1. You are blow drying your hair from wet
Hair is in its most vulnerable state when wet. So if you are blow drying your hair from soaking wet or barely towel dried, you are putting added stress on your strands. I recommend wrapping your hair up in a towel for about 10-15 minutes to allow the towel to absorb the water. Let it air dry after you let it down for as long as you can. Hair should be about 80% dry before you start blow drying. If you are in a hurry, try 5-10 minutes wrapped up and blot and squeeze the hair instead of rubbing your hair vigorously with a towel.
I love Hairstory’s New Wash for many reasons but one of the main ones is a quicker dry time after washing! New Wash doesn't open the cuticle when cleansing, water isn’t absorbed into the hair strand, and the oils left behind that condition repel against water. Your hair will dry so much quicker without the need for added styling product to speed up dry time.
Try it for yourself here!
2. You are using a lousy blow dryer
“You get what you pay for” is definitely a true statement in the world of hot tools. (Stay away from Wal-Mart!) I definitely believe there’s a professional hair dryer in everyone’s budget. If you invest more in a quality blow dryer you will have greater results and your tool will last you much longer. You want to look for benefits such as multiple heat settings, a cool shot button and ionic technology. The technology in ionic hair dryers helps break down water molecules faster, which makes the hair dry faster with less damage.
3. You are not using the concentrated nozzle attachment
Many people are not sure what the flat nozzle is when they are unboxing their blowdryer so it gets stuffed in a drawer, some even throw it out! You definitely don’t want to do that! That nozzle is a actually a crucial element to your blow dryer. It helps concentrate the air flow in a more direct and gentle way. It also helps to keep your hair a safe distance from the heating element inside the blow dryer. The tip of the dryer without the nozzle is the hottest part of the tool. The excessive heat could result in you burning your hair, especially if you are using the open end up against a hairbrush. I always recommend drying on the medium heat setting. On the high setting hair is likely to frizz and be more damaged.
You will also want to make sure you are not blasting the air all over the place. Focus on pointing the nozzle downward on each section. It’s a must for a smooth finish!
4. You are not using the right brush
Not all hairbrushes are created equal. Invest in high quality brushes and your hair will thank you. Bristles are the back bone of the brush. If they are made of cheap plastic, it can actually do more harm on the hair because bristles burn and melt with the blow dryer’s heat.
You'll want to use a brush that has a ceramic base, ionic bristles or natural boar bristles. My favourite brush combines ionic and boar bristles for an ultra-smooth finish. Ionic bristles speed up drying time and reduce damage while the boar bristles help to move more smoothly through the hair. This results in better distribution of the natural oils down the hair shaft.
Wet Brushes are fantastic for brushing through the hair when wet, however they aren't intended to be used with a blow dryer.
5. You are not using a heat protectant
This is very important! There needs to be a barrier between your hair and any hot tool that you use. After applying product to damp hair I suggest brushing it through to ensure even distribution among all hair strands.
My favourite product is Hairstory’s Dressed Up. This light lotion is the key to heat styling hair! It protects against heat, UV damage and has anti-humectant qualities. It absorbs into the hair and you don’t see or feel it but it gives control and lots of body! It can be used on damp and/or dry hair. It's a setting lotion so your style will last and you may even find you don’t have to heat style your hair again for days. Great hair and less maintenance? That's a dream!
Better hair days are here!
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