How To: Blowout Hair at Home Perfectly, Part 2

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Denman Large Paddle Brush
$15.59
Available at: amazon.com

This is Part 2 in a 2-part series. See Part 1 for product recommendations for the perfect at-home blowout.

Getting a perfect in home blowout is never easy, even with the right tools. But, with lots of practice in combination with the right tools, there could be awesome results. Proper hair upkeep is crucial to up keep your hair healthy and less likely to break and dry up when blow drying. Well-maintained hair is more likely to handle the heat, and stay strong.

Three essential tools make blow drying a success: a good snag free paddle brush, a round brush, and a blow dryer with three (hot, warm, cool) heat settings. Last week I suggested using Kerastase Resistance Volumactive Mousse as a straightening product, but it depends what your goal is with the blowout. I like to get bouncy shiny hair-- I don’t go for the stick -straight look. If you want straight, sleek hair you may want to use straightening balm and a flat iron. Using the right products is essential to help you get the results you want.

For some expert hair advice I asked Cassy DaSilva, a hair stylist in La Jolla, California, how to get a sleek salon look without actually going there. “First you need a paddle brush to guide your hair while you’re drying it,” offered Cassy. She recommended getting a brush that won’t snag or break hair. I found a paddle brush that is getting two thumbs up from reviewers and may end up being one of your essential brushes in the hair drawer-- the Denman Paddle Brush.

Turbo Power MegaTurbo 3000
$54.99
Available at: jr.com

After you have guided your hair in the direction you wish, then you can section it off to prep it for blowout. Make sure your hair is about 95% dry before sectioning to prevent frizz and damaged heir. After you have sectioned it off in pieces that are manageable for you, then you can proceed by grabbing a round brush. Most experts agree that you should start from the bottom sections. But, I always do my bangs first, and then I start from the bottom. I do this because I get lazy towards the end of the blow dry and my technique starts slacking big time. For an easy grip round brush, try the Monroe Pink Brush. This is perfect if you are looking for that Victoria's Secret straight, yet luscious look.

Lastly, getting a good hair dryer is crucial. It’s not necessary to get a super expensive hair dryer because you aren’t doing 20-30 blow dries a day like a professional stylist would. I just bought a Turbo Power MegaTurbo 3000 Professional Hair Dryer and I’m very happy with it. My hair gets shiny and soft as a result of this lightweight blow dryer made in Italy. It has 5 temperatures and 2 speed settings-- more than enough! Remember to have the nozzle facing down when blow drying to avoid frizz, and blow dry from top of the hair to bottom.

Happy blowout ladies!
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.

How To: Blowout Hair At Home Perfectly, Part 1

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Kerastase Bain Oleo-Relax
Shampoo
$33.00 - $105.90
Available at: amazon.com

If I could have anything I want, I would have a personal hair stylist with me at all times. Growing up with curly, frizzy hair, I’m most confident after a blowout. Nothing beats the smooth, silky look of a fresh blowout. After seeing my bank statement, and noticing the jaw-dropping amount of money I was spending on blowouts, I figured out a way to keep the confidence without draining my bank account.

The problem started when I stopped highlighting my hair. I thought I could justify weekly blowouts, but I was wrong. Now I allow myself one monthly blowout, and have invested in amazing hair products that have made my hair livelier between professional blowouts. I realize the value of well-researched shampoo and conditioner choices. Feeding my hair the best product out there has given my hair an opportunity to shine without going to a salon for a blowout.

My girlfriend Katrina Sortino has tried to get me to put faith in Kerastase products for a while. Although I believed her, I didn’t think it was worth the splurge. I finally caved in and gave the luxury hair line a chance. It did everything to give my hair a boost, and more! My hair has never felt so soft and manageable. Kerastase has a product for all your hair concerns, from thinning hair to dry damaged hair. With all kinds of hair products to fit your personal needs, this brand will change the destiny of your hair for the better! It’s definitely a pricey luxury line, but it’s worth it! And it’s the first step, and the needed leg work, to achieve the wanted salon blowout look.

Kerastase Resistance
Volumactive Mousse
$33.00
Available at: amazon.com

For frizzy, curly hair I recommend using the Kerastase Bain Oleo-Relax line. It relaxes the frizz, but doesn’t make hair look limp. It gives hair that bouncy silky-soft look with no effort! Both the shampoo and conditioner are designed for daily use without weighing hair down. I make sure to shampoo my scalp twice to get any gunk out, and avoid oily looking roots after a day. I also make sure to get all of the excess water from the ends of my hair before I apply the conditioner because I want my hair to soak the conditioner in. I shave and lather my body while the ends absorb the conditioner and then proceed to rinse my hair thoroughly with cold water.

There are different products for specific problems or certain hair types. But, if you have similar hair to me and need volume, then I wouldn’t hesitate when purchasing the Kerastase Resistance Volumactive Mousse. This stuff makes hair look the part of full, thick, and healthy hair. Although I have curly hair, it has never been thick and that has made it difficult for me to find a product to create volume without frizz. The Kerastase mousse does the job and keeps the look presentable for about two days post-blowout. I think we found a winner!

Tune in later this week for more products that will make your home blowout a salon success, without the salon price.

.:Part 2:.

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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.