The Blowout Mistake Hairstylists Wish You'd Stop Making

Why Your Blowout Doesn't Last

The biggest blowout mistakes, according to hairstylists? Leaving even a little moisture in your hair and releasing your styled sections before they've had time to cool. Both can send your bouncy blowout falling flat faster than you can say “Airwrap.”

“The first thing I question is whether the hair is completely dry and whether they’re letting each section cool before releasing it,” explains celebrity hairstylist and SEXYHAIR ambassador Danielle Priano. “Even a little moisture left in the hair can make a blowout fall flat,” she adds. 

Why is this so important? According to celebrity hairstylist Jeremy Pugh, “Heat creates the bouncy shape you want, but cooling is what locks it in and makes it last.” Plus, he says, “if you let it drop and brush it out while it's still warm it's absolutely going to fall — and that goes for any type of curls, not just blowouts.”

Michelle Scrivner, director of artist education at Blo Blow Dry Bar, likes to dive even deeper. “I would ask about their at-home care and their lifestyle to gather more information,” she says. “I ask what products they use for maintenance and determine if it's hurting or helping their longevity. [Do they] protect their hair from moisture and humidity?”

How to Make a Blowout Last Longer in 7 Steps

1. Start With a Clarifying Shampoo 

Make sure when you’re washing your hair, you are getting rid of any excess product buildup with a clarifying shampoo. “Volume is built in with stylers at the end, not so much with shampoos,” explains Scrivner. We love the LIVING PROOF Clarifying Detox Shampoo for this. It’s sulfate-free and designed to be used once a week. 

2. Condition With a Lightweight Conditioner

All three experts agree, and note that the conditioner should be lightweight unless you have very dry or coarse hair. Only add conditioner to the ends of hair, never the roots.

3. Add a Volumizing Mousse

This is where a lot of people get nervous because hairstylists recommend applying a volumizing mousse to the roots of the hair, and most people get afraid to touch the roots after a wash. However, experts say applying about a golf-ball-sized amount of mousse to the palms of your hands, mixing it together between hands, and starting at the roots and dragging down to the ends is key. “Choose based on your texture,” says Priano, and make sure it has heat protection. We’re huge fans of the SEXYHAIR Big Altitude Bodifying Blow Dry Mousse for this. 

4. Rough Blow-Dry Hair 

“Dry to about 80% before you even think about picking up a brush,” says Pugh.

5. Work Section by Section With the Tool(s) of Your Choice 

“Work each section north, south, east, and west, making sure to establish that volume at the root with whatever tool you love, whether it's a round brush, one of those blowout brushes, or even a thermal brush,” says Pugh. The step everyone skips? “Never drag the hair straight off the tool,” Pugh adds. “Untwist it off the barrel so the curl keeps its shape.”

We love the WAVYTALK Airshape Pro Roller Air Styler Set that has air wrapping curl technology and different attachments, including rollers that can be added to the wand so pulling out hair and keeping it pinned is an absolute breeze. We’re also fans of the SRI StyleWrap Pro that has six attachments, including a round brush. Need just a heated round brush? You can’t go wrong with the PARIS HILTON Infrared Blower Brush.

6. Pin Your Just-Curled Hair for Cooling 

Using either rollers or pins, pin the curls up so they can set and cool in place. 

7. Use a Finishing Spray or Serum for Hold 

Once hair is completely cool and completely dry, use a “flexible hairspray with Panthenol to boost shine sprayed at a distance and down the hair cuticle,” says Scrivner. “Combining dry texturizing spray with mineral powder will create fullness. This is the last step to lock in your look, while adding texture and volume for days.” We’re huge fans of the KENRA PROFESSIONAL Volume Spray 25 Super Hold Finishing Hairspray for this. 

Pugh prefers to use a serum on the ends. “The perfect finish to any blowout is a little hair serum on the ends,” he says. “It polishes everything and really pulls the whole look together. It's also great for bringing your blowout back to life on day two or three.” He says he notices a major difference in clients’ blowout satisfaction when he uses a serum.  

How Long Should a Blowout Last?

“If done correctly a blowout should last a solid three to four days,” says Pugh. “But always remember the enemy of a good blowout is moisture, especially if you have curly hair and don't want it going back.” The secret Pugh uses on his celeb clients? “Spray a little dry shampoo at the roots before you even need it, right after a fresh blowout or right before bed,” he says. “That way when you sweat during a workout or in your sleep, it soaks up that moisture before it can ruin your shape and kill your volume.”

How to Preserve Your Blowout Overnight

This is key to keeping a great blowout lasting for days. A sneaky thing you might be doing that’s ruining your style is showering without completely protecting your hair. Priano suggests “wearing a shower cap when showering, as steam can undo your blowout.”

While sleeping, silk is your best friend. “A silk or satin pillowcase is another major one,” says Pugh. “A satin bonnet is great, but if you're a thrasher sleeper like me, a satin pillowcase will save your life. And if you want to put it up, make sure to keep it loose. Gather it into a loose high bun or a pineapple with a silk scrunchie or do two loose buns if you have a ton of hair.”

The Bottom Line on Making Your Blowout Last

Experts agree that although the most important step to preserving a blowout is waiting for curls to dry and cool completely before releasing them, the way you use products is a big factor as well. Use a clarifying shampoo before blowout day, and keep conditioners to the ends of hair only. Mousse goes on your roots, while serum and finishing sprays go on the ends. Make sure to sleep in a silk bonnet or a satin pillowcase to keep hair intact as you sleep.