Hair Care

How to Blow-Dry Your Hair Like a Pro

Follow these expert tips for the best at-home blow-out, ever

by Audrey Fine, Marissa DeSantis

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Brush Shape Matters The shape of brush you choose will play a major part in the end result. "If you're going for volume and curl," says Ring, "it is best to use a round brush with a barrel anywhere from 1 ¾ to 2 ½ inches depending on the size of the curl you're after." For a round brush, try Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Thermal Hairbrush, $19.95, for a 1 ¾" brush, or Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Thermal Boar Bristle Hairbrush, $22.45, for a 2 ½" brush.

If a straight, sleek look is what you're after, it's all about the paddle brush. "They're fantastic brushes, but you don't need to drop $200 on a Mason Pearson," says Ring. "A Paul Mitchell Paddle Brush, available at salons, will work just fine."

SEE NEXT PAGE: Pre-Dry Prep

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Older comments

Great tips!!

by cyndi_albritton_hall Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 08:05PM Report as inappropriate

Great suggestions! I switched to an ionic hair dryer and quit over-drying my hair. It's made a huge difference in my hair health.

by GigiSD Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 09:58PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful!

by EricaC123 Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 05:04PM Report as inappropriate

Great How-To! Cant wait to try.

by kimihavens Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 01:56PM Report as inappropriate

I try to do this, exactly as described, but I never realized how important the "cool shot" is to a successful blow dry.

by Sandramac25 Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 07:23AM Report as inappropriate

Love this tutorial! I was a \"dryer-shaker\", and now know why I couldn\'t shake (no pun intended!) frizz...I will be changing my technique beginning with my next shampoo! Thanks for the info!

by angie_riddell Monday, June 18, 2012 at 07:00AM Report as inappropriate

this is really helpful, i never quite figured out how to blow dry my hair

by liliofthevalley Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 06:02PM Report as inappropriate

i do my hair the exact same way described, but it never comes out like does when i walk out of the salon.

by kimberly1213 Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 10:42AM Report as inappropriate

Amazing tips, going to try this the next time I blow dry my hair!

by MissXu Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 10:28AM Report as inappropriate

I expected to see how a woman does her own hair. I blow dry my hair exactly the way it is described and never get good results. Also it is very much time consuming and very hard to do.

by ankova Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 07:55AM Report as inappropriate