The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Blow Wave
Whether you want to add volume, create loose waves, or achieve a sleek and polished look, a professional blow wave can give you confidence and style. A blow wave, or blowout, is a hairstyling technique that uses a hair dryer and round brush to create a smooth and polished look.
From pre-blow wave preparation to tools, techniques, and maintenance tips, this ultimate guide to the perfect blow wave will tell you everything you need to know about the popular blowout technique. Our experienced stylists at Intaglio Hair Salon can customise a blow wave to add volume, curl, or sleekness to any hair type.
Ultimate Blow Wave Guide: What is a Blow Wave?
A blow wave is a popular hairstyling technique where a professional stylist uses a blow dryer and a round brush to create smooth, voluminous, and bouncy hair. Blow waves are a versatile styling technique used to achieve various looks, from sleek, straight strands to natural curls, to loose, beachy waves.
The blow wave technique has been around for decades, but it became trendy in the early 2000s when celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian started rocking perfectly coiffed blowouts on the red carpet. Since then, the blow wave has remained a go-to hairstyle for many celebrities, including Meghan Markle, known for her signature sleek, straight blowout.
Blow waves are one of the most requested services at hair salons, and many stylists have mastered the technique to create customised looks that enhance their client’s natural beauty. Whether you have short, medium, or long hair, a blow wave can add volume, movement, and shine to your locks, making it a versatile and timeless styling option.
How to Prepare for a Blow Wave
Preparing your hair is essential to ensure the best results if you’re planning to get a salon blow wave. Your stylist will follow three steps to ensure your hair is properly prepped for a blow wave. By taking these steps, your stylist can create a flawless and long-lasting blow wave that will leave you looking and feeling great.
1. Shampoo and Condition Hair
Your stylist will start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup or excess oil. Then, they’ll follow up with a moisturising conditioner to hydrate and nourish your hair. Rinse your hair thoroughly to ensure that there is no leftover product in your hair that could weigh down your strands and affect the outcome of the blow wave.
2. Towel Dry Hair
Your stylist will gently squeeze excess water out of your hair with a towel without rubbing, which can cause frizz and damage. It’s essential to start the blow wave with damp, not soaking wet, hair.
Starting the blow wave with damp hair allows the heat to penetrate and dry your hair efficiently, avoiding damage from excessive heat exposure. Blow drying soaking wet hair can cause cuticle swelling and damage, leading to split ends and breakage. Damp hair also helps lock in the style for a longer-lasting blow wave.
3. Apply Heat Protectant
Before applying any heat to your hair, apply a heat protectant spray or serum. This creates a barrier between your hair and the heat, reducing the risk of damage and breakage. Apply the heat protectant evenly throughout your hair, focusing on the ends which are the most fragile and prone to damage.
Salon Blow Wave Technique
After preparing your hair, your Intaglio stylist will use high-quality products, expert techniques, and a customised styling process that complements your aesthetic to ensure you leave our salon with the perfect blow wave.
1. Sectioning the Hair
To achieve a flawless blow wave, stylists use a technique called sectioning to ensure that every strand of hair is dried and styled. The process starts by detangling the hair with a wide-tooth comb and dividing the hair into sections, typically using clips or hair ties to keep the hair in place.
The stylist will usually begin at the nape of the neck and work up to the top of the head, ensuring that every section of hair is evenly dried and styled. Depending on the thickness and length of your hair, they may divide it into three or more sections.
The sections are then further divided into smaller pieces, typically no more than 2 to 5cm wide. This allows the stylist to focus on one small area at a time, ensuring that every hair strand is properly dried and styled.
Sectioning is essential to achieving a perfect blow wave because it allows the stylist to create volume and shape in the hair and ensures the style lasts longer. It also helps to prevent tangling and frizz, resulting in a sleek and polished look.
2. Blow Drying the Hair
To achieve a perfect blow wave, our stylists use a high-quality blow dryer and a round brush to create the desired shape and volume in the hair. The heat level that a stylist will set the blow dryer to for a salon blow wave can vary depending on the hair type, texture, and condition of the client’s hair. Our stylists generally use a medium heat setting to avoid damaging the hair with excessive heat.
However, if you have thick or coarse hair, the stylist may need to use a high heat setting to dry the hair properly. The stylist may use a lower heat setting for clients with thin or fine hair to avoid causing damage.
Your stylist will typically start at the roots and work their way down to the ends of the hair, using the round brush to direct the dryer’s air flow along the hair shaft. This helps to smooth the cuticle, reducing frizz and creating a sleek, polished look. Your stylist may use hair brushes with different barrel diameters to increase the volume or create a tighter curl pattern in certain sections of your hair.
To add volume and shape, stylists lift the hair up and away from the scalp, with the blow dryer’s nozzle pointing towards the roots. This creates a lift and bounce in the hair that can last for days.
Our stylists may also use a diffuser attachment on curly hair or add waves to create a tousled, beachy look.
3. Adding the Finishing Touches
After blow drying each section of hair to create the desired shape and volume, your stylist will add the finishing touches to complete the blow wave. One of the essential finishing products we use is hairspray, which holds the style in place while adding shine and texture to the hair. Your stylist may also use other products, such as shine serum, styling cream, or mousse, to enhance the texture of the hair and add definition to the waves or curls.
To create a sleek and polished look, stylists may use a flat iron to straighten stray hairs or add extra shine. They may also use a curling iron or wand to add more defined curls or waves to the hair.
Adding the finishing touches ensures the hair stays in place and looks polished and healthy.
How to Maintain Your Blow Wave
After investing in a salon blow wave, it’s essential to maintain it properly to extend the life of your blow wave and keep your hair looking healthy and voluminous. A salon blow wave can last anywhere from a few days to a week or more, depending on your hair’s natural characteristics and how well it is taken care of after the initial styling. Some of the following tips will help your style last as long as possible.
1. Avoid Washing Your Hair
To make a blow wave last, avoid washing your hair for at least 2-3 days after the initial blow wave because it allows the style to set and the hair cuticle to fully close, which helps to lock in the shape and reduce frizz. To maintain the shape and volume without washing, use a dry shampoo or texturising spray on the roots to refresh the style.
2. Nourish Your Hair
Use high-quality hair products to maintain the style. A lightweight hair oil or serum can add shine and nourish the hair, while a styling mousse or hairspray can help to hold the shape and volume. Avoid using heavy or greasy products that can weigh down the hair and make it appear limp.
3. Prepare Your Hair Before Bed
To prevent your blow wave from getting flattened while sleeping, loosely tie your hair in a low ponytail or braid it before going to bed. Use a silk or satin pillowcase to prevent friction, which can cause frizz and damage the hair. Alternatively, you can use a silk or satin scarf to wrap your hair, which will also help to prevent tangling.
Benefits of Getting a Professional Blow Wave at Intaglio Hair Salon
Getting a professional blow wave at Intaglio Hair Salon has many benefits that will leave you feeling pampered and satisfied. The stylists at Intaglio Hair Salon have years of experience and extensive training in the art of blow waving. They are skilled at creating various styles and can help you achieve the perfect look for any occasion.
At Intaglio, each client is treated as an individual, with their unique hair type, texture, and styling needs to be considered. The stylists work closely with clients to understand their preferences and create a personalised blow wave tailored to their specific needs.
Intaglio Hair Salon uses only the highest quality hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. These products are designed to nourish and protect the hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthy and vibrant.
At Intaglio Hair Salon, you’ll feel right at home in the luxurious and welcoming atmosphere. The salon is designed to provide a comfortable and relaxing experience, with soothing music, comfortable seating, and friendly staff to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Get a Glamourous Blow Wave With Our Skilled Stylists
If you want to achieve the ultimate blow wave experience, visit the friendly team at Intaglio Hair Salon. Our stylists use only the highest-quality products and expert techniques to ensure you leave our salon with the flawless blowout you desire.
Whether you have a special event coming up or just want to treat yourself to a luxurious salon experience, book an appointment with us today, and let us help you achieve the perfect blow wave.