Getting a professional blowout can leave your hair looking salon-fresh, smooth, bouncy, and full of life. Traditionally, you’d visit a salon for this popular hair styling service, but today, at-home hair services make it possible to enjoy a fabulous blowout without stepping outside. Thanks to on-demand beauty providers like Glamsquad, a trained stylist can come to your door to perform the same blow-dry styling magic you’d get at a salon, on your schedule and in the comfort of your home. The result? You save time and skip the hassle of travel while still enjoying a pampering experience with beautifully styled hair.
Understanding Blowout Hairstyles
In a professional blowout, a stylist uses specific drying methods and brushes to reshape your hair’s texture and add volume without any harsh chemicals. The stylist will work on small sections of hair, pulling each one taut with a round brush while directing hot air from the dryer down the shaft. This process smooths the cuticle to reduce frizz and impart shine. The tension and heat help curve the hair into the desired shape, whether that’s straight with a soft curl at the ends, big bouncy waves, or anything in between.
What sets a blowout apart from a regular at-home dry is the level of polish and longevity. A professional blowout leaves your hair sleek but with natural movement and volume, and the style can last for several days until your next wash. A good blowout appointment is meant to transform your hair from ordinary to stunning with just a dryer and brush, giving you a “wow” style that saves you from having to style it each day. Blowouts can be customized, too. You can choose to have straight, smooth strands with a little bend at the ends, loose waves, or full-bodied curls. Blowout hairstyles are all about healthy-looking, lively hair that has both shine and bounce.
Benefits of a Blowout: Smooth, Frizz-Free, and Time-Saving
One of the biggest perks of a blowout is how it leaves your hair sleek and frizz-free. If you struggle with poofy or unruly hair, you’ll be happy to know that a professional blowout is great for taming frizz. Stylists use controlled heat and brushing techniques to seal down the hair cuticle, which eliminates flyaways and creates a polished look that lasts – even in humid weather. By smoothing the cuticle and often incorporating smoothing serums or creams, a blowout for frizzy hair can be transformed into a silky-smooth style. Many people with naturally curly or frizzy hair are amazed at how soft and manageable their hair feels after a blowout. That smoothness can hold up for days, meaning you won’t have to battle your hair each morning.
Another benefit is the long-lasting volume. During a blowout, the stylist lifts your hair at the roots while drying, creating fullness that can make even fine hair look fuller. Those with limp or flat hair often love blowouts because they give their hair body and life that they can’t easily achieve on their own. Plus, there’s a nice side effect: since the style can last several days, you won’t need to wash and restyle your hair as frequently. This can save you a lot of time over the course of a week. Instead of daily blow-drying or flat-ironing, you wake up with ready-to-go hair for 3-5 days. Fewer wash days and heat-styling sessions also mean less cumulative heat damage to your hair over time. In between blowouts, you can maintain the look by sleeping with your hair in a loose ponytail or bun and using a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
At-Home vs. Salon Blowouts: What’s the Difference?
You may be wondering how an at-home hair blowout appointment compares to the classic salon experience. The key differences lie in the convenience and some logistics. The big advantage of at-home services is, of course, convenience. You don’t need to drive to a salon, find parking, or carve out extra travel time. Instead, a mobile hair stylist comes to you. For busy individuals or parents, this is a game-changer: you can continue getting ready for an event or mind tasks at home until the stylist arrives, and there’s no need to arrange childcare or spend time in transit.
In a salon, a blowout appointment typically includes a shampoo and conditioning at the shampoo bowl, since stylists prefer to start with very clean hair. In an at-home appointment, things work a little differently. Because your stylist won’t have the full salon sink setup, they will usually ask you to have your hair freshly washed and towel-dried by the time they arrive. You might see instructions like “wet hair, in the chair,” meaning wash your hair 10-15 minutes prior to the appointment so it’s damp but not dripping. This ensures the stylist can jump straight into the blow-drying and styling portion. It’s a little different from a salon where they handle the wash for you, but it’s a small trade-off for not having to leave home. If you’re someone who loves the salon shampoo ritual, you can simulate it by giving yourself a thorough, relaxing wash right before your at-home stylist comes. Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner appropriate for your hair type. Avoid using too much heavy conditioner or oil, which could weigh down your hair; a light conditioner focused on the ends is usually best. The stylist will bring their own professional hair dryer, brushes, clips, and products. They usually carry a range of blowout hair products, so you don’t need to supply anything. It’s a good idea to clear a small table or surface where they can lay out their tools and products. Try to minimize distractions during the appointment. For example, keep pets or young children busy in another room if possible, as the stylist will be working with hot tools and needs to concentrate.
Salons operate on set hours, but with at-home services, you might have more slots available to choose from, depending on the platform or stylist. You can often book at-home hairstylists via a phone app or website, selecting the date and time that suits you best. The booking process for at-home services is usually very straightforward. You’ll select your service, for example, a blowout, or even add-ons if you want to get a haircut and a blowout in the same visit. Enter your address, and the service will match you with a qualified stylist who comes to you. Payment and tip can often be handled cashlessly through the app as well, making the whole experience seamless. In terms of cost, at-home blowouts are often comparable to salon prices, though some services charge a bit more for the convenience of house calls.
Preparing for Your At-Home Hair Blowout Appointment
Getting ready for a 70s blowout haircut ensures a smooth and efficient experience. By taking a few simple steps, you can help your stylist work effectively and achieve the best possible results.
- Hair Preparation is Key: Begin by washing your hair about 15-30 minutes before your stylist's arrival. This timing is crucial; your hair should be damp, not dripping wet or completely dry. Hair that is too wet will prolong the blow-drying process, while hair that is too dry can compromise the styling. Remember to gently towel-dry your hair after conditioning, and avoid applying any leave-in products or styling creams unless specifically instructed by your stylist, as they may prefer to start with a fresh canvas.
- Optimal Lighting for Precision: Selecting a well-lit area in your home is essential for your stylist. Bright natural light, perhaps near a window during the daytime, allows them to clearly see your hair's color, texture, and individual strands. This visibility is vital for ensuring even styling and precise application of products. If your appointment is in the evening, ensure the room's artificial lights are sufficiently bright to mimic the clarity of natural light. Good lighting contributes significantly to the stylist's ability to create flawless and professional blowout haircuts.
- Comfortable and Accessible Seating: Provide a sturdy and comfy chair for yourself, such as a dining chair or a desk chair. The chair should have a backrest to allow you to sit comfortably throughout the appointment. Ideally, choose a chair without high armrests, as this will give your stylist more freedom to move around you and access all sides of your head without obstruction.
- Power Access for Tools: Ensure there's a readily available electrical outlet near your chosen styling spot. If only one outlet is within reach, a power strip can be handy to accommodate multiple plugs, preventing interruptions and ensuring the stylist has continuous access to the necessary power for their equipment.
- Designated Workspace for Stylist's Kit: It's a thoughtful gesture to clear a small table or countertop where your stylist can neatly lay out their professional tools, brushes, and products. They typically arrive with a comprehensive kit containing various round brushes, sectioning clips, a blow dryer with specialized nozzles, and a range of styling products like heat protectant, creams, and hairspray. Providing this organized space helps them stay efficient and ensures they can easily access everything they need to create their desired blowout. Having a clean towel on hand is also beneficial, as some stylists use it to protect furniture.
By following these guidelines, you'll not only make your at-home blowout appointment more enjoyable for yourself but also create an ideal working environment for your stylist, leading to a fantastic hair transformation.
Think about any specific requests or reference images you have for your blowout. Preparing for the appointment is also about communicating your desired outcome. If you want a specific style, maybe you love the way a certain celebrity’s hair looks, or you’re aiming for that beach wave blowout effect, have a photo ready or be able to describe it. Common blowout style requests include straight and sleek with a little curl at the ends, big loose waves, flipped-out ends, or even a high-volume crown like a 90s blowout style. Your stylist will appreciate knowing your vision so they can tailor their technique to achieve it. Let them know about your hair characteristics so they can choose the right approach and products.
The Blowout Process: What to Expect During the Appointment
When your stylist arrives and the setup is done, it’s time to begin the blowout process. The stylist will usually assess your hair’s wetness and texture. If your hair has dried too much after your wash, they might dampen it with a spray bottle. Blowouts work best on damp hair because the shape sets as the hair dries. Conversely, if your hair is dripping wet, they may towel it a bit more to remove excess moisture. Don’t be surprised if the stylist applies a few products before the blow-drying starts. Commonly, they will use a heat protectant spray or cream on your damp hair. This is a crucial product that shields your strands from heat damage as they blow-dry. They might also work in a bit of volumizing mousse at the roots or a smoothing serum/cream. These professional products are part of what makes a difference, as they’re chosen to suit your hair type and the style you want.
Once prep products are in, the stylist will section your hair into manageable parts. They divide hair into sections using clips – often top, sides, and back sections. They will start with one section and work their way through all of your hair. This is where knowing how to blowout hair really becomes an art: the stylist will use a round brush and the blow dryer in tandem on each section. They’ll pick up a section of hair, wrap it over the round brush, and pull the brush from roots toward ends while following along with the dryer’s nozzle. This simultaneous brushing and drying is repeated along the strand until that piece of hair is dry and shaped. For a curlier finish, they might even roll the brush as if it were a roller and hit it with a blast of hot air, then a shot of cool air. In some cases, they may pin up a curl and let it cool while moving to the next section; this can enhance long-lasting curls for very straight hair that has trouble holding shape.
The blow-drying process can take anywhere from 20 minutes for very fine or short hair to 45 minutes or more for very thick or long hair. Don’t hesitate to communicate during this time. If the brush is pulling uncomfortably or the dryer feels too hot on your scalp, let your stylist know. They can adjust technique or heat settings to keep you comfortable. Professional stylists are trained to manage the tug and tension in a way that shouldn’t hurt, but everyone’s scalp sensitivity is different.
When you book at-home hair appointments, you’re not just saving time; you’re getting a personalized, one-on-one salon experience. Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist for pointers during or after your blowout. They can recommend the blowout hair products to use if you want to maintain the look or attempt a DIY in between appointments. Over time, you’ll discover what works best for your hair. But most importantly, enjoy the process and that fresh, confidence-boosting feeling a great blowout brings. With the technical know-how provided by your stylist and the convenience of at-home service, fabulous hair days are now well within reach. Go ahead and rock those blowout hairstyles with pride. You deserve to look and feel your best, all with the ease of an appointment right at home.
Sources:
- Motherly – “This at-home beauty service gave me a date night makeover and here’s how it went”mother.ly
- Byrdie – “8 ’90s Bombshell Blowouts to Try (and How to Get The Look)”byrdie.com
- Allure – “How to Give Yourself a Salon-Worthy Blowout at Home”allure.com
