Blow drying is about more than just drying hair—it’s a craft, a performance, and often, the finishing touch that transforms a client’s look from good to absolutely flawless. But even the pros know that without the right techniques, tools, and mindset, a blowout can turn into a chore. So below, we're detailing the top 7 blow dry dos and don'ts to ensure your blowdrys are as flawless as they are effortless.
“Blow dryers are designed to heat and direct air, yet you still have to concentrate that air flow to work for you, and that’s where the nozzle comes in,” says Sam Villa, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Sam Villa and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken. His advice? “Don’t be afraid to redirect that nozzle, because as you style each side of the head, your body angle will change, so the nozzle direction should too in order to prevent working in awkward positions.”
As a professional stylist, you know the difference that small adjustments can make in your work—both in achieving stunning results and preserving your energy and posture. In this guide, we’ll explore the key dos and don’ts of blow drying to help you refine your technique, protect your body, and deliver the kind of blowouts that keep clients coming back for more.
The 7 Dos and Don’ts of Blow Drying
- Styles have more movement this season which requires a vertical or diagonal brush angle versus a horizontal angle which is better for geometric shapes.
- It’s beneficial to learn to be ambidextrous when working with hair because switching from side-to-side forces body position to change. Being able to swap hands that are holding the brush and dryer along with adjusting the nozzle angle, allows the body to continue to work in a natural position while maintaining control of tools. Villa suggests practicing switching hands with tools while at home every evening, eventually it will become habit.
- Do not put the nozzle directly on the bristles of a brush, no matter who makes the brush, it will melt it sooner or later.
- Use round brushes for stretching, smoothing, heat control and polish. A thermal brush like the Sam Villa Artist Series Spiral Thermal Round Brush grabs hair with more tension to stretch and smooth creating beautiful polish. A thermal brush with a metal core such as the Sam Villa Artist Series Spiral Thermal Round Brush conducts more heat for added control and should be used on the mid shaft and ends.
- Flat brushes are good for straighter hair that just needs a bend. The Sam Villa Signature Series Paddle Brush does not provide as much tension/stretch so it can be used when the goal is just a nice flow to the style. After using a paddle brush, switch to a Sam Villa Signature Series 9 Row Finishing Brush. Midway down the hair strand, flip the brush to twist the section, let cool and continue wrapping until the ends, let cool and there will be a subtle bend.
- Use the length of the dryer and pinky that is holding the dryer to help control sections when repositioning the brush.
- It’s imperative to let sections cool to lock in the style
Shop Tools:
Sam Villa Pro Light Ionic Blow Dryer
Sam Villa Artist Series Spiral Thermal Round Brush
Sam Villa Signature Series Paddle Brush
“I’m on a mission this year to expand awareness of ergonomics to help stylists use tools that create seasonally relevant looks without sacrificing the health of their bodies,” adds Villa.
Learn more ergonomic tips and tricks from Sam Villa and his team on YouTube and book customized education here.
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