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You’ve landed on this post intending to discover the answer to the question: “What is a hair blowout?”
Your curiosity can mean only one thing: You understand that hair is an intensely powerful tool for expression.
What Is A Hair Blowout?
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The term “hair blowout” might sound complicated, especially if you’ve stuck to the same haircut and hairstyle for years.
In reality, though, the answer to “what is a hair blowout?” is remarkably simple.
Indeed, a hair blowout is nothing more than a method of drying hair to achieve a smooth and voluptuous look.
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Hair Blowouts
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If you’re wondering whether or not you should get a hair blowout, know this: You probably got one already, and on numerous occasions at that, although you mightn’t have realized it at the time.Let us explain.
Every time you visit your hairdresser, your appointment likely ends with the hairstylist styling your hair. In other words, it ends with the hairdresser giving you a hair blowout.
That’s why your hair looks perfect right after you get it cut, at least until you wash it.
A good blowout can make you feel like a million bucks, and hair parlors are cashing in on that.
Indeed, some hair salons offer blowouts and nothing else. These salons are known as dry bars, and they’re incredibly popular.
For example, here’s what happens when you book an appointment at a dry bar:
1. A hairdresser preps your hair with a shampoo and a conditioning wash.
2. Then, she towel dries your hair to get rid of excess moisture before conditioning and detangling your hair.
3. After that, she sections the hair. Then, using a blow dryer and a ceramic brush, she minimizes frizz and achieves the style of your choice via controlled techniques.
4. Finally, she uses high-quality hair products to add texture and soft dimension.
Many people falsely assume that a blowout will leave their hair completely straight when, in fact, you can ask for anything you want when getting a blowout, including curls, waves, and texture.
Typically, a blowout will last anywhere between three days to a week, depending on the type of blowout you decide to go for, your hair texture, and the oiliness of your scalp.
There’s More Than One Type Of Blowout
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Search for an answer to “what is a hair blowout?” and you’ll more than likely come across a variety of different hair styling techniques, including the simple U.S. blowout and the controversial Brazilian treatment.
Below, we break down the most popular hair blowout methods offered in hair parlors across the country. All four are vastly different. And, they’re all potential answers to “what is a hair blowout?”
Stay Local
A typical American blowout involves the use of a hairdryer and a round brush.
Usually, a stylist creates loose, smooth, and voluminous waves with a little bit of bend. The goal here is to achieve an effortless look (even though you might have spent up to an hour at the hairdresser’s).
This type of blowout is perfect for all hair types and textures. But be wary that your blowout will wash out as soon as your hair comes into contact with moisture.
Ask For This If Your Hair Is Very Thick Or Very Curly
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The Dominican blowout, which hails from the Dominican Republic, represents a wide range of hair textures.
Generally, stylists trained in Dominican blowouts forego the use of all products (save for maybe water-based products, but only on rare occasions) before blow drying. Consequently, a Dominican blowout leaves your hair looking light and airy.
Moreover, unlike most hair studios, authentic Dominican salons tend to accept walk-ins. Furthermore, the service provided at these places is typically fast and affordable. A Dominican blowout should last about a week (or until the next wash).
The only downside? The high heat that’s used to achieve gorgeous straight tresses might cause hair damage.
Also, the excessive tugging and pulling involved in a Dominican blowout can result in some clients leaving the salon with sore scalps. Not exactly the relaxing experience you might have hoped for!
The Controversial One
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The Brazilian blowout is a widely sought-after treatment that involves bonding liquid keratin formula to your hair, thus creating a protective layer around every strand.
The smoothing treatment, which uses ingredients indigenous to Brazil, seals the cuticle, eliminates frizz, and protects hair against any external damage.
So how does a Brazilian blowout differ from a standard keratin treatment? While both are similar, the Brazilian blowout is much more manageable post-treatment.
Following a keratin treatment, you can’t wash your hair for three to four days afterward. Nor can you style your hair or put it up in a ponytail.
After a Brazilian blowout, your hair is back to normal pretty much immediately. Style it, wash it, and play with it to your heart’s content.
A common misconception is that a Brazilian blowout will make your hair completely straight. That’s not necessarily true. If you’re partial to curly hair, talk to your stylist beforehand. She’ll tame frizz, making your hair smoother but not necessarily pin-straight (unless that’s what you want).
Some people are troubled by the safety of Brazilian blowouts because liquid keratin formulas contain formaldehyde, a substance that can potentially cause cancer.
However, the formula uses only trace amounts of this fear-inducing compound.
An experienced hair stylist can achieve the perfect Brazilian blowout in approximately an hour and a half, depending on the thickness and texture of your hair.
The treatment should last three to four months, provided that you don’t use shampoos that contain chlorine and sulfates.
Ideal For Those Seeking Permanent Results
If you want to straighten your hair permanently, the Japanese hair straightening method is your best bet.
Japanese hair straightening is an intense technique that involves chemically processing and straightening your hair, a lengthy process that will steal at least a couple of hours out of your day.
This unique technique smooths out even the thickest of curls. Furthermore, the results are permanent. Your hair will remain completely straight until it grows out.
The convenience of Japanese hair straightening comes at a cost, though. You’ll not only have to part with hundreds of dollars, but you could also damage your hair. In fact, hair loss following a Japanese hair straightening treatment is not unheard of.
Make It Last
You now know the answer to “what is a hair blowout.” But if you’re interested in getting one, you should also know how to make it last longer.
No matter what fashion blogs and style magazines might be telling us, bed head is not a good look. Avoid ruining your perfect blowout by gathering your hair into a messy bun before hitting the sack.
Next, let’s talk about keeping your hair clean.
As soon as you wash your hair, your bouncy, soft threads will revert to their natural, pre-blowout state (unless you’ve opted for a more permanent blowout, like the Brazilian blowout or Japanese hair straightening).
Consequently, most women avoid washing their hair for a few days after their salon appointment. If you notice that your scalp is becoming oily, use dry shampoo to absorb the oil, give your hair more body, and refresh the ends.
Showers can be dangerous too.
If your hair is fine, then moisture will flatten it. On the contrary, if your hair is full, moisture will make it frizzy. The easiest way to protect your blowout when having a shower is to wear a terry-cloth cap that fits your head snugly.
Last but not least, sweat can also wreak blowout havoc. Don’t use your perfect hair as an excuse to skip the gym, though. You can protect your blowout by wearing an absorbent cloth headband during your work out.
Do It Yourself
Now that you’re familiar with the answer to “what is a hair blowout,” you probably want to book an appointment at your local salon as soon as possible.
However, you don’t necessarily have to go to a dry bar or a hair studio to get a simple hair blowout. With the right tools and enough confidence, you can style your hair yourself.
Here’s how:
Everyone Makes Mistakes
By now, you know the answer to “what is a hair blowout.” But don’t get too cocky, especially if you choose to try it at home. Instead, familiarize yourself with common blunders.
The number one mistake that you can make when it comes to achieving a salon-worthy blowout at home is failing to invest in a high-quality blow dryer.
Dryers that are a bit more costly usually come with hair-saving features such as multiple heat settings, high power, and ionic air technology. The latter minimizes blow-dry time, which means that your hair spends less time under intense heat.
Speaking of dryers, don’t ignore the flat nozzle attachment that fastens to the end of your hair tool. This handy extension concentrates the air more precisely and protects hair from excess heat.
A high-grade hairdryer is not the only purchase that can improve your hair’s health. Swap out your cotton-based towel for a microfiber towel to reduce friction. Alternatively, use an old but clean T-shirt.
Whenever possible, allow your hair to air-dry. And, remember to wait until your hair is roughly 80 percent dry before you start sectioning it and styling it with a brush.
Finally, always use a heat protectant and make sure to pay careful attention to the ends since they’re usually the most delicate and thus the most easily damaged.
Should You Book A Salon Appointment?
A good hair day can make us feel like we can take on the world. So, it only makes sense that you’d want to know the answer to “what is a hair blowout?” Hopefully, this post answered your question.
The easiest way to achieve silky, voluptuous hair is by booking a hair blowout appointment at your local hair salon. Call first, as they may not be taking appointments.
Nonetheless, if you’ve got some time to spare, love learning new things, and have just the right level of self-confidence, you can tackle a blowout at home.
Have you ever gotten a blowout? Which one? Share your experience in the comments below!