Stepping Out This Thanksgiving? 6 Tips For A Bouncin', Swingin' Blowout!!

 [source: Tumblr - Lindsey Mak Photography]

Get that touchable Holiday hair you have always wanted by trying these easy tips. Proper blow-drying techniques yields hair that is straighter, softer, full of body and less likely to revert. I use these methods when blow-drying my hair to press it, or when wearing a dry braid out [pictured here]. - Grab your most hydrating conditioner, your favorite light leave-in, a serum or two and your well on your way!

Condition well: This is when I break out the good stuff. It is very important to make sure your hair is ultra hydrated before blow drying. Not only will this help speed up the blow drying process [and lessen your chances of damage from combing/brushing tangled hair], but it will also close the cuticle which means your hair will be smoother, softer, shinier, full of body, and less prone to static electricity. 

Here are my favorite ultra hydrating conditioners:

• Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Mas <<--Hands down my fave buy of the year. Ladies, buy the samples if you don't want to splurge on the full jar.
• Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treat << Another fave, specifically formulated for the needs of curly hair, this natural conditioner packs a powerful moisture punch. 
• Keracare Humecto 
• Aveda Damage Remedy

Detangle well: A large percentage of the damage from blow drying comes from mechanical damage; basically combing and brushing your hair. Your hair is in it's most fragile state when wet, so improper combing/detangling techniques can lead to breakage, split ends, single strand knots, and hair loss. - For those with thick, highly textured hair, I recommend detangling in small sections either before shampooing [as demonstrated in this video], or while your hair is loaded with conditioner.  Detangling well prior to blow drying means less tension on the hair, and a quicker blow drying session. 

Protect your hair: Protecting your hair from the heat will help you retain more moisture, and will also ensure that your hair remains soft, shiny and full of body. To protect my hair, I usually bring in a light-weight conditioner formulated for free-flowing styles. My leave-in of choice for sleeker styles that require heat styling is always Sebastian Potion Number 9. It's light enough so that it doesn't leave your hair stiff or dull from residue. Yet hydrating enough for thick, coarse, curly hair. I only use about a dime-size portion for each section of hair. - I also spritz my entire head with Aveda Brilliant Damage Protection. This is a heat protectant that also offers additional shine, softness and body.

Bring in the serums: If you aren't afraid of products that contain silicone's, listen up: I usually add about a dime-to-quarter size amount of Chi Silk Infusion alone or mixed with a few dollops of Aveda Smooth Infusion to my entire head {after applying my leave-in and spraying my heat protectant} before blow-drying. Not only do the silicone's in the serums absorb the heat which helps protect the hair, but they also help seal the cuticle. This means less frizz, reduced chances of your hair reverting due to moisture in the hair, and also, less tangles and knots.

The 8 inch rule: Always hold your blow dryer at least 8 inches away from your hair. This will significantly help prevent heat damage, and ensure the finished style is hydrated and full of body. Holding the blow dryer too close to your hair not only causes heat damage, but it can also make your blow-dried hair appear stiff, dull, and dry.

Point dryer towards the ends of your hair: I always hold my dryer at an angle facing downward. This makes for a much smoother, straighter, sleeker blow-out, as it encourages the cuticles to remain flat.

**Optional, ditch the blow-drying comb and use a Denman D4 brush for an even sleeker look

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