Mondays with Mindy: Secrets of a Hairstylist

I can’t tell you the number of times my clients ask me, “Why can’t I get my hair to look the way you make it look?” while styling. Honestly, with the right tools and this easy method, it’s not that difficult. So, here it is. 8 simple steps to achieve the best blow out-hair style.

1. After your hair is shampooed and conditioned, gently towel dry it. Don’t rub the towel against your hair, just use it to absorb the excess water in the hair strands. 
2. Using a large wide-tooth comb, detangle your tresses. This is important. Because hair is at its most delicate state when wet, a brush can actually break your hair. With the wide-tooth comb, start at the ends of your hair and work your way up the hair shaft. This also will avoid breakage.
3. After the knots and tangles are gone, gather your hair into a low pony and squeeze any remaining water out of the hair. Part your hair where you’d like and comb straight.
4. Work a dime-size dollop of smoothing serum, blow drying balm, or styling oil (depending on your hair texture) throughout your hair avoiding the roots. This will help dodge greasy looking roots. Then, I like to add a root boost foam or lifting spray (again depending on the texture) at the roots right where a halo would fall on your head.  Just a few spritzes is plenty. The combination of these two products minimize frizz, allow for shorter drying time, and increase volume at the root. I like to tell my clients that this cocktail of products is similar to a primer you would use on your face before foundation. People often believe these tools are unnecessary, but if you want to do your hair like a pro, don’t skip the products!
5. Now, use the dryer to blast the hair at the roots in the direction you want it to fall. Many people do the upside down, shake your hair everywhere method. That leaves more opportunity for frizz. If you dry your hair keeping it in a similar way you want the end result to be, it’s less work after you put the dryer away. Also, and this will take some practice, but move the dryer constantly. This will help avoid damage as well as add extra air into your hair…leading to less drying time. 
6. Another important tip, do NOT use a styling brush until the hair is about 80 to 90 percent dry. Once you’re there, section your hair. Basically pull your hair from your ears up so it looks like a half-up hair style. Now take the brush and roll it under the bottom layer of the hair. Again, keep the dryer moving back a forth to avoid breakage and damage from direct heat. Once dry, pull down another section from your temples down. Dry this section using the brush. Once its dry, take your hair completely down and dry the top section with the brush. I like to take the crown section and over direct it forward to create extra volume. Everyone thinks the sectioning method will take forever to do, but once you’ve practiced this technique, you’ll find it actually takes less time. 
7. A huge trick to better styled hair is to be sure it’s completely dry before you throw the dryer in the cabinet. If your hair is even the least bit damp, it gives your hair permission to do whatever it wants throughout the rest of the drying time. AKA frizz, frayed ends, wavy roots and mayhem! Be in control of your hair. Just like a child or a dog, if you give them an inch they’ll run a mile. Same with your hair; You are the boss!!
8. If needed, take a flat or curling iron and briefly use the heat to prefect your hairstyle. Section your hair in the same sections as during the blow drying to avoid missing any strands. 

Voila! You now have the tools to style like a pro. Style on, girls. Style on!

XOXO Mindy