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If you love a salon-perfect blow-dry and want to recreate that bouncy, voluminous look at home, you’re in the right place. We’ve got tips, tricks, and must-have products to help you achieve gorgeous, full-bodied hair anytime you want.
WHAT IS A BLOW-DRY?
A blow-dry or blowout is a timeless hairstyling method using a hair dryer and a brush to give your hair shape and volume. The long, bouncy blow-dried look really took off in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to icons like Farrah Fawcett and Jane Fonda with their enviable, voluminous waves. Fast forward to today, and the bouncy blow-dry is still the go-to for polished, salon-fresh hair that oozes red-carpet glamour. Modern icons like Blake Lively and the Princess of Wales have put the bouncy blow-dry back in the spotlight, showcasing its timeless appeal at royal events and Hollywood premieres. Whether you're aiming for a sleek, professional look or those dreamy, glamorous waves, a blow-dry is your top pick for any occasion.
1. Apply a heat protectant
Before you attempt a home blow-dry, it's essential to nourish your hair. Start by shampooing twice – the first wash cleanses and the second nourishes. Then really scrub your scalp to remove any product buildup. Follow this with a moisturising hair mask like the CLOUD NINE Magical Remedy, a 3-in-1 conditioning product containing nourishing ingredients to add strength and moisture. Magical Remedy can be used as a wash-out treatment, leave-in conditioner, or a hair mask to prep your hair for the hair dryer. Finally, gently brush your hair with the CLOUD NINE Wet Hairbush, designed to glide through wet hair and leave it tangle-free, ready for drying.
2. Protect your hair
Always shield your hair with a heat protectant before using any heated styling tool. We recommend a few spritzes of our Magical Quick Dry Potion, which contains a special blend of nourishing ingredients to help protect your hair from heat. It also contains a lightweight conditioning oil to help tame frizz. Simply shake the bottle to activate the lightweight conditioners, and gently brush it through your hair before styling. Not only does the Magical Potion protect your hair, but it can cut drying time in half by expelling moisture from the hair shaft – a definite win-win.
3. Let it air dry for a while
If your hair is too wet, blow-drying will take much longer and feel like a workout. Using a hair dryer on very wet hair can also cause damage as saturated hair is more fragile than dry hair, meaning it’s more easily damaged especially if using high heat. Before reaching for the hair dryer, use a soft towel to remove excess water with a few gentle squeezes, then let your hair air dry for about 10 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, try spraying your hair with our Quick Dry Magical Potion which helps reduce drying time by 50% as well as nourishing your hair from root to tip.
4. Use the right hair dryer
When picking a hair dryer for that perfect bouncy blow-dry, go for a powerful one with a range of heat and speed settings, plus ionic or ceramic technology to help keep frizz at bay and add shine. A lightweight, comfy design will make your dryer easy to handle, and extras like a concentrator nozzle and diffuser are a bonus. Plus, quieter models with a solid warranty are always a good bet.
The good news is that both CLOUD NINE hair dryers tick all these boxes and can help you create a gorgeous DIY blow-dry. Whichever one you choose, you’re guaranteed to get great results.
- Our Airshot hair dryer uses Anti-Static technology to reduce the amount of negatively charged particles, reducing frizz and flyways and providing you with that high shine, silky blow-out look. Its Cool Shot button also allows you to set that bounce in place for long-lasting style.
- Our Airshot Pro hair dryer is our lightest, most powerful hair dryer with a quiet Eco-Precision motor, mineral-infused barrel and Self-Clean mode. Like the Airshot, the Airshot Pro also comes with Variable Temperature Control, meaning you can choose from three heat settings to select the perfect temperature for your hair. It also has a Cool Shot button for that final style-setting blast. Ideal for all hair types, the Airshot Pro comes with two Magnetic Attachments – the Diffuser Attachment is perfect for defining your natural waves or curls, and the Precise-Drying Nozzle helps you achieve smooth, sleek hair that shines.
If you’re not sure which one to choose, compare our hair dryers.
5. Switch up the direction
Holding your brush in your left hand, on the left-hand side of your head, dry your hair away from your face and turn the brush anti-clockwise as you rotate it through your hair. Keep the hair dryer right next to the hair on the brush and direct the airflow downwards to make the cuticles lie flatter.
If you’re holding your brush in your right hand, on the right-hand side of your head, repeat the same but turn the brush clockwise. For those extra-bouncy waves, use a round brush on the mid-lengths and ends and finish with the CLOUD NINE Luxury Dressing Brush.
6. Make it last
There’s nothing worse than spending ages achieving the perfect style, for it to drop within hours. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep your blow-dry looking fresher for longer:
- A lightweight hair spray – Once you’ve crafted the perfect blow-out, spritz all over with a lightweight setting hairspray. This will help to keep your style in place, without weighing your hair down or creating build-up.
- A silk pillowcase – Sleeping on silk might seem like an indulgence, but it reduces frizz and friction on your hair, keeping your style in place overnight so you can wake up looking just as gorgeous as when you fell asleep.
- Gentle hair accessories – Another overnight trick is to twist your blow-dried strands into buns and secure them with silk scrunchies or no-snag hair bobbles. This can help to prolong your blow-dry's volume and shape.
7. Boost your root
For a full-bodied blow-dry that’s never lacking in volume, give your roots a little extra lift with a scrunch of volumising product. These come in many forms, including mousses, powders and sprays. In a pinch, a few sprays of dry shampoo will do the trick. Perfect if you want to amp up your blow-dry if you’re going out after work, or want to refresh your blow-dry on day two.
Another way to refresh your at-home blow-dry for another day of glamour is by using the CLOUD NINE Hot Brush. This mineral-infused styling effortlessly tames frizz and smooths down strays with a few sweeps, and its Variable Temperature Controls mean you can select a lower temperature for touch-ups. Start at the roots to give your style a lift, and flick at the ends to maintain that signature shape.
POPULAR BLOW-DRY STYLES
So, you’ve nailed the basics of a bouncy blow-dry, but there’s a whole world of styles to explore. Whether you’re rocking a fringe, aiming for sleek straight hair, or embracing your inner curly girl, there’s a blow-dry technique for every look. We’ve got the lowdown on some of the most popular blow-dry styles and how you can achieve them at home.
How to blow-dry bangs
Whether you call them bangs or fringes, they’re an important part of your blow-dry. For perfect bangs, use a small round brush. Direct the hair dryer’s airflow downwards and roll the brush under the bangs, pulling slightly towards your face. For a side fringe, rotate your fringe off to one side, directing the air along the hair towards the ends. Finish with a shot of cool air to set your fringe or bangs in place.
Check out the Silm Iron – designed with slim ½ inch Floating Ceramic SpringFlexTM plates, it could be the perfect partner to your hair dryer for styling your fringe.
How to do a bouncy blow-dry
Want bouncy, salon-worthy hair? Start by sectioning your hair and using a large round brush. As you dry each section, roll the brush under and lift at the roots. Alternate directions at the ends for that all-important bounce. Finish with a cool blast to lock in all that volume.
How to blow-dry hair straight
For sleek, straight hair, use a brush with nylon bristles like our Luxury Dressing Brush and direct the airflow down the hair shaft. Dry in sections, and for an extra smooth finish, run a hair straightener like our Original Iron over it on a heat setting that’s suitable for your hair. Easy and super sleek. Check out our Temperature Calculator to work out which heat setting is ideal for your hair type.
How to do a curly blow-dry
Our Airshot Pro hair dryer is perfect for achieving a curly blow-dry. To enhance your natural curls, pop on its Magnetic Diffuser Attachment and scrunch your hair gently upwards as you dry to help maintain the shape and definition of your curls and reduce frizz. For any loose curls that need a little extra shaping, use the CLOUD NINE Curling Wand to define them.
Check out our blog for more advice on how to use a diffuser.
How to blow-dry a bob
For a stylish bob or lob, use a medium round brush and dry your hair while pulling sections forward and under to create a subtle curve at the ends. Finish with a smoothing serum to keep everything sleek and flyaway-free.
BLOW-DRY FAQs
What makes the perfect blow-dry?
A perfect blow-dry is all about creating the ideal blend of volume, shape, and hold. It should leave your hair looking full, shiny, and smooth without flyaways or frizz . To pull it off, start with clean, prepped hair using conditioning products like CLOUD NINE’s Magical Remedy either as a wash-out conditioner, leave-in conditioner or hair mask. Before styling, apply a heat protectant like our nourishing Magical Quick Dry Potion, then use a hair dryer with haircare technology like our Airshot Pro and finish with a smoothing serum to add shine and reduce frizz. Having the right tools and products in your styling kit will help you get perfect long-lasting results every time.
Can you do a blow-out without a hair dryer?
Yes – if you’re skipping the hair dryer, you can still achieve a salon-fresh blow-dry look. Start by using a Curling Wand to create soft waves, then gently brush them out to mimic the smooth, voluminous finish of a blow-dry. Another option is to set your hair with rollers and let it air dry before brushing out your waves with a nylon-bristled brush like our Luxury Dressing Brush.
What occasions should I blow-dry my hair for?
Ablow-dry is fantastic for any event where you want to look – and feel – your absolute best. They’re ideal for special occasions like weddings, parties, or job interviews, where a polished, glamorous appearance can make a big impact. Whether you're preparing for a big night out or a big presentation at work, a blow-dry ensures your hair is sleek, voluminous, and perfectly styled, boosting your confidence and making you feel ready to take on the world.
Does blow-drying damage your hair?
Yes, excessive heat from blow-drying can potentially damage your hair over time. To minimise this risk, use hair dryers with Variable Temperature Control, such as our Airshot and Airshot Pro, which have three temperature settings and a Cool Shot button, allowing you to adjust the heat according to your hair type. Check out our Temperature Calculator to help you find the ideal heat setting. By using these tools and techniques, you can enjoy beautiful blow-dries while keeping your hair healthy and protected.
Ready to achieve the perfect blow-dry at home? Explore our range of hair dryers and get started on your journey to bouncy, beautiful, healthy hair.
