Not blatantly beachy, but far from stick straight, soft waves feel just right and are primed as the holiday hairstyle worth trying. “The cool-girl blowout right now is all about effortless-looking hair with movement, softness and healthy-looking shine,” said Rebekah Amos, a Mississauga-based elite stylist and salon development leader for Chatters, a Canadian salon chain and haircare retailer. Look to Olivia Colman and Daisy Edgar Jones for recent inspiration.
Diana Osborne, a Toronto-based hairstylist and founder of the educational platform Hair Holistic, calls it her favourite version of a blowout. “It’s the most accessible for most people,” she said. “It’s smooth and glossy with natural-looking volume, but not overly polished.”
The secret to achieving pro-level results at home starts with buying the right blow dryer for you, without going overboard. “A higher price tag doesn’t automatically guarantee a better blowout,” said Amos, noting the starting point for a dependable basic model can be around $60. “Technique and preparation are just as important as the tool itself.”
Your hair texture can also determine your perfect blow dryer match. Osborne considers ceramic construction the baseline for everyone. “Titanium can sometimes heat up too much,” she said, “whereas a ceramic material will give an even, consistent distribution of heat.” A device made with tourmaline, a semi-precious mineral that can be infused into a component or used as a coating, can be especially effective at flattening wiry or curly strands. For those prone to frizz, Amos finds that ionic technology can be beneficial. “It helps to reduce static and flyaways, making hair look smoother and shinier,” she said. Choosing a device that feels comfortable and lightweight in your hands is another important factor. “How heavy a blow dryer is really matters because your arms are going to get tired,” said Osborne.
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Both experts zero in on basic functions rather than bonus features. Adjustable heat and airflow settings and a concentrator nozzle are must-haves. “Those fundamentals will make a noticeable difference in how much control you have over your finished style,” said Amos. “For fine hair, adjustable lower-heat settings are especially helpful because you want to build volume without overwhelming the hair or flattening it with too much product.”
Such details can also affect the health of your hair throughout hot tool use. “The heat settings are the biggest thing because most people shouldn’t be blow drying their hair on high heat,” said Osborne, who doesn’t go above 400 F. “And the concentrator keeps hair from touching the end of the dryer, which can get really hot and burn your hair.”
The right products are also key to keeping hair healthy while achieving a blowout that lasts. “A great blowout starts before you even turn on the dryer,” said Amos. After gently towel-drying, the experts are adamant that all hair types use a heat protectant prior to blow drying. Follow with a mousse to give hair hold, then rough dry until hair it is 70 per cent dry. “This sets you and your hair up for success with a little volume,” said Osborne, who recommends Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam.
Next, section hair and break out a round brush. “Keeping airflow directed down from the roots toward the ends helps to smooth hair,” said Amos. For volume, use the brush to lift hair away from the scalp and add subtle waves. Don’t rush through this shaping stage or brush out waves immediately. “Give hair a moment to cool down on the brush or use a cool-shot setting,” said Amos. “As hair cools, the bonds reform in whatever shape they’re set in,” explains Osborne. Wait 10 minutes, then finish with a dab of shine-boosting serum while taming flyaways.
Six buys to try
Upgrade your at-home blowout, starting at $11
Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer
Clocking in at 32 per cent smaller and 25 per cent lighter than the original, this highly portable version of the award-winning hair tool features universal voltage and measures heat multiple times per second, adjusting instantly as needed to protect hair from damage.
Silk’n SilkyAir Pro Brushless Hair Dryer with Premium Ion
Designed for quicker drying results with less frizz, this sleek blow dryer delivers powerful airflow along with six temperature settings, three speed levels, a cool shot function and three magnetic attachments, including two sizes of concentrators.
Revlon PowerMove Hair Dryer
An ultraquiet and extremely lightweight hair tool, this powerful blow dryer weighs less than a pound (0.6 pounds to be exact), boasts fast airflow and comes complete with multiple heat and speed settings, a cooling button and concentrator nozzle for precision work.
Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl to Straight Ultimate Blowout
Formulated specifically to smooth out curls while protecting against damage to naturally dry strands, this lightweight spray delivers moisture, shields against humidity and provides heat protection up to 450 F.
Monday Haircare Volume Texturizing Mousse
Suitable for all hair types, and for use on damp or dry hair, this weightless foam is infused with collagen and helps to lift and hold volume with a flexible finish, without any crunchy or sticky residue.
L’Oreal Paris Glycolic Gloss Leave-In Serum
Formulated with glycolic acid and a castor oil derivative, and ideal for all hair types, this finishing treatment smooths and seals the hair cuticle to reduce frizz and create soft waves with long-lasting shine.