This Blow Dryer Brush Routine Gives Me Quintessential ‘90s Hair
Va-va-voom volume in 10 minutes.
My hair is fine but dense. That means that I have a high number of hair follicles, but each one is thin in diameter. It can hold a style well, but is easily weighed down by heavy products. The kicker? Because of its fragile nature, it is easily susceptible to damage and breakage. As a girl who loves a '90s-hair, bouncy blowout, that can pose a problem. The solution? A top-tier blow dry brush that's gentle on strands, paired with a hair care routine stacked with hydrating volumizers.
While I may be partial to the Dyson hair dryer Airstyler—thanks to its low heat output—I also find that the key to success lies in the products that come before and after I actually use it. I'm talking a heat protectant to shield, a root mist to lift, and even a finishing spray for that extra bit of zhuzh. Each step is crucial to achieving maximum height and volume for that Victoria's Secret bombshell, Cindy Crawford-esque hair. Keep reading for my five-step routine for the sexiest hair ever.
Grab a Blow Dryer Brush
As a beauty editor, I've tried just about every blow dryer brush. What I've come to learn is that there is no match for my Dyson Airwrap. New variations are released every few years, and the technology continues to advance. The Airwrap Coanda 2x may be (exceptionally) pricey, but my flipped-out hair is proof that it works better than anything else on the market.
Use a Heat Protectant
Whenever I deal with heat, I grab one of my tried-and-true heat protectants. When I'm styling my hair into a bouncy blowout, I try to incorporate a heat protector with an added element to help shape the style, whether that's amping up shine or texture.
RŌZ creates some of the best styling products in the game, in my humble opinion. This thickening, texturizer spray adds heat protectant to its formulation—up to 450 degrees!—for an all-in-one spray that gives your hair the best full-bodied look.
When I've subjected my hair to extra hot tools during the week, it's been exposed to harsher weather or climates, or even if it just needs a little extra TLC, I reach for this heat protectant. It adds extra protection, helping to seal in the strand's cuticle for smoother, healthier-looking hair.
Leverage Volume Products
When it comes to a blowout, volume is the name of the game. For me, it's key to find a thickening treatment that adds lift to the roots, giving the appearance of a fuller, more voluminous look. It might look like my hair is thick, but I promise you: it's all an illusion.
This formula tackles the roots from the get-go with its volumizing technology, which adds lift and height at the front of the hair. Spray onto your damp hair, then use the blow dryer brush, beginning at the roots and rolling up and away.
Mousse is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think of volume. That said, not all mousses are made equal. This one from Crown Affair tackles any signs of crunch and imparts a glossy sheen from hydration while defining it in the process. While it's designed to be left in and air-dried, I find it works particularly well with a blow dryer brush.
Set Your Blowout in Place
I have two types of blowouts: an event blowout, where I give myself ample time to get ready, or a run-out-the-door-because-I'm-going-to-be-late blowout. When it's the latter, I usually skip this step. However, if I have something special and really want to lock in the volume and style for the rest of the night, I'll throw in rollers and clips to keep the style in place.
These aluminum clips have been used for years in the hair industry to help hold a style. Blow dry your hair with your hot brush, then roll the section into a curl with your fingers while it's still warm. Place a clip in and let the hair cool down, locking the curl in place. I'll leave them in until I'm ready to head out the door.
If Victoria's Secret bombshell hair is the kind of bounce you desire, I'll walk you through a two-step blowout routine. After using the blow dryer brush on a section of your hair, secure the warmed section in a velcro roller. Keep them in while you do your makeup, and in about 30 minutes, your hair will reach new levels of volume.
Top It Off With Shine Hold
Now's the time for the finishing touch. All those texturizing products can leave hair dull—that's when some shimmer comes in. This is when I grab my oils and shine products, along with a top-tier hairspray.
I apply this oil whenever I get the chance throughout the day. My hair drinks up its lightweight formulation, and it won't weigh down the volume I added with my blowout routine.
Senior Beauty Editor Samantha Holender got me hooked on this shine spray. It imparts the most stunning sheen on my hair, without overdoing it—and takes the blowout up another notch.
Other Blow Dryer Brushes I Love
For an inexpensive option that always hits, look to Revlon.
Blowout fall flat mid-day? No worries, pop this thermal round brush that works on dry hair into your cart for any touch-ups. It always works beautifully on bangs as well.
I only use T3 curling irons to wave my hair, and its blow dryer brush is just as good.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
