✨ Blow-Drying Like a Pro (Even If You’re Not One)
The Stylist's Perspective: Thea-Jane at Work
Whether you're chasing that bouncy salon finish or just trying to tame your morning frizz, mastering the basics of blow-drying at home can seriously change your hair game.
Here’s what I tell my clients who want smoother, more polished results — without the damage.
💨 Let It Breathe, Then Bring the Heat
One of the most common mistakes I see? Blow-drying straight from soaking wet.
Unless you’re doing a rough-dry first (and know what you're doing), you're forcing your hair to stretch while it’s at its weakest. Instead, gently towel blot — never rub — and let your hair air dry until it’s about 70% dry. This gives you more control, saves heat damage, and speeds up the process.
✋🏼 My Pro Tip: Let Your Fingers Lead
Personally, I prefer to use your fingers like a comb — lifting the root area and allowing the warm air from the blow-dryer to flow freely through the strands. This way, there's no undue stretch or tension on your locks during the drying process.
If you’ve got a dryer with a nozzle attachment (highly recommended), angle the nozzle downward as you work your ceramic round brush through the hair. This technique smooths the cuticle, seals in your treatments, gloss, and your hair’s natural oils — leaving you with that smooth, shiny, and healthy salon look.
It’s all about respecting the hair: no yanking, no extreme heat, and no shortcuts with overheated tools. One of the most common rookie mistakes is cranking up the heat setting far too high, which can literally scorch your stunning mane.
Blow-drying shouldn’t feel like a dreaded chore. With the right products — like weightless volumisers or gloss-enhancing leave-ins — plus the easy, personalised tips we give you at Cuts By Carella, achieving that “salon finish” at home becomes effortless. It’s also a huge part of why rebooking and maintaining your hair between visits makes such a difference in how your hair behaves day to day.
🧴 Prep Like a Stylist
Don’t skip product. A good blow-dry starts with:
A lightweight heat protectant (non-negotiable!)
Volumising mousse or root lift spray for body
Smoothing serum or cream on mid-lengths and ends if frizz is a concern
(Ask us in-salon which combo is best for your hair type — Cairns’ humidity is a whole mood in itself.)
🌀 Choose the Right Brush, Not Just Any Brush
Different brushes give different results. My go-to guidelines:
Round brush = volume and bend (perfect for bouncy, blown-out looks)
Paddle brush = sleek and straight (ideal for thick or long hair)
Vent brush = fast rough-drying (for speed over polish)
If you’re unsure what to use at home, just ask during your next visit — we’ll show you.
🔥 The Right Heat for the Right Hair
More heat doesn’t mean better results — it means more damage.
Most dryers have:
Medium heat for everyday styling
Cool shot to seal the cuticle
High heat only when absolutely needed (like resistant, coarse hair)
Keep the dryer about 15cm away, and keep it moving to avoid frying any one section.
✅ Final Tips From the Chair
✔️ Always finish with a cool shot to lock in shine
✔️ Dry your fringe or face-framing pieces first — they set the tone
✔️ Section, don’t scramble — clean sections = pro finish
✔️ Your home care routine matters just as much as your salon visit
Want to get more from your next blow-dry?
Ask me in-salon and I’ll walk you through a custom routine you can actually stick to.
