Of course, not all women can get a blowout look from a simple updo. "Unfortunately, if you have thick or curly hair, you're going to have to manipulate the hair with heat," says Christyn Nawrot, national educator for Phyto.
"Use a curling iron to smooth your hair out and add wave," suggests Nicole Leal, master stylist at Nine Zero One. Adding curls will give coarse hair smoothness, control and style in a few minutes. The key is to use a large-barrel curling iron; the bigger the barrel, the faster you'll get this thing done.
If you've just washed your hair, rough-dry it and add a styling cream like Devacurl B'Leave-In. Then, take a section of hair and clamp a large-barrel curling iron (think: 1.75 to 2 inches) at the very ends; roll the curls all the way up to your scalp, release, and let them cool. Make sure to wait a few minutes before breaking up the curls with a brush and applying finishing spray.
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"Use a curling iron to smooth your hair out and add wave," suggests Nicole Leal, master stylist at Nine Zero One. Adding curls will give coarse hair smoothness, control and style in a few minutes. The key is to use a large-barrel curling iron; the bigger the barrel, the faster you'll get this thing done.
If you've just washed your hair, rough-dry it and add a styling cream like Devacurl B'Leave-In. Then, take a section of hair and clamp a large-barrel curling iron (think: 1.75 to 2 inches) at the very ends; roll the curls all the way up to your scalp, release, and let them cool. Make sure to wait a few minutes before breaking up the curls with a brush and applying finishing spray.
Image via Pinterest
Styling with a curling iron is a great way to fake the blowout look, but if your hair is fine or naturally pin-straight, your faux-blow might not stick around. If that's the case, make your curls and body last with a set of large foam rollers. A drugstore set costs about $5, and they'll help lock in your hairstyle all day.
If you've just washed your hair, add some mousse or styling cream, then air- or blow-dry. After rolling up each section of hair in the curling iron, release it and immediately wrap it around a sponge roller. Leave in the curlers as long as possible while you go about your routine. Then, take them down, brush or finger-comb the curls, set them (with hairspray) and forget them.
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If you've just washed your hair, add some mousse or styling cream, then air- or blow-dry. After rolling up each section of hair in the curling iron, release it and immediately wrap it around a sponge roller. Leave in the curlers as long as possible while you go about your routine. Then, take them down, brush or finger-comb the curls, set them (with hairspray) and forget them.
Image via Getty
A basic flat iron is another great tool for cheating a blowout, especially if you prefer sleekness to curls. If your hair doesn't have a lot of natural texture, you may not even need to iron all of it, Leal points out. "Smoothing just the top sections can give the illusion of a salon blowout," says Leal.
The key here is to not pull the hair straight down with the iron; instead, rotate your wrist as you pass over each section of hair. This will mimic the bend and movement you'd get from a paddle-brush blowout. When you're done ironing, add fluff and fullness by applying dry shampoo or volumizing powder at your roots.
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The key here is to not pull the hair straight down with the iron; instead, rotate your wrist as you pass over each section of hair. This will mimic the bend and movement you'd get from a paddle-brush blowout. When you're done ironing, add fluff and fullness by applying dry shampoo or volumizing powder at your roots.
Image via Getty
For bouncy, blowout-style curls, retro hot rollers might be the next best thing to a blowout. Because they're secured at the scalp and deliver even, sustained heat, hot rollers give hair body and style all day long.
When picking a set and styling your hair, remember two things. First, the thicker your hair is, the bigger your rollers should be. (T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers and Remington T Studio Thermaluxe Pro Series Hair Setter are two great options.) Second, roll your hair horizontally for maximum volume and a pinup look; roll it vertically to get spirals.
The most common mistake with hot rollers: taking them out too quickly. If you remove the rollers before they're completely cool, your curls will go limp before your A.M. commute is over. Try setting your hair at the beginning of your getting-ready routine; once you've done your makeup, gotten dressed and had your morning cup, you're ready to (un)roll.
Image via Shutterstock
When picking a set and styling your hair, remember two things. First, the thicker your hair is, the bigger your rollers should be. (T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers and Remington T Studio Thermaluxe Pro Series Hair Setter are two great options.) Second, roll your hair horizontally for maximum volume and a pinup look; roll it vertically to get spirals.
The most common mistake with hot rollers: taking them out too quickly. If you remove the rollers before they're completely cool, your curls will go limp before your A.M. commute is over. Try setting your hair at the beginning of your getting-ready routine; once you've done your makeup, gotten dressed and had your morning cup, you're ready to (un)roll.
Image via Shutterstock
Speaking of granny hair, it's time we reconsider the humble pin curl. What could be simpler than styling your hair with bobby pins? This heatless hair style is ideal when you have some time to kill, e.g., eight hours of sleep or a lazy afternoon binge-watching "Transparent." And, with a little practice, the end result looks so polished and pretty.
When hair is slightly damp, work in a light-hold styling product. Grab 1.5-inch sections of hair and roll (don't twist) each section up to your scalp, pinning them with bobbies. Kick it while your hair dries, then unpin your curls and brush them out. If the curls are too tight, don't freak out; a water-based salt spray like Herbivore Coconut + Sea Salt Beach Wave Hair Mist will relax your Shirley Temple tendrils into sexy, Blake Lively waves.
Image via Pop Sugar
When hair is slightly damp, work in a light-hold styling product. Grab 1.5-inch sections of hair and roll (don't twist) each section up to your scalp, pinning them with bobbies. Kick it while your hair dries, then unpin your curls and brush them out. If the curls are too tight, don't freak out; a water-based salt spray like Herbivore Coconut + Sea Salt Beach Wave Hair Mist will relax your Shirley Temple tendrils into sexy, Blake Lively waves.
Image via Pop Sugar