Reader Q&A: "Can I Learn to Blow Dry My Hair Like a Pro?"

A My Beauty Life reader -- Michelle, who lives in Venice, Calif. -- wrote in with one the most common complaints we hear: "I'm sick of throwing money at my hairdresser every time I want my hair to look good. Can I learn to blow dry my hair like a pro?"

The answer, Michelle, and the rest of you fed up women out there, is "yes" -- but you're going to have to work at it. Here, gleaned from years of working with the industry's top pros, are the tips you must follow if you want to get salon-worthy hair at home.

Step 1: Towel dry your hair then apply a heat protecting and volumizing mousse like Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Heat Protection & Shine Spray, $10.99, to damp hair.

After applying product, rough-dry hair at the roots using your fingers to pull hair away from your scalp and position the dryer so it's shooting air from the crown of your head downward. Continue until your hair is about 80 percent dry. Then, divide your hair into sections and cordon off each section with a clip so you can concentrate on one area at a time. (Note: If you have bangs, it's a good idea to start with them so you won't have to worry about wrestling them into place once the rest of your hair is dry.)

Step 2: Choose the best brush for the style you're after. The shape of brush you choose will play a major part in the end result. "If you're going for volume and curl," says Mari Ring from the Salon Maxiums in Hermosa Beach, Calif., "it is best to use a round brush with a barrel anywhere from 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches, depending on the size of the curl you're after." If you prefer a straight, sleek look, use a paddle brush. For a straight style that has a slight bend to the ends, use an oval brush.

Step 3: Dig out the nozzle and place it on your dryer! It helps to direct airflow, which is more than half the battle when it comes to achieving a salon-worthy look. Wrap a 2- to 4-inch section of hair around your brush and pull it as tight as you can as you point your dryer down the hair shaft from roots to ends.

Step 4: Always allow hair to cool before removing the brush; this will give you better hold. If your dryer has a "cool shot" button, now's the time to use it. A blast of cool air can work wonders when it comes to getting hair to behave and look shiny.

Once you've finished with your entire head, you should be pleasantly surprised by how "pro" your blowout looks. And, just think about what you can do with all that money you're saving at the salon!

Want to add some oomph to your beautiful blowout? Here are some video tips for adding volume.