry if your first few attempts don’t look salon-perfect. Most beginners make the same handful of mistakes, and fortunately, they’re easy to correct. Here are the most common blowout mistakes and how to avoid them.
Starting With Hair That’s Too Wet
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to style soaking wet hair. Hair that’s still dripping takes much longer to dry and won’t hold its shape as well. Instead, gently towel dry or let your hair air dry until it’s about 70–80% dry before reaching for your round brush. This cuts down on drying time and helps your style last longer.
Taking Sections That Are Too Thick
It’s tempting to grab large sections to finish faster, but thicker sections don’t dry evenly. The outside of the hair may feel dry while the inside remains damp, causing your blowout to lose volume or become frizzy. Work with sections that are about the same width as your round brush so the heat can reach every strand.
Pulling The Brush Through Before The Hair Is Dry
Many beginners rush through each section before it has fully dried. If the hair is still damp when you release it, it won’t hold the smooth shape you’ve created. Keep the brush in place until the section is completely dry, then finish with a quick blast of cool air before moving on.
Using Too Much Heat
Higher heat isn’t always better. Excessive heat can dry out the hair, increase frizz, and lead to unnecessary damage over time. Start with the lowest heat setting that effectively dries your hair, and always use a heat protectant before blow drying.
Forgetting To Create Tension
A smooth blowout comes from the combination of airflow and gentle tension. If you simply brush your hair while blow drying without maintaining slight tension, you may end up with frizz instead of a polished finish. Keep the brush firm—but not tight—as you guide it through each section.
Skipping The Cool Shot
Many people finish drying their hair and immediately move on to the next section. Using your dryer’s cool shot for a few seconds helps the hair cool in its new shape, locking in volume and helping your blowout last longer.
Holding The Blow Dryer The Wrong Way
Pointing the airflow in different directions can rough up the hair cuticle and create frizz. Always aim the nozzle down the hair shaft, from roots toward the ends, to encourage a smoother, shinier finish.
Expecting Salon Results Right Away
Professional stylists have performed thousands of blowouts, so it’s completely normal if your first few attempts take longer or don’t look exactly the way you envisioned. Focus on improving your technique with each blowout, and you’ll quickly become faster and more confident. With a little practice, creating a smooth, voluminous blowout at home becomes much easier.
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Please Note: I always strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but just a quick heads-up—I’m a blogger, not a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or any other kind of certified professional. I’m here to share my experiences and insights, but please make sure to use your own judgment and consult the right professionals when needed.
Also, I accept monetary compensation through affiliate links, advertising, guest posts, and sponsored partnerships on this site, however I am very particular about the products I endorse and only do so when I am truly a fan of the quality and result of the product.
