7 Different Types of Blow Dry Styles

When it comes to hair styling, you can’t beat the power of a good blow dry. With a hairdryer and a selection of brushes, you can unlock numerous blow dry styles to transform your look from ordinary to spectacular.

Blow drying encompasses different styles, whether you want sleek sophistication, voluminous bounce, or effortless waves. Getting the hang of various blow-drying skills, like guiding the airflow or getting your brush roll just right, can step up your hair styling game. Take some time to explore these techniques and grow your collection of styling tricks.

Straight and Smooth

Mastering a smooth, straight blow dry can turn frizzy or wavy hair into sleek, shiny tresses, making it an ideal choice for occasions ranging from job interviews and weddings to casual brunches with friends.

Start with a heat protectant on damp hair to shield it from heat damage. Using an ionic hair dryer with a concentrator nozzle, work in 3-5 cm sections (depending on your hair’s thickness and texture), brushing and drying from roots to ends. This width allows for more precise dryer control and ensures heat is evenly distributed throughout each section.

Direct airflow downwards, away from the root, and use a ceramic or ionic round brush to smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz. Finish with a lightweight smoothing serum and a mist of light-hold hairspray to secure the style.

Volume Blow Dry

For a voluminous blow dry that adds life and bounce to your hair, apply a volumising mousse or spray to the roots on damp hair to build that foundational lift.
Use a wide-diameter round brush, preferably with a ceramic base for better heat distribution, to gently pull sections of your hair upward and away from the scalp as you dry. The key here is lifting at the roots with the help of an ionic hair dryer, which reduces frizz and enhances volume. Focus the airflow with a concentrator nozzle to target specific areas along the length of your strands for added lift.

After achieving the desired volume, a cool shot of air locks in your style. For the final touch, use a lightweight volumising spray or powder to maintain the volume without making your hair heavy. Perfecting this method will give your hair a fuller look that’s ready for any occasion.

Curly or Wavy

A curly or wavy blow dry brings out your hair’s natural texture, creating beautifully defined curls or soft waves. This style is about enhancing volume and movement without the crunchiness sometimes associated with curling products.

To start, prep damp hair with a curl-enhancing cream or mousse infused with heat-protectant ingredients to define and protect your curls or waves. A diffuser attachment on your hair dryer is critical because it disperses the airflow evenly around your curls, reducing frizz and maintaining your natural pattern.

Gently cup your hair with the diffuser, moving it from the ends towards the scalp. The warm air encourages the formation of curls or waves. Keep the dryer on a low speed and medium heat setting to prevent disrupting your hair’s texture.

When dry, a light application of serum can add shine, and a flexible hold hairspray will keep your curls in place without stiffness.

The Brazilian Blowout

A Brazilian Blowout is a professional hair smoothing treatment designed to produce frizz-free, silky, and effortlessly manageable hair for up to 12 weeks. Unlike a traditional blow dry, this treatment infuses the hair with a unique keratin formula that seals the cuticle, providing a protective layer around each hair strand.

The process begins with a clarifying shampoo to strip the hair of residual products and open the cuticle for the treatment to penetrate effectively. The Brazilian Blowout formula is then applied evenly from root to tip. The hair is blow-dried smooth using a round brush and then flat-ironed at a high temperature to seal in the treatment. This heat activation is essential for the keratin to bond with the hair.

After the heat application, the hair is rinsed, and a deep conditioning mask is applied to hydrate and seal the cuticle further. Then, the hair is blow-dried again to reveal a glossy, smooth finish. Always use sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners to prolong the treatment’s effects.

The Flip

A flip blow dry is a playful, retro-inspired style that adds flair to the ends of your hair by flipping them outward or inward. This style frames the face and adds a fun twist to your everyday look.

Begin with damp hair and use a heat protectant to protect your hair against damage. With a round brush and a hairdryer equipped with a concentrator nozzle, start drying from the roots, aiming for smoothness and volume. When you reach the hair ends, twist the brush outwards for an outward flip or inwards for an inward flip, directing the heat to firm up the style. The magic lies in the wrist action; a quick flick in the chosen direction while drying will achieve the flawless flip you’re after.

A lightweight mousse or volumising spray applied at the roots can enhance the overall volume, while a smoothing serum on the ends can help define the flip. Finish with a blast of cool air to set your style and a lot of hairspray to keep everything in place.

Beachy Waves

Getting beach waves by blow drying is really about letting your hair’s natural texture shine. This style oozes relaxed chic, giving you effortlessly tousled waves that make it seem like you’ve just returned from a beach day.

For those ideal beachy waves, begin with damp hair and use a sea salt spray or texturising mousse to boost the wave pattern. Attach a diffuser to your hairdryer and set it to a low heat to promote natural waves while keeping frizz at bay. While drying, gently scrunch sections of your hair to amplify volume and intensify the wave effect. If you’re after more pronounced waves, twist sections of your hair as you dry.

Once dry, a light mist of hairspray can help hold the waves in place. Optionally, use a curling wand on a few sections for added definition.

Textured and Tousled

Opt for a textured and tousled blow dry style to achieve a look that’s effortlessly unkempt yet full of life and attitude. This method adds a bit of excitement to straight hair or brings out the best in natural waves, giving them a more rugged, lived-in appearance.

Start by working a volumising mousse or texturising spray into damp hair to lay the foundation for texture. Then, use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to keep your hair’s natural texture intact while giving it a boost in volume.

Rather than carefully styling each strand, tousle separate sections with your fingers for a more natural wave and curl formation. Dial down the dryer’s heat and speed for even more texture, and scrunch your hair to bring out its natural shape.

To further enhance the texture, a quick mist of sea salt spray works wonders, and a bit of dry shampoo at the roots will give you extra volume and a touch of grit. Finish it with a flexible hold hairspray to secure your tousled, textured style without sacrificing movement.

Get the Perfect Blow Dry Style at Intaglio

Elevate your hair game to the next level with a salon-quality blowout. At Intaglio Hair Salon, our Cut & Blow Wave service delivers unbeatable bounce and a style that turns heads. Ready to see the difference? Book your appointment with us today, and let’s transform your look!