12 Tricks to Make Your Blowout Last for Days
Updated: Aug. 08, 2019You just got your locks blown out and you feel oh so glam. Wish you could keep those strands smooth and styled for days? You can. Here's how.
Start with squeaky clean hair
Cleansing your hair properly is the foundation to any long-lasting style. Tiffany Chiapparelli, a NYC-based hairstylist at Amika Styleblow Salon, recommends following the golden rule of shampoo: rinse and repeat. “The first shampoo will be the most clarifying, and will remove any buildup in the hair,” she says. “The second wash is the ‘security shampoo,’ as I like to call it, to ensure all the buildup is completely gone.” With a double shampoo, your strands (and scalp) will be prepped and ready for a long-lasting blowout. Find the best shampoo for your hair type.
Don’t skip conditioner
Make sure to use a lightweight, hydrating conditioner that won’t weigh your hair down. “If your conditioner is too heavy for your hair type, it will actually make it produce oil faster,” Chiapparelli explains. We like Kiehl’s Amino Acid Conditioner, a gently, daily silicone-free formula.
Prep with the right products
Using the right products to prep your hair is another must-have step in a longlasting blowout. Chiapparelli always uses the Amika Shield Styling Extending Spray on wet hair before grabbing the hair dryer. It not only protects hair from heat styling, which can otherwise damage hair, but it also defends against humidity, reducing the frizz factor that often sabotages blow-outs. Here’s how to style frizzy hair.
Be careful not to overwork the hair
When blow drying your hair, it’s important to make sure you’re not overheating or over-drying your hair. Chiapparelli’s general rule: “If the section of hair you’re working on is already dry, move on to the next section.” You can also try using a blow dryer designed to restore moisture, like the Panasonic Nanoe Moisture Infusion Hair Dryer. As you dry, nanoe technology pulls moisture out of the air and creates moisture-rich particles that then get deposited into your hair. These are the sneaky reasons your hair is falling out.
Pin as you go
“I also love to create pin curls as soon as I finish a section with the blow dryer. This ensures the hair is setting in the desired shape while it cools, which helps it last longer,” Chiapparelli says.
Finish with hairspray
After the hair is completely dry and cooling down with a pin curl set, give strands a spritz of hairspray. Chiapparelli recommends one with a soft finish and a buildable hold, like Pantene Airspray, a water-based, alcohol-free formula that’s not stiff or sticky. These healthy hair tips will help tame frizz, add shine, and prevent damage.
Sleep on silk
Silk pillow cases are on every beauty aficionado’s must-have list. “Silk won’t cause friction between your hair and the pillowcase, so your style won’t be disrupted during sleep,” Chiapparelli says. Not only will this extend the longevity of your blowout—and your complexion, but you’ll feel like royalty sleeping on luxe silk. (We like the one by Slip, made from slippery soft mulberry silk.) Avoid these nighttime habits that ruin your hair.
Wrap your hair while you snooze
In addition to sleeping on a silk pillowcase, try wrapping your strands while you sleep. “I advise my clients to split their hair down from the part and twist each side away from the face into two buns,” Chiapparelli says. “Secure with a few long bobby pins instead of a hair tie, so you don’t get a dent in your hair. When you release your hair from the pins in the morning, shake your hair back into place and enjoy your perfect waves.” Check out these other ways to curl your hair without a curling iron.
Dry shampoo and conditioner
Using dry shampoo is a no-brainer to prolong your style, but you’ll also want to add dry conditioner, a formula that helps hydrate dry hair from midshaft to ends. “I spray Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo onto my scalp before bed to combat oil and dirt,” says Chiapparelli. “When I wake up, I massage the dry shampoo into my scalp and finish with dry conditioner on my ends to refresh and add shine. Try Pureology Fresh Approach Dry Conditioner, which smooths the dry ends of a second-day blowout. Don’t miss the hair myths we need to stop believing.
Rock a shower cap
Clearly, a shower cap is great for keeping hair dry while you shower. But not all caps are created equal. You’ll want one that’s tight along the hairline and lined with terrycloth. According to Chiapparelli, “a tight hairline will ensure your baby hairs won’t get wet, and the terry cloth will soak up any humidity that sneaks in.” We like All Caps, a shower cap that preserves your ‘do with features like a static-reducing material and an adjustable microfiber terry band that won’t leave an imprint on your forehead. Chiapparelli also recommends pulling your hair into a topknot and securing it with a few long bobby pins before placing the cap on your head. No water, no humidity, and no frizz equals a longer-lasting blowout!
Style strands right
Knowing how to work with your blowout as the days go on is key. “If you’re starting with a bouncy blowout, after a few days, you can transform the look into beachy waves for the next day, or two,” Chiapparelli says. “After your wavy days, you can turn your tresses into a trendy ponytail or braids—reaching a full five to seven days on the original blowout.” Here are more reasons you can get away with showering less.
Give your hair a major dose of moisture
Before your next blowout, apply a nourishing hair mask for 10 to 15 minutes (we like StriVectin HAIR Ultimate Restore Deep Repair Mask, or you can try a DIY olive oil treatment). This will add moisture back into your hair to prep for a beautiful, long-lasting style. “Healthy and hydrated hair will always hold a longer style, so make sure to keep up with your treatment masks,” Chiapparelli says. Here are a few more tips to keep your hair healthy.
