In this tutorial I share tips that will make your blowouts faster, smoother and more efficient. I breakdown the different types of blow dry brushes, how you need to prep your hair and show you a hair cut makeover!
Model: Annisa, @annisalimara
- high density
- coil shaped curls
- low porosity
- straight natural
THE PREP
Step 1: Apply Scalp Clarifier and massage, add water and spread through ends, then rinse out.
It is important to clear your scalp and strands of any old product build-up to give you a clean surface to work from. This formula has Salicylic Acid, Sea Kelp Extract and Indian Winter Cherry to gently exfoliate follicles while increasing circulation for healthy hair growth. It is also going to ensure your scalp is pH balanced to reduce shedding and flaking in the days after styling.
Step 2: Apply The Ultimate Hydrator shampoo, massage roots to ends and rinse out.
The Ultimate Hydrator is formulated to cleanse, hydrate and repair with carrot seed oil to stimulate growth, hydrolyzed wheat protein to strengthen and marshmallow root to improve elasticity and combat itchy, dry scalp. The name on this one is real, it is the ULTIMATE hydrator because of its unique blend of botanicals, essential oils and proteins that give scalp and hair pH balance while improving the overall health with each wash.
PRO-TIP: Use your fingertips (avoid using your nails) to prevent micro-tears in your scalp. Massage shampoo for at least 60 seconds to make sure the surfactant molecules in the formula can grab up all the unwanted particles.
Step 3: Apply the Elasticity Restoring Treatment and detangle in sections, process for 10 min and rinse out.
This treatment is formulated to repair the lipid barrier of your strands so your hair retains more moisture with less frizz while strengthening and repairing. It has hydrolyzed quinoa, the only protein with all nine essential amino acids that act as natural strengtheners to protect the hair shaft, mongongo oil to prevent moisture loss by creating a protective barrier on the cuticle and mango seed butter to restore elasticity.
Using this treatment every washday is going to reduce breakage so you retain more length. This is a treatment with protein in it, not a protein treatment, so it is safe and designed for regular use.
PRO-TIP: Even if you step out of the shower to detangle, applying in the shower helps distribute the treatment while your hair is still holding the most water.
Tool: FHI Heat UNbrush is made with DuoFlex Anti-Static Bristles that help it glide effortlessly through all hair types and levels of tangle without causing breakage. It’s very light weight, easy to clean and it really does cut down on detangling time.
Use code MOKNOWSHAIR for additional 10% off at checkout.
Step 4: Apply heat protectant, evenly distribute with a brush, section hair, place the hair in small bantu knots to prepare for blow drying.
If you don't have one you like already, here are a couple heat protectants I recommend:
PRO-TIP: Pre-sectioning keeps you organized and the hair damp until you get to the section, so you won’t have to spray water and get droplets on sections that you have already dried. This will also save you time, because if you are pre-sectioned, you can move to the next section without setting your tools down.
PRO-TIP: Read the instructions on the heat protectant you are using and do what it says. You are canceling the heat protection in the protectant if you layer other products under it preventing it from properly attaching to your strands. Cosmetic instructions are given to you based on how the product was formulated and tested.
Tool: Tangle Teezer
Step 5: Blow dry sections (watch tutorial for demo).
Dryer: FHI Heat Platform 2000 Nano Power Pro Dryer has a high velocity motor that helps dry hair faster with ceramic, HydraHeat technology to evenly distribute heat and seal in moisture while reducing frizz and static. It has three heat settings, clickable cool shot and comes with a nozzle, diffuser, comb attachment and storage bag.
Use code MOKNOWSHAIR for additional 10% off at checkout.
BRUSH GUIDE: I am going to show you a range of comb/brushes starting with the least amount of tension going up to highest.
LOW TENSION TOOLS
X Comb attachment (very low tension) - I am not a fan of these on any dryer because they make it awkwardly too long, have virtually no grip for tension and take forever to dry a section. If you like using these, you can, they aren’t wrong, they are just highly inefficient, which is why you don’t see me using them.
✅ Denman Paddle Brush (low tension) - has a flexible air cushion with ball-ended pins to make it gentle on the scalp. The large surface area of this brush makes it great for all textured hair types and densities. It allows you to stretch the hair very easily without added breakage, but it does not have a lot of natural tension. This brush requires more dexterity than others to get the hair somewhat smooth, but it’s a solid option!
X Denman Classic Styling Brush (low/medium tension) - has an anti-static rubber pad and rows of tightly packed straight pins to smooth, polish and shape the hair. The grip on this handle is not very comfortable and the tension isn’t as much as you’d think considering the amount of bristles it has. This brush works, but it definitely requires a higher level of skill to get a decent result. This is probably my least favorite style of brush to blow dry textured hair with.
HIGH TENSION TOOLS
✅ FHI Heat Thermal Ceramic Brush (high tension) - has a blend of anti-static wave shaped bristles to provide increased tension and shine. This brush has a padded, ergonomic handle and comes in three sizes (I am using the 1.5 inch). The grip allows you to get all the way to the scalp with smoother results due to the wavy texture of the bristles. The open core lets air travel through to decrease dry time and make the brush lightweight. This is my favorite style of round brush.
Use code MOKNOWSHAIR for additional 10% off at checkout.
✅ Ion Boar Ceramic Thermal Round Brush (high tension) - uses negative ions to eliminate frizz and ceramic barrel to retain and control heat for smoothing. The combination of pins and bristles gives high tension to get hair stretched faster. This brush has a good, ergonomic grip as well, but it is heavier because the core is not open vented. This brush gives the most tension, but you will need some serious hand and wrist dexterity to maneuver this one in tandem with your dryer. Note: There is a new version of this brush, so it may be lighter in weight than this one.
✅ FHI Heat Platform Blowout Brush (med/high tension) - is a ceramic 4-in-1 tool that dries, smoothes and curls. If you struggle with maneuvering a dryer and round brush at the same time, this is your new friend. This dryer has an oval-shaped barrel and curved edges making it easy to turn and glide with an ergonomically curved handle for comfort. The 360-degree airflow and professional-grade motor uses plasma ionic technology that purifies the air, eliminating static and frizz to give you smooth, hydrated results.
Use code MOKNOWSHAIR for additional 10% off at checkout.
Step 6: Flat-iron and style.
Tool: FHI Heat Platform Signature Pro Styler 1.25” tourmaline ceramic flat iron has three layers of baked ceramic plates infused with tourmaline for even heat distribution and high-speed heat recovery. HydraHeat™ technology seals in moisture, repels humidity, reduces frizz, and helps eliminate static with negative ions for softer, smoother results. What I love most about these irons is the smooth glide, how it adds to the shine of the hair, how lightweight it is and how quickly it recovers heat between passes.
Use code MOKNOWSHAIR for additional 10% off at checkout.
FLAT IRONING PRO-TIPS:
- Make sure you are using sections that are no taller than the width of the plates of the iron.
- You need to apply tension as you pull the iron down if you only want to do one pass. However, with this ceramic flat iron and the heat protectant you use, you will be ok if you need more than one pass. I am using 400 degrees in this demo.
- You should be able to find the maximum temperature threshold for the heat protectant you are using in its instructions/details. When you see “heat protection up to 400 degrees” that is the level it tested and maxed out when formulated. You’ll probably be ok if you go a little higher, but stay close in range.
- When choosing tools, I recommend ceramic over titanium for natural curls if you care about your curl pattern not being damaged. Titanium irons give super silky results, but the metal is more porous and passes more heat into the strands so the risk for permanent bond breakage is higher. Ceramic material is less porous and you are less likely to damage your hair.
The Cut: One-length bob with a very slight drop angle from the ear forward. A good, sharp bob is very chic and still offers lots of styling options. This type of cut will grow out gracefully and if you want layers in the future, they are easy to cut in.
PRO-TIP: When it comes to styling with your flat/curling iron, the key to getting the hair to lay correctly in the front half is to part the sections diagonally so as you are curling away from your face allowing it to fall at an angle in a the cascading affect.
PRO-TIP: Using a hair spray will help hold curls longer and help them resist humidity. Agadir Volumizing Firm Hold Hair Spray is great for curly and straight styles - it’s not sticky, it doesn’t get too hard, tacky or flake and it’s safe for thermal tools.
I hope you learned a lot of new things in this tutorial that you can apply to your regimen and techniques!
